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MEMOIRS

OF A

CAVALIER;

OR A

MILITARY JOURNAL

OF

The WARS in GERMANY,

AND

The WARS in England,

From the Year 1632, to the Year 1648.

Written above Fourscore Years ago by an English Gentleman, who served first in the Army of Gustavus Adolphus, the glorious King of Sweden, till his Death; and after that, in the Royal Army of King CHARLES the First, from the Beginning of the Rebellion, to the End of that War.

Sic ubi delectos per torva armenta juvencos
Agricola imposito sociare Affectat aratro :
Illi indignantes quis nondum vomere Multo
Ardua nodosos cervix descendit in Armos,
In diversa trahunt, atq; æquis vencula laxant
Viribus, et vario confundunt limite Sulcos:
Haud secus indomitos præceps Discordia Fratres
Asperat.

Stat. Theb. Lib. 1.

Et Fratres, natosq; suos videre, patresque :
Depressum est civile nefas

Lucan, Lib. 4.

MEMOIRS

OF

A CAVALIER.

CHAPTER I.

MY BIRTH
AND PARENTAGE-STRANGE DREAMS OF MY
MOTHER PREVIOUS TO MY BIRTH-MY EDUCATION-MY
FATHER EXTREMELY INDULGENT-ON MY RETURN FROM

OXFORD, HE PROPOSES MARRIAGE TO ME, WHICH I
DECLINE, AND AM PERMITTED TO TRAVEL, ACCOMPANIED
BY A YOUNG COLLEGE ACQUAINTANCE-JOURNEY FROM
DOVER TO PARIS, AND INCIDENTS ON THE ROAD-AD-
VENTURES WHICH HAPPEN AT PARIS-ACCOUNT OF OUR
JOURNEY TO ITALY.

Ir may suffice the reader, without being very inquisitive after my name, that I was born in the county of Salop, in the year 1608; under the government of what star I was never astrologer enough to examine; but the consequences of my life may allow me to suppose some extraordinary influence affected my birth. If there be anything in dreams also, my mother, who was mighty observant that way, took minutes, which I have since seen in the first leaf of her Prayer Book, of several strange dreams she had while she was with child of her second son, which was myself. Once she noted that she dreamed she was carried away by a regiment of horse, and delivered in the fields of a son, that as soon as it was born had two wings came out of its back, and in half an hour's time flew away from her; and the very evening before I was born she dreamed she was brought to bed of a son, and that all the while she was in labour a man stood under her window beating on a kettle-drum, which very much discomposed her.

My father was a gentleman of a very plentiful fortune,

VOL. II.

B

having an estate of above 5,000l. per annum, of a family nearly allied to several of the principal nobility, and lived about six miles from the town of High-Excol; and my mother being at on some particular occasion, was surprised there at a friend's house, and brought me very safe into the world.

I was my father's second son, and therefore was not altogether so much slighted as younger sons of good families generally are; but my father saw something in my genius also which particularly pleased him, and so made him take extraordinary care of my education.

I was taught therefore, by the best masters that could be had, everything that was needful to accomplish a young gentleman for the world; and at seventeen years old my tutor told my father an academic education was very proper for a person of quality, and he thought me very fit for it: so my father entered me of college in Oxford, where I continued three years.

A collegiate life did not suit me at all, though I loved books well enough. It was never designed that I should be either a lawyer, physician, or divine; and I wrote to my father that I thought I had stayed there long enough for a gentleman, and with his leave I desired to give him a visit.

During my stay at Oxford, though I passed through the proper exercises of the house, yet my chief reading was upon history and geography, as that which pleased my mind. best, and supplied me with ideas most suitable to my genius: by one I understood what great actions had been done in the world, and by the other I understood where they had been done.

My father readily complied with my desire of coming home, for besides that he thought, as I did, that three years' time at the university was enough, he also most passionately loved me, and began to think of my settling near him.

At my arrival I found myself extraordinarily caressed by my father, and he seemed to take a particular delight in my conversation. My mother, who lived in perfect union with him, both in desires and affection, received me very passionately: apartments were provided for me by myself, and horses and servants allowed me in particular.

My father never went a hunting, an exercise he was exceeding fond of, but he would have me with him; and it

INDULGENCE OF MY FATHER.

3

pleased him when he found me like the sport. I lived thus, in all the pleasures 'twas possible for me to enjoy, for about a year more; when going out one morning with my father to hunt a stag, and having had a very hard chase, and gotten a great way off from home, we had leisure enough to ride gently back; and as we returned, my father took occasion to enter into a serious discourse with me concerning the manner of my settling in the world.

He told me, with a great deal of passion, that he loved me above all the rest of his children, and that therefore he intended to do very well for me; and that my eldest brother being already married and settled, he had designed the same for me, and proposed a very advantageous match for me with a young lady of very extraordinary fortune and merit, and offered to make a settlement of 2,000l. per annum on me, which he said he would purchase for me without diminishing his paternal estate.

There was too much tenderness in this discourse not to affect me exceedingly. I told him I would perfectly resign myself unto his disposal. But, as my father had, together with his love for me, a very nice judgment in his discourse, he fixed his eyes very attentively on me; and though my answer was without the least reserve, yet he thought he saw some uneasiness in me at the proposal, and from thence concluded that my compliance was rather an act of discretion than inclination; and, that however I seemed so absolutely given up to what he had proposed, yet my answer was really an effect of my obedience rather than my choice; so he returned very quick upon me, Look you, son, though I give you my own thoughts in the matter, yet I would have you be very plain with me; for if your own choice does not agree with mine, I will be your adviser, but will never impose upon you; and therefore let me know your mind freely. I don't reckon myself capable, sir, said I, with a great deal of respect, to make so good a choice for myself as you can for me; and though my opinion differed from yours, its being your opinion would reform mine, and my judgment would as readily comply as my duty. I gather at least from thence, said my father, that your designs lay another way before, however they may comply with mine; and therefore I would know what it was you would have asked of me if I had not offered this to you; and you must not deny me your

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