provided for. And we may observe that was known in Scotland by the name of 'the this general course of politics (to resist the Incident,' has never been clearly explained, Royal authority while it encroaches, but to and admits of more than one interpretation. stand by it when it totters and yields-to Its chief effect at the time, if not its secret aim at reform, but to stop short at revolu- design, was to cast a shade of doubt and tion) is the course which in all ages has suspicion on the sincerity and personal disbeen sanctioned by the best and wisest of position of the King. mankind-by such men among Montrose's 'The Incident' has, however, been the own contemporaries, as Falkland and Hyde ground of a most serious accusation against in England, as De Mesmes and Molé in Montrose-that he proposed to the King France. not merely, as he fairly might, the arrest of Two months after Montrose had been his rivals, but their assassination. We will imprisoned in Edinburgh Castle King Char- give this charge in the very words of Clales arrived at Holyrood House. The end rendon (vol. ii., p. 17, Oxford ed., 1826):of my coming,' such were his words to his Scottish Parliament, is shortly this: to 'Now, after his Majesty arrived in Scotland, by perfect whatsoever I have promised, and bedchamber, he (Montrose) came privately to the the introduction of Mr. William Murray of the withal to quiet those distractions which King, and informed him of many particulars from have or may fall out amongst you; and this the beginning of the rebellion, and that the MarI mind not superficially, but fully and cheer- quis of Hamilton was no less faulty and false fully to do.' But so low had his power towards his Majesty than Argyle, and offered to sunk at this period, that we may rather make proof of all in the Parliament, but rather adopt the words of his noble historian, and desired to kill them both, which he frankly undersay with Clarendon, that he seemed to took to do; but the King, abhorring that expehave made that progress into Scotland only the proofs might be prepared for the Parliament." dient though for his own security, advised that that he might make a perfect deed of gift of that kingdom!' To save his friends, he In the first place, we cannot but think was compelled to scatter honours and re- that the whole foundation of this story-the wards among his enemies. Alexander Les- alleged interview, namely, between the lie, the first in command of the insurgent King and Montrose is utterly disproved army, was created Earl of Leven; and by the following judicious remarks of Mr. Lord Amond, the second in command, Earl Napier :of Callender; while lesser dignities were bestowed on inferior partisans of the same William Murray was not Constable of Edincause. Well might Lord Carnwath exclaim burgh Castle; and if he had been, is it possible at this time, with a bitter jest, that he would that, without the knowledge of the Covenanters, go to Ireland and join Sir Phelim O'Neal vately to the King? The word "privately" can he could at this crisis have brought the Earl priand the other rebels there, since then he have no other meaning than that the faction were was sure the King would promote him! kept in ignorance of this stolen interview; but it Notwithstanding Charles's intercession, will be remembered that when Stephen Boyd, the Montrose was not yet released. It is said, governor of the fortress, permitted Montrose, Nahowever, that private letters and messages pier, and Keir to hold some casual meeting together passed between them; that Montrose took stantly known, and he lost his office for presuming within the walls of their prison, the fact was inthis opportunity of disclosing to the King to relax their confinement.'-Life and Times, p. the ill practices and treacherous designs of p. 220. Hamilton and Argyle-and that in consequence an order for their arrest was secretly But the detractors of Montrose (and how prepared. The two noblemen, together many has his loyalty made!) may still with the Earl of Lanerick or Lanark, allege that, although the interview be imaHamilton's brother, apprised of the real or ginary, the assassination might, like the arpretended danger, hastily left the Court, and rest, be suggested through letters or mesretired to their own country houses, where sages. Surely, however, it is a sound rule they could not have been seized without the of historical criticism, that when any essenrisk of a civil war. After sundry proceed- tial part of a story admits of disproof, the ings in Parliament, and full assurances of authority of the whole story is shaken. safety, they consented to return to Edin- Besides, it is obvious from several other inburgh-a Marquisate, as a pledge of recon- accuracies in this passage of Clarendon (as ciliation and favour, being bestowed upon where he afterwards sets together, in point Argyle. This mysterious transaction, which of time, the Marquisate of Argyle and the

Dukedom of Hamilton, there being, in fact,

*Speech of Montrose before the Parliament of an interval of nearly two years between Scotland, May 20, 1650. them), that he did not derive this statement

from the information of the King, or of any | Keir and his friend Lord Ogilvie, rode to other eye-witness in Scotland, but was York, then the residence of the King, with merely repeating the current rumours and the view of holding some communication slanders of the day. But, further still, we with his Majesty. Charles, mindful of his lay the greatest stress on the following pas- own recent Declaration, forbade their apsage from a letter of Charles. Only a few proach to him nearer than one post. Yet months afterwards (on the 7th of May, there seems every probability that Mon1642), we find the King thus commence a trose, while there, conferred, at the King's letter to the Earl :desire, with some of his majesty's most trusted servants.

• Montrose, I know I need no arguments to induce you to my service. Duty and loyalty are

sufficient to a man of so much honour as I know you to be.'

(

Ac

A crisis was now indeed at hand between the King and the Commons of England which might well call for the spontaneous offer of every local heart and hand. In AuCould a monarch so pious and lofty-minded gust the Royal Standard was raised at Nothave thus addressed the man whose foul tingham; in October was fought the battle schemes of murder he had so recently re- of Edge Hill. In February, 1643, Monjected with abhorrence? This question can trose, learning that the Queen was on her admit of but one answer from those who return from Holland, resolved to lay before think, as we do, reverently of King Charles; her his counsels for the conduct of affairs in and as for those who do not, Montrose in Scotland at that decisive juncture. his riper years, we are very sure, would cordingly he met her Majesty on her landhave cared little for their good or their ill ing at Burlington, and attended her to York. opinion of himself. Even of those, how- But he found himself supplanted by the reever, who are most ready to disparage the turning favour of Hamilton. The main 'Royal Martyr,' we would ask, could these point was how to prevent the Parliament of expressions of Charles have really passed, Scotland from making common cause with if that statement of Clarendon were really the Parliament of England. 'Resist force true? Would not the compliments to with force,' cried Montrose; the rebellious Montrose's honour, from such a quarter and cockatrice must be bruised in the egg. The under such circumstances, have sounded King has loyal subjects in Scotland; they like insulting irony; and would they not want but the King's countenance and comtherefore, even on mere grounds of prudence mission; and the only danger is delay.' and policy, have been carefully avoided? Hamilton, on the contrary, recommended On the 18th of November, 1641, the dilatory and temporising counsels. 'I see,' King set out from Edinburgh on his return Montrose replied, 'what the end of this will to England. Only the day but one before, be. The traitors will be allowed time to he had so far prevailed as to obtain that raise their armies, and all will be lost!' Montrose and his friends should be set free Her Majesty, however, remembering the on caution that from henceforth they carry Marquis of Hamilton's extensive influence themselves soberly and discreetly.' As the in his native country, and trusting that it price for their release, Charles issued a De- might avail for the safety of the throne, inclaration promising that he would not em- clined to his side. The King, who was then ploy them in offices of Court and state, negotiating at Oxford, took, when the case nor grant them access to his person. Yet was referred to him, the same view of the the attack against them did not end with question, and, conferring a Dukedom on their imprisonment, their trials being referred Hamilton as a token of his confidence, sent to the conduct of a Committee, whose prohim back to Scotland with large powers. ceedings were to be limited to the 1st of Montrose, on the other hand, disappointed March ensuing. On that day, however, the in his hopes, and ill satisfied with his recepruling powers quietly dropped the proceed- tion, retired once more to his estates. ings against Montrose, being equally unable to convict and unwilling to acquit him.

The disappointment of Montrose at this period is shown by a slight pasquinade which The earl now withdrew to one or other has been preserved to us: On the killing of his country houses-Old Montrose, or of the Earl of Newcastle's dog by the MarKincardine Castle in Perthshire-where he quis of Hamilton in the Queen's garden at lived for several months in close retirement. York.' This little piece is certainly more He was not only a soldier, but a poet and remarkable for vehemence of invective than scholar, and he had therefore resources in for merit of poetry. It thus concludes :— his solitude which many other statesmen

and warriors have wanted. But in May, 1642, the Earl, attended by his nephew

Then say, to eternize the cur that's gone

He fleshed the maiden sword of HAMILTON !

It may be contended, and it is very possi- the information he sought, put an end to the ble, that had Montrose's advice been fol- conference, merely asking whether Mr. Henlowed, it might have succeeded no better derson had any authority from the Parliathan Hamilton's. Certainly, however, it ment for such proposals, and, on being ancould not have succeeded worse. No check swered in the negative, quietly wished him was offered on the King's part to the violent a good evening. measures which the heads of the Scottish The offers which about this time were more Covenanters showed themselves eager to formally made to Montrose were to free him pursue. They summoned, without his au- from embarrassment by the discharge of his thority, a Convention of Estates; they con- debts, and to give him a command in the certed an alliance with the English Parlia- army second only to Lord Leven's. It apment against him; they renewed their re- pears that the vague and indecisive answers ligious bond with wider objects and a more which Montrose for some time returned, imposing name, as the 'Solemn League and raised a suspicion against him in some of the Covenant,' to which throngs of deluded men Scottish Royalists. We must own oursubscribed even with tears of joy. But above selves doubtful (although Mr. Napier, in all they set on foot an army of twenty thou- his zeal as a biographer, will not for an intand men, under the command, as before, of stant harbour such a thought) whether the illthe Earl of Leven. Two officers of merit reception of Montrose at York did not at and experience, Baillie and David Leslie, first make him waver in his attachment to were named, the first his Lieutenant, the the King. If so, however (and we do not second his Major-General. Nor was this express any positive opinion on the subject), muster merely for show and self-defence, his wavering was neither publicly evinced but rather for active co-operation against the nor long continued. By no overt act, by no Royal cause; and thus in January, 1644, all authentic declaration, can Montrose be preparations being completed without any shown to have swerved from his principle of effectual hindrance from the Hamiltons, Lord loyalty-from that better part which he had Leven marched across the Tweed to join the deliberately chosen and was destined to seal Parliament's forces in England. with his blood. In that very summer, as

During this busy period Montrose had not we learn from Baillie's letter of July 26, the been inactive. The leading Covenanters Earl called a meeting at Old Aberdeen of were eager to draw the Earl once more sundry noblemen, to subscribe a writ for an into their party, and reckoned on his repulse enterprise under Montrose's and Ogilvie's at York as favourable to their wishes. Ac- conduct, which Huntley subscribed, but Macordingly they made him divers overtures, rischal refused absolutely, and made Huntof which Montrose, we are assured, only so ley recall his subscription, which, in the far availed himself as to obtain information great providence of God, seems to have as to their further views and designs. In marred the design.'

June he held, at his own desire, a conference In December, 1643, even before the Scotwith Mr. Alexander Henderson, the Mode- tish army had passed the Border, the Duke rator of the Kirk, a popular and intriguing of Hamilton hastened to the Court at Oxpreacher,' as aptly described by Hume. To ford to explain and justify the ill-success of guard against the surmises and suspicions his counsels. At the same time and place which might at such a time attend any pri- appeared Montrose to urge a change of vate interview, Montrose held this confer- measures; and, the sword being now drawn, ence in the open air on the banks of the the King had no longer any reason to mainForth, close to Stirling Bridge, and he was tain his Declaration and forbid the Earl his attended by some friends-Keir, Napier, and presence. Charles's displeasure at Hamilothers as his witnesses. In my retire- ton's miscarriages was no doubt considerment,' he said, 'I am altogether ignorant of ably heightened by the comments of Monyour Parliamentary affairs; indeed I am at trose. He put the newly created Duke a loss how to comport myself in these tick- under arrest, and soon after sent him as a lish times, and must beg of you, for old ac- prisoner to Pendennis Castle in Cornwall. quaintance sake, to tell me frankly what it is Nor did his Majesty fail anxiously to ask of you mean to do.' Henderson fell into the Montrose what means might yet remain to snare, and replied without hesitation that it retrieve the Scottish affairs.

was resolved to send as strong an army as In reply, Montrose observed that the fathey could raise in aid of their brethren in vourable opportunity which he had pressed England. The preacher next proceeded to at York, had in great measure passed away. descant on the honours and rewards which

the Covenanting chiefs had in view for Mon* Lord Nithisdale to Lord Antrim, May 1 and 8 trose. But the Earl, having now obtained 1643, as printed in Spalding, vol. ii., p. 131.

The plan of Argyle and the other Presbyte- He lost no time in repairing to the scene of rian leaders was now complete; their con- his new commission, and at the beginning of federacy formed; their ariny raised and on April, with some aid from the Marquis of its march. All the fastnesses and strong- Newcastle, appeared on the banks of the holds of Scotland were in their hands; Annan at the head of several hundred horse. while, on the other side, the King's friends He was joined by some noblemen of great were gained over or disheartened, scattered, note-the Earls of Crauford, Nithisdale, and disarmed. Still, however, by an eye Traquair, Kinmoul, and Caruwath, the Lords like Montrose's, some gleams of hope might Aboyne, Ogilvie, and Herries-and sucbe discerned. The Episcopal establishment, ceeded in seizing the town of Dumfries. All recently abolished, hateful as it had become this while he was in correspondence with in the southern counties, retained many par- his friends and kinsmen further north, who tisans in the north and west. The Royal used to meet for secret consultations at the authority was yet held in veneration by house of Keir. Their object was to raise a several of the Highland clans, nor were any body of their vassals, and push forward to of them insensible to the promised joys of Stirling, there to meet Montrose. They battle-the certaminis gaudia according to had reason to expect that the castle of that the fine phrase which Jornandes ascribes to place, one of the most important strongholds Attila on the morning of the day of Chalons. in Scotland, would be given up to them by It might also be expected that the less ro- Major Turner, afterwards Sir James, who mantic inducements of regular pay, or, in had fought under Gustavus Adolphus, and default of such, occasional plunder, would since accepted a command in the Parlianot be without value in their eyes. Even ment's army, but who had grown to feel disthe vast power of the Marquis of Argyle satisfaction (or, as he said himself, scruples and the Campbells in the Western Highlands of conscience) at its service. He says of might be no unmitigated disadvantage, since, while it awed the common herd into submission, it would stir the bolder spirits to resistance.

himself in his Memoirs, I had swallowed, without chewing, in Germany a very dangerous maxim, which military men there too much follow; which was, that so we serve In this state of things the scheme sug- our master honestly, it is no matter what gested by Montrose was that the Earl of master we serve."* Such characters were Antrim should despatch a body of two or by no means uncommon in that age, and three thousand Irish from Ulster, and land have become familiar to ours from the adthem on the opposite coasts of Scotland, mirable sketch of Captain Dalgetty. while arms and warlike stores should, if Several obstacles, however, concurred to possible, be obtained from abroad. Mon- mar this well-concerted scheme. Of the trose himself was to pass the Borders with a small militia force which Montrose had small escort of horse, provided by the Mar- brought from England part rose in mutiny quis of Newcastle, who commanded for the and part deserted; while on the other side King in the north of England; he was then the Sheriff of Teviotdale had mustered a to call to arms his own or the King's adhe- large irregular force, and the Earl of Calrents in the Highlands, join the body of lender was advancing at the head of a body Irish, and raise the Royal Standard. Daring of troops. Under such circumstances Monas this scheme appeared, nay, desperate as trose, far from pushing forward to Stirling, Montrose's detractors call it to this day, could not even maintain his position at Dumthe necessities of Charles left him scarcely fries. He fell back beyond the Border, any other choice. On the 1st of February, where for some time he carried on a desul1644, the King signed a commission, ap- tory warfare. On the 31st of May Baillie pointing the Earl of Montrose his Lieute- writes:-Montrose ravages at his pleasure nant-General in Scotland, and as a further Northumberland and the Bishoprick [Durtoken of his confidence, he a few weeks ham]; we hope it shall not be so long.' afterwards raised him to the rank of Marquis. His principal exploit at this period was to Thus then was Montrose in some degree reduce the castle of Morpeth, after a reguenabled to fulfil the ardent aspirations of his youth. Then, as his contemporary Drummond of Hawthornden assures us, he had written in his copy of Quintus Curtius :

So great attempts, heroic ventures, shall
Advance my fortune or renown my fall!'

'Nothing remained (to the King) but the desperate counsels of Montrose.' Laing, History of Scotland, vol. iii., p. 244,ed. 1840.

lar siege of twenty days, and a loss of two hundred men. He treated his prisoners with great humanity, dismissing them on their parole that they would not again fight against the King.

*Memoirs, p. 14, as printed for the Bannatyne Club. It appears that Turner had already fallen under the suspicion of the Committee of Estates, and he was soon afterwards removed from Stirling into England.

Such was the posture of affairs when had risen in the North, prematurely and Prince Rupert, having compelled the three without due concert, and accordingly with Parliamentary generals, Manchester, Leven, signal defeat. Thus the loyal Gordons and Fairfax, to raise the siege of York, were now crushed, and Huntley himself a most rashly gave them battle on Marston fugitive in the wilds of Caithness; while Moor. Montrose, who had been summoned another of the name, Gordon of Haddo, the to the Prince's aid, was already on full ancestor of the present Earl of Aberdeen, march, and had his arrival been awaited by having become a prisoner of the CovenantRupert, the day might have been theirs. ers, was brought to trial and publicly put to As it was, the valour of David Leslie and death. of Cromwell, with his brigade of Ironsides, Roused to resentment rather than intimichanged the first success of the Royalists dated at such news, Montrose impatiently into an utter rout. Newcastle fled the waited until the Red Hand of Ulster should kingdom, Rupert retired into Lancashire, be stretched forth to his aid. So slight and Montrose, finding himself suddenly be- were then the communications through the set by hostile and victorious armies, fell Highlands, that it was not until the proback upon Carlisle. There his little band mised Irish troops drew near to his district of horsemen melted away until it could that Montrose first heard of their landing. scarcely number a hundred, and it became Yet they had set foot on Scottish ground a necessary to adopt some decisive resolution. month before, and were now irregularly Montrose, still undaunted, formed the bold straggling forward in quest of their general. scheme of reaching the Highlands in dis- Their immediate commander was a kinsman guise. He bade the rest of his followers of the Earl of Antrim, Allaster, or Alexanmake their way to the King; while two of der, Macdonnell, or Macdoneld, better them, his trusted friends Sir William Rollock known by the corrupted patronymic of Coland Colonel Sibbald, secretly turned their kitto,* a brave and active but uneducated horses to the north, calling themselves gen- and self-willed man.

tlemen belonging to Lord Leven's army. It was shortly after the first vague ruMontrose himself rode behind them in the mours derived from the shepherds of the garb of a groom, mounted on a sorry nag, hills, that a more regular communication and leading another in his hand. This is from Colkitto reached Montrose, and the the romantic adventure of which Sir Walter Marquis immediately set forth to join him, Scott has availed himself with such excel- attired in the dress of an ordinary mounlent skill in his Legend of Montrose. taineer, and attended by Inchbrakie alone.

Disguise was in this case the more need- The meeting between the general and the ful, since, in the event of falling into the troops was, at the first moment, a source of Covenanters' hands, the only alternative be- mutual surprise and disappointment. Monfore Montrose would have been the dun-trose found his auxiliaries amount to less geon or the scaffold. Once he seemed on than fourteen hundred men, ill armed and the very brink of discovery. A common worse disciplined. On the other hand, the soldier, who had served in Newcastle's Irish, who had expected something of Royal army, passed by on the road, and approach-state and splendour in the King's Lieuing the Marquis, respectfully addressed him tenant, gazed with disdain on the comby his name. In vain did the pretended mon Highland garb and the single attendant groom attempt to disclaim the appellation. of Montrose. It was under such untoward What!' exclaimed the other, do I not circumstances that the Marquis displayed know my noble Lord of Montrose? But go his commission from King Charles, and first your way, and God be with you wheresoever raised the Royal Standard. The spot is still you go!' The poor man was true and loyal; shown-on rising ground near Blair Athol, however high might have been the reward about a mile from the house of Lude-and of a disclosure, he made none against Mon- of late years in just commemoration marked by a cairn of stones.

trose.

Travelling in this manner, Montrose ar- Up to that time only very few Highlandrived on the verge of the Highlands, at the ers (these chiefly from Badenoch) had joined house of his kinsman, Patrick Graham of the Irish troops, although the Fiery Cross' Inchbrakie. Shortly afterwards, for still had been already sent round amongst them great r concealment, he removed to a soli- in the manner so well described in the Lady tary hut on the same estate. Meanwhile he of the Lake. But the presence of the King's had sent his two companions to apprise Lord Lieutenant soon attracted greater numbers. Napier of his coming, and to gather intelligence of public affairs. They returned with evil tidings. The Marquis of Huntley

His proper style in Erse was Allaster Mac Call Keitach-Alexander, son of Coll the Left-handed.