pathetically on the affection of the bereaved parent:

men.

"With her each day the pleasing hours he shares,
And at her aspect calms his growing cares,
Or with a grandsire's joy her children sees,
Hanging about her neck, or at his knees:

Hold fast, dear infants, hold them both or none;
This will not stay, when once the other's gone."

On some altera

Her remains were conveyed by water to Westminster, where they lay in state in the Painted Chamber, and were afterward buried with great pomp in Westminster Abbey. tions being made in Henry the Seventh's Chapel, in 1725, her coffin was discovered by the workAn attempt was made by them to wrench. off the silver plate which was attached to it, but their purpose was defeated and the memorial restored. It may be mentioned that Mrs. Claypole was a member of the Church of England. In the retiring character and simple story of this amiable lady, we take a far greater interest than in the annals of half the heroines and authoresses who have thrust themselves into publicity. The one, it is true, may command our attention, but the other obtains the homage of the heart.'

'The death of Mrs. Claypole is thus announced in the Mercurius Politicus, from August 5th to 12th. Hampton Court, August 6th. This day, about three o'clock in the morning, it pleased God to put a period to the life of the most illustrious lady, the Lady Elizabeth, second daughter of his Highness the

Lord Protector, to the great grief of her lord and husband, their Highnesses, the whole court, and of all that have had the honour to be witnesses of her virtue, being a lady of an excellent spirit and judgment, and of a most noble disposition, eminent in all princely qualities; which being conjoined with the sincere love of true religion and piety, had deservedly placed her nigh the hearts of her parents, her husband, and other near relations; and procured her an honourable mention in the mouths both of friends and enemies, as was observed in her lifetime, and hath already been abundantly testified since the time of her death."

CHAPTER X.

MARY CROMWELL, COUNTESS OF FALCONBERG.

The Protector's Third Daughter - Her Character - Her Marriage - Curious Anecdote Connected with It - Her Personal Appearance Her Resemblance to the ProtectorHer Spirited Disposition- Anecdotes - Changes Her Principles at the Restoration-Defoe Visits Her in Her Old Age- Her Death.

MARY CROMWELL, the Protector's third daughter, was baptised on the 9th of February, 1637. She was possessed of considerable beauty and strength of mind; appears to have passed through life without enemies; and is spoken of as having been virtuous, charitable, high-spirited, and warm-hearted.

On the 18th of November, 1657, the Protector married her to Thomas Bellasyse, Viscount and afterward Earl of Falconberg. The ceremony (which is celebrated by Andrew Marvell in two pastoral eclogues of indifferent merit) was performed publicly at Hampton Court,' by one of the

"Yesterday afternoon, his Highness went to Hampton Court, and this day the most illustrious, the Lady Mary Cromwell, third daughter of his Highness the Lord Protector, was there married to the most noble lord, the Lord Falconberg, in the presence of their Highnesses and many noble persons."

Protector's chaplains, with great pomp and magnificence; Doctor Hewett, however, had already united them in private, according to the rites prescribed by the Church of England. Lord Clarendon considers that this previous ceremony took place with the privity of Cromwell, who "pretended," he says, "to yield to it, in compliance to the importunity and folly of his daughters." Probably," says Granger, "he might be fearful, if any revolution should take place, and his family suffer a reverse of fortune, that the husbands of his daughters might wish as much for a separation as they then courted the honour of their alliance. Perhaps Oliver was of the same opinion as Marshall, an Independent minister, who gave as the reason for marrying his daughter with the ring and Common Prayer Book, that the statute for establishing the Liturgy was not yet repealed, and he was loath to have his daughter turned back upon him, for want of a legal marriage."

There is, in Huge's Letters, an amusing passage, connected with Lady Falconberg's marriage, which must be given nearly in the words of the writer. "Jeremy White was Oliver's chaplain, and he was, besides, the chief wag and joker of his solemn court. As the Protector condescended to be very merry with Jerry, he said to him one day, 'You know the Viscount Falconberg?' Perfectly well,' said Jerry. I am going to marry my daughter Mary to him: what do you think of the mat

ter?' I think, sir?' said Jerry, 'that the match will not prolong your race.' 'I am sorry for that, Jerry; why, how do you know?' 'Sir,' said Jerry, 'I speak in confidence to your Highness; there are certain defects in Lord Falconberg, that will always prevent his making you a grandfather, let him do what he can.' As this discovery was not made only to the old Protector, it did not at all retard the completion of the match, which Oliver found, in all outward respects, suitable and convenient. So he left the lord and lady to settle the account as they might.

"Not long after, Oliver, in a bantering way, told the whole secret, with which White had entrusted him, before company, which Lord Falconberg turned off with a joke as well as he could, whilst his heart in secret was waxing exceeding wroth against Jeremiah the prophet. Instigated by this wrath, Lord Falconberg sent a message next day to Jerry to desire his company; with which invitation Jerry immediately complied, never suspecting that Oliver had betrayed the secret. Lord Falconberg received him in his study, the door of which he first locked, and then with much anger in his countenance, and a stout cane in his hand, he accosted Jerry, 'You rascal, how dare you tell such mischievous lies of me as you have done to the Protector, that I could never make him a grandfather. I am determined to break every bone in your skin: what can you say for