erwards represented by Monk's admirers that his City
proceedings of Feb. 9 and 10 were the effects of consummate judgment.
He could not then have disobeyed the Rump without resigning his
command; Hasilrig and Walton, two of his fellow-commissioners, would
have executed the orders independently; though by a disagreeable
process, he had felt the temper of his officers and soldiers, and
ascertained that they were as disgusted with the Rump as he was
himself! It may be doubted, however, whether he had not only been
handling his carpenter's tools with too sluggish caution. Certain it
is that he had returned to Whitehall in a sullen mood, and that,
after a consultation overnight with his officers, his conclusion was
that he must at once retrieve himself. That was a night of busy
preparations between him and his officers. A letter was drafted, to
be sent to the House next day; and a copy was taken, that it might be
in the printer's hands before the House had received the original.

Next morning, Saturday Feb. 11, Monk and his regiments were again in
the City, drawn up in Finsbury Fields. He had left the letter for the
House, signed by himself, seven of his colonels, one
lieutenant-colonel, and six majors, to be delivered to the House by
two of the signing colonels, Clobery and Lydcott; and he had come to
make his peace with the City. This was not very easy. The Lord Mayor,
to whom Clarges had been sent to announce the return of the
regiments, and to say that the General meant to dine with his
Lordship that day, was naturally suspicious and distant; but, having
taken counsel with some of the chief citizens, he could do no less
than answer that he would expect the General. At the early
dinner-hour, accordingly, Monk was at his Lordship's house in
Leadenhall Street, coldly received at first, but gradually with more
of curiosity and goodwill as his drift was perceived. He begged
earnestly that his Lordship would send out summonses for an immediate
meeting of the Common Council in Guildhall, notwithstanding the
dissolution of that body by the Rump, saying he would accompany his
Lordship thither and make certain public explanations. Dinner over,
and the Lord Mayor and Common Council having met in Guildhall about
five o'clock, Monk did surprise them. He apologised for his
proceedings of the two preceding days, declaring that the work was
the most ungrateful he had ever performed in his life, and that he
would have laid down his powe