The Works of Thomas Carlyle/Volume 6/Letter 13
Here meanwhile is a small noteworthy thing. Consider these ‘Young Men and Maids,’ and that little joint-stock company of theirs! Amiable young persons, may it prosper with you! Twelve-score pounds and so many stand of muskets,—well, this little too, in the great Cause, will help. For a pure preached Gospel, and the ancient liberties of England, who would not try to help? Fine new cloaks and fardingales are good; but a company of musketeers busy on the right side, how much better!—Colonel Cromwell, now home again, has received a Deputation on the matter; and suggests improvements. ‘Country’ which will take your muskets, means County. Three pounds, we perceive by calculation, will buy a war-saddle and pistols. Who the ‘Sir’ is, guessable as some Chairman of this ‘Young Men and Maids’ Society; and in what Town he sits, whether in Huntingdon itself or in another,—must remain forever uncertain. His Address, by negligence, has vanished; his affair wholly has vanished; the body of it gone all to air, and only the soul of it now surviving, and like to survive!
TO
Sir,—I understand by these Gentlemen the good affections of your Young Men and Maids; for which God is to be praised.
I approve of the business: only I desire to advise you that your ‘foot company’ may be turned into a troop of horse; which indeed will by Gods blessing, far more advantage the Cause than two or three companies of foot; especially if your men be honest godly men, which by all means I desire. I thank God for stirring-up the youth to cast-in their mite, which I desire may be employed to the best advantage; therefore my advice is, that you would employ your Twelve-score Pounds to buy pistols and saddles, and I will provide Four-score horses; for 400l. more will not raise a troop of horse. As for the muskets that are bought, I think the Country will take them of you. Pray raise honest godly men, and I will have them of my regiment. As for your Officers, I leave it as God shall or hath directed to choose;—and rest, your loving friend, OLIVER CROMWELL[1]
- ↑ Fairfax Correspondence (London, 1849), iii. 56: the Original is Autograph; address quite gone; docketed ‘Colonel Cromwell’s Letter to’ (in regard to) ‘the Bachelors and Maids, 2d August 1643, from Huntingdon.’