that the few, if there were any, who yet respected the empty shadow of royalty, would immediately follow his example, and come over to the covenanters; and that, for his own part, he would return his most hearty thanks to God for vouchsaving to make him the instrument and mediator of so great a work. He therefore earnestly entreated him to speak out his mind, and to entrust to his care and diligence what he would have the convention do either for his profit or honour; for he was sure he had nothing to do, but to ask and have.

Montrose having thus got information of their real designs, which was all he wanted, studied now how he might keep them yet a while in suspense as to his resolutions. He foresaw, that, should he immediately declare himself their enemy, it would be of no service to the king, and might prove destructive to himself. On the other hand, his generous mind disdained to encourage their hopes, or to promise what he was resolved not to perform. He fell, therefore, upon this method: Sir James Rollock, a gentleman of an opulent and ancient family, had come along with Mr Henderson to this conference. Sir James had formerly married Montrose's sister, and, after her death, he had married a sister of the Marquis of Argyle, who was in a manner the head of the covenanters; thus being equally allied to both of them, he seemed to be a very fit mediator of friendship betwixt them. Mon

trose asked him, whether the offers they now made him were authorized by the convention, or had proceeded merely from themselves? Sir James answered, That he imagined Mr Henderson had orders from the convention for what he said; but Henderson denied that he had any such authority; only, he said, that he made no question but the convention would make good what he promised. Montrose had thereupon said, he could come to no conclusion, without having the public faith to rely upon, especially as the messengers disagreed betwixt themselves. Whereupon they mutually blamed one another, as commonly happens in such cases, when really their own carelessness and neglect only was in fault: Thus the conference concluded, by which Montrose got the information he wanted, and they returned as wise as they came, to give an account of their success.

CHAP. III.

Montrose goes to the king, then at Gloucester; his advice approved by the king.-Measures concerted. Assistance from Ireland promised by the Earl of Antrim.-The Marquis of Hamilton and his brother go up to court, and are disgra ced.-Montrose sets out for Scotland.

THE Marquis of Montrose, returning from this conference, related all that passed to some of his select friends, in whom he principally confided; and at the same time entreated them to go all together with him in a body to the king, whereby they would gain the greater credit, and, by informing him more fully of the state of affairs, might prevail on him to take more salutary measures, and thereby, if possible, ward off the storm which he now saw impending.

Most of them were very backward in the matter they were of opinion, that the king and his authority were already utterly ruined; and that it was impossible to reduce the kingdom to its proper obedience; for their own parts, they said they had sufficiently acquitted themselves before God, the world, and their own consciences, by persisting hitherto in their fidelity and allegiance, even with the loss of their reputations, and the hazard of their lives and fortunes; that for the future they

were resolved to have no further concern in these civil commotions, but to live quietly at home, and

offer up their prayers to God Almighty for better

times.

Montrose, who, notwithstanding all discouragements, and though thus disappointed by his friends, could not be diverted from his honourable purposes, communicated his design to Lord Ogilvy, with whom he had always lived in the strictest friendship, and set out straight for Oxford. When he came there, the king was gone down to the siege of Gloucester; however, he informed the queen what the covenanters were designing against his majesty, but his labour was lost, for such was her confidence in the Hamiltons, and prepossession in their favour, that she would believe no information but what came from them. When Montrose found he could do no good with the queen, he went down to Gloucester, and informed the king himself of what he knew, that there was a very strong army to be raised in Scotland, and that the day was already appointed when they were to march into England. He told his majesty by what means he came to know their designs, and that the highest post in the army had been offered him, as a bait to bring him over to their side; but, as he detested their cause, he had rejected their offers, and came off immediately to inform his majesty, that if he could not provide a sufficient remedy for the evil, he might, at least,

have time to consider of some means to retard their designs, till his affairs in England were settled: that the rebels in either kingdom might be easily dealt with separately; but if they had once joined their forces, it would then be a matter of very great difficulty; that there were many people in Scotland, who were ready to sacrifice every thing for their king; but if the covenanters had once raised an army, the loyalty of these would be of little service to his cause, and would prove destructive to themselves. He insisted, therefore, that it was proper quickly to check the forward spirit of the covenanters, and to break their forces before they came to a head, lest, by neglecting them at the first, there might be reason to regret it when too late. These things Montrose constantly pressed home upon the king, but in vain; for he had to struggle not only with that entire confidence which the king reposed in the Hamiltons, but with a set of abandoned courtiers, whose constant theme was Montrose's youth, rashness, and ambition, and his hatred and envy of the Hamiltons, of whose integrity, fidelity, discretion, and power, they on the contrary spoke in very high

terms.

By these means, Montrose's endeavours were to no purpose. The king returned to Oxford for his winter-quarters; and though, by the frequent reports which came to him of the Scots army, he perceived, that Montrose had told him nothing.