Page:Works of Thomas Carlyle - Volume 07.djvu/23



Tuesday 30th January 1648-9, it is ordered in the Commons House, 'That the Post be stayed until tomorrow morning, ten of the clock'; and the same afternoon, the King's Execution having now taken place, Edward Dendy, Sergeant-at-Arms, with due trumpeters, pursuivants and horse-troops, notifies, loud as he can blow, at Cheapside and elsewhere, openly to all men, That whosoever shall proclaim a new King, Charles Second or another, without authority of Parliament, in this Nation of England, shall be a Traitor and suffer death. For which service, on the morrow, each trumpeter receives 'ten shillings' of the public money, and Sergeant Dendy himself—shall see what he will receive. And all Sheriff's, Mayors of Towns and suchlike, are to do the same in their respective localities, that the fact be known to every one.

After which follow, in Parliament and out of it, such debatings, committee-ings, consultings towards a Settlement of this Nation, as the reader can in a dim way sufficiently fancy for himself on considering the two following facts.

First, That on February 13th, Major Thomas Scott, an honourable Member whom we shall afterwards know better,