of 1715, exhibited such decided symptoms of an approaching insurrection, that government, as a precautionary measure, issued warrants against a number of the Jacobites in that county. Having received intelligence that means had been taken for his immediate apprehension, Forster quitted his house, and proceeded in disguise to the residence of a Mr. Fenwick, at Bywell; whence, after having narrowly escaped capture, he hastened to a place of comparative safety, and called a meeting of the neighbouring Jacobites to consult on the means to be adopted for their general benefit. An insurrection was immediately agreed upon; and, accordingly, on the 6th of October, Forster, with about twenty other gentlemen, assembled in arms on a hill, called the Waterfalls, near Greenrigg. They were soon joined by the Earl of Derwentwater, his brother, and their attendants; and the next day they marched to Warkworth, where Forster, disguising himself as a herald, proclaimed the Pretender as James the Third. On the 10th, they proceeded to Morpeth, and the prince was again proclaimed by Buxton, a clergyman attached to the insurgent party. Their number was, by this time, increased to three hundred; and it would have been much larger, had not Forster declined to accept the services of such as were not well armed and mounted. His next movement was towards Newcastle, where he expected to find muskets and ammunition for the common people who were desirous of joining his standard; but, on his arrival, finding, contrary to his expectation, the gates closed against him, he marched to Hexham. At this place he was met by several of the prince's Scotch partisans. On the 19th, Kenmure, Nithisdale, and some other noblemen, joined him, with their attendants, to the number of three hundred, at Rothbury. On the 22nd, he received a large reinforcement of Highlanders at Kelso, where he continued, without any apparent motive, until the 27th. He had previously received a commission from the Earl of Mar, to act as general over the insurgents, who were, by this time, formidable in point of numbers, although every accession of force rendered them more disorderly. Forster was destitute of energy, military skill, or influence over his subordinates, who were neither united nor tractable. General Carpenter, at the head of a body of royal troops, having reached the neighbourhood of Kelso, and made dispositions for attacking the rebels, some of the Highland chiefs proposed to march for the west of Scotland; but the English violently objected to proceed in that direction. A plan was then brought forward for attacking the king's troops before they recovered from the fatigue of their recent march; but it was rejected by the majority, who, at length, determined to proceed to Jedburgh. Here they were thrown into a panic by mistaking some of their own stragglers for the royal army; and a second alarm, equally ill-founded, produced so extraordinary an effect upon them, that two whole days were occupied in the restoration of even their previous state of discipline. It was now proposed to give Carpenter the slip, and hasten across the mountains into England; but the Highlanders refused to proceed southwards. They next marched to Hawick, where Forster took up his quarters, with some other English gentlemen, at the residence of the Duchess of Buccleugh. Their numbers, which had daily augmented, were considerably decreased on the 30th, many hundreds of them having thrown down their arms and fled at the sight of some of their own patroles, whom their fears had converted into a formidable body of Carpenter's dragoons. Some of the leaders now formed a design of surprising Dumfries; which, however, was not carried into effect, the English insurgents being obstinately bent on proceeding southward. The Highlanders, on the other hand, were equally averse to cross the border, and began to desert in great numbers, when they found that it had been finally determined to march into England. On the 1st of November, the rebels reached Brampton; and, after halting a night to refresh, advanced toward Penrith, where they heard that the Bishop of Carlisle had drawn out the whole posse of Cumberland, which, however, dispersed in the most das tardly manner on their approach. At Kirby-Lonsdale, in Westmoreland, where they arrived on the 6th, a few Lancashire papists joined their standard. On the 7th they entered Lancaster; but, instead of remaining there for the arrival of reinforcements, which they might have done with tolerable safety, they rashly went on to Preston. At this place, the numerical force of the insurgents was augmented by the arrival of a multitude of Roman catholics, who had been lurking for some time about the neighbourhood, in constant fear of arrest and imprisonment. Their services were, however, of little value; and the Scotch lords, who had, it appears, been led to expect that many of the high church party would have made common cause with them, began to evince great dissatisfaction at the general inefficiency of the English recruits; who were, almost exclusively, Romanists of no condition or influence. General Carpenter had set out in pursuit of the rebels, as soon as he had obtained correct information of their route. General Wills, with a considerable body of troops, was also advancing towards Preston, from the west; but Forster, strange as it may appear, was so utterly ignorant of their movements, that Wills had advanced within sight of the town before the rebel commander was at all aware of his approach. On the alarm being given, preparations were hastily made for defending the place; in the conduct of which considerable skill was displayed, not so much by Forster himself as by Brigadier Mackintosh, and others of his subordinates. On the 12th of November, the royal troops under Wills attacked the town, but were received undauntedly, and repulsed with considerable loss. The elevation of spirit produced among the rebels by their success, was followed, in a few hours, by the most contemptible despair. the 13th, General Carpenter arrived before the town, and, in concert with Wills, so disposed of the royal troops, that, without achieving a victory, it was almost impossible for the rebels to escape. On The disorderly wrangling that now prevailed among the Jacobite forces was truly appalling: the leaders were not only at bitter variance with each other, but in actual fear of being destroyed by the troops. Had the counsel of the Highlanders been adopted, the whole of the insurgent army would have sallied out, and have either cut their way through the enemy's ranks, or died gallantly sword in hand. But Forster was timid, and, with some difficulty, persuaded the Scottish chiefs and English gentlemen, that it had become advisable to capitulate. Colonel Oxburgh was, accordingly, sent out, with a trumpet, to propose that the forces in the town should submit to the king's mercy; and, at the same time, to express a hope that General Wills would exert himself to procure their pardon. Wills replied, that, if they surrendered at discretion, he could only promise to prevent his troops from cutting them to pieces until he should receive further orders. Forster then requested further time to deliberate, which he obtained on giving hostages not to prepare any new defences. At seven o'clock the next morning, the two generals of the royal troops were informed that the rebels had determined to surrender at discretion; and, within an hour afterwards, they entered Preston at the head of their forces. The insurgents, who had previously been drawn up in the marketplace, then laid down their arms. The number of prisoners was not, however, so great as had been expected; many of the rebels having escaped from the town, and others of them being secreted by the inhabitants. Early in January, 1715-16, Forster was expelled from his seat in the house of commons, and it was subsequently determined that he should be arraigned for high treason on the 14th of April; but, on the 10th, he contrived to effect his escape from Newgate, where he had been confined to await his trial. It does not appear by what means he eluded the vigilance of his keepers; but he evidently acted on a preconcerted scheme, as horses were stationed in readiness for him to ride towards the coast, and a vessel was prepared at Rochford, in Essex, to carry him to France, where he arrived without the least hindrance or accident. His estates were forfeited to the crown on his nonappearance to take his trial, and he continued in exile for the remainder of his life. His death is supposed to have taken place at Paris, in 1734. Forster appears to have been a vain and imbecile man, whom circumstances exalted to a temporary eminence. Events, over which he had no control, placed him in a situation which he was totally unqualified to fill. Without energy to control his unruly subordinates, judgment to take advantage of success, or resolution to bear up against misfortune, the inglorious termination of his attempt in behalf of James Frederick is by no means surprising. His surrender at Preston, has been severely reprehended. He might, it has been said, by a vigorous resistance, have kept the royal troops for some time at bay, and eventually procured such terms as would have saved many of his followers from the fate which befel them. He has even been accused of treachery to those whom he commanded; and his mysterious escape from Newgate has been noticed as tending to support the justice of the charge; for which, however, there does not appear to have been any real ground. He was not corrupted, but dismayed: had he betrayed the Jacobites, James Frederick would scarcely have treated him with such high consideration as he did, not only on his arrival in France, but during the remainder of his life. BRIGADIER MACKINTOSH, LAIRD OF BORLUM. THIS gallant chieftain was born in 1679. While yet a minor, he materially increased his influence, which was previously great, among the Highlanders, by marrying the heiress of Clancastan. He subsequently served, for several campaigns, as a volunteer in Germany, where he obtained the military rank of brigadier. Although he had become personally acquainted with the Pretender, while abroad, no suspicion appears to have been entertained, even by the clan of which he was the head, that his sentiments were Jacobitical, until he summoned his followers, in 1715, to join the insurgents under Forster; the sixth division of whose forces was named, in compliment to their new ally, Mackintosh's Brigade. During the short campaign which ensued, he evinced an acquaintance with the military art which was of important service, on several occasions, to his confederates. At Preston, he became one of the hostages, that no further defences should be prepared while the rebel chiefs deliberated, during a suspension of hostilities, as to the propriety of surrendering at discretion to the royal forces. When an unconditional capitulation was agreed to, he strongly protested against it, on the part of his Highlanders; who, he asserted, would rather die sword in hand than assent to such terms. The commander of the king's troops said to him, in reply, "Go back to your people, then, sir: I shall attack the town; and the result will be, that not a man of you will be spared." Mackintosh then went into the town; but speedily returned, to state that the Highlanders would surrender on the same terms as their English associates. The rebels having accordingly submitted, Mackintosh and his son, a fine youth, who was verging on manhood, were sent to London, and confined together in Newgate. A true bill having been found against the brigadier, for high treason, to which, on being arraigned, he had pleaded not guilty, his trial was appointed to take place on the 5th of May; but, during the night of the 4th, he and his son, with several other prisoners, effected their escape, by overpowering the turnkeys, when the latter came to lock them up in their cells. The fugi tives were instantly pursued, and some of them retaken; but Mackintosh and his son, having reached Paternosterrow, darted, unperceived, through an alley leading to St. Paul's church-yard, and ran down to the water side, where they got into a boat that had previously been prepared for them, and soon gained a place of security. The brigadier passed the remainder of his life abroad, and died, as it is supposed, at Genoa, in 1736. ALEXANDER, LORD FORBES, OF PITSLIGO. THIS excellent man was born in 1680, and from a very early age displayed uncommon talents, united with great moral qualities. His benevolence was only limited by his means; and so great was the affection displayed towards him by all classes, that he persuaded himself he had not a single enemy on earth. Although he did not think proper to take any part in the rebellion of 1715, his sentiments were known to be in favour of the exiled family, and he consequently became an object of suspicion to government. He was, however, permitted to cherish his opinions unmolested, and might have ended his days peacefully and honourably in his native land, had he not been tempted, in an evil moment, to join the standard of Charles Edward, in 1745. "This peer," says Home, "who drew after him such a number of gentlemen, had only a moderate fortune, but he was much beloved and greatly esteemed by his neighbours, who looked upon him as a man of excellent judgment, and of a wary and cautious temper; so that when he, who was deemed so wise and prudent, declared his purpose of joining Charles, most of the gentlemen in that part of the country where he lived, who favoured the Pretender's cause, put themselves under his command, thinking they could not follow a better or a safer guide than Lord Pitsligo." Although in the sixty-fifth year of his age, he displayed a remarkable degree of spirit and alacrity, and went through the fatigues and perils of the contest without once attempting to shrink from his most arduous duties. After the battle of Culloden, he escaped to France; and being attainted by parliament, his honours and property became forfeited: but the liberal contributions of his friends placed him far above pecuniary want, and he would have been happy, even in exile, but for the hopeless desire which he felt to breathe his last in Scotland. He died at Paris, towards the close of 1762. ARTHUR ELPHINSTON, LORD BALMERINO. THIS remarkable man was born in 1688, and succeeded his brother James, as Lord Balmerino, in 1710. Having entered the army at an early age, he was captain of a company of foot, in the reign of Queen Anne, and served, with great credit to himself, during several campaigns in Flanders. He married in 1711, and from that period, passed his time in retirement, and the full enjoyment of domestic comfort, until 1715, when he imprudently joined the Pretender's standard. Government, however, thought proper to inflict no punishment on him, for his exertions, on this occasion, in behalf of the exiled prince. But his narrow escape did not teach him prudence, nor did the clemency of his sovereign render him grateful; for, on the landing of Charles Edward, in 1745, he took an early opportunity of appearing among the insurgents, to whose first successes, he is said to have mainly contributed by his courage and military skill. He was present at the fatal battle of Culloden; and, although he contrived to escape from the field, was soon afterwards compelled to give himself up to the royal troops. On being brought to London, he was committed to the Tower, and at the latter end of June, 1746, a true bill was found against him for high treason. His trial took place in Westminster hall, on the 28th of July, and witnesses having been called to prove that he had entered Carlisle, (although not on the day named in the indictment,) sword in hand, at the head of a body of rebels, called Elphinston's horse, he was found guilty by the peers, who ordered that he should be brought up for judgment two days afterwards. He was accordingly placed at the bar to receive sentence on the 30th, but raised a technical objection in arrest of judgment, which was so far admitted, that counsel were assigned him to argue the point on the 1st of August. The court again met on that day, but, as Horace Walpole relates, in one of his letters to Mr. Montague, "poor, brave, old Balmerino, retracted his plea, asked pardon, and desired the lords to intercede for mercy. As he returned to the Tower, he stopped the coach at Charing-cross, to buy honey-blobs, as the Scotch call gooseberries." He heard his sentence with singular fortitude, and scarcely for a moment ceased to be cheerful up to the time of his execution. "Old Balmerino," says Walpole to a correspondent, "keeps up his spirits to the same pitch of gaiety. In the cell at Westminster, he shewed Lord Kilmarnoch how he must lay his head; bid him not winch, lest the stroke should cut his skull or his shoulders; and advised him to bite his lips. As they were to return, he begged they might have another bottle together, as they should never meet any more till and then pointed to his neck. At getting into the coach, he said to the gaoler, Take care, or you will break my shins with this d-d axe!'" 66 They have stopped up one of old Balmerino's windows in the Tower," says the same writer, on another occasion, "because he talked to the populace; and now he has only one, which looks directly upon all the scaffolding. They brought in the death-warrant at his dinner. His wife fainted. He said, 'Lieutenant, with your d-d warrant, you have spoiled my lady's stomach.' He has written a sensible letter to the Duke of Cumberland to beg his intercession, who has given it to the king." A strong disposition prevailed in his favour, and his friends exerted themselves to procure a remission of his sentence, but the king was inflexible, and orders were issued for his execution on the 18th of August. Early on the morning of that day, he was conducted, with his fellow-prisoner, Kilmarnoch, to a house which had been prepared for their reception, about thirty yards from the scaffold, on Tower hill. Hearing The some of the spectators eagerly ask which was Balmerino, he said, with a smile, as he entered the house, "I am Lord Balmerino, gentlemen, at your service." Shortly after, he inquired if Kilmarnoch knew of any order having been signed by Charles Edward, to give no quarter at the battle of Culloden. earl replied in the negative." Nor I, neither," said Balmerino; " and therefore, it seems to be an invention of government to justify their own murders." "I do not think that a fair inference," rejoined Kilmarnoch, "for I was informed at Inverness, by several officers, after I had been taken prisoner, that such an order, signed George Murray, was in the duke's custody." "George Murray!" exclaimed Balmerino, "then they should not charge it on the prince!" He then took leave of the earl, in a most affectionate manner. 66 My dear Lord Kilmarnoch," said he, "I am only sorry that I cannot pay this reckoning alone, and suffer for us both: once more, farewell for ever!" Kilmarnoch was then led forth to execution, and Balmerino, after solemnly recommending himself to the mercy of his Creator, began to converse cheerfully with his friends, with whom he took wine, desiring that they would drink to him, "Ain degrae to Haiven!" In a few minutes the sheriff entered the apartment, for the purpose of conducting him to the scaffold, which Balmerino ascended with extraordinary coolness. He was dressed in a tie-wig, and the regimentals (a blue coat, with brass buttons and red facings,) which he had worn at the battle of Culloden. After reading the inscription on his coffin, and examining the block, which he called "a pillow of rest," he took a paper from his pocket, put on his spectacles, and advancing to the rails of the scaffold, began to read, in a firm and audible tone, an address which he had composed for the occasion. His allegiance, he said, was, in his opinion, due to the house of Stuart; and he protested that, in the late contest, he had acted conscientiously, and without any interested motives whatever. Having concluded his speech, he desired that the hearse in which his coffin was to be placed, might be brought towards the scaffold, and after looking upon it for a few moments, he inquired |