The Catholic Reformation 187 judgement, the Italian^dress ; which answer I found pleased her well, for she delighted to show her golden-colored hair, wearing a caul and bonnet as they do in Italy. Her hair was more reddish than yellow, curled in appear- ance naturally. She desired to know of me what color of hair was reputed best, and whether my queen's hair or hers was best, and which of them two was fairest. I answered that the fairness of them both was not their worst faults. But she was earnest with me to declare which of them I judged fairest. I said she was the fairest queen in England and mine the fairest queen in Scotland. Yet she appeared earnest. I answered they were both the fairest ladies in their countries ; that her Majesty was whiter, but my queen was very lovesome. She inquired which of them was of highest stature. I said my queen. "Then," saith she, "she is too high; for I myself am neither too high nor too low." Then she asked what kind of exercises she used. I answered that when I received my dispatch the queen was but lately come from the highland hunting; that when her more serious affairs permitted she was taken up with reading of histories ; that she sometimes recreated herself in playing upon the lute and virginals. She asked if she played well. I said, reason- ably, for a queen. The news of the Massacre of St. Bartholomew filled England with horror and apprehension. The bishop of London writes to Lord Burleigh, Elizabeth's chief ad- viser, as follows : Theese evill tymes trouble all good mens headdes, and make their heartes ake, fearinge that this barbarous treach- erie will not ceasse in Fraunce, but will reach over unto us. Neither feare we the mangling of our body, but we sore dreade the hurt of our Head [i.e. the Queen] : for therin consisteth our lief and saftie. We shall dutiefullie praie. Give you good advise. And God, I trust, will deliver us owt of the mouthe of the waringe Lyon. . . . 289. The bishop of London on the dangers suggested by the Massacre of St. Bar- tholomew (i572)-
