ions, the indignation against military usurpation, against
sanctified hypocrisy; all these motives had united every party, except
the most desperate, into ardent wishes for the king's restoration, the
only remedy for all these fatal evils.
Scot and Robinson were sent as deputies by the parliament, under
pretence of congratulating the general, but in reality to serve as
spies upon him. The city despatched four of their principal citizens to
perform like compliments; and at the same time to confirm the general
in his inclination to a free parliament, the object of all men's
prayers and endeavors. The authority of Monk could scarcely secure the
parliamentary deputies from those insults which the general hatred
and contempt towards their masters drew from men of every rank and
denomination.
Monk continued his march with few interruptions till he reached St.
Albans. He there sent a message to the parliament, desiring them to
remove from London those regiments which, though they now professed to
return to their duty, had so lately offered violence to that assembly.
This message was unexpected, and exceedingly perplexed the house. Their
fate, they found, must still depend on a mercenary army; and they were
as distant as ever from their imaginary sovereignty. However, they found
it necessary to comply. The soldiers made more difficulty. A mutiny
arose among them. One regiment in particular, quartered in Somerset
House, expressly refused to yield their place to the northern army. But
those officers who would gladly on such an occasion have inflamed the
quarrel, were absent or in confinement; and for want of leaders, the
soldiers were at last, with great reluctance, obliged to submit. Monk
with his army took quarters in Westminster.
The general was introduced to the House; and thanks were given him by
Lenthal, for the eminent services which he had done his country. Monk
was a prudent, not an eloquent speaker. He told the house, that the
services which he had been enabled to perform were no more than his
duty, and merited not such praises as those with which they were pleased
to honor him: that among many persons of greater worth who bore their
commission, he had been employed as the instrument of Providence for
effecting their restoration; but he considered this service as a step
only to more important services, which it was their part to render to
the nation: that while on his march, he observed all ranks of men, in
all pl
|