sufficient for his
vindication to observe, that his errors were the most excusable of all
those which prevailed during that zealous period.

CHAPTER LVIII

CHARLES I

{1645.} While the king's affairs declined in England, some events
happened in Scotland which seemed to promise him a more prosperous issue
of the quarrel.

Before the commencement of these civil disorders, the earl of Montrose,
a young nobleman of a distinguished family, returning from his travels,
had been introduced to the king, and had made an offer of his services;
but by the insinuations of the marquis, afterwards duke of Hamilton, who
possessed much of Charles's confidence, he had not been received with
that distinction to which he thought himself justly entitled.[*]

* Nalson, Intr p. 63.

Disgusted with this treatment, he had forwarded all the violence of the
Covenanters; and, agreeably to the natural ardor of his genius, he had
employed himself, during the first Scottish insurrection, with great
zeal, as well as success, in levying and conducting their armies. Being
commissioned by the "Tables," to wait upon the king while the royal army
lay at Berwick, he was so gained by the civilities and caresses of that
monarch, that he thenceforth devoted himself entirely, though secretly,
to his service, and entered into a close correspondence with him. In the
second insurrection, a great military command was intrusted to him by
the Covenanters; and he was the first that passed the Tweed, at the head
of their troops, in the invasion of England. He found means, however,
soon after to convey a letter to the king; and by the infidelity of some
about that prince,--Hamilton as was suspected,--a copy of this letter
was sent to Leven, the Scottish general. Being accused of treachery, and
a correspondence with the enemy, Montrose openly avowed the letter, and
asked the generals if they dared to call their sovereign an enemy;
and by this bold and magnanimous behavior he escaped the danger of an
immediate prosecution. As he was now fully known to be of the royal
party, he no longer concealed his principles; and he endeavored to draw
those who had entertained like sentiments into a bond of association for
his master's service. Though thrown into prison for this enterprise,[*]
and detained some time, he was not discouraged; but still continued,
by his countenance and protection, to infuse spirit into the distressed
royalists. Among other pers