"Well as you could wish them, Alice, and Julian, and all. But I have
news worth twenty of that--Monk has declared at London against those
stinking scoundrels the Rump. Fairfax is up in Yorkshire--for the King
--for the King, man! Churchmen, Presbyterians, and all, are in buff
and bandoleer for King Charles. I have a letter from Fairfax to secure
Derby and Chesterfield with all the men I can make. D--n him, fine
that I should take orders from him! But never mind that--all are
friends now, and you and I, good neighbour, will charge abreast, as
good neighbours should. See there! read--read--read--and then boot and
saddle in an instant.

'Hey for cavaliers--ho for cavaliers,
Pray for cavaliers,
Dub-a-dub, dub-a-dub,
Have at old Beelzebub,
Oliver shakes in his bier!'"

After thundering forth this elegant effusion of loyal enthusiasm, the
sturdy Cavalier's heart became too full. He threw himself on a seat,
and exclaiming, "Did ever I think to live to see this happy day!" he
wept, to his own surprise, as much as to that of Bridgenorth.

Upon considering the crisis in which the country was placed, it
appeared to Major Bridgenorth, as it had done to Fairfax, and other
leaders of the Presbyterian party, that their frank embracing of the
royal interest was the wisest and most patriotic measure which they
could adopt in the circumstances, when all ranks and classes of men
were seeking refuge from the uncertainty and varied oppression
attending the repeated contests between the factions of Westminster