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 ( 47 ) halted, or rather seemed to retreat: Observing this, the country people returned to their houses, and were all surprised by parties of the Scottish army, who ravaged the whole country between Tyne and Dervent for the space of twenty three days. A body of fresh troops reaching the borders, some of the former were sent home to their friends, loaded with the spoils of their enemies. Marching to Carlisle, Wallace summoned the city to surrender, but refusing, he was constrained to desist, for the want of battering engines, and turned his attacks upon Berland, Allerdale, and the country as far as Cocker- mouth. Wallace has been charged by the English with exercising the greatest cruelties to men, women, 'children, and even priests. This charge is however fallacious, and the clemency of our hero appears conspicuous, in those letters of protection given to the religious houses. To gratify the curious reader, the following one is inserted. "WILLIAM WALLACE and Andrew Murray, in the name of the illustrious Prince John, by the grace of God, King of Scotland, and with consent of the community of the said kingdom of Scotland, to all the subjects thereof to whom these Letters may come, Greeting-Know, that in the name of the said King, we have taken into his protection the Prior and Convent of Exseldesham in Northumberland, their lands, men,