the stream.  Moreover the monarch’s attire was excessively stiff and cumbrous, and this, while it added to the natural ungainliness of his person, prevented all freedom of movement, especially on horseback.  His doublet, which on the present occasion was of green velvet, considerably frayed,—­for he was by no means particular about the newness of his apparel,—­was padded and quilted so as to be dagger-proof; and his hose were stuffed in the same manner, and preposterously large about the hips.  Then his ruff was triple-banded, and so stiffly starched, that the head was fixed immovably amidst its plaits.

Though not handsome, James’s features were thoughtful and intelligent, with a gleam of cunning in the eye, and an expression of sarcasm about the mouth, and they contained the type of the peculiar physiognomy that distinguished all his unfortunate line.  His beard was of a yellowish brown, and scantily covered his chin, and his thin moustaches were of a yet lighter hue.  His hair was beginning to turn gray, but his complexion was ruddy and hale, proving that, but for his constant ebriety and indulgence in the pleasures of the table, he might have attained a good old age—­if, indeed, his life was not unfairly abridged.  His large eyes were for ever rolling about, and his tongue was too big for his mouth, causing him to splutter in utterance, besides giving him a disagreeable appearance when eating; while his legs were so weak, that he required support in walking.  Notwithstanding these defects, and his general coarseness of manner, James was not without dignity, and could, when he chose, assume a right royal air and deportment.  But these occasions were rare.  As is well known, his pedantry and his pretensions to superior wisdom and discrimination, procured him the title of the “Scottish Solomon.”  His general character will be more fully developed as we proceed; and we shall show the perfidy and dissimulation which he practised in carrying out his schemes, and tried to soften down under the plausible appellation of “King-craft.”

James was never seen to greater advantage than on occasions like the present.  His hearty enjoyment of the sport he was engaged in; his familiarity with all around him, even with the meanest varlets by whom he was attended, and for whom he had generally some droll nickname; his complete abandonment of all the etiquette which either he or his master of the ceremonies observed elsewhere; his good-tempered vanity and boasting about his skill as a woodsman,—­all these things created an impression in his favour, which was not diminished in those who were not brought much into contact with him in other ways.  When hunting or hawking, James was nothing more than a hearty country gentleman engaged in the like sports.