heir own vigor and abilities. No regular established
commonwealth could take juster measures, or execute them with greater
promptitude, than did this tumultuous combination, inflamed with bigotry
for religious trifles, and faction without a reasonable object. The
whole kingdom was in a manner engaged, and the men of greatest abilities
soon acquired the ascendant, which their family interest enabled them to
maintain. The earl of Argyle, though he long seemed to temporize, had
at last embraced the covenant; and he became the chief leader of that
party; a man equally supple and inflexible, cautious and determined,
and entirely qualified to make a figure during a factious and turbulent
period. The earls of Rothes, Cassils, Montrose, Lothian, the lords
Lindesey, Louden, Yester, Balmerino, distinguished themselves in that
party. Many Scotch officers had acquired reputation in the German wars,
particularly under Gustavus; and these were invited over to assist their
country in her present necessity. The command was intrusted to Lesley, a
soldier of experience and abilities. Forces were regularly enlisted and
disciplined. Arms were commissioned and imported from foreign countries.
A few castles which belonged to the king, being unprovided with
victuals, ammunition, and garrisons, were soon seized. And the whole
country, except a small part, where the marquis of Huntley still adhered
to the king, being in the hands of the Covenanters, was in a very little
time put in a tolerable posture of defence.[*]

The fortifications of Leith were begun and carried on with great
rapidity. Besides the inferior sort, and those who labored for pay,
incredible numbers of volunteers, even noblemen and gentlemen, put their
hand to the work, and deemed the most abject employment to be dignified
by the sanctity of the cause. Women, too, of rank and condition,
forgetting the delicacy of their sex and the decorum of their character
were intermingled with the lowest rabble, and carried on their shoulders
the rubbish requisite for completing the fortifications.[**]

* May, p. 49.

** Guthry's Memoirs, p. 46.

We must not omit another auxiliary of the Covenanters and no
inconsiderable one; a prophetess, who was much followed and admired by
all ranks of people. Her name Michelson, a woman full of whimseys partly
hysterical, partly religious; and inflamed with a zealous concern for
the ecclesiastical discipline of the Presbyterians. She spoke a