DIGITISED MANUSCRIPTS

( a) Scotland was still a separate kingdom with an independent sovereign, and the whole population of England and Wales at the time of Elizabeth’s accession only amounted to five millions, that is to say, one-sixth of its present population, or the present population of London alone. Many commodities which are now deemed neces- saries of life were unknown to the people of England in those times. Tea, coffee, and cocoa, potatoes and tobacco, were entirely unheard of in the year 1558. Gloves were a luxury only princesses could afford. In the year 1560, when Elizabeth was twenty-seven years of age, a pair of black silk stockings were presented to her as a New Year's gift by one of the ladies of her Court. The Queen, after wearing them a few days, was so much pleased with them that she sent for the donor and asked her from whence they came, and if she could get any more; adding that if so, she would not wear worsted stockings any longer. Instead of following Mary Tudor’s example and persecuting her enemies, Elizabeth showed the supe- riority of her nature by forgiving the petty offences of her sister’s courtiers, who had treated her with disrespect as long as she was in disgrace. ‘ Fear not,’ replied Elizabeth to a member of the late queen’s household, who abjectly besought her not to punish him for his former disrespect to her,