[Footnote 1:  Birch, Inquiry, 245.  I may here mention that Glamorgan, when he was marquess of Worcester, published “A Century of the “Names and Scantlings of such Inventions,” &c., which Hume pronounces “a ridiculous compound of lies, chimeras, and impossibilities, enough to show what might be expected from such a man.”  If the reader peruse Mr. Partington’s recent edition of this treatise, he will probably conclude that the historian had never seen it, or that he was unable to comprehend it.]

[Sidenote a:  A.D. 1646.  July 29.] [Sidenote b:  A.D. 1646.  August 6.]

the Scottish army in the sanguinary battle of Benburb), espoused the cause of the clergy; Preston, who commanded the forces of Leinster, after some hesitation, declared also in their favour; the members of the old council who had subscribed the treaty were imprisoned, and a new council was established, consisting of eight laymen and four clergymen, with the nuncio at their head.  Under their direction, the two armies marched to besiege Dublin:  it was saved by the prudence of Ormond, who had wasted the neighbouring country, and by the habits of jealousy and dissension which prevented any cordial co-operation between O’Neil and Preston, the one of Irish, the other of English descent.  Ormond, however, despaired of preserving the capital against their repeated attempts; and the important question for his decision was, whether he should surrender it to them or to the parliament.  The one savoured of perfidy to his religion, the other[a] of treachery to his sovereign.  He preferred the latter.  The first answer to his offer he was induced to reject as derogatory from his honour:  a second negotiation followed; and he at last consented to resign to the parliament the sword, the emblem of his office, the[b] castle of Dublin, and all the fortresses held by his troops, on the payment of a certain sum of money, a grant of security for his person, and the restoration of his lands, which had been sequestrated.  This agreement was performed.  Ormond came to England, and the king’s hope of assistance from Ireland was once more disappointed.[1]

Before the conclusion of this chapter, it will be

[Footnote 1:  Journals, viii. 519, 522; ix. 29, 32, 35.  The reader will find an accurate account of the numerous and complicated negotiations respecting Ireland in Birch, Inquiry, &c., p. 142-261.]

[Sidenote a:  A.D. 1646.  Oct. 14.] [Sidenote b:  A.D. 1647.  Feb. 22.]

proper to notice the progress which had been made in the reformation of religion.  From the directory for public worship, the synod and the houses proceeded to the government of the church.  They divided the kingdom into provinces, the provinces into classes, and the classes into presbyteries or elderships; and established by successive votes a regular gradation of authority among these new judicatories, which amounted, if we may believe the ordinance, to no fewer than