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The article, the second in a series, discusses English tourists' descriptions of Scotland in the seventeenth century. It comments on the political union between England and Scotland and explores the visit of English poet and playwright Ben Jonson to Scotland. The author also considers descriptions by English poet John Taylor, known as "The Water Poet," and English writer and politician Sir William Brereton. Descriptions of Edinburgh, Scotland as well as the mountainous regions are addressed.

The article focuses on 17th century playwright Ben Jonson and his historic walk from London, England to Edinburgh, Scotland in 1618. The author explains that Jonson's account of the trip was lost in a fire, discusses the discovery of a manuscript detailing the tour by an unidentified traveling partner, and analyzes if British King James' politics had anything to do with why he took this walk.

The article looks at how modern-day historians view the life and reign of Mary Stuart, the Queen of Scotland, in the 16th century. Topics discussed include views of Scottish historian Jenny Wormald on Mary's failure as a ruler, the queen's failure to defend her own religion, Catholicism, in England, and the entry of author and historian Julian Goodare on Mary in the "Oxford Dictionary of National Biography."

The article discusses the historical scholarship and historiography on the 16th century Scottish queen Mary Queen of Scots, including issues of gender and femininity concerning Mary. An overview of the Scottish historian Jenny Wormald's perspective on the rule of Mary Queen of Scots, including the social context in which she ruled and governed, is provided.

A letter to the editor about poet Ben Jonson is presented.