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 “ Hudlbras 
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 
