Feb. 28th, 1852.
"1817, June. The original diamond ring of Mary Queen
of Scots, upon which are engraved the arms of England,
Scotland, and Ireland, quartered, and which was
produced in evidence at the trial of the unfortunate
Mary, as a proof of her pretensions to the Crown of
England, was in possession of the late Mr. Blachford,
a Lord of the Admiralty, at the time of his death.[A]
The history of this fatal ring is curious: it descended
from Mary to her grandson, Charles the First, who gave
it, on the scaffold, to Archbishop Juxon, for his son,
Charles the Second, who, in his troubles, pawned it
in Holland for £300, when it was bought by Governor
Yale, and sold at his sale for £320, supposed to the
Pretender. Afterwards it came into possession of the
Earl of Ilay, Duke of Argyll, and probably from him
to the family of Mr. Blachford, at the sale of whose
effects it was said to have been purchased for the
Prince Regent."
J. W. B. (F. S. A.) writes--"In answer to your correspondent R. B.
("Current Notes," February) I beg to remind him, that the attendants
who shew Holyrood Palace offer for sale to the visitors a _Tassie
facsimile_ impression seal of "Queen Mary's Signet ring." I myself
purchased one last summer, and on looking to the box in which it is
enclosed, I find it is stated to be copied from that "in the collection
of the late Earl of Buchan." I know not whether the collection alluded
to has been dispersed or not. However, if this fact be not already
familiar to R. B. it may afford him some clue in his enquiry. I add an
impression from the Seal, which exactly tallies with the one engraved
in 'Current Notes.'"