Full resolution (JPEG) - On this page / på denna sida - XXVII - Faareveile
<< prev. page << föreg. sida << >> nästa sida >> next page >>
Below is the raw OCR text
from the above scanned image.
Do you see an error? Proofread the page now!
Här nedan syns maskintolkade texten från faksimilbilden ovan.
Ser du något fel? Korrekturläs sidan nu!
This page has never been proofread. / Denna sida har aldrig korrekturlästs.
418
FAAREVEILE.
Chap. XXVII.
family. It had always for centuries been known as the
tomb of “ Grev Bodvell ” by sacristan and peasant.
When the wooden coffin was first opened the body was
found enveloped in the finest linen, the head reposing
on a pillow of satin. There was no inscription.
Now I am no enthusiast, and take matters quietly
enough, but I defy any impartial Englishman to gaze on
this body without at once declaring it to be that of an
ugly “ Scotchman.” It is that of a man about the
middle height—and to judge by his hair, red mixed with
gray, of about fifty years of age. The forehead is not
expansive; the form of the head wide behind, denoting
bad qualities, of which Bothwell, as we all know,
possessed plenty; high cheek-bones; remarkably prominent,
long, hooked nose, somewhat depressed towards the end
(this may have been the effect of emaciation); wide
mouth; hands and feet small, well shaped, those of a
high-bred man. I have examined the records of the
Scottish Parliament, caused researches to be made at
the British Museum,—the copy of his “ Hue and Cry ”
is not forthcoming: no description of Bothwell exists,
save that of Brantome, who saw him on his visit to
Paris, where he first met Mary during the lifetime of
King Francis, and he describes him as “the ugliest
and awkwardest of men.” Concerning his grace I
can say nothing, but I do not think his corpse belies
the description of the French historian. And now,
duly satisfied with the inspection, having first severed
a lock of his red and silver hair as a souvenir, we
let close the coffin-lid, and again mounted the
staircase. Bothwell’s life was a troubled one; but had
he selected a site in all Christendom for quiet and
repose in death, he could have found none more peace-
<< prev. page << föreg. sida << >> nästa sida >> next page >>
