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That Cromwell was actuated through life by deep devotional feelings; that, in the earlier period of his career, he enthusiastically adopted the faith and discipline of the Puritans; that his fanaticism became sobered by his intercourse with the world, and by an extensive intercourse with the good and wise of other sects; that he had the wisdom to perceive that the rigid morality and conventional cant of the puritanical party was incompatible with human nature, and must consequently be merely ephemeral; and, lastly, that he felt the necessity of reorganising an established church, whether puritanical or not, these we imagine to comprehend a true summary of Cromwell's religious motives and actions; nor were they unlikely to have induced those charges of versatility, and even of infidelity, of which he has been accused.'

'The following anecdotes have been related as evidences of gross hypocrisy on the part of Cromwell. They must be received, however, with considerable caution. It used to be related by Waller, the poet, that “in the midst of their discourse a servant has come in to tell them such and such attended; upon which Cromwell would rise and stop them, talking at the door, where Waller could hear them say: 'The Lord will reveal, the Lord will help,' and several such expressions; which, when he returned to Mr. Waller, he excused, saying, 'Cousin Waller, I must talk to these men after their own way;' and would then go on where they left off. This created in Mr. Waller an opinion that he secretly despised those whom he seemed to court." - Life of Waller, p. 30. Oliver St. John also related a story that Cromwell being one day carousing with a party of friends, was told that a person waited to see him on business. He was employed

It is highly to the credit of Cromwell that, though himself almost bigotedly wedded to certain spiritual views, he was nevertheless the advocate of religious toleration. He was civil and obliging to men of all sects and all persuasions. He attached to himself Sir Kenelm Digby, though a Roman Catholic; and Brownrig, Bishop of Exeter, he ever treated with confidence, kindness, and respect. On Archbishop Usher he conferred a pension, and buried him when he was dead.' certainly was no leveller, and is said to have hated a commonwealth so thoroughly, that, had he succeeded in obtaining the crown, it was conjectured Episcopacy would have been reëstablished. He once said to Sir Philip Warwick and Sir Thomas Chichely, in the House of Commons, "I can tell you, sirs, what I would not have, but I cannot what I would."

He

So wonderful was his career, and so much did at the time in searching for the cork of a bottle of champagne. "Tell him," he said, "that we are in search of the holy spirit."

"The late Archbishop of Armagh dying about a fortnight ago at Ryegate, his Highness was nobly pleased this day, out of an honourable respect to the memory of so pious and learned a champion of the Protestant cause, to sign a warrant directed to the lords of the treasury, for the sum of 2007., to bear the charges of his funeral, which sum is to be paid to Nicholas Bernard, Doctor of Divinity, who is to see the disbursing of the money. It is conceived he will be interred in Westminster Abbey." The remains of this amiable prelate were conveyed from Ryegate to St. George's Church, Southwark, and thence to Somerset House, where they were met by the friends of the deceased. They were eventually interred in Westminster Abbey.

his extraordinary rise impress itself on the minds of men, that a noted rabbi, Jacob Ben Azabel, was actually despatched to England, in order to institute an investigation, whether he was of Jewish descent, and, if so, whether he were not the Messiah. The object of his mission, however, was discovered by the "saints," and Cromwell was compelled to send the rabbi and his followers out of the kingdom. It may be mentioned that one Dawbeny, in a work published in 1659, draws a solemn and absurd parallel between the Protector and Moses.

It was no idle boast of Cromwell that he would make the name of an Englishman as much reverenced and feared as had ever been that of the Roman of old. The Spaniard forgot his pride in his subserviency; the French king styled him

cousin," and the crafty Mazarin submitted to his insolence and trembled at his name. It was said in France that the cardinal was in less fear of the devil than of Oliver Cromwell; and yet, when the great Protector was no more, Mazarin is said to have spoken of him as a "fortunate fool." It would seem, however, by the following passage, that the cardinal had dared to use the expression even in the lifetime of the Protector. In a letter from the Marquis of Ormond, dated 28th February, 1656, he writes: "Cromwell hears that the French cardinal, in some discourse, hath called him a successful fool, which provoked him to pas

sion, and a retort that Mazarin was a juggling knave; this is spoke seriously."

In Holland a medal was struck, which probably still exists in some of the Dutch cabinets, in which the bust and titles of Cromwell are represented on one side, and on the other Britannia. Cromwell, thrusting his head into her lap, has a part of his person uncovered, which the Spanish ambassador is stooping to kiss, but is kept back by the French ambassador holding him by the arm. On the medal are inscribed the words: "Retire toi, l'honneur appartient au roi, mon maître;" "Stand back, that honour belongs to the king, my master."

Portugal and Denmark were both treated with great haughtiness by the Protector, and Holland stood in no less awe of his power. Some years after the Restoration, Charles the Second is said. to have reminded Borel, the Dutch ambassador, of the treatment he had experienced in Holland during his exile. According to Burnet, Borel replied, innocently: "Ha! sire, c'etoit une autre chose : Cromwell etoit un grand homme, et il se faisoit craindre et par terre et par mer." The story, however, has reasonably been doubted.

CHAPTER II.

OLIVER CROMWELL.

Vigilance of Cromwell, and His Extraordinary Means of Acquir. ing Information-He Despatches Thurloe on a Mysterious Errand - Informed of All the Secrets of the Court of Charles the Second-Expends Large Sums in Obtaining Secret Intelligence His System of Employing Spies - He Discovers the Projects of Lord Orrery-His Singular Interview with That Nobleman-He Ascertains that the Marquis of Ormond Is in London-His Liberal Treatment of the Marquis Anecdote Illustrating the Cautious Policy of the Protector.

IN reviewing the policy of the Protector, few circumstances appear more striking than the extraordinary means by which he made himself master of the secrets of others, and the happy mystery in which he contrived to involve his own. Even his principal confidant, Thurloe, was never enlightened more than was absolutely necessary. Thurloe, on one occasion, received directions from him to repair at a certain hour to Gray's Inn, where he was told he would be met by a stranger, whose person Cromwell minutely described. words were to be exchanged between them; but Thurloe was to deliver to the stranger an order for no less a sum than thirty thousand pounds,

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