New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-07-22

This new edition OF Ludlow's Memoirs enables
the general reader TO form clear opinion OF his
own respecting the author. Though the Lcuten-
nt-Genera OF the Horse was an immensely pop
uar man in his day. he is now remembered solely
for his opposition TO Cromwell In recording
partial history Of his times he made himself
witness whose word was 70 be subjected 10 keen
scrutiny. Az tim, went on this scrutiny became
almost hostile. Cromwell In the estimation
Of subsequent writer's that he became to them
the sole figure Of the Commonwealth worthy Of
profound study. Even hose who were inimcal
to his memory conceded this in fact II not In
word. AS between him and the Parliament. IT
he that the nearer to the subsequent
devices in behalf Of English liberty But the
proof has been overlooked. II It be not la king al
, together. to show that his position taken
deliberately. All his biographcrs, whether they
wish II or not, give the impression that the
mere succession Of events forced him to take 70
himself the executive power Of the Long Pdrlia-
ment: then - exclude the Parliament Itself. then
to call other Legislative assemblies more or less
irrcruarly even TO the converting Of what stood
for a House Of Lords. l. is plain that Cromwell
was amenablc TO the common-seusc of the pco-
pie and that ne tried by the successive changes
which he made 70 meet convictions which must
sooner or later be realized in action. H. saw
the nation desired The vital change that came
in 1855 justified his forecast But whom ne shift
cd his position. those who had formerly approved
could hardly be expected - sec the virtue IA his
Inconsistencies one Of these was Lieutenant
General Ludlow. Cromwell and Ludlow were not
likely 20 ngree for lifetime. Though both were
gentlemen born the Protector was from his youth
limited In means and was held 70 che rude activi-
ties - Ne. on the ether hand Ludlow had tho
privileges Of an ancient family His narrative gives
no indication that ne had - suffer tr- pinch =
harsh poverty even in his exile His face and
lis biography show the man who. In spite u all
the hard knocks which he received. remained
obstinately faithful 20 The political Neals - his
youth. War rarely destroys the romance In
man It must have been the more prosalc con-
test with the fcn- Of Lincolnshire which made
Cromwell take his practical View o, Ne But
Ludlow was bewichcd hy his own impressions
and as Mr.. Firth saws. "ilI not always discover
the dircren . between shadows and realities"
II Is said that when he was ~ oxford uhe story
has m. drawback that II has been tod about
others. he fell into discussion before th- head
Of Trinity College on nominaiism and realism.
and made some rash assertion which Jed the
master 70 exclaim:
The fox wagging his tail and seeing !ts shad-
ow upon the wall. said II horn. was that
an horn"
Yes. 1t was horn" replied Ludlow. "a real
horn"
Well II IT be an horn. then foot It. you fool
you
Now. this popularity Of Ludlow must be
considered II his attitude throughout the strug-
gle Of Roundheads and the Cavaliers is to be I'M
derstood lie did not always things as they
were. lie lacked also from first 10 last what
may. for want Of a better term. be called the
courage OF the initiative. How he gained the
wife he finally married IS perhaps unknown. but
the bargain which he made while In the Inner
Temple is a good illustration Of the defect In his
character. Through come accident thc agree
ment has been preserved by which Edmund Lud-
low OF Maiden Bradley. Willis binds himself Ia
pay Anthony Errington. ot London. and Fran
els Buckley. Of Studley fifty pounds apiece II they
procure him a wife worth $4,000 and the same
sum for each additional 1900 in the wfe's
dowry The Civil War. perhaps. some equally
efficient cause prevented this very mantle
bargain from being carried out. i.udlow's first
experience In war may he cited 10 show that this
indecison followed him until be acquired the
habits OF a soldier Like Fleetwood Harrison
and many other distinguished officers. he began
his military career as "A private In the Earl OF |
Essex's life-guard. which consisted Of hundred
gentlemen. under the command Of Sir Philip sta
pleton." The recollection Of his first exploit
amused Ludlow himself lie tells how certain Of
the lfe-guard alarmed by the supposed APP
proach OF the Kings men after the skirmish a,
Powck Bridge, volunteered for reconnaissance
The enemy was really four miles away. but the
young guardsmNn, for the most part strangers |
20 things Of this nature" were In the humor to /
see hostile sodery wherever they looked. Their
commander was not with them. His lieutenant
wheel about whereupon the whole company fled /
back TO the army, land the next morning" says
Ludlow. dryly. rallied at the headquarters. +.
where we received but n cold welcome from the .
General. as we well deserved" Shortly after
ward Ludows forttude. % which he had more /
than enough was tested in the defence Of War
dour Castle. which he held with n small body OF .
troops until all the food In the fortress was con-
sumed In this case he knew exactly what Par
lament expected Of him. and he carried out the
commands beyond the letter. The exploit
made him a man TO be reckoned with by his
party as long az he lived. But II found that
he would not lead In any great affair In the
midst OF plots and counterplots that environed
him in his exile, he deliberated until the chance
Of action was lost wisely enough but greatly to
the dspleasure Of men eager to restore the Com
monwealth. The strrn Colonel Blood found
that "he was very unable for such employment"
To Wade one OF the Rye House plotters. Ludlow
remarked that ha had done his work in the world
and resolved 20 leave II 10 others. In the
light Of these things 1t seems II Hr. Firth's
sentence should sbe reversed where he says that
Ludlows courage was active rather than pas
sive In it's nature" He active only when he
knew that action was indispensable. He had
not the fertility in resources. the readiness TO
seize opportunities. the skill to organize conspir-
ators the willingness TO lead fororn hopes. which
make good leader Of revolts"