Book II. ftill a gentleman." "Le gentilhomme eft toujours PART II. gentilhomme." The place is called l'Ile d'Ecoffe to this day. All collective human virtues are fullied with the selfifhnefs of individuals. The officers, to whom they had yielded their independence, and whom they had chosen to command their equals, cheated them of their pay, poor as it was, of their clothes, and of prefents which the generous had fent them. The French, inattentive to their patience, fatigues, and services, fent them from the frontiers of Spain to Alface, a march as long as the former. In this route, their clothes fell to tatters: After they paffed Lyons, the country was covered with snow: They often wanted the neceffaries of life; yet no complaints were heard amongst them, except for the sufferings of him whom they accounted their fovereign. After fix years service, they were broke, when the peace was concluded, on the higher part of the Rhine, 1500 miles from their homes, and without any provifion made for them. At that time, only fixteen of them had furvived the fate of their companions; and of thefe only four arrived in Scotland, to give warning by their example to their countrymen, though to too many of them in vain, to diftruft for ever the promises and flatteries of France*. There are men now living in Scotland who were acquainted with fome of the four, 1669. APPENDIX то PART II. BOOK II. Lord Strathnaver to Lord Dundee.-Advifes Dundee to make his peace. Strathnaver was brother-in-law to Dundee. THE concern that many equally interested in us both, has for your lordship, abftracting from that refpect which your own merit made me have, cannot but occafion regrate in me, to fee that the courfes you take, tend inevitably to the ruin of you and yours, if perfifted in. I cannot therefore but wish, that you would follow the Duke of Gordon's example, and I am perfuaded it will be found the beft courfe; neither fhall your friends who at this time dare not well meddle, be wanting to show their affection to you, and intereft in the standing of your family, and I hope you will do me the justice to believe that none wishes it better, or will more effectually lay himself out in it, than, &c. Inverness, 3d of July, 1689. Lord Dundee to Lord Strathnaver.-His fpirited anfwer. and would have returned an answer before now, had I not been called fuddenly to Enverlochie, to give orders anent the forces, arms, and amunition fent from Irland. My lord, I am extreamly fenfible of the obligation I have' to you, for offering your endeavours for me, and giving me advice in the defperate eftate you thought our affairs were in. I am perfuaded it flows from your fincere goodness and concern for me and mine, and in return, I affure your lordship, I have had no less concern for you, and was thinking of making the like addrefs to you; but delayed it till things fhould appear more clear to you. I am forry your lordship fhould be fo far abufed as to think, that there is any fhadow of appearance of stability in this new ftructure of government these men have framed to themselves they made you, I doubt not, believe, that Darie (Londonderry) was relieved three weeks ago. By printed accounts, and I can affure you, it never was relieved, and now is taken. They told you, the Inglish fleet and Dutch were mafters of the fea. I know for certain the French is, and in the Chanel; in teftimony whereof they have defeated our Scots fleet. For as they came alongst they fell on the two friggats, killed the captains, and feised the ships, and brought the men prisoners to Mull. They tell you Shomberg is going to Irland to carry the war thither. I affure you the king has landed a confiderable body of forces there, and will land himself amongst our friends in the weft (whom I am forry for) very foon. So, my lord, having given you a clear and true profpect of affairs, which I am afraid amongst your folks you are not ufed with, I leave you to judge if I or you, your family or myn, be moft in danger. However, I acknowledge francly, I am no lefs obliged to your lordship, seeing you made me an offer of your affiftance in a tyme when you thought I needed it. Wherein I can ferve your lordship or family at any tyme you think convenient, you may freely employ me, For, as far as my duty will allow me in the circumftances we ftand, I will ftudy your wellfare as becomes, &c. The following speech of King James, at St. Germains, to the Scotch officers when reduced to a company of centinels, is a ftrong inftance, how a mind naturally fevere and weak, may be humanized, and even elevated by misfortunes. King James's Speech to the Scotch officers, when reduced into a company of centinels at St. Germains. MY own misfortunes are not fo nigh my heart as yours. It grieves me beyond what I can express, to see so many brave and worthy gentlemen, who had once the profpect of being the chief officers in my army, reduced to the ftations of private centinels. Nothing but your loyalty, and of a few of my subjects in Britain, who are forced from their allegiance by the Prince of Orange, and who I know will be ready on all occafions to ferve me, and my diftreffed family, could make me willing to live. The sense of what all of you have done, and undergone for your loyalty, hath made fo deep an impreffion in my heart, that if ever it please God to restore me, it is impoffible I can be forgetfull of your services and fufferings. Neither can there be any pofts in the armies of my dominions, but what you have juft pretenfions to. As for my son, and your prince, he is your own blood, a child capable of any impreffions; and as his education will be from you, it is not fuppofable he can forget your merits. At your own defires, you are now going a long march, far diftant from me. I have taken care to provide you with money, fhoes, stockings, and other neceffarys. Fear God and love one another. Write your wants particularly to me, and depend upon it always to find me your parent and king. |