The Life of John Milton; Narrated in Connexion with the Political, Ecclesiastical, and Literary History of His Time Volume 3

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1873 edition. Excerpt: ...162--171; Napier, 542-641. Inverlochy (Jan. 1644-5) to the Battle But see General Baillie's touching and of Kilsyth (Aug. 15, 1645); and the instructive vindication of himself in pervading complaint is that he had three documents, printed in his cousin never been allowed to be real com-Baillie's Letters and Correspondence mander-in-chief, but had been thwarted (II. 417--424t). Baillie goes over the and overridden by Argyle, Committees whole of his unfortunate commander-of Estates, and conceited individual ship against Montrose, from his meet-nobles, ing with Argyle at Roseneath after In obedience to his Majesty's instructions Montrose did advance to the Border. For about a week he prowled about, on the outlook for the expected aid from England, negotiating at the same time with some of the Border lords, and in quest of others with whom to negotiate. On the 10th of September he was encamped at Kelso; thence he went to Jedburgh; and thence to Selkirk.2 While he is at this last place, let us pause a little to ask an important question. What was Montrose's meaning? What real political intention lay under the meteor-like track of his marches and battles? What did he want to make of Scotland? This is not a needless question. For, as we know, Montrose was not, after all, a mere military madman. He was an idealist in his way, a political theorist (Vol. II. 296--298). Fortunately, to assist our guesses, there is extant a manifesto drawn up under Montrose's dictation at that very moment of his triumph at which we have now arrived. The document is in the handwriting of Lord Napier, his brother-in-law and closest adviser, and consists of some very small sheets of paper, in Napier's minutest autograph, as if it had been drawn up where writing...