CHAPTER XI.

FRANCES CROMWELL, MRS. RICH.

Charles II. Her Suitor- The Protector Refuses His Consent to Their Union-The Duke d'Enghien Another of Her Suitors Cromwell Wishes to Marry Her to the Duke of Buckingham-Courtship of Jerry White, the Protector's Chaplain — Her Marriage with Robert Rich - · Cromwell's Practical Fooleries on the Occasion - Death of Rich - Her Second Marriage (with Sir John Russell) - Her Numerous OffspringHer Death.

THIS lively lady, the youngest daughter of Oliver Cromwell, was baptised at St. Mary's, Ely, on the 6th of December, 1638. We know little of her personal appearance, but, as she was courted by many, she was probably handsome. Burnet, who knew her late in life, represents her as a "very worthy person."

Probably no private gentlewoman, if such we may style the daughter of the Protector, ever received so many splendid offers of marriage as this young lady. The first in rank was Charles the "Now the fresh reports are,"

Second himself.

says the writer of a letter in Thurloe's "State Papers," "that it's lowly spoken in the court that

he (Charles) is to marry one of Cromwell's daughters, and so to be brought again to his three lost crowns." Lord Broghill, afterward Earl of Orrery, was the mediator on this occasion, and with such success that he gained the consent of the king, as well as that of the lady and of her mother. The concurrence, however, of the Protector was a more difficult matter, and, moreover, the topic was a delicate one to introduce. Lord Broghill, however, having prepared the way by causing a rumour of such an event to be spread abroad, one day entered Cromwell's closet, for the purpose of sounding him on the subject. The Protector, commencing to pace up and down, as appears to have been his habit, inquired where he had been? Lord Broghill answered, in the city, where he had heard strange news. Cromwell inquiring what it was, his lordship repeated, hesitatingly, and with a smile, that it was strange news indeed. The Protector growing curious, and desiring him to speak out, the other expressed his fears that he might incur his Highness's displeasure. Cromwell, whose patience could endure no longer, assured him that, whatever might be the nature of his communication, he would not be offended, and insisted on his coming to the point. Lord Broghill then told him of the report in the city, that he was about to marry his daughter Frances to the king. "And what do the fools say of it?" said Cromwell, laughingly. The other answered that every one

His

seemed pleased with it, and believed, were he able to accomplish it, that it would be the most politic step he could take. "And you," said the Protector, suddenly stopping short, and looking steadfastly into Lord Broghill's face, "do you believe so, too?" Lord Broghill, expressing his own opinion that it was the wisest measure he could adopt in order to secure himself, Cromwell for some time walked thoughtfully up and down the room, and then, recurring to the subject, inquired his reasons for advising such a measure. lordship having so fair an opening afforded him, made use of every argument in his power to advance his object. He represented how little the Protector could trust his own party; that the very persons who had assisted him to rise had become the most anxious for his downfall; that he might now make his own terms, and that the royalists would eagerly join with him; that probably he would have grandchildren who would be heirs to the throne, and possibly that he might still retain the principal power in his own hands. Whereas, on the other side, he could never expect to continue the succession in his own family, and in all probability might see his greatness end even in his own lifetime.

Cromwell continued pacing the apartment, full of thought. "No," he said, abruptly; "the king would never forgive me the death of his father." Lord Broghill requested him to select a mediator

who would sound the king on the subject.

"No,"

he repeated; "he could never forgive me; besides, he is so damnably debauched he cannot be trusted." On this Lord Broghill left him, and shortly afterward, meeting the young lady and her mother, acquainted them with the result of his negotiation. They both promised to use their best endeavours to alter the Protector's decision; however, he continued firm in his opposition, and the project fell to the ground. To the Protectress, when she afterward introduced the subject, Cromwell repeated his former conviction, that Charles would never be such a fool as to forgive him the death of his father.

The Duke d'Enghien, eldest son of the Prince de Condé, was another reputed suitor for the hand of Frances Cromwell. It was said that a portion of the Netherlands was to be conquered, and formed into a principality, for the new married couple. The latter part of the story is too extravagant to be true, though the report is said to have caused some uneasiness at Versailles.

That the Protector wished the young Duke of Buckingham to marry his daughter is far more certain. The duke, however, disappointed his views by uniting himself to the daughter of Lord Fairfax. Speaking of the recent marriage of his child, "None of the council," says Fairfax, "seemed to dislike it, but such as pretended their opinion to be that the duke should be a fit match

for one of the Protector's daughters." Cromwell was exceedingly enraged at the frustration of his project, and immediately committed Buckingham to the Tower.

But the most notable suitor of Frances Cromwell was Jerry White, the Protector's facetious chaplain. There seems to be some doubt whether the joyous lady merely amused herself with the protestations of the reverend Puritan, or whether her affections were not actually engaged. That Cromwell entertained some anxious doubts on the subject, is evident from his causing them to be carefully watched by one of his own spies. The person thus employed one day hurried into the Protector's presence, with the information that the Lady Frances and his spiritual adviser were together in her private apartments. Cromwell hastened to the spot, and, unluckily for the parties, discovered Jerry on his knees kissing his daughter's hand. Demanding angrily the meaning of such a posture, "May it please your Highness," said Jerry, with admirable presence of mind, "I have a long time courted that young gentlewoman there, my lady's woman, and cannot prevail. I was, therefore, humbly praying her ladyship to intercede for me." The Protector turned to the waiting-maid and demanded the reason of her obduracy. As she was far from being displeased with the prospect of improving her condition, she answered, with a curtsey, that if Mr. White in