my charged them at first with great courage; but they could not long withstand the bravery of the Ogilvies, and were forced to give way. Airly followed so close, that they fell back upon their foot, and thereby threw them all at once into confusion. This behaviour and success of the Ogilvies so much animated the rest of the army, that they could no longer be restrained, but rushed forward upon the enemy, with a great shout, as if they had already obtained the victory. The enemy's horse were very soon put into disorder, and fled, leaving the foot quite open and exposed; who immediately followed their example, and, throwing away their arms, endeavoured also to save themselves by flight. The pursuit continued for fourteen miles, in which most of the rebels were killed, scarce an hundred of the foot escaping with their lives. Nor did the horse share a much better fate, many of them being killed, severals taken prisoners, and the rest entirely dispersed. Their whole baggage and arms fell into the hands of the conquerors. Montrose lost only six men; three of them were gentlemen of the name of Ogilvy, who fell in the attack made by Lord Airly, to which the victory was in a great measure owing.

The noblemen who were in the covenanters' army saved themselves by a timely retreat, and the swiftness of their horses. Some of them reached the castle of Stirling; while others got to the Frith of Forth, and went aboard some ships they

found lying at anchor in the road. Among these was Argyle, who now for the third time saved himself by means of a boat; and even then he did not reckon himself secure, till they had weighed anchor and carried the vessel out to sea.

Among the prisoners were Sir William Murray of Blebo, James Arnot, brother to the Lord Burleigh, and Colonels Dice and Wallace, besides several other gentlemen of note; all of whom Montrose dismissed upon their parole never to carry arms against the king.

This is the famous battle of Kilsyth, which was fought on the 15th of August 1645, and in which six thousand of the rebels were slain.

CHAP. XIV.

Great alterations in the kingdom upon the victory at Kilsyth.Montrose enters Glasgow.-Is joined by several of the nobility. Receives the surrender of the city of Edinburgh.— The prisoners discharged by the covenanters.—The peace of the west country settled.

THIS victory at Kilsyth gave a very different turn to the face of affairs through the whole kingdom. The covenanting nobility immediately dispersed, and fled to different corners. Some of them went to Berwick and Newcastle, others to Carlisle, others to Ireland, and some one way, some another. Many who had secretly favoured the king's cause begun now to declare their sentiments openly, and to make frank professions of their loyalty, and offers of their assistance. On the other hand, such as had been in arms with the covenanters began to plead their excuse, alleging they had been forced out against their inclinations by the absolute tyranny and oppression of the enemy; and now submitted themselves to the pleasure of the conqueror, humbly begging his protection, and imploring his wonted clemency. Deputies were also sent from the most distant shires and cities, to

profess their allegiance to the king, and all duty and obedience to Montrose as his deputy-governor; and at the same time to make offer of what assistance they could afford him of men, arms, or other warlike necessaries. The nobility, the chieftains, and other men of power and influence in the country, came also in great numbers to congratulate him upon his success, and to make him tenders of their assistance. He received all that came to him with great courtesy, and granted them an absolute pardon and indemnity for the errors of their past conduct. All he demanded of them was only to exchange the rapacious and oppressive tyranny of the covenanters, for the mild government and tender protection of their most gracious sovereign. He intreated them to lay aside their former unreasonable animosities, and study for the future to express their loyalty and obedience to the best of kings, in a manner becoming dutiful subjects, and not allow themselves to become the dupes of a seditious, turbulent faction, whose only aim was their own private interest; for obtaining of which, they had set the king and his subjects by the ears, and had well nigh ruined both. For his own part, he said, his only intention, from the beginning of these troubles, had been to endeavour by force of arms, seeing all other means had proved ineffectual, to preserve the religion and liberty of his country, to defend the king's prerogative, and the dignity of the peerage, and, in a word, to rescue

the property and privileges of his fellow-subjects in general, from the oppression and tyranny of a rebellious faction; and to restore the people to their ancient peace, happiness, and splendour. And if this could be brought about by his means, he would return his thanks to God for making him the instrument of so desirable a work; but if things turned out contrary to his wish, he would at any rate solace himself with the pleasure of having discharged his duty to God, to the king, his earthly vicegerent, and to all good men ; and would besides have the approbation of his own conscience, for having used his most hearty endeavours for obtaining these noble ends.

The whole country now resounded Montrose's praise. His unparalleled magnanimity and bra. very, his happiness in devising his plans of operation, and his quickness in executing them; his unshaken resolution and intrepidity, even in the greatest dangers, and his patience in bearing the severest hardships and fatigues; his faithfulness and strict observance of his promises to such as submitted, and his clemency towards his prisoners; in short, that heroic virtue which displayed itself in all his actions, was extolled to the skies, and filled the mouths of all ranks of men ; and several poems and panegyrics were wrote upon this occasion to his honour. Most of these encomiums were sincere, and well intended; but some of them, it must be confessed, proceeded merely from craft

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