Page:Works of Thomas Carlyle - Volume 06.djvu/402

 would have done, we may infer that this Reverend Robert Stapylton is the Cromwell Messenger,—sent to speak a word to the Clergy in particular.

Scoutmaster Rowe, William Rowe, appears with an enlarged sphere of influence, presiding over the Cromwell spy-world in a very diligent, expert and almost respectable manner, some years afterwards, in the Milton State-Papers. His counsel might be useful with Argyle; his experienced eye, at any rate, might take a glance of the Scottish Country, with advantage to an invading General.

Of the Reverend Mr. Stapylton’s proceedings on this occasion we have no notice: but he will occur afterwards in these Letters; and two years hence, on Cromwell’s second visit to those Northern parts, we find this recorded: ‘Last Lord’s Day,‘ 29th September 1650, ‘Mr. Stapylton preached in the High Church’ of Edinburgh, while we were mining the Castle!—‘forenoon and afternoon, before his Excellency with his Officers; where was a great concourse of people; many Scots expressing much affection at the doctrine, in their usual way of groans.‘ In their usual way of groans, while Mr. Stapylton held forth: consider that!—Mr. Robert, ‘at 10 o’clock at night on the 3d September’ next year, writes, ‘from the other side of Severn,‘ a copious despatch concerning the Battle of Worcester, and then disappears from History.

The following Letter, of the same date, was brought by the same Messengers for the Committee of Estates.

1em Right Honourable,—Being upon my approach to the borders of the Kingdom of Scotland, I thought fit to acquaint you of the reason thereof.