Series 2 > Origins of the 'Forty-five

168
JOHN DANIEL’S PROGRESS
became so firmly convinced of the solidity of the prin¬
ciples which I had been taught, that, when arrived at
the age of Twenty-two, I resolved never to deviate from
them, but to act to the best of my power the part of a
good and faithful subject, notwithstanding the customs
of an unhappy kingdom to the contrary. Nor was it
long before an opportunity presented itself of proving
my fidelity to my lawful Sovereign ; viz., when the Prince
entered triumphantly into Lancashire on the 24th of
November 1745,1 attended by about four thousand armed
men. The first time I saw this loyal army was betwixt
Lancaster and Garstang; the brave Prince marching on
foot at their head like a Cyrus or a Trojan Hero, drawing
admiration and love from all those who beheld him,
raising their long-dejected hearts, and solacing their
minds with the happy prospect of another Golden Age.
Struck with this charming sight and seeming invitation
* Leave your nets and follow me,’’ I felt a paternal ardor
pervade my veins, and having before my eyes the admoni¬
tion ‘ Serve God and then your King,’ I immediately became
one of his followers. How, and in what manner, I am now
going to relate.
The brave and illustrious Duke of Perth (whose merits
it would require the pen of an angel properly to celebrate,
being a true epitome of all that is good) halting to refresh
himself at a Public-House upon the road, where with
some friends of mine I then happened to be ; His Grace,
being truly zealous in the cause, asked of them the disposi¬
tion of the place and people. They replied, that they
believed it to be much in the Prince’s favour. After
some conversation on one thing and another, the Duke
did me the honour to invite me to join; which request
being nowise contrary to my inclination, I immediately
answered His Grace, that I was exceeding willing to do
anything that lay in my power for promoting the Prince’s
interests, in any situation he might judge most proper.
Upon this, the Duke honoured me with a most sincere
1 Should be 25th ; Sunday 24th was spent at Kendal, and Lancaster was
reached the following day. (L. in M., ii. 120, 193.)