or compromise himself in any Royalist plot, while the sword and sceptre were still grasped by those firm and massive hands. Charles II. appears to have been well aware of his secret sympathies, and in the year 1655 addressed him a curious letter, which he took the precaution of immediately forwarding to Cromwell, being probably aware that he could not conceal its reception from the Protector's spies:

"COLOGNE, August 12, 1655.

"One who believes he knows your nature and inclinations very well, assures me, that notwithstanding all ill accidents and misfortunes, you retain still your old affection to me, and resolve to express it upon a seasonable opportunity, which is as much as I look for from you. We must all patiently wait for that opportunity, which may be offered sooner than we expect. When it is, let it find you ready; and, in the meantime, have a care to keep yourself out of their hands who know the hurt you can do them in a good conjuncture, and can never but suspect your affection to be, as I am confident it is, toward your very affectionate friend,

"CHARLES REX."*

The wise toleration which Monk practised in matters of religion, and his supposed attachment to a latitudinarian theology, drew upon him the hatred of religious as well as political fanatics, and a plot was formed by Colonel Overton-a mad "millenarian "+-to over

Life of Dr. Barwick (Appendix).

The Millenarians believed that the saints would reign on earth with Jesus Christ for a thousand years, and many of the Puritans were of opinion that the Millennium was close at hand.

"HONEST GEORGE."

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throw the government, and put to death both Monk and Cromwell. It was concerted that the former should be surprised and assassinated at Dalkeith, on the 1st of January 1656; but he had been apprised of the conspirators' designs, and having suffered them to go so far as to leave no uncertainty of their contemplated crime, he suddenly arrested them towards the end of December, punished the subordinates in the plot with rigorous promptitude, and sent Overton to London to be dealt with by Cromwell.*

As the years advanced, Monk's power and influence continued to increase, but Cromwell was averse or afraid to remove him from his government. He kept him in some measure under restraint by continually changing the regiments serving in Scotland, and sending thither the most zealous and uncontrollable of his fanatic soldiers. But this policy was not altogether a wise one. Though Monk was a rigid disciplinarian, he was just and liberal to his soldiers, and these constant changes, in the course of time, could not but have leavened the whole army with devotion to "honest George;" the regiments returning from Scotland never failing to spread everywhere his repute for equity of dealing and watchful care of his soldiers' interests.

Exhausted by the burden of his work, Oliver Cromwell died on the 3rd of September 1658,-a terrible storm announcing to all Europe that his great and unquiet spirit had passed away. His son Richard peacefully donned the purple velvet mantle of the Protector in his stead. Proclamation of his accession was made in Scotland by Monk's orders, but to the letters which

* Clarendon, "Great Rebellion," vii. in loco.

Richard addressed to him, he returned only respectful and uncertain answers. He had long ago learned "ambiguas spargere voces." Rebuked by the superior genius of the Protector Oliver-the great captain of Naseby, and Dunbar, and Worcester--he had not cared to move during his active reign, but from the moment of his death he doubtlessly contemplated as probable the restoration of the Stuarts. Monk was a man of few passions. To his calm and almost phlegmatic temperament anarchy and confusion were especially abhorrent; and his sagacity discerned that only the re-establishment of monarchical rule could save England from falling a prey to the confusion of parties and the horrors of another Civil War. Monk loved the ancient dynasty of the Stuarts, but he loved Monk himself much more; and hence, while warily compassing the Restoration, he refused to move but at his own time and in his own way, concealing his intentions from the first beneath the cloak of an impenetrable secrecy.

CHAPTER V.-THE KING-MAKER OF THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY.

Monk and Richard Cromwell-The Rump Parliament-Monk's Secrecy-Lambert's Error Monk's Opportunity-Address to his Soldiers-Crosses the Tweed -The Speaker's Letter-Monk's Reception in London-Gradually reveals his Designs-Effects the Restoration-Is lavishly rewarded by Charles II.

THE disastrous Protectorate of Richard Cromwell was not of long duration. His friends had offered Monk the magnificent bribe of £20,000, if he would tender him his active support, but his was not the fidelity which adheres to a falling man or a losing cause. He coldly

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replied: "The said revenue will do Richard more good than my sticking to him." Richard resigned; and a contest for the supreme power arose between the "Rump" -as the remnant of the famous Long Parliament was nick-named-and the army, represented by the Council of Officers, with the ambitious Lambert at their head (A.D. 1659). The cautious Monk acknowledged, as usual, the new government; sent his respects to the Rump Parliament, and reciprocated the flattering advances of Lambert and Fleetwood. But when the Parliament attempted to withdraw from the Scotch army the officers most devoted to its general, he quietly but firmly remonstrated, and retained them in their commissions.

All eyes, at this epoch, were fixed upon Monk, in whose hands it seemed as if the destinies of the realm were lodged. All tongues inquired: "What sayeth Monk? What doeth George Monk?" The most sagacious could hardly determine for whom, or what, the impenetrable soldier would declare himself. He preserved his wonted silence. Not even his familiar confidants-his brother, a devoted Royalist; his two chaplains, Price and Gumble -could be certain that they knew his secret intentions. Once, indeed, he nearly betrayed himself. His chaplain, Dr. Price, had urged him to declare at once for Charles II. "Would you, by over-haste," he exclaimed, "bring my head to the block for the King, and so ruin. the whole design?" Monk perceived, what his over-sanguine councillors would not, or could not perceive, that England was not yet ready to accept a Restoration, and waited for the pear to ripen before he attempted to ather it.

Meanwhile, Lambert was rapidly playing the King

maker's game. In imitation of Cromwell, he summarily dismissed "the Rump" (October 13, 1659), and resolved to administer the government by means of a "Committee of Safety." He thus afforded to his cautious adversary the pretext for interference which he had long desired. Monk immediately prepared to move his small but compact army upon London, declaring that he was influenced by two considerations: first, that the military power ought to be subservient to the civil; and second, that the constitution of the Commonwealth could only be administered by Parliaments. "For my own part," he said to his soldiers, "I think it the duty of my place to keep the military power in obedience to the civil. It is the duty of us all to defend the Parliament, from which you receive your pay and commissions. I rely, therefore, on your obedience. If, however, any one of you dissents from this resolution, he shall have full liberty to quit the service, and receive his pass."

At this time, Lambert, with his English troops, was at Newcastle, having previously secured both York and Carlisle. He had the advantage in numbers, but his soldiers were ill-paid, and had little confidence in, or attachment to, their leader. Monk's army, on the other hand, was regularly paid, well-disciplined, and composed of veterans who were ready to follow anywhere their "honest George." He advanced from Berwick to Coldstream, amusing Lambert, meanwhile, with skilful negotiations inordinately protracted. The latter, to conciliate his powerful rival, fell back upon York with forces greatly diminished by mutinies and desertions. Fairfax was gathering a strong force in his rear. In London an apparently hopeless chaos amazed and perplexed all