upon the Duke of Cumberland, and interposed between his army and London.

Charles took up his quarters at the Earl of Exeter's, now Mr. Mousley's, one of the best houses in the town. He arrived in high spirits, reflecting that he was now within a hundred and thirty miles of the capital*, and that neither Wade's nor Cumberland's forces any longer lay before that object of his hopes. Accordingly, that evening, at supper, he studiously directed his conversation to his intended progress and expected triumph- whether it would be best for him to enter London on foot or on horseback, in Highland or in English dress. Far different were the thoughts of his followers. Early next morning, he was waited upon by Lord George Murray, with all the commanders of battalions and squadrons; and, a council being formed, they laid before him their earnest and unanimous opinion for an immediate retreat to Scotland. They had marched thus far, they said, on the promise either of an English rising or a French descent; neither had yet occurred, neither could any longer be safely awaited. They asked if the Prince could produce even a single letter from any Englishman of distinction or of influence, received upon their march, and advising them to persevere in it. What was their own force? barely 5000 fighting men, a number insufficient to give battle to any one of the three armies by which they were surrounded; nay, scarcely adequate even to take quiet possession of London, were there no camp at Finchley to protect it. What was their enemy's force? perhaps not much less than 30,000 men, were it all combined. If even they should elude the Duke of Cumberland's division, and gain a battle against George the Second, under the walls of London, it would not be gained without loss; and how, with still further diminished numbers, could they gather any fruits of victory?

*There seems to be a sort of tradition or rooted belief among the Scots, that the Prince, at Derby, was within 100 miles of London. Sir Walter Scott repeatedly calls the distance 90 miles (as in Tales of a Grandfather, vol. iii. p. 101.), and Mr. Chambers makes it exactly 100. (Hist. vol. i. p. 274.) Yet it is, I believe, as certain, as any fact in geography can be, that the actual distance is 127. So much easier is it to repeat than to inquire!

DELIBERATIONS AT DERBY.

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But supposing a defeat, would a single man of their army be able under such circumstances to escape? Would not the Prince's own person, even if he were not killed in the action, fall into the hands of his blood-thirsty enemies? Or how, if Wade's and Cumberland's armies should combine and close in upon them from the rear? How much wiser, then, to retreat while it was yet time, to support and be supported by their friends in Scotland! Already, continued Lord George (and he pointed to despatches which had reached the Prince that very morning), we learn that Lord John Drummond has landed at Montrose, with the regiment of Royal Scots and some piquets of the Irish Brigade, so that the whole force under Lord Strathallan ready to join us from Perth is not less than three or four thousand men. *

Charles listened to these arguments with impatience, and replied to them with warmth. He expressed his firm reliance on the justice of his cause, and on the Providence which had hitherto so signally protected him. He owned that there was some danger in advancing, but to retire was equally dangerous, and, besides, disgraceful. As to his personal risk, he would never allow that to weigh with him. "Rather than go back," he cried, “I "would wish to be twenty feet under ground!"† He proceeded at some length to argue on the probability that the French would yet land in Kent or Essex, - that his friends could not fail to join him as he advanced, that defections must be expected, even from the English ranks, - that boldness and enterprise would supply the want of numbers, and distract the councils of the enemy. Finding that his arguments made no impression, he resorted to entreaties, imploring his friends not to forsake their Prince at his utmost need; and at last, as a middle course, he proposed that they should march into Wales, to give their partisans in that country an opportunity of joining. But the council still continued firm in pressing a retreat to Scotland. Only the Duke of Perth, though retaining

See Lord George Murray's own summary of his advice in this council. (Jacobite Memoirs, p. 54.)

† Memoirs of Captain Daniel, a volunteer who joined in Lancashire, and attached himself to the Duke of Perth. His MS. has been very obligingly communicated to me by Lady Willoughby d'Eresby.

his own opinion, was moved by his master's vehemence, and wished to yield to it. Some of the Irish officers were also willing to go on; but then, as the Scots invidiously ob served, they did not run equal risk, since, being in the French service, they were sure, at the worst, of being honourably treated as prisoners of war, instead of being tried and hanged as traitors. After several hours of stormy debate, Charles broke up the council without having formed any decision, the army halting that day for rest at Derby. Meanwhile the lower officers and soldiers, animated with very different wishes from their chiefs, and eager for the expected conflict, were em ployed, some in taking the sacrament at the different churches*, others thronging the cutlers' shops to renew the edge of their broadswords.†

During the whole day, the Prince continued to expostulate with some of his officers singly, in hopes of changing their opinions. Finding them inflexible, he was at length strongly advised by those he most confided in Sir Thomas Sheridan and Secretary Murray — to yield to the prevailing sentiment, since they were sure the army would never fight well when all the chief's were against it. Accordingly, at another council, summoned the same evening, Charles sullenly declared his consent to a retreat; but added that, in future, he would call no more councils, since he was accountable to nobody for his action, excepting to God and his father, and would therefore no longer either ask or accept their advice.

Next day, the 6th of December, the insurgents began their retreat. As they marched in the grey of the morning, the inferior officers and common men believed that they were going forward to fight the Duke of Cumberland, at which they displayed the utmost joy But when the daybreak allowed them to discern the surrounding objects, and to discover that they were retracing their steps, nothing was to be heard throughout the army but expressions of rage and indignation. "If we had "been beaten," says one of their officers, "the grief could "not have been greater."‡

*Lord George Murray's Narrative. (Jacobite Memoirs, p. 76.) † Chambers's Hist. vol. i. p. 272.

Chevalier Johnstone's Memoirs, p. 73. 8vo. ed.

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A RETREAT COMMENCED.

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Thus ended the renowned advance to Derby ended against the wishes both of the Prince and of the soldiers. It certainly appears to me, on the best judgment I can form, that they were right in their reluctance, and that, had they pursued their progress, they would, in all probability, have succeeded in their object. A loyal writer, who was in London at the time, declares that "when the Highlanders, by a most incredible march, got between “the Duke's army and the metropolis, they struck a "terror into it scarce to be credited.”* An immediate rush was made upon the Bank of England, which it is said only escaped bankruptcy by paying in sixpences, to gain time. The shops in general were shut, public business for the most part was suspended, and the restoration of the Stuarts, desired by some, but disliked by many more, was yet expected by all as no improbable or distant occurrence. The Duke of Newcastle, at his scanty wits' soon-reached end, stood trembling and amazed, and knew not what course to advise or to pursue; it has even been alleged, (a rumour well agreeing with his usual character, but recorded on no good authority †,) that he shut himself up for one whole day in his apartments, considering whether he had not better declare betimes for the Pretender. Nay, I find it asserted that King George himself ordered some of his most precious effects to be embarked on board his yachts, and these to remain at the Tower quay, ready to sail at a moment's warning. Certain it is, that this day of universal consternation- the day on which the rebels' approach to Derby was made known was long remembered under the name of BLACK FRIDAY.‡

*Fielding, in the True Patriot.

† Chevalier Johnstone's Memoirs, p. 77. 8vo. ed.

See a note to H. Walpole's letters to Mann, vol. ii. p. 98. The day was the 6th of December. I may observe that the Jacobite party was very strong in London, and had at its head one of the City members, Alderman Heathcote, as appears from the Stuart Papers. Thus, a secret letter, transmitted to Rome by Lord Sempill, and dated London, October 21. 1745, says, "Alderman Heathcote and several "more have been with Sir Watkin Wynn to assure him that they will "rise in the City of London immediately upon a landing; and to beg "that arms and ammunition be brought with the troops.' And Lord Sempill adds (November 13. 1745), "Mr. Heathcote has been "reckoned, especially since the base defection of Pulteney, one chie

Had, then, the Highlanders continued to push forward, must not the increasing terror have palsied all power of resistance? Would not the little army at Finchley, inferior in numbers, and with so convenient a place for dispersing as the capital behind it, have melted away at their approach? Or, had they engaged the Duke's army, who can doubt the issue, if the victory of Falkirk had been gained on English ground? It is probable also, from the prevalence of Jacobite principles amongst the gentry at this period, that many officers in the Royal army were deeply tainted with them, and might have avowed them at the decisive moment. It is certain, at least, that many would have been suspected, and that the mere suspicion would have produced nearly the same effects as the reality — bewilderment, distrust, and vacillation in the chiefs. Even the high personal valour of the King and of the Duke could hardly have borne them safe amidst these growing doubts and dangers, I may add, that, in the opinion even of the Duke of Cumberland's principal officers, there were but scanty hopes of arresting the Highlanders (when once at Derby) in their progress to London. The Duke of Richmond, who commanded the cavalry, writes as follows to Sir Everard Fawkener, from Lichfield, at eight in the morning of the 5th of December:-"I am just going to march for Coventry to-day, "and Northampton to-morrow, according to His Royal "Highness's orders, but I have had no other orders of "any kind. I know very well what I am to do if the "enemy comes up to me, but what am I to do if "advised of their approach? For as to sending out guards or outposts it will be impossible after two such days' march, as from here to Northampton: the men 'might do it, but the horses absolutely cannot; and now "they have got over the Trent, there is no pass to defend; "and if they please to cut us off from the main army they 'may, and also if they please to give us the slip, and march "to London, I fear they may before even this avant-garde can come up with them; and if we should, His Royal "Highness knows best what can be expected from such an inconsiderable corps as ours: however, we will do

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"leader of the patriot Whigs, not in the City of London only, but in "the nation. He opened himself, above two months ago, to Sir John "Hinde Cotton."