Monk, George, Duke of Albemarle, a noted British general of the days of the Commonwealth, cel- ebrated for the services he rendered, first to the Pro- tectorate and afterwards to the crown, causing the restoration of king Charles, was born in the parisli of Merton, Devonshire, Dec. 6, 1608. He devoted him- self early to militarj' life, and had acquired some ex- perience in the wars on the Continent when the war broke out (1638) between Charles and the Scotch. Monlc enlisted in the English service, and was made lieutenant- colonel. In 16-11 he served against the Irish reliels; and in the following j'ear, upon the out- break of the war between Charles and Parliament, he obtained a full colonelcy. He was verj' popular with his soldiers, and to the last remained their idol. For a while his loyalty to the king was questioned ; but he soon regained the confidence of the throne, and was suffered to take the field. He rapidly acquired rep- utation as an able officer ; but was made prisoner at Nantwich in January, 1644, by the Roundheads, and confined in the Tower of London more than a year. While himself immured, matters outside turned very
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much against the king, who was finally taken pris- oner, thus terminating the civil war. Efforts were now made bv Parliament to secure Monk's services. His known abi!it_v and favor witli the soldiers made him a desirable acquisition. Clarendon insists upon it that Monk was bouglit bj' Parliament (vii, 3S2) : but there is no proof for such an assertion, though his final acts in the scene of Restoration would point that way. In all prol)ability Monk felt the king's cause lost, and was tluis persuaded to serve Parliament. The silence whicli he ever after preserved would confirm such a belief. This seems reasonable also when it is consid- ered that originally Monk must have been in sympa- thy with the people's cause, for he was suspected by tlic RoA'alists. Most likely, too, Monk was influenced by tlie condition of affairs. He liked to be with the winning side, and, though he liad come to be an admir- er of the splendor and attraction of court, lie would yet fain resign all these rather than serve the minority. Ho finally in 1G17 consented to take a commission in tiie Parliamentarian army. He first commanded for his new masters in Ireland, where he distinguished himself greatly. He afterwards acted as lieutenant- general under Cromwell in Scotland, wliere he aided much in gaining the victory of Dunbar. Cromwell finally left him with 6,000 men to complete the subju- gation of Scotland, a work which Jlonk effectually performed. He was next employed as an admiral of the Commonwealth's fieet, and he shared in the perils and the glories of the desperate struggle with the Dutch navy, which Blake so successfully conducted. After being rewarded with many honors at the hand of Cromwell and the Parliament, Jlonk was sent back to his command in Scotland, where fresh troubles had broken out. He was at this time in a very embarrass- ing position, and j'et he discharged himself of his task with satisfaction to all. His own soldiers were tlie most restless and fanatical of the army. Besides, he had to contend with lord ISIiddloton, with whom the | Eoj'alists had risen in the Highlands, and the people | generally, who were discontented and ready for rebel- lion. His vigilance, activity, and good sense in this position were remarkable. "The countr}'," writes Gui- zot, "submitted ; the arm}' did not quit it till it had, by means of a certain number of garrisons, secured the payment of taxes, which the Highlanders bad hitherto thought they could refuse with impunity ; and order was established in those sanctuaries of plunder with such efltect that the owner of a strayed horse, it is said, recovered it in the country b}' means of a crier" I (p. 80). He was also instrumental in bringing about i the union which was estal)lished under the Protector- ! ate between England and Scotland ; and thus likewise strengthened the Cromwellian efi"orts. Indeed, it is genpialiy conceded that Monk was always attached to | Cromwell from the moment he openly espoused the I poiHilar cause, and was never suspected of disloyalty while the Protector lived. This is manifest also from \ ]\Ionk's prompt action when importuned by Charles i for his cause. The king sent Monk a letter expres- .«;ive of confidence, and, instead of reply, IMonk turned the letter over to Cromwell. In ICoo Monk was made one of the commissioners for the government of Scot- land, and he largely, if not wholly, controlled the action of tlie council of state. That in this position also he pleased Cromwell is evident from the way in which , he was remembered in the Protector's last hour. Crom- ; well on his death-bed is said to have recommended him to his son and successor, who as soon as installed likewise received Monk's support. But Uichard's fail- ure turned Monk away. !Monk soon discovered the weakness of the new ruler, and determined to follow tiiat policy by which he would both connect himself with the strongest party, and also lay that under the ' greatest possil)le oliligation to him. Ho temporized for some months; listening to the advances of all I sides, and saying little in return. He had, no doubt, i