Page:Life of the martyr, John Brown, of Priesthill, in the parish of Muirkirk, Ayrshire (3).pdf/15

15 information and consolation to others, and when he came himself to be tried, he .. not left a castaway." Among the last of the needy adventures of Charles IIds reign, who could swim through the blood of their more conscientious countrymen, to favour and emolument, was Graham of Claverhouse " He was descended from the house of Montrose, and was educated in France, the best school for dissolute manners and cruelty. He fought against the French in the Low Countries, under the Prince of Orange, but being refused the command of one of the Scottish regiments, then in the Dutch service, he left it in disgust, and came over to England. His dissolute manners and vivacity soon got him notice at court, and the command of party of Highlanders.' His first appearance on the stage of Scotland's tragedy was in 1678, taking free quarters for himself and men in the house of Gilbert McMichen, in New Glenluce; and when they went off, beside what they consumed, they took with them three horses, worth ten pounds each. In every succeeding appearance he may be marked as rising in cruelty and exaction. "What Bishop Barnet says of Dalziel, nay be aflirmed of Claverhouse with equal, or perhaps with greater truth; that he acted the Muscovite too grossly, threatening to spit men, and roast them alive. He pleaded in excuse that terror was true mercy, if it put an end to, or prevented war." Charles being now dead, James, Duke of York, required such instruments to compel submission to his system of cruelty. Having now thrown off the mask, the suspicion of the Reformers, that Prelacy was to be handmaid to the introduction of Popery in Scotland, was verified. For that purpose he enlarged the commission of Claverhouse, and created him Viscount of Dundee; and none was better