 so
comprehensive?«
    »I should have, madam, were every whig as moderate as Morton, and every
loyalist as disinterested as Major Bellenden. But such is the fanaticism and
violent irritation of both parties, that I fear nothing will end this civil war
save the edge of the sword.«
    It may be readily supposed that Edith listened with the deepest interest to
this conversation. While she regretted that she had expressed herself harshly
and hastily to her lover, she felt a conscious and proud satisfaction that his
character was, even in the judgment of his noble-minded rival, such as her own
affection had once spoke it.
    »Civil feuds and domestic prejudices,« she said, »may render it necessary
for me to tear his remembrance from my heart; but it is no small relief to know
assuredly, that it is worthy of the place it has so long retained there,«
    While Edith was thus retracting her unjust resentment, her lover arrived at
the camp of the insurgents near Hamilton, which he found in considerable
confusion. Certain advices had arrived that the royal army, having been
recruited from England by a large detachment of the King's Guards, were about to
take the field. Fame magnified their numbers and their high state of equipment
and discipline, and spread abroad other circumstances which dismayed the courage
of the insurgents. What favour they might have expected from Monmouth, was
likely to be intercepted by the influence of those associated with him in
command. His Lieutenant - General was the celebrated General Thomas Dalzell,
who, having practised the art of war in the then barbarous country of Russia,
was as much feared for his cruelty and indifference to human life and human
sufferings, as respected for his steady loyalty and undaunted valour. This man
was second in command to Monmouth, and the horse were commanded by Claverhouse,
burning with desire to revenge the death of his nephew, and his defeat at
Drumclog. To these accounts was added the most formidable and terrific
description of the train of artillery and the cavalry force with which the royal
army took the field.33
    Large bodies, composed of the Highland clans, having in language, religion,
and manners, no connection with the insurgents, had been summoned to join the
royal army under their various chieftains; and these Amorites, or Philistines,
as the insurgents termed them, came like eagles to the slaughter. In fact, every
person who could ride or run at the King's command, was summoned to arms,
apparently with the purpose of forfeiting and fining such men of property whom
their principles might deter from joining the royal
