The Waverley novels, by Sir Walter Scott, complete in 12 vol., printed from the latest English ed., embracing the author's last corrections, prefaces & notes.

142 WAVERLEY NOVELS.
of the Animus Mundi itself-something which Nature had produced in her
proudest hour, while exerting herself, as is her law, for the preservation of
the creatures to whom she has given existence-I should scarce exhaust the
ideas which I entertain of him. Always protesting, that I am by no means
to be held as admitting, but merely as granting for the sake of argument,
the possible existence of that species of emanation, or exhalation, from the
Animus Mundi, of which I have made mention. I appeal to you, Colonel
Desborough, who are his Excellency's relation- to you, Colonel Everard,
who hold the dearer title of his friend, whether I have overrated my zeal in
his behalf?"
Everard bowed at this pause, but Desborough gave a more complete
authentication. " Nay, I can bear witness to that. I have seen when you
were willing to tie his points or brush his cloak, or the like -and to be
treated thus ungratefully -and gudgeoned of the opportunities which had
been given you""It is not for that," said Bletson, waving his hand gracefully. " You do
me wrong, Master Desborough - you do indeed, kind sir - although I
know you meant it not —No, sir —no partial consideration of private
interest prevailed on me to undertake this charge. It was conferred on me
by the Parliament of England, in whose name this war commenced, and
by the Council of State, who are the conservators of England's liberty.
And the chance and serene hope of serving the country, the confidence that
I -and you, Master Desborough - and you, worthy General Harrisonsuperior, as I am, to all selfish considerations -to which I am sure you
also, good Colonel Everard, would be superior, had you been named in this
Commission, as I would to Heaven you had-I say, the hope of serving
the country, with the aid of such respectable associates, one and all of them
-as well as you, Colonel Everard, supposing you to have been of the number, induced me to accept of this opportunity, whereby I might, gratuitously, with your assistance, render so much advantage to our dear mother
the Commonwealth of England. - Such was my hope - my trust - my confidence. And now comes my Lord-General's warrant to dissolve the authority by which we are entitled to act. Gentlemen, I ask this honourable
meeting, (with all respect to his Excellency,) whether his Commission be
paramount to that from which he himself directly holds his commission?
No one will say so. I ask whether he has climbed into the seat from which
the late Man descended, or hath a great seal, or means to proceed by prerogative in such a case? I cannot see reason to believe it, and therefore I
must resist such doctrine. I am in your judgment, my brave and honourable colleagues; but, touching my own poor opinion, I feel myself under
the unhappy necessity of proceeding in our commission, as if the interruption had not taken place; with this addition, that the Board of Sequestrators
should sit, by day, at this same Lodge of Woodstock, but that, to reconcile
the minds of weak brethren, who may be afflicted by superstitious rumours,
as well as to avoid any practice on our persons by the malignants, who, I am
convinced, are busy in this neighbourhood, we should remove our sittings
after sunset to the George Inn, in the neighbouring borough."
"Good Master Bletson," replied Colonel Everard, "it is not for me to
reply to you; but you may know in what characters this army of England
and their General write their authority. I fear me the annotation on this
precept of the General, will be expressed by the march of a troop of horse
from Oxford to see it executed. I believe there are orders out for that
effect; and you know by late experience, that the soldier will obey his
General equally against King and Parliamient."
"That obedience is conditional," said Harrison, starting fiercely up.
"Know'st thou not, Markham Everard, that I have followed the man Cromwell as close as the bull-dog follows his master?-and so I will yet;-but
I am no spaniel, either to be beaten, or to have the food I have earned