was, that if by accident any want fell out to be in the army, I kept no table, and eat no better than the soldiers did though otherwise I did generally keep a good table, and my officers were welcome to me. "I never took the worth of a crown for myself, either from country-man, officer, or soldier; but lived still upon my bare pay. Though the council never stinted me; but left me at liberty to take besides, what I should think fit out of the treasure that commonly march'd along with the army, and was disposed of by my orders. "I was a good providore, and had my magazines well furnished, and seated as I was to make the war: for men eat every day, but fight seldom; "My soldiers I called my children; and really had a fatherly love and care for them; and they by their duty, bravery, and affection, made me a full return. "I punisht severely; which made my orders to be well observ'd, and rewarded bountifully, according to my power. "If an officer, or soldier, had done a brave action, I treated the officer some days at my table; and took all occasions by talking, to improve his glory: and seldom either officer or soldier went without advancement or other reward. "I made it my business always to march and encamp so, as not to be engag'd in fight, without an enemy would come on great disadvantage. My intelligence and spies cost me very dear: but I had good. T2 "Whenever I fought, or had a mind to fight; coming in view of the enemy, and being in order of battle, I rode to all the battalions and squadrons, to observe their looks: and then with a cheerful countenance, acquainting them truly with what I knew of the enemy and our condition, I told them my own opinion for fighting; and if they liked it, I would go on; otherwise, not. This I did to engage them in judgment as well as duty. "I made it my business to get my troops good winter-quarters. But, during the field, I was very strict in my musters. And ever and anon, being not in danger of an enemy, I made the battalions and squadrons march by companies: that I might know their number just. For a general will be cozen'd if he brings his men to fight on sworn relations. "I suffered no officer to take from a soldier the worth of a penny. I do not remember that during the time I serv'd the confederate Catholicks, they ever gave me any instructions what I should do; but left all to myself; which made the business go the better. "I shall now conclude these reflections with the greatest reflection of all, which is on my infinite obligation to Almighty God! who hath so protected me, that to this hour, neither in those wars of Ireland, or any other that I have been in since, either army or party of army, great or small, was ever beaten so by an enemy, as to lose their ground to the end of the fight, where I commanded in chief." In 1681, was printed a Letter from a Person of Ho nour in the Countrey, written to the earl of Castlehaven; being observations and reflections upon his lordship's Memoires concerning the Wars of Ireland: and in 1684 appeared, "The Earl of Castlehaven's Review, or his Memoirs of his Engagement and Carriage in the Irish Wars; enlarged and corrected, with an Appendix and Postscript." The latter closes with the following mild rebuke: "I shall trouble the reader with no more on this subject; but conclude, that my lord of Anglesey's long printed letter is all along subject to mistakes, speaking modestly."] • This person was the earl of Anglesey, in whose article see a particular account of this tract and its political result. FRANCIS, LORD KEEPER GUILFORD, WAS younger son of the lord North before mentioned. Burnet and Kennet have given nọ very favourable character of the keeper: his relation, Roger North, has defended him in a very bulky work, which, however, does not contribute much to raise our ideas either of the writer or his subject". If that performance and its companion, the Examen 3, had nothing else ridiculous in them, it would be sufficient to blast their reputation, that they aim at decrying that excellent magistrate, the lord chief justice Hale; and that Charles the second, and that wretch the duke of Lauderdale, the king's taking money from France, and the seizure of the charter of London, are some of the men, and some of the measures, the author defends! • It is very remarkable that two peers of this race have suffered by apologies written for them by two of their own relations; but with this difference naturally attending the performances of a sensible man and a weak one: Dudley, lord North, has shown himself an artful and elegant historian; Roger North, a miserable biographer. [This is called a valuable work, in Biog. Brit. vol. ii. p. 824, Note K. Gyll.] |