"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.'"
Ring of Mary Queen of Scots.
Sir,—Having noticed your correspondent R. B.'s communication respecting the above curious relic, I beg to state that I also possess a facsimile of the same engraved upon crystal, an impression of which I enclose for your inspection. I believe the original is in Her Majesty's collection at Windsor Castle.
I am, Sir, respectfully yours,
J. G. P.
15, Park Road, Stockwell.
Lithography.—Your Correspondent, Mr. Cole, is very much mistaken ("Current Notes," for February, p. 12) in supposing that he possesses the very first impression in Lithography in England, although it may be from Ackerman's press, and is certainly a curiosity. If Mr. Cole will turn to the second article in the "Foreign Review," No. VII. p. 47, he may find that Lithography was practised in England so early as 1802, and was introduced into France about 1807.