Was Queen Elizabeth dark or fair?
—In Vol. iii., p. 432. of "N. & Q." there is a quotation from the Gentleman's Magazine, 1791, in which Queen Elizabeth is mentioned as of a "swarthy complexion." I had always thought of her as fair. Miss Strickland speaks of her "fair complexion," and cites De Maurier, who writes of her "white hands:" in addition to which, does not her "light auburn hair" betoken a light complexion? In one of your late numbers a madrigal is given wherein she is sung as "fair Oriana." This, however, may be no allusion to colour of complexion, but merely the poetic use of the word as synonymous with beautiful. How does the fact stand?
W. T. M.
Victoria, Hong Kong, Dec. 27, 1851.
The "Black Book of Paisley."
—I should be glad if any of your correspondents could favour me with any information relative to the "Black Book of Paisley," so often quoted by Scottish historical writers as the Chronicon Clugniense, being a chronicle of the public affairs and remarkable events kept by the monks of that monastery, and if the same or any part thereof has been reprinted by any of our societies or clubs. It was said to have been recovered at Rome by Sir Robert Spottiswoode, along with other records and MSS. of the Roman Catholic Church, which had been carried abroad from the Scottish monasteries at the Reformation.
ABERDONIENSIS.
"The Trial of the Princess of Wales, afterwards Queen Caroline."
—This book, Mr. Whitbread stated in his place in the House of Commons in 1812, was published, and afterwards suppressed, and bought up at an immense expense, some holders receiving 500l., and some as high as 2000l. for their copies. Is this correct?
ELGINENSIS.