of Sir Richard
Willis. That traitor continued with the parliament the same
correspondence which he had begun with Cromwell. He had engaged to
reveal all conspiracies, so far as to destroy their effect; but reserved
to himself, if he pleased, the power of concealing the conspirators.
He took care never to name any of the old genuine cavaliers, who had
zealously adhered, and were resolved still to adhere, to the royal
cause in every fortune. These men he esteemed; these he even loved. He
betrayed only the new converts among the Presbyterians, or such lukewarm
royalists as, discouraged with their disappointments, were resolved to
expose themselves to no more hazards; a lively proof how impossible
it is, even for the most corrupted minds, to divest themselves of all
regard to morality and social duty.

Many of the conspirators in the different counties were thrown into
prison: others, astonished at such symptoms of secret treachery, left
their houses, or remained quiet: the most tempestuous weather prevailed
during the whole time appointed for the rendezvouses; insomuch that some
found it impossible to join their friends, and others were dismayed
with fear and superstition at an incident so unusual during the summer
season. Of all the projects, the only one which took effect, was that
of Sir George Booth for the seizing of Chester. The earl of Derby,
Lord Herbert of Cherbury, Mr. Lee, Colonel Morgan, entered into this
enterprise. Sir William Middleton joined Booth with some troops from
North Wales; and the malecontents were powerful enough to subdue all in
that neighborhood who ventured to oppose them. In their declaration
they made no mention of the king; they only demanded a free and full
parliament.

The parliament was justly alarmed. How combustible the materials, they
well knew; and the fire was now fallen among them. Booth was of a family
eminently Presbyterian; and his conjunction with the royalists they
regarded as a dangerous symptom. They had many officers whose fidelity
they could more depend on than that of Lambert; but there was no one
in whose vigilance and capacity they reposed such confidence. They
commissioned him to suppress the rebels. He made incredible haste. Booth
imprudently ventured himself out of the walls of Chester, and exposed,
in the open field, his raw troops against these hardy veterans. He was
soon routed and taken prisoner. His whole army was dispersed. And the
parliament had no further oc