New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-09-29
A MILITARY SPHINX.
TIE HERO OF THE STUART RESTORATION.

MONK BY Julian Corbctt 1emo, PIP. GEL Mac
milan d Co.
There are not many historical characters over
whom the battle of controversy has ragged more
fercely than George Monk, and none to whom
moro diverse and contradictory qualities virtues
and defects have been ascribed. Even to TINS
day it may be doubted whether an entirely dis
passionate portrait of him can be drawn, at least
by one of his own countrymen, so tenacious are
the views and preiudces which have descended
from the turbulent period OF the Civil war ana
the Commonwealth. The present monograph is,
however, marked by honest endeavor to hold the
balance even and if it errs, it is through striving
to explain all OF Monks changes Of front without
fastening upon him any suspicion of tmsserving or
vacillation. The general estimate which Mr. Cor
bett takes of Monks character Ia probably rs near
the truth as history is ever likely to come and 1T
has the merit of explaining some incidents IN his
career which have been stumbing-blocks to sew
eral earlier writers. This view is to the effect
that Monk was soldier OF fortune, martinez in
discipline, punctilious on the point of honor, and
infexibly loyal to the authority whose commission
he CHANGED TO hold. Being of the most ac-
eomplished captains of his time, and having made
a great reputation in the Low Countries and else
where, his services naturally in request
and, as he himself detested and never tried to
understand politics it followed that his sword was
at the command Of whichever party could persuade
him that it possessed the better right to il
Thus we find him in the employ, first of the
King and next of the Parliament, and equally
loyal on whichever side he fought. Nor does any
one appear TO have found fault with him for his
change of masters. Clearly his character was I'M
derstood by his contemporaries, and his military
qualifications were as generally recognized as his
stubborn integrity. When taken prisoner while
in the Kings service he calmly endured a long
imprisonment rather than abandon the Prince who
had signed his commission, and during this time
he rejected repeated offers of profitable and high
employment under Parliament. When the revo-
luton eliminated in the death of Charles the
soldier of fortune, or, as 1T would be better TO
call him. the professional soldier, did not hesitate
10 take service under Cromwell. The latter APP
preciated and esteemed his gifted lieutenant, and
put him to crucial test of his military capacity
in setting him to subdue the Scotch Instruction
The manner in which Monk performed that diff
cult task proved, even more cOnclusvely than had
his previous service under the King in Ireland that
to exceptional professional knowledge he added
rare judgments keen discernment and a rapldlty OF
action which made him most formidable adver-
sary. Mr. Corbett's vivid sketch OF his High
land campaigns. wherein he crushed the hoStlIe
clans by adopting their own tactics, pursuing
them with incredible swftness and persistence
over the most difficult country and in the most
inclement seasons. exhibits genius for war pos
sessed by few commanders of that time.
The truth was that Monks extreme reserve and
taciturnity concealed really great abilities, and
that events alone revealed his powers. Thus 1t
was that he seemed to his contemporaries to be
constantly growing, and his unconquerable retl-
cence cast such veil of mystery over his rur-
poses that. on the well-lxnown principle, omne
ignotum pro magniico" he doomed larger than a
talkative man Of equal powers would have done.
When Cromwell made him Governor of Scotland
he disclosed quite new qualities. Hitherto he had
been known mainly as the soldier. Now he was
to make a no less solid reputation as an admins
traitor. Having subugated the Scottish people,
he addressed himself TO the difficult undertaking
of gaining their friendship, and the sterling viz
tue of the man is shown in the fact that he COM
pletely succeeded in this. lie became popular
Governor He controlled the most turbulent and
disafected chiefs He prevented all risngs in
behalf of the Stuart cause lie held Scotland
firmly yet mildly TO the close of the Protecorate,
and until, Richard Cromwels feeble hand having
relinoushed the staff of State, the inevitable
jealousy between the Parliament and the army
began 10 gather TO head.
Perhaps the strangest circumstance of the situa-
Monk as factor in the case by both parties,
They appear 10 have regarded him as a kind Of
military mechanic who could be trusted TO obey
orders and who could be readily neutralized
extingushed should he prove refractory Crom-
well would never have fallen into such an error
but Cromwell was dead and had left no successor.
Nothing in English history is more interesting than
the account of what followed; the Parliament
and the army steadily growing away from one
another the choice apparently narrowing TO that
between a civil and military despotism the old
constitution and laws drifting further out of sight
and Monk from Scotland watching silcntly and
giving no sign, As the contest proceeded, how
ever he became more persuaded that the decision
would remain with him and as he had no political
convictions, and this question was mainly one OF
notifies. he began to experience grave embarrass-
,nent This was not lessened by the efforts OF some
of his Devenshire relations and friends who were
stanch Royalsts to commit him TO the cause OF
the King; and 10 is apparent that for long time
he remained in state Of indecision, being clear
only upon one point, namely that il was his duty
20 preserve the realm in peace if that were pos
sible When at last the rashness and ambition OF
Lambert led him to take overt action against the
Parliament Monk lost not moment m declaring
for the civil government, and his announcement
suddenly awoke both combatants TO realizing
sense of their dependence upon this uncounted
factor.
Monks march to London must always be re-
rarded as one of his most signal proofs OF
capacity man of less astuteness would nave
fastened to try conclusions with Lambert trust
ing TO popular support and reinforcement to
make up for the disparity of force But Monk
determined to run no risks. He saw clearly
chat his policy was waiting game; that all
he had 10 do was to lie quietly in his entrench-
mcnts. avoid battle, aid Lamhert's army would
melt away under the combined influence OF