ABSTRACT
Furnished, therefore, with whatever the occasion seemed to require, I proceeded with my own servant and horses from Winbourn to Compton-Chamberlaine. Here I was informed that Colonel Penruddock was from home; and by enquiries among his attendants, my servant learned that he was gone to the house of Colonel Hugh Grove, a gentleman of the same county. a Hither I followed him, the house of Mr Grove lying at the north-eastern extremity of Salisbury Plain. On my arrival I perceived an unusual bustle and activity; and it was plainly to be seen at the residences of both these / gentlemen, and through a considerable part of my journey, that something extraordinary was in agitation. I will not pretend to determine what was the cause that the officers of civil administration in the neighbourhood, seemed to take no notice of these preparations; whether it was that they were impressed with indifference and alienation from the government of the protector; or that it might be the policy of his 115administration, to ripen the plots of the royalists to a certain height, that his authority might be strengthened by their suppression, and his coffers enriched by their forfeitures.
