They were appointed two years past to have been trained six days by the year or more, at the discretion of the muster-master, but, as yet, they have not been trained one day, so that they have benefited nothing, nor yet know their leaders.

There is now promise of amendment, which, I doubt, will be very slow, in respect to my Lord Derby's absence." My Lord Derby was at that moment, and for many months afterwards, assisting Valentine Dale in his classical prolusions on the sands of Bourbourg.

He had better have been mustering the trainbands of Lancashire.

There was a general indisposition in the rural districts to expend money and time in military business, until the necessity should become imperative.

Professional soldiers complained bitterly of the canker of a long peace.