The History of England in Three Volumes, Vol. I., Part E.: From Charles I. to Cromwell — David Hume — John Shaqi
The History of England in Three Volumes, Vol. I., Part E.: From Charles I. to Cromwell
David Hume · en
alleged, that it became him to be more active than other men in all
hazardous enterprises, lest his impatience for peace might bear the
imputation of cowardice or pusillanimity. From the commencement of the
war, his natural cheerfulness and vivacity became clouded; and even his
usual attention to dress, required by his birth and station gave way to
a negligence which was easily observable. On the morning of the battle
in which he fell, he had shown some care of adorning his person; and
gave for a reason, that the enemy should not find his body in any
slovenly, indecent situation. "I am weary," subjoined he, "of the times,
and foresee much misery to my country; but believe that I shall be out
of it ere night."[*] This excellent person was but thirty-four years of
age when a period was thus put to his life.
* Whitlocke, p. 70. Clarendon, vol. iii. p. 350, 351, etc.
The loss sustained on both sides in the battle of Newbury, and the
advanced season, obliged the armies to retire into winter quarters.
In the north, during this summer, the great interest and popularity of
the earl, now created marquis of Newcastle, had raised a considerable
force for the king; and great hopes of success were entertained from
that quarter. There appeared, however, in opposition to him, two men
on whom the event of the war finally depended, and who began about this
time to be remarked for their valor and military conduct. These were Sir
Thomas Fairfax, son of the lord of that name, and Oliver Cromwell. The
former gained a considerable advantage at Wakefield over a detachment
of royalists, and took General Goring prisoner: the latter obtained a
victory at Gainsborough over a party commanded by the gallant Cavendish,
who perished in the action. But both these defeats of the royalists were
more than sufficiently compensated by the total rout of Lord Fairfax
at Atherton Moor, and the dispersion of his army. After this victory,
Newcastle, with an army of fifteen thousand men, sat down before Hull.
Hotham was no longer governor of this place. That gentleman and his son
partly from a jealousy entertained of Lord Fairfax, partly repenting of
their engagements against the king, had entered into a correspondence
with Newcastle, and had expressed an intention of delivering Hull into
his hands. But their conspiracy being detected, they were arrested and
sent prisoners to London; where, without any regard to their former
services, they fell, both of them, victims to the severity of the
parliament.[*]