despised this invasion, yet by proclamations they called furth the whole
heritors of Scotland,' and so on. 'Some look on this invasion as a small
matter, but beside the expence and trouble it hes put the country to, if we
ponder the fatall consequences of such commotions, we'll change our
opinions: for when the ramparts of government are once broke down, and the
deluge follows, men have no assurances that the water will take a flowing
towards their meadows to fructify them; no, no, just in the contrare.'
Argyll was discovered and apprehended in his flight by a weaver near
Paisley, of whom Lauder says, 'I think the Webster who took him should be
rewarded with a litle heritage (in such a place wher Argile's death will
not be resented), and his chartre should bear the cause, and he should get
a coat of arms as a gentleman, to incouradge others heirafter.' It does not
appear that this suggestion was acted upon.

But while Lauder was a supporter of the existing order of government and
opposed to all revolutionary plans, his journals disclose that in the state
of public affairs he found much matter for criticism and ground for
anxiety. In 1674 he tells of what will happen 'whenever we get a fair and
unpraelimited Parliament, which may be long ere we see it.' In 1683 he
writes sadly: 'Though we change the Governors, yet we find no change in the
arbitrary government. For we are brought to that pass we must depend and
court the Chancelor, Treasurer, and a few other great men and their
servants, else we shall have difficulty to get either justice or despatch
in our actions, or to save ourselves from scaith, or being quarrelled on
patched up, remote and innocent grounds. This arbitrary way Lauderdale
attempted, but did not attain so great a length in it as our statesmen do
now; and they value themselves much in putting the military and
ecclesiastic Laws to strict and vigorous execution, so that, let soldiers
commit as great malversations and oppressions as they please, right is not
to be got against them. Witness John Cheisly of Dalry's usage with Daver