Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Sir John Dalrymple’s "Memoirs of the Revolution."

Thur 10 Dec: I preached at Margate about one, and at Canterbury in the evening. On Friday, passing through Sittingbourne, I found a congregation ready; so I gave them a short discourse, and went on to Chatham.
In this journey I read over Sir John Dalrymple’s "Memoirs of the Revolution." He appears to be a man of strong understanding; and the book is wrote with great accuracy of language, (allowing for a few Scotticisms,) and intermixed with very sensible reflections. But I observe, 1. He believes just as much of the Bible as David Hume did. Hence he perpetually ascribes to enthusiasm whatever good men did from a strong conviction of duty. 2. He cordially believes that idle tale which King James published, concerning Father Huddleston's giving King Charles extreme unction. My eldest brother asked Lady Oglethorpe concerning this. "Sir," said she, "I never left the room from the moment the King was taken ill till the breath went out of his body; and I aver, that neither Father Huddleston nor any Priest came into the room till his death." 3. He much labours to excuse that monster of cruelty, Graham, of Claverhouse, afterwards, as a reward for his execrable villanies, created Lord Dundee. Such wanton barbarities were scarce ever heard of, as he practised toward men, women, and children. Sir John himself says enough, in telling us his behaviour to his own troops. "He had but one punishment for all faults, death: And for a very moderate fault he would ride up to a young gentleman, and, without any trial or ceremony, shoot him through the head." 4. He is not rightly informed concerning the manner of his death. I learned in Scotland, that the current tradition is this:—At the battle of Gallycrankie, being armed in steel from head to foot, he was brandishing his sword over his head, and swearing a broad oath, that before the sun went down, he would not leave an Englishman alive. Just then a musket-ball struck him under the arm, at the joints of his armour. Is it enthusiasm to say, Thus the hand of God rewarded him according to his works?