When a luminous body, such as Oliver Cromwell, happens to be crossing a dark Country, a dark Century, who knows what he will not disclose to us! For example: On the Western edge of Lanarkshire, in the desolate uplands of the Kirk of Shotts, there dwelt at that time a worshipful Family of Scotch Lairds, of the name of Stewart, at a House called Allertoun,—a lean turreted angry-looking old Stone House, I take it; standing in some green place, in the alluvial hollows of the Auchter Burn or its tributaries: most obscure; standing lean and grim, like a thousand such; entirely unnoticeable by History,—had not Oliver chanced to pass in that direction, and make a call there! Here is an account of that event: unfortunately very vague, not written till the second generation after; indeed, palpably incorrect in some of its details; but indubitable as to the main fact; and too curious to be omitted here. The date, not given or hinted at in the original, seems to fix itself as Thursday 1st May 1651. On that day Auchter Burn, rushing idly on as usual, the grim old turreted Stone House, and rigorous Presbyterian inmates, and desolate uplands of the Kirk of Shotts in general,―saw Cromwell's face, and have become memorable to us. Here is the record given as we find it.1

'There was a fifth Son' of Sir Walter Stewart, Laird of Allertoun: 'James; who in his younger years was called "the Captain 'of Allertoun,"-from this incident: Oliver Cromwell, Captain'General of the English Sectarian Army, after taking Edinburgh 'Castle, was making a Progress through the West of Scotland; 'and came down towards the River Clyde near Lanark, and was 'on his march back, against King Charles the Second's Army, 'then with the King at Stirling. Being informed of a near way 'through Auchtermuir, he came with some General Officers to 'reconnoitre; and had a Guide along. Sir Walter, being a 'Royalist and Covenanter, had absconded. As he' Cromwell 'passed, he called in at Allertoun for a further Guide; but no 'men were to be found, save one valetudinary Gentleman, Sir 'Walter's Son,'-properly a poor valetudinary Boy, as appears, who of course could do nothing for him.

'He found the road not practicable for carriages; and upon 'his return he called in at Sir Walter's House. There was none

"

cess demanded

committee appointed by the citizens to collect and hand over the " by the English garrison at Hamilton, it was a case in which the English troops would naturally interfere.]

1 Coltness Collections, published by the Maitland Club (Glasgow, 1842), p. 9.

'to entertain him but the Lady and Sir Walter's sickly Son. The 'good Woman was as much for the King and Royal Family as 'her Husband: but she offered the General the civilities of her House; and a glass of canary was presented. The General ob'served the forms of these times (I have it from good authority), and he asked a blessing in a long pathetic grace before the cup 'went round; he drank his good wishes for the family, and 'asked for Sir Walter; and was pleased to say, His Mother was 'a Stewart's Daughter, and he had a relation to the name. All passed easy; and our James, being a lad of ten years, came so 'near as to handle the hilt of one of the swords: upon which 'Oliver stroked his head, saying, "You are my little Captain;' 'and this was all the Commission our Captain of Allertoun ever 'had.

The General called for some of his own wines for himself and 'other Officers, and would have the Lady try his wine; and was so humane, When he saw the young Gentleman so maigre and 'indisposed, he said, Changing the climate might do good, and 'the South of France, Montpellier, was the place.

'Amidst all this humanity and politeness he omitted not, in 'person, to return thanks to God in a pointed grace after his 'repast; and after this hasted on his return to join the Army. 'The Lady had been a strenuous Royalist, and her Son a Captain ' in command at Dunbar; yet upon this interview with the 'General she abated much of her zeal. She said she was sure 'Cromwell was one who feared God, and had that fear in him, ' and the true interest of Religion at heart. A story of this kind 'is no idle digression; it has some small connexion with the 'Family concerns, and shows some little of the genius of these 'distracted times.'-And so we leave it; vague, but indubitable; standing on such basis as it has.3

1 Certainly incorrect.

2 Imaginary.

[Of this story, Mr. Douglas remarks that Allertoun should be Allenton; that the incident ought possibly to be assigned to Cromwell's homeward march after his first visit to Glasgow, and that, judging from the "Memorie of the Somervilles," Sir Walter Stewart's royalism was not above suspicion. (See Cromwell's Scotch Campaigns, p. 148 note.)]

LETTER CLXXIII

'For my beloved Wife Elizabeth Cromwell, at the Cockpit :

These'

Edinburgh, 3d May 1651.

MY DEAREST, I could not satisfy myself to omit this post, although I have not much to write; yet indeed I love to write to my dear, who is very much in my heart. It joys me to hear thy soul prospereth: the Lord increase His favours to thee more and more. The great good thy soul can wish is, That the Lord lift upon thee the light of His countenance, which is better than life. The Lord bless all thy good counsel and example to all those about thee, and hear all thy prayers, and accept thee always.

I am glad to hear thy son and daughter are with thee. I hope thou wilt have some good opportunity of good advice to him. Present my duty to my Mother, my love to all the family. Still pray for

Thine,

OLIVER CROMWELL.*

*

Written the day after his return to Edinburgh. 'Thy Son and Daughter' are, to all appearance, Richard and his Wife, who prolong their visit at the Cockpit. The good old Mother', is still spared with us, to have my duty presented to her. A pale venerable Figure; who has lived to see strange things in this world;-can piously, in her good old tremulous heart, rejoice in such a Son.1

*Harris, p. 517. [Same date, Appendix 20.*]

[Between this letter and the next is one to Hammond, dated May 13. See Supplement, No. 65.

Cromwell wrote other letters at this time of which we find traces amongst the papers of the Council of State, although the letters themselves have not been preserved, vis. —

April 1 (about), to Sir Henry Vane, concerning draught horses, a further supply of hay, etc. Referred, on April 7, to the Irish and Scotch Committee. April 5. Evidently a further request for supplies. Referred, on April 10, to the same committee, "who are to confer with the navy victuallers concerning it." April 8. "Concerning commissioners to be sent to Scotland." Referred by Parliament to the Council of State on April 15.

May 3 (probably). Desiring an establishment for Edinburgh Castle and Leith

Precisely in these days, a small ship driven by stress of weather into Ayr Harbour, and seized and searched by Cromwell's Garrison there, discloses a matter highly interesting to the Commonwealth. A Plot, namely, on the part of the English Presbyterian-Royalists, English Royalists Proper, and all manner of Malignant Interests in England, to unite with the Scots and their King: in which certain of the London Presbyterian Clergy, Christopher Love among others, are deeply involved. The little ship was bound for the Isle of Man, with tidings to the Earl of Derby concerning the affair; and now we have caught her within the Bars of Ayr; and the whole matter is made manifest!1 Reverend Christopher Love is laid hold of, 7th May; he and others: and the Council of State is busy. It is the same Christopher who preached at Uxbridge Treaty long since, That Heaven might as well think of uniting with Hell.' Were a new High Court of Justice once constituted, it will go hard with Christopher.

As for the Lord General, this march to Glasgow has thrown him into a new relapse, which his Doctor counts as the third since March last. The disease is now ague; comes and goes, till, in the end of this month, the Council of State, as ordered by Parliament, requests him to return, in the mean while, to England for milder air; 2 and despatches two London Doctors to him; whom the Lord Fairfax is kind enough to 'send in his own coach;' who arrive in Edinburgh on the 30th of May, 'and are affectionately entertained by my Lord.' 3 The two Doctors are Bates and Wright. Bates, in his loose-tongued History of the Troubles, redacted in aftertimes, observes strict silence as to this Visit. Here is the Lord General's Answer; indicating with much thankfulness that he will not now need to return.

(ordered, May 8, to be reported to the House); also particulars of ordnance, colours, etc., needed (referred to the Ordnance Committee) and, at the same time, a letter to Sir Harry Vane "of the particulars wanting," referred to the Irish and Scotch Committee.

May 10 (about). Desiring a supply of medicaments and surgeons. Referred, on May 15, to the Irish and Scotch Committee, who are to send the persons and commodities mentioned to Scotland. See Cal. S. P. Dom., 1651, pp. 134, 140, 147, 184, 201, 203.]

1 Bates: History of the late Troubles in England (Translation of the Elenchus Motuum; London, 1685), Part ii. 115.

2 Whitlocke, p. 476; Commons Journals (vi. 579), 27th May 1651.

3 Newspapers (in Cromwelliana, p. 103).

LETTER CLXXIV

'To the Lord President of the Council of State: These'

MY LORD,

Edinburgh, 3d June 1651.

I have received yours of the 27th of May, with an order of Parliament for my liberty to return into England for change of air, that thereby I might the better recover my health; all which came unto me whilst Dr. Wright and Dr. Bates, whom your Lordship sent down, were with me.

I shall not need to recite the extremity of my last sickness: it was so violent that indeed my nature was not able to bear the weight thereof. But the Lord was pleased to deliver me, beyond expectation, and to give me cause to say once more, “He hath plucked me out of the grave!"-My Lord, the indulgence of the Parliament expressed by their order is a very high and undeserved favour, of which although it be fit I keep a thankful remembrance, yet I judge it would be too much presumption in me to return a particular acknowledgment. I beseech you give me the boldness to return my humble thankfulness to the Council for sending two such worthy persons, so great a journey, to visit me; from whom I have received much encouragement, and good direction for recovery of health and strength, which I find by the goodness of God, growing to such a state as may yet, if it be His good will, render me useful according to my poor ability, in the station wherein He hath set me.

I wish more steadiness in your affairs here than to depend, in the least degree, upon so frail a thing as I am. Indeed they do not, nor on any instrument. This Cause is of God and it must prosper. Oh, that all that have any hand therein, being

1 Psalm xxx. 3, 'hast brought up my soul from the grave; or, lxxxvi. 13, 'delivered my soul from: but plucked' is not in any of the texts.

2' not to in orig.,-dele 'not.