216 .inllN METCALF, ROAD MAKER. I'AKT III. 



forced to abandon it in consequence of the inadequacy of 

 the returns. He was therefore under the necessity of 

 again taking up his violin ; and he was employed as a 

 musician, in the Long Eoom at Harrogate, at the time 

 of the outbreak of the Eebellion of 1745. 



The news of the rout of the Royal army at Preston- 

 pans, and the intended march of the Highlanders south- 

 wards, put a stop to business as well as pleasure, and 

 caused a general consternation throughout the northern 

 counties. The great bulk of the people were, however, 

 comparatively indifferent to the measures of defence 

 which were adopted; and but for the energy displayed 

 by the country gentlemen in raising forces in support 

 of the established government, the Stuarts might again 

 have been seated on the throne of Britain. Among the 

 county gentlemen of York who distinguished themselves 

 on the occasion was William Thornton, Esq., of Thorn- 

 ville Royal. The county having voted ninety thousand 

 pounds for raising, clothing, and maintaining a body of 

 four thousand men, Mr. Thornton proposed, at a public 

 meeting held at York, that they should be embodied with 

 the regulars and march with the King's forces to meet the 

 Pretender in the field. This proposal was, however, 'over- 

 ruled, the majority of the meeting resolving that the men 

 should be retained at home for purposes merely of local 

 defence. On this decision being come to, Mr. Thornton 

 determined to raise a company of volunteers at his own 

 expense, and to join the Royal army with such force as 

 he could muster. .He then went abroad among his 

 tenantry and servants, and endeavoured to induce them 

 to follow him, but altogether without success. 



Still determined on raising his company, Mr. Thornton 

 next cast about him for other means ; and who should he 

 think of in his emergency but Blind Jack ! Metcalf had 

 often played to his family at Christmas time, and Thornton 

 knew him to be one of the most popular men in the 

 aeighbourhood. Accordingly lie proceeded forthwith to 



