HYDE PARK 27 



defend the city. Hyde Park and Green Park became 

 the theatre of warlike operations. Forts were raised 

 and trenches were dug. Two small forts, one on Con- 

 stitution Hill and one near the present Mount Street 

 in Hyde Park, were made, but the more important were 

 those on the present sites of the Marble Arch and of 

 Hamilton Place. The energy displayed on the occasion 

 is described by Butler in "Hudibras," and the part taken 

 by women in the work. Like the *'sans culottes" of 

 the French Revolution, they helped with their own 

 hands. 



" Women, who were our first apostles, 

 Without whose aid w' had all been lost else ; 



March'd rank and file, with drum and ensign, 



T' entrench the city for defence in ; 



Rais'd rampires with their own soft hands. 



To put the enemy to stands ; 



From ladies down to oyster-wenches 



Labour'd like pioneers in trenches, 



Fell to their pickaxes and tools. 



And helped the men to dig like moles." 



—Butler's ''Hudibras.'" 



The picture of their sombre garments, neat-fitting 

 caps, and severe faces, the close-cropped hair and stern 

 looks of the men, working with business-like determina- 

 tion, stands out a striking contrast to the gay colours 

 and cheerful looks of the company engaged in the chase. 



The darker trees and sheltered corners of Hyde Park 

 afforded covert for the wary " Roundhead " to lie in 

 ambush for the imprudent Loyalist carrying letters to the 

 King. On more than one occasion the success was on his 

 side, and the bearer of news to his royal master was way- 

 laid, and the papers secured. The culminating scene of 



