Page:Biographia Hibernica volume 1.djvu/141

 130 BOYLE formed a portion of his family. His exhortations to them were manly and kind, and he often reminded them, that they should consider themselves not as soldiers of fortune, but as men who had taken up arms solely for the proteo- tion of their country from her internal foes. At the head of these troops he was present at several sieges and battles, particularly in the celebrated action at Liscarrol; and such was the effect produced by his kindness to his men, that they always distinguished themselves in every service in which they were engaged. He always differed strongly from those who thought that the most successful way of carrying on the war was by irritating the catholics; and the cessation was in a great measure owing to the excellent advice which he gave to the Marquis of Ormond. This affair being com- pleted in September 1643, he exerted himself in endea- vouring to procure for the king that assistance which he expected as the consequence of his agreement to this mea- sure; and so great was his zeal on this occasion, that, at his own request, his regiment was part of the Irish brigade sent to the relief of his majesty, and was commanded by his lordship in person. On his arrival at Oxford, he was received by Charles I. with every mark of favour and attention ; and even bis enemies admired the firmness of his attachment to the fortunes of his sovereign. He was now raised to the dignity of Baron Clifford, of Lanesbo- rough, in consideration, as the patent expresses it, of his timely and effectual services. He constantly attended his majesty with his troops, as long as any part of the king- dom afforded reception to him; but was at length forced to compound for his estates, with the then existing government for the sum of 16311. Having, however, crossed the seas before the composition was completed, the House of Commons taking advantage of his absence, appointed a committee to consider of the debt owing by the Earl of Cork (a title to which he had now sacceeded) which involved him in considerable difficulties. He was