Insomeoftheirproceedings,thisfamousParliamentpassedtheboundsofpreviouslawandcustom,yieldedtoandfavouredriotousassemblagesofthepeople,andactedtyrannicallyinimprisoningsomewhodifferedfromthepopularleaders.Butagain,youarealwaystorememberthatthetwelveyearsduringwhichtheKinghadhadhisownwilfulway,hadgonebefore;andthatnothingcouldmakethetimeswhattheymight,could,would,orshouldhavebeen,ifthosetwelveyearshadneverrolledaway.
　　THIRDPART
　　ISHALLnottrytorelatetheparticularsofthegreatcivilwarbetweenKingCharlestheFirstandtheLongParliament,whichlastednearlyfouryears,andafullaccountofwhichwouldfillmanylargebooks.ItwasasadthingthatEnglishmenshouldoncemorebefightingagainstEnglishmenonEnglishground;but,itissomeconsolationtoknowthatonbothsidestherewasgreathumanity,forbearance,andhonour.ThesoldiersoftheParliamentwerefarmoreremarkableforthesegoodqualitiesthanthesoldiersoftheKingmanyofwhomfoughtformerepaywithoutmuchcaringforthecause;butthoseofthenobilityandgentrywhowereontheKing'ssideweresobrave,andsofaithfultohim,thattheirconductcannotbutcommandourhighestadmiration.AmongthemweregreatnumbersofCatholics,whotooktheroyalsidebecausetheQueenwassostronglyoftheirpersuasion.
　　TheKingmighthavedistinguishedsomeofthesegallantspirits,ifhehadbeenasgenerousaspirithimself,bygivingthemthecommandofhisarmy.Insteadofthat,however,truetohisoldhighnotionsofroyalty,heentrustedittohistwonephews,PRINCE
　　RUPERTandPRINCEMAURICE,whowereofroyalbloodandcameoverfromabroadtohelphim.Itmighthavebeenbetterforhimiftheyhadstayedaway;sincePrinceRupertwasanimpetuous,hot-headedfellow,whoseonlyideawastodashintobattleatalltimesandseasons,andlayabouthim.
　　Thegeneral-in-chiefoftheParliamentaryarmywastheEarlofEssex,agentlemanofhonourandanexcellentsoldier.Alittlewhilebeforethewarbrokeout,therehadbeensomeriotingatWestminsterbetweencertainofficiouslawstudentsandnoisysoldiers,andtheshopkeepersandtheirapprentices,andthegeneralpeopleinthestreets.AtthattimetheKing'sfriendscalledthecrowd,Roundheads,becausetheapprenticesworeshorthair;thecrowd,inreturn,calledtheiropponentsCavaliers,meaningthattheywereablusteringset,whopretendedtobeverymilitary.Thesetwowordsnowbegantobeusedtodistinguishthetwosidesinthecivilwar.TheRoyalistsalsocalledtheParliamentarymenRebelsandRogues,whiletheParliamentarymencalledTHEMMalignants,andspokeofthemselvesastheGodly,theHonest,andsoforth.
　　ThewarbrokeoutatPortsmouth,wherethatdoubletraitorGoringhadagaingoneovertotheKingandwasbesiegedbytheParliamentarytroops.Uponthis,theKingproclaimedtheEarlofEssexandtheofficersservingunderhim,traitors,andcalleduponhisloyalsubjectstomeethiminarmsatNottinghamonthetwenty-
　　fifthofAugust.Buthisloyalsubjectscameabouthiminscantynumbers,anditwasawindy,gloomyday,andtheRoyalStandardgotblowndown,andthewholeaffairwasverymelancholy.Thechiefengagementsafterthis,tookplaceinthevaleoftheRedHorsenearBanbury,atBrentford,atDevizes,atChalgraveFieldwhereMr.Hampdenwassosorelywoundedwhilefightingattheheadofhismen,thathediedwithinaweek,atNewburyinwhichbattleLORD
　　FALKLAND,oneofthebestnoblemenontheKing'sside,waskilled,atLeicester,atNaseby,atWinchester,atMarstonMoornearYork,atNewcastle,andinmanyotherpartsofEnglandandScotland.
　　Thesebattleswereattendedwithvarioussuccesses.Atonetime,theKingwasvictorious;atanothertime,theParliament.ButalmostallthegreatandbusytownswereagainsttheKing;andwhenitwasconsiderednecessarytofortifyLondon,allranksofpeople,fromlabouringmenandwomen,uptolordsandladies,workedhardtogetherwithheartinessandgoodwill.ThemostdistinguishedleadersontheParliamentarysidewereHAMPDEN,SIRTHOMASFAIRFAX,and,aboveall,OLIVERCROMWELL,andhisson-in-lawIRETON.
　　Duringthewholeofthiswar,thepeople,towhomitwasveryexpensiveandirksome,andtowhomitwasmadethemoredistressingbyalmosteveryfamilybeingdivided-someofitsmembersattachingthemselvestoonesideandsometotheother-wereoverandoveragainmostanxiousforpeace.Soweresomeofthebestmenineachcause.Accordingly,treatiesofpeacewerediscussedbetweencommissionersfromtheParliamentandtheKing;atYork,atOxfordwheretheKingheldalittleParliamentofhisown,andatUxbridge.Buttheycametonothing.Inallthesenegotiations,andinallhisdifficulties,theKingshowedhimselfathisbest.
　　Hewascourageous,cool,self-possessed,andclever;but,theoldtaintofhischaracterwasalwaysinhim,andhewasneverforonesinglemomenttobetrusted.LordClarendon,thehistorian,oneofhishighestadmirers,supposesthathehadunhappilypromisedtheQueennevertomakepeacewithoutherconsent,andthatthismustoftenbetakenashisexcuse.Heneverkepthiswordfromnighttomorning.Hesignedacessationofhostilitieswiththeblood-
　　stainedIrishrebelsforasumofmoney,andinvitedtheIrishregimentsover,tohelphimagainsttheParliament.InthebattleofNaseby,hiscabinetwasseizedandwasfoundtocontainacorrespondencewiththeQueen,inwhichheexpresslytoldherthathehaddeceivedtheParliament-amongrelParliament,hecalleditnow,asanimprovementonhisoldtermofvipers-inpretendingtorecogniseitandtotreatwithit;andfromwhichitfurtherappearedthathehadlongbeeninsecrettreatywiththeDukeofLorraineforaforeignarmyoftenthousandmen.Disappointedinthis,hesentamostdevotedfriendofhis,theEARLOFGLAMORGAN,toIreland,toconcludeasecrettreatywiththeCatholicpowers,tosendhimanIrisharmyoftenthousandmen;inreturnforwhichhewastobestowgreatfavoursontheCatholicreligion.And,whenthistreatywasdiscoveredinthecarriageofafightingIrishArchbishopwhowaskilledinoneofthemanyskirmishesofthosedays,hebaselydeniedanddesertedhisattachedfriend,theEarl,onhisbeingchargedwithhightreason;and-evenworsethanthis-hadleftblanksinthesecretinstructionshegavehimwithhisownkinglyhand,expresslythathemightthussavehimself.
　　Atlast,onthetwenty-seventhdayofApril,onethousandsixhundredandforty-six,theKingfoundhimselfinthecityofOxford,sosurroundedbytheParliamentaryarmywhowereclosinginuponhimonallsidesthathefeltthatifhewouldescapehemustdelaynolonger.So,thatnight,havingalteredthecutofhishairandbeard,hewasdressedupasaservantandputuponahorsewithacloakstrappedbehindhim,androdeoutofthetownbehindoneofhisownfaithfulfollowers,withaclergymanofthatcountrywhoknewtheroadwell,foraguide.HerodetowardsLondonasfarasHarrow,andthenalteredhisplansandresolved,itwouldseem,togototheScottishcamp.TheScottishmenhadbeeninvitedovertohelptheParliamentaryarmy,andhadalargeforcetheninEngland.TheKingwassodesperatelyintriguingineverythinghedid,thatitisdoubtfulwhatheexactlymeantbythisstep.Hetookit,anyhow,anddeliveredhimselfuptotheEARLOFLEVEN,theScottishgeneral-in-chief,whotreatedhimasanhonourableprisoner.NegotiationsbetweentheParliamentontheonehandandtheScottishauthoritiesontheother,astowhatshouldbedonewithhim,lasteduntilthefollowingFebruary.Then,whentheKinghadrefusedtotheParliamenttheconcessionofthatoldmilitiapointfortwentyyears,andhadrefusedtoScotlandtherecognitionofitsSolemnLeagueandCovenant,Scotlandgotahandsomesumforitsarmyanditshelp,andtheKingintothebargain.Hewastaken,bycertainParliamentarycommissionersappointedtoreceivehim,tooneofhisownhouses,calledHolmbyHouse,nearAlthorpe,inNorthamptonshire.
　　WhiletheCivilWarwasstillinprogress,JohnPymdied,andwasburiedwithgreathonourinWestminsterAbbey-notwithgreaterhonourthanhedeserved,forthelibertiesofEnglishmenoweamightydebttoPymandHampden.ThewarwasbutnewlyoverwhentheEarlofEssexdied,ofanillnessbroughtonbyhishavingoverheatedhimselfinastaghuntinWindsorForest.He,too,wasburiedinWestminsterAbbey,withgreatstate.IwishitwerenotnecessarytoaddthatArchbishopLauddieduponthescaffoldwhenthewarwasnotyetdone.Histriallastedinallnearlyayear,and,itbeingdoubtfuleventhenwhetherthechargesbroughtagainsthimamountedtotreason,theodiousoldcontrivanceoftheworstkingswasresortedto,andabillofattainderwasbroughtinagainsthim.Hewasaviolentlyprejudicedandmischievousperson;
　　hadhadstrongear-croppingandnose-splittingpropensities,asyouknow;andhaddoneaworldofharm.Buthediedpeaceably,andlikeabraveoldman.
　　FOURTHPART
　　WHENtheParliamenthadgottheKingintotheirhands,theybecameveryanxioustogetridoftheirarmy,inwhichOliverCromwellhadbeguntoacquiregreatpower;notonlybecauseofhiscourageandhighabilities,butbecauseheprofessedtobeverysincereintheScottishsortofPuritanreligionthatwasthenexceedinglypopularamongthesoldiers.TheywereasmuchopposedtotheBishopsastothePopehimself;andtheveryprivates,drummers,andtrumpeters,hadsuchaninconvenienthabitofstartingupandpreachinglong-
　　windeddiscourses,thatIwouldnothavebelongedtothatarmyonanyaccount.
　　So,theParliament,beingfarfromsurebutthatthearmymightbegintopreachandfightagainstthemnowithadnothingelsetodo,proposedtodisbandthegreaterpartofit,tosendanotherparttoserveinIrelandagainsttherebels,andtokeeponlyasmallforceinEngland.But,thearmywouldnotconsenttobebrokenup,exceptuponitsownconditions;and,whentheParliamentshowedanintentionofcompellingit,itactedforitselfinanunexpectedmanner.Acertaincornet,ofthenameofJOICE,arrivedatHolmbyHouseonenight,attendedbyfourhundredhorsemen,wentintotheKing'sroomwithhishatinonehandandapistolintheother,andtoldtheKingthathehadcometotakehimaway.TheKingwaswillingenoughtogo,andonlystipulatedthatheshouldbepubliclyrequiredtodosonextmorning.Nextmorning,accordingly,heappearedonthetopofthestepsofthehouse,andaskedCometJoicebeforehismenandtheguardsettherebytheParliament,whatauthorityhehadfortakinghimaway?TothisCornetJoicereplied,'Theauthorityofthearmy.''Haveyouawrittencommission?'saidtheKing.Joice,pointingtohisfourhundredmenonhorseback,replied,'Thatismycommission.'
　　'Well,'saidtheKing,smiling,asifhewerepleased,'Ineverbeforereadsuchacommission;butitiswritteninfairandlegiblecharacters.ThisisacompanyofashandsomepropergentlemenasIhaveseenalongwhile.'Hewasaskedwherehewouldliketolive,andhesaidatNewmarket.So,toNewmarketheandCornetJoiceandthefourhundredhorsemenrode;theKingremarking,inthesamesmilingway,thathecouldrideasfarataspellasCornetJoice,oranymanthere.
　　TheKingquitebelieved,Ithink,thatthearmywerehisfriends.
　　HesaidasmuchtoFairfaxwhenthatgeneral,OliverCromwell,andIreton,wenttopersuadehimtoreturntothecustodyoftheParliament.Hepreferredtoremainashewas,andresolvedtoremainashewas.AndwhenthearmymovednearerandnearerLondontofrightentheParliamentintoyieldingtotheirdemands,theytooktheKingwiththem.ItwasadeplorablethingthatEnglandshouldbeatthemercyofagreatbodyofsoldierswitharmsintheirhands;buttheKingcertainlyfavouredthematthisimportanttimeofhislife,ascomparedwiththemorelawfulpowerthattriedtocontrolhim.Itmustbeadded,however,thattheytreatedhim,asyet,morerespectfullyandkindlythantheParliamenthaddone.
　　Theyallowedhimtobeattendedbyhisownservants,tobesplendidlyentertainedatvarioushouses,andtoseehischildren-
　　atCaveshamHouse,nearReading-fortwodays.Whereas,theParliamenthadbeenratherhardwithhim,andhadonlyallowedhimtorideoutandplayatbowls.
　　ItismuchtobebelievedthatiftheKingcouldhavebeentrusted,evenatthistime,hemighthavebeensaved.EvenOliverCromwellexpresslysaidthathedidbelievethatnomancouldenjoyhispossessionsinpeace,unlesstheKinghadhisrights.HewasnotunfriendlytowardstheKing;hehadbeenpresentwhenhereceivedhischildren,andhadbeenmuchaffectedbythepitiablenatureofthescene;hesawtheKingoften;hefrequentlywalkedandtalkedwithhiminthelonggalleriesandpleasantgardensofthePalaceatHamptonCourt,whitherhewasnowremoved;andinallthisriskedsomethingofhisinfluencewiththearmy.But,theKingwasinsecrethopesofhelpfromtheScottishpeople;andthemomenthewasencouragedtojointhemhebegantobecooltohisnewfriends,thearmy,andtotelltheofficersthattheycouldnotpossiblydowithouthim.Attheverytime,too,whenhewaspromisingtomakeCromwellandIretonnoblemen,iftheywouldhelphimuptohisoldheight,hewaswritingtotheQueenthathemeanttohangthem.
　　Theybothafterwardsdeclaredthattheyhadbeenprivatelyinformedthatsuchaletterwouldbefound,onacertainevening,sewedupinasaddlewhichwouldbetakentotheBlueBoarinHolborntobesenttoDover;andthattheywentthere,disguisedascommonsoldiers,andsatdrinkingintheinn-yarduntilamancamewiththesaddle,whichtheyrippedupwiththeirknives,andthereinfoundtheletter.Iseelittlereasontodoubtthestory.ItiscertainthatOliverCromwelltoldoneoftheKing'smostfaithfulfollowersthattheKingcouldnotbetrusted,andthathewouldnotbeanswerableifanythingamissweretohappentohim.Still,evenafterthat,hekeptapromisehehadmadetotheKing,bylettinghimknowthattherewasaplotwithacertainportionofthearmytoseizehim.Ibelievethat,infact,hesincerelywantedtheKingtoescapeabroad,andsotobegotridofwithoutmoretroubleordanger.ThatOliverhimselfhadworkenoughwiththearmyisprettyplain;forsomeofthetroopsweresomutinousagainsthim,andagainstthosewhoactedwithhimatthistime,thathefounditnecessarytohaveonemanshotattheheadofhisregimenttooverawetherest.
　　TheKing,whenhereceivedOliver'swarning,madehisescapefromHamptonCourt;aftersomeindecisionanduncertainty,hewenttoCarisbrookeCastleintheIsleofWight.Atfirst,hewasprettyfreethere;but,eventhere,hecarriedonapretendedtreatywiththeParliament,whilehewasreallytreatingwithcommissionersfromScotlandtosendanarmyintoEnglandtotakehispart.WhenhebrokeoffthistreatywiththeParliamenthavingsettledwithScotlandandwastreatedasaprisoner,histreatmentwasnotchangedtoosoon,forhehadplottedtoescapethatverynighttoashipsentbytheQueen,whichwaslyingofftheisland.
　　HewasdoomedtobedisappointedinhishopesfromScotland.TheagreementhehadmadewiththeScottishCommissionerswasnotfavourableenoughtothereligionofthatcountrytopleasetheScottishclergy;andtheypreachedagainstit.Theconsequencewas,thatthearmyraisedinScotlandandsentover,wastoosmalltodomuch;andthat,althoughitwashelpedbyarisingoftheRoyalistsinEnglandandbygoodsoldiersfromIreland,itcouldmakenoheadagainsttheParliamentaryarmyundersuchmenasCromwellandFairfax.TheKing'seldestson,thePrinceofWales,cameoverfromHollandwithnineteenshipsapartoftheEnglishfleethavinggoneovertohimtohelphisfather;butnothingcameofhisvoyage,andhewasfaintoreturn.ThemostremarkableeventofthissecondcivilwarwasthecruelexecutionbytheParliamentaryGeneral,ofSIRCHARLESLUCASandSIRGEORGELISLE,twograndRoyalistgenerals,whohadbravelydefendedColchesterundereverydisadvantageoffamineanddistressfornearlythreemonths.WhenSirCharlesLucaswasshot,SirGeorgeLislekissedhisbody,andsaidtothesoldierswhoweretoshoothim,'Comenearer,andmakesureofme.''Iwarrantyou,SirGeorge,'saidoneofthesoldiers,'weshallhityou.''AY?'hereturnedwithasmile,'butIhavebeennearertoyou,myfriends,manyatime,andyouhavemissedme.'
　　TheParliament,afterbeingfearfullybulliedbythearmy-whodemandedtohavesevenmemberswhomtheydislikedgivenuptothem-hadvotedthattheywouldhavenothingmoretodowiththeKing.
　　Ontheconclusion,however,ofthissecondcivilwarwhichdidnotlastmorethansixmonths,theyappointedcommissionerstotreatwithhim.TheKing,thensofarreleasedagainastobeallowedtoliveinaprivatehouseatNewportintheIsleofWight,managedhisownpartofthenegotiationwithasensethatwasadmiredbyallwhosawhim,andgaveup,intheend,allthatwasaskedofhim-evenyieldingwhichhehadsteadilyrefused,sofartothetemporaryabolitionofthebishops,andthetransferoftheirchurchlandtotheCrown.Still,withhisoldfatalviceuponhim,whenhisbestfriendsjoinedthecommissionersinbeseechinghimtoyieldallthosepointsastheonlymeansofsavinghimselffromthearmy,hewasplottingtoescapefromtheisland;hewasholdingcorrespondencewithhisfriendsandtheCatholicsinIreland,thoughdeclaringthathewasnot;andhewaswriting,withhisownhand,thatinwhatheyieldedhemeantnothingbuttogettimetoescape.
　　Matterswereatthispasswhenthearmy,resolvedtodefytheParliament,marcheduptoLondon.TheParliament,notafraidofthemnow,andboldlyledbyHollis,votedthattheKing'sconcessionsweresufficientgroundforsettlingthepeaceofthekingdom.Uponthat,COLONELRICHandCOLONELPRIDEwentdowntotheHouseofCommonswitharegimentofhorsesoldiersandaregimentoffoot;andColonelPride,standinginthelobbywithalistofthememberswhowereobnoxioustothearmyinhishand,hadthempointedouttohimastheycamethrough,andtookthemallintocustody.Thisproceedingwasafterwardscalledbythepeople,forajoke,PRIDE'SPURGE.CromwellwasintheNorth,attheheadofhismen,atthetime,butwhenhecamehome,approvedofwhathadbeendone.
　　Whatwithimprisoningsomemembersandcausingotherstostayaway,thearmyhadnowreducedtheHouseofCommonstosomefiftyorso.
　　Thesesoonvotedthatitwastreasoninakingtomakewaragainsthisparliamentandhispeople,andsentanordinanceuptotheHouseofLordsfortheKing'sbeingtriedasatraitor.TheHouseofLords,thensixteeninnumber,toamanrejectedit.Thereupon,theCommonsmadeanordinanceoftheirown,thattheywerethesupremegovernmentofthecountry,andwouldbringtheKingtotrial.
　　TheKinghadbeentakenforsecuritytoaplacecalledHurstCastle:alonelyhouseonarockinthesea,connectedwiththecoastofHampshirebyaroughroadtwomileslongatlowwater.
　　Thence,hewasorderedtoberemovedtoWindsor;thence,afterbeingbutrudelyusedthere,andhavingnonebutsoldierstowaituponhimattable,hewasbroughtuptoSt.James'sPalaceinLondon,andtoldthathistrialwasappointedfornextday.
　　OnSaturday,thetwentiethofJanuary,onethousandsixhundredandforty-nine,thismemorabletrialbegan.TheHouseofCommonshadsettledthatonehundredandthirty-fivepersonsshouldformtheCourt,andtheseweretakenfromtheHouseitself,fromamongtheofficersofthearmy,andfromamongthelawyersandcitizens.
　　JOHNBRADSHAW,serjeant-at-law,wasappointedpresident.TheplacewasWestminsterHall.Attheupperend,inaredvelvetchair,satthepresident,withhishatlinedwithplatesofironforhisprotectiononhishead.TherestoftheCourtsatonsidebenches,alsowearingtheirhats.TheKing'sseatwascoveredwithvelvet,likethatofthepresident,andwasoppositetoit.HewasbroughtfromSt.James'stoWhitehall,andfromWhitehallhecamebywatertohistrial.
　　Whenhecamein,helookedroundverysteadilyontheCourt,andonthegreatnumberofspectators,andthensatdown:presentlyhegotupandlookedroundagain.Ontheindictment'againstCharlesStuart,forhightreason,'beingread,hesmiledseveraltimes,andhedeniedtheauthorityoftheCourt,sayingthattherecouldbenoparliamentwithoutaHouseofLords,andthathesawnoHouseofLordsthere.Also,thattheKingoughttobethere,andthathesawnoKingintheKing'srightplace.Bradshawreplied,thattheCourtwassatisfiedwithitsauthority,andthatitsauthoritywasGod'sauthorityandthekingdom's.HethenadjournedtheCourttothefollowingMonday.Onthatday,thetrialwasresumed,andwentonalltheweek.WhentheSaturdaycame,astheKingpassedforwardtohisplaceintheHall,somesoldiersandotherscriedfor'justice!'andexecutiononhim.Thatday,too,Bradshaw,likeanangrySultan,worearedrobe,insteadoftheblackrobehehadwornbefore.TheKingwassentencedtodeaththatday.Ashewentout,onesolitarysoldiersaid,'Godblessyou,Sir!'Forthis,hisofficerstruckhim.TheKingsaidhethoughtthepunishmentexceededtheoffence.Thesilverheadofhiswalking-stickhadfallenoffwhileheleaneduponit,atonetimeofthetrial.Theaccidentseemedtodisturbhim,asifhethoughtitominousofthefallingofhisownhead;andheadmittedasmuch,nowitwasallover.
　　BeingtakenbacktoWhitehall,hesenttotheHouseofCommons,sayingthatasthetimeofhisexecutionmightbenigh,hewishedhemightbeallowedtoseehisdarlingchildren.Itwasgranted.
　　OntheMondayhewastakenbacktoSt.James's;andhistwochildrentheninEngland,thePRINCESSELIZABETHthirteenyearsold,andtheDUKEOFGLOUCESTERnineyearsold,werebroughttotakeleaveofhim,fromSionHouse,nearBrentford.Itwasasadandtouchingscene,whenhekissedandfondledthosepoorchildren,andmadealittlepresentoftwodiamondsealstothePrincess,andgavethemtendermessagestotheirmotherwholittledeservedthem,forshehadaloverofherownwhomshemarriedsoonafterwards,andtoldthemthathedied'forthelawsandlibertiesoftheland.'IamboundtosaythatIdon'tthinkhedid,butI
　　daresayhebelievedso.
　　TherewereambassadorsfromHollandthatday,tointercedefortheunhappyKing,whomyouandIbothwishtheParliamenthadspared;
　　buttheygotnoanswer.TheScottishCommissionersintercededtoo;
　　sodidthePrinceofWales,byaletterinwhichheofferedasthenextheirtothethrone,toacceptanyconditionsfromtheParliament;sodidtheQueen,byletterlikewise.
　　Notwithstandingall,thewarrantfortheexecutionwasthisdaysigned.ThereisastorythatasOliverCromwellwenttothetablewiththepeninhishandtoputhissignaturetoit,hedrewhispenacrossthefaceofoneofthecommissioners,whowasstandingnear,andmarkeditwithink.Thatcommissionerhadnotsignedhisownnameyet,andthestoryaddsthatwhenhecametodoithemarkedCromwell'sfacewithinkinthesameway.
　　TheKingsleptwell,untroubledbytheknowledgethatitwashislastnightonearth,androseonthethirtiethofJanuary,twohoursbeforeday,anddressedhimselfcarefully.Heputontwoshirtslestheshouldtremblewiththecold,andhadhishairverycarefullycombed.Thewarranthadbeendirectedtothreeofficersofthearmy,COLONELHACKER,COLONELHUNKS,andCOLONELPHAYER.Atteno'clock,thefirstofthesecametothedoorandsaiditwastimetogotoWhitehall.TheKing,whohadalwaysbeenaquickwalker,walkedathisusualspeedthroughthePark,andcalledouttotheguard,withhisaccustomedvoiceofcommand,'Marchonapace!'WhenhecametoWhitehall,hewastakentohisownbedroom,whereabreakfastwassetforth.AshehadtakentheSacrament,hewouldeatnothingmore;but,ataboutthetimewhenthechurchbellsstrucktwelveatnoonforhehadtowait,throughthescaffoldnotbeingready,hetooktheadviceofthegoodBISHOPJUXONwhowaswithhim,andatealittlebreadanddrankaglassofclaret.Soonafterhehadtakenthisrefreshment,ColonelHackercametothechamberwiththewarrantinhishand,andcalledforCharlesStuart.
　　Andthen,throughthelonggalleryofWhitehallPalace,whichhehadoftenseenlightandgayandmerryandcrowded,inverydifferenttimes,thefallenKingpassedalong,untilhecametothecentrewindowoftheBanquetingHouse,throughwhichheemergeduponthescaffold,whichwashungwithblack.Helookedatthetwoexecutioners,whoweredressedinblackandmasked;helookedatthetroopsofsoldiersonhorsebackandonfoot,andalllookedupathiminsilence;helookedatthevastarrayofspectators,fillinguptheviewbeyond,andturningalltheirfacesuponhim;
　　helookedathisoldPalaceofSt.James's;andhelookedattheblock.Heseemedalittletroubledtofindthatitwassolow,andasked,'iftherewerenoplacehigher?'Then,tothoseuponthescaffold,hesaid,'thatitwastheParliamentwhohadbegunthewar,andnothe;buthehopedtheymightbeguiltlesstoo,asillinstrumentshadgonebetweenthem.Inonerespect,'hesaid,'hesufferedjustly;andthatwasbecausehehadpermittedanunjustsentencetobeexecutedonanother.'InthishereferredtotheEarlofStrafford.
　　Hewasnotatallafraidtodie;buthewasanxioustodieeasily.
　　Whensomeonetouchedtheaxewhilehewasspeaking,hebrokeoffandcalledout,'Takeheedoftheaxe!takeheedoftheaxe!'HealsosaidtoColonelHacker,'Takecarethattheydonotputmetopain.'Hetoldtheexecutioner,'Ishallsaybutveryshortprayers,andthenthrustoutmyhands'-asthesigntostrike.
　　Heputhishairup,underawhitesatincapwhichthebishophadcarried,andsaid,'IhaveagoodcauseandagraciousGodonmyside.'Thebishoptoldhimthathehadbutonestagemoretotravelinthiswearyworld,andthat,thoughitwasaturbulentandtroublesomestage,itwasashortone,andwouldcarryhimagreatway-allthewayfromearthtoHeaven.TheKing'slastword,ashegavehiscloakandtheGeorge-thedecorationfromhisbreast-
　　tothebishop,was,'Remember!'Hethenkneeleddown,laidhisheadontheblock,spreadouthishands,andwasinstantlykilled.
　　Oneuniversalgroanbrokefromthecrowd;andthesoldiers,whohadsatontheirhorsesandstoodintheirranksimmovableasstatues,wereofasuddenallinmotion,clearingthestreets.
　　Thus,intheforty-ninthyearofhisage,fallingatthesametimeofhiscareerasStraffordhadfalleninhis,perishedCharlestheFirst.Withallmysorrowforhim,Icannotagreewithhimthathedied'themartyrofthepeople;'forthepeoplehadbeenmartyrstohim,andtohisideasofaKing'srights,longbefore.Indeed,I
　　amafraidthathewasbutabadjudgeofmartyrs;forhehadcalledthatinfamousDukeofBuckingham'theMartyrofhisSovereign.'
　　CHAPTERXXXIV-ENGLANDUNDEROLIVERCROMWELL
　　BEFOREsunsetonthememorabledayonwhichKingCharlestheFirstwasexecuted,theHouseofCommonspassedanactdeclaringittreasoninanyonetoproclaimthePrinceofWales-oranybodyelse-KingofEngland.Soonafterwards,itdeclaredthattheHouseofLordswasuselessanddangerous,andoughttobeabolished;anddirectedthatthelateKing'sstatueshouldbetakendownfromtheRoyalExchangeintheCityandotherpublicplaces.
　　HavinglaidholdofsomefamousRoyalistswhohadescapedfromprison,andhavingbeheadedtheDUKEOFHAMILTON,LORDHOLLAND,andLORDCAPEL,inPalaceYardallofwhomdiedverycourageously,theythenappointedaCouncilofStatetogovernthecountry.Itconsistedofforty-onemembers,ofwhomfivewerepeers.Bradshawwasmadepresident.TheHouseofCommonsalsore-admittedmemberswhohadopposedtheKing'sdeath,andmadeupitsnumberstoaboutahundredandfifty.
　　But,itstillhadanarmyofmorethanfortythousandmentodealwith,andaveryhardtaskitwastomanagethem.BeforetheKing'sexecution,thearmyhadappointedsomeofitsofficerstoremonstratebetweenthemandtheParliament;andnowthecommonsoldiersbegantotakethatofficeuponthemselves.TheregimentsunderordersforIrelandmutinied;onetroopofhorseinthecityofLondonseizedtheirownflag,andrefusedtoobeyorders.Forthis,theringleaderwasshot:whichdidnotmendthematter,for,bothhiscomradesandthepeoplemadeapublicfuneralforhim,andaccompaniedthebodytothegravewithsoundoftrumpetsandwithagloomyprocessionofpersonscarryingbundlesofrosemarysteepedinblood.Oliverwastheonlymantodealwithsuchdifficultiesasthese,andhesooncutthemshortbyburstingatmidnightintothetownofBurford,nearSalisbury,wherethemutineersweresheltered,takingfourhundredofthemprisoners,andshootinganumberofthembysentenceofcourt-martial.Thesoldierssoonfound,asallmendid,thatOliverwasnotamantobetrifledwith.Andtherewasanendofthemutiny.
　　TheScottishParliamentdidnotknowOliveryet;so,onhearingoftheKing'sexecution,itproclaimedthePrinceofWalesKingCharlestheSecond,onconditionofhisrespectingtheSolemnLeagueandCovenant.Charleswasabroadatthattime,andsowasMontrose,fromwhosehelphehadhopesenoughtokeephimholdingonandoffwithcommissionersfromScotland,justashisfathermighthavedone.Thesehopesweresoonatanend;for,Montrose,havingraisedafewhundredexilesinGermany,andlandedwiththeminScotland,foundthatthepeoplethere,insteadofjoininghim,desertedthecountryathisapproach.HewassoontakenprisonerandcarriedtoEdinburgh.Therehewasreceivedwitheverypossibleinsult,andcarriedtoprisoninacart,hisofficersgoingtwoandtwobeforehim.HewassentencedbytheParliamenttobehangedonagallowsthirtyfeethigh,tohavehisheadsetonaspikeinEdinburgh,andhislimbsdistributedinotherplaces,accordingtotheoldbarbarousmanner.HesaidhehadalwaysactedundertheRoyalorders,andonlywishedhehadlimbsenoughtobedistributedthroughChristendom,thatitmightbethemorewidelyknownhowloyalhehadbeen.Hewenttothescaffoldinabrightandbrilliantdress,andmadeaboldendatthirty-eightyearsofage.ThebreathwasscarcelyoutofhisbodywhenCharlesabandonedhismemory,anddeniedthathehadevergivenhimorderstoriseinhisbehalf.OthefamilyfailingwasstronginthatCharlesthen!
　　OliverhadbeenappointedbytheParliamenttocommandthearmyinIreland,wherehetookaterriblevengeanceforthesanguinaryrebellion,andmadetremendoushavoc,particularlyinthesiegeofDrogheda,wherenoquarterwasgiven,andwherehefoundatleastathousandoftheinhabitantsshutuptogetherinthegreatchurch:
　　everyoneofwhomwaskilledbyhissoldiers,usuallyknownasOLIVER'SIRONSIDES.Therewerenumbersoffriarsandpriestsamongthem,andOlivergrufflywrotehomeinhisdespatchthatthesewere'knockedonthehead'liketherest.
　　But,CharleshavinggotovertoScotlandwherethemenoftheSolemnLeagueandCovenantledhimaprodigiouslydulllifeandmadehimverywearywithlongsermonsandgrimSundays,theParliamentcalledtheredoubtableOliverhometoknocktheScottishmenontheheadforsettingupthatPrince.Oliverlefthisson-
　　in-law,Ireton,asgeneralinIrelandinhissteadhediedthereafterwards,andheimitatedtheexampleofhisfather-in-lawwithsuchgoodwillthathebroughtthecountrytosubjection,andlaiditatthefeetoftheParliament.Intheend,theypassedanactforthesettlementofIreland,generallypardoningallthecommonpeople,butexemptingfromthisgracesuchofthewealthiersortashadbeenconcernedintherebellion,orinanykillingofProtestants,orwhorefusedtolaydowntheirarms.GreatnumbersofIrishweregotoutofthecountrytoserveunderCatholicpowersabroad,andaquantityoflandwasdeclaredtohavebeenforfeitedbypastoffences,andwasgiventopeoplewhohadlentmoneytotheParliamentearlyinthewar.Theseweresweepingmeasures;but,ifOliverCromwellhadhadhisownwayfully,andhadstayedinIreland,hewouldhavedonemoreyet.
　　However,asIhavesaid,theParliamentwantedOliverforScotland;
　　so,homeOlivercame,andwasmadeCommanderofalltheForcesoftheCommonwealthofEngland,andinthreedaysawayhewentwithsixteenthousandsoldierstofighttheScottishmen.Now,theScottishmen,beingthen-asyouwillgenerallyfindthemnow-
　　mightycautious,reflectedthatthetroopstheyhadwerenotusedtowarliketheIronsides,andwouldbebeateninanopenfight.
　　Thereforetheysaid,'IfwelivequietinourtrenchesinEdinburghhere,andifallthefarmerscomeintothetownanddesertthecountry,theIronsideswillbedrivenoutbyironhungerandbeforcedtogoaway.'Thiswas,nodoubt,thewisestplan;butastheScottishclergyWOULDinterferewithwhattheyknewnothingabout,andwouldperpetuallypreachlongsermonsexhortingthesoldierstocomeoutandfight,thesoldiersgotitintheirheadsthattheyabsolutelymustcomeoutandfight.Accordingly,inanevilhourforthemselves,theycameoutoftheirsafeposition.
　　Oliverfellupontheminstantly,andkilledthreethousand,andtooktenthousandprisoners.
　　TogratifytheScottishParliament,andpreservetheirfavour,Charleshadsignedadeclarationtheylaidbeforehim,reproachingthememoryofhisfatherandmother,andrepresentinghimselfasamostreligiousPrince,towhomtheSolemnLeagueandCovenantwasasdearaslife.Hemeantnosortoftruthinthis,andsoonafterwardsgallopedawayonhorsebacktojoinsometiresomeHighlandfriends,whowerealwaysflourishingdirksandbroadswords.Hewasovertakenandinducedtoreturn;butthisattempt,whichwascalled'TheStart,'didhimjustsomuchservice,thattheydidnotpreachquitesuchlongsermonsathimafterwardsastheyhaddonebefore.
　　OnthefirstofJanuary,onethousandsixhundredandfifty-one,theScottishpeoplecrownedhimatScone.Heimmediatelytookthechiefcommandofanarmyoftwentythousandmen,andmarchedtoStirling.Hishopeswereheightened,Idaresay,bytheredoubtableOliverbeingillofanague;butOliverscrambledoutofbedinnotime,andwenttoworkwithsuchenergythathegotbehindtheRoyalistarmyandcutitofffromallcommunicationwithScotland.Therewasnothingforitthen,buttogoontoEngland;
　　soitwentonasfarasWorcester,wherethemayorandsomeofthegentryproclaimedKingCharlestheSecondstraightway.Hisproclamation,however,wasoflittleusetohim,forveryfewRoyalistsappeared;and,ontheverysameday,twopeoplewerepubliclybeheadedonTowerHillforespousinghiscause.UpcameOlivertoWorcestertoo,atdoublequickspeed,andheandhisIronsidessolaidabouttheminthegreatbattlewhichwasfoughtthere,thattheycompletelybeattheScottishmen,anddestroyedtheRoyalistarmy;thoughtheScottishmenfoughtsogallantlythatittookfivehourstodo.
　　TheescapeofCharlesafterthisbattleofWorcesterdidhimgoodservicelongafterwards,foritinducedmanyofthegenerousEnglishpeopletotakearomanticinterestinhim,andtothinkmuchbetterofhimthanheeverdeserved.Hefledinthenight,withnotmorethansixtyfollowers,tothehouseofaCatholicladyinStaffordshire.There,forhisgreatersafety,thewholesixtylefthim.Hecroppedhishair,stainedhisfaceandhandsbrownasiftheyweresunburnt,putontheclothesofalabouringcountryman,andwentoutinthemorningwithhisaxeinhishand,accompaniedbyfourwood-cutterswhowerebrothers,andanothermanwhowastheirbrother-in-law.Thesegoodfellowsmadeabedforhimunderatree,astheweatherwasverybad;andthewifeofoneofthembroughthimfoodtoeat;andtheoldmotherofthefourbrotherscameandfelldownonherkneesbeforehiminthewood,andthankedGodthathersonswereengagedinsavinghislife.Atnight,hecameoutoftheforestandwentontoanotherhousewhichwasneartheriverSevern,withtheintentionofpassingintoWales;buttheplaceswarmedwithsoldiers,andthebridgeswereguarded,andalltheboatsweremadefast.So,afterlyinginahayloftcoveredoverwithhay,forsometime,hecameoutofhisplace,attendedbyCOLONELCARELESS,aCatholicgentlemanwhohadmethimthere,andwithwhomhelayhid,allnextday,upintheshadybranchesofafineoldoak.ItwasluckyfortheKingthatitwasSeptember-time,andthattheleaveshadnotbeguntofall,sinceheandtheColonel,perchedupinthistree,couldcatchglimpsesofthesoldiersridingaboutbelow,andcouldhearthecrashinthewoodastheywentaboutbeatingtheboughs.
　　Afterthis,hewalkedandwalkeduntilhisfeetwereallblistered;
　　and,havingbeenconcealedallonedayinahousewhichwassearchedbythetrooperswhilehewasthere,wentwithLORDWILMOT,anotherofhisgoodfriends,toaplacecalledBentley,whereoneMISSLANE,aProtestantlady,hadobtainedapasstobeallowedtoridethroughtheguardstoseearelationofhersnearBristol.
　　Disguisedasaservant,herodeinthesaddlebeforethisyoungladytothehouseofSIRJOHNWINTER,whileLordWilmotrodethereboldly,likeaplaincountrygentleman,withdogsathisheels.IthappenedthatSirJohnWinter'sbutlerhadbeenservantinRichmondPalace,andknewCharlesthemomentheseteyesuponhim;but,thebutlerwasfaithfulandkeptthesecret.Asnoshipcouldbefoundtocarryhimabroad,itwasplannedthatheshouldgo-stilltravellingwithMissLaneasherservant-toanotherhouse,atTrentnearSherborneinDorsetshire;andthenMissLaneandhercousin,MR.LASCELLES,whohadgoneonhorsebackbesideheralltheway,wenthome.IhopeMissLanewasgoingtomarrythatcousin,forIamsureshemusthavebeenabrave,kindgirl.IfIhadbeenthatcousin,IshouldcertainlyhavelovedMissLane.
　　WhenCharles,lonelyforthelossofMissLane,wassafeatTrent,ashipwashiredatLyme,themasterofwhichengagedtotaketwogentlementoFrance.Intheeveningofthesameday,theKing-
　　nowridingasservantbeforeanotheryounglady-setoffforapublic-houseataplacecalledCharmouth,wherethecaptainofthevesselwastotakehimonboard.But,thecaptain'swife,beingafraidofherhusbandgettingintotrouble,lockedhimupandwouldnotlethimsail.ThentheywentawaytoBridport;and,comingtotheinnthere,foundthestable-yardfullofsoldierswhowereonthelook-outforCharles,andwhotalkedabouthimwhiletheydrank.Hehadsuchpresenceofmind,thatheledthehorsesofhispartythroughtheyardasanyotherservantmighthavedone,andsaid,'Comeoutoftheway,yousoldiers;letushaveroomtopasshere!'Ashewentalong,hemetahalf-tipsyostler,whorubbedhiseyesandsaidtohim,'Why,IwasformerlyservanttoMr.
　　PotteratExeter,andsurelyIhavesometimesseenyouthere,youngman?'Hecertainlyhad,forCharleshadlodgedthere.Hisreadyanswerwas,'Ah,Ididlivewithhimonce;butIhavenotimetotalknow.We'llhaveapotofbeertogetherwhenIcomeback.'
　　FromthisdangerousplacehereturnedtoTrent,andlaythereconcealedseveraldays.ThenheescapedtoHeale,nearSalisbury;
　　where,inthehouseofawidowlady,hewashiddenfivedays,untilthemasterofacollierlyingoffShorehaminSussex,undertooktoconveya'gentleman'toFrance.OnthenightofthefifteenthofOctober,accompaniedbytwocolonelsandamerchant,theKingrodetoBrighton,thenalittlefishingvillage,togivethecaptainoftheshipasupperbeforegoingonboard;but,somanypeopleknewhim,thatthiscaptainknewhimtoo,andnotonlyhe,butthelandlordandlandladyalso.Beforehewentaway,thelandlordcamebehindhischair,kissedhishand,andsaidhehopedtolivetobealordandtoseehiswifealady;atwhichCharleslaughed.Theyhadhadagoodsupperbythistime,andplentyofsmokinganddrinking,atwhichtheKingwasafirst-ratehand;so,thecaptainassuredhimthathewouldstandbyhim,andhedid.ItwasagreedthatthecaptainshouldpretendtosailtoDeal,andthatCharlesshouldaddressthesailorsandsayhewasagentlemanindebtwhowasrunningawayfromhiscreditors,andthathehopedtheywouldjoinhiminpersuadingthecaptaintoputhimashoreinFrance.AstheKingactedhispartverywellindeed,andgavethesailorstwentyshillingstodrink,theybeggedthecaptaintodowhatsuchaworthygentlemanasked.Hepretendedtoyieldtotheirentreaties,andtheKinggotsafetoNormandy.
　　Irelandbeingnowsubdued,andScotlandkeptquietbyplentyoffortsandsoldiersputtherebyOliver,theParliamentwouldhavegoneonquietlyenough,asfarasfightingwithanyforeignenemywent,butforgettingintotroublewiththeDutch,whointhespringoftheyearonethousandsixhundredandfifty-onesentafleetintotheDownsundertheirADMIRALVANTROMP,tocallupontheboldEnglishADMIRALBLAKEwhowastherewithhalfasmanyshipsastheDutchtostrikehisflag.Blakefiredaragingbroadsideinstead,andbeatoffVanTromp;who,intheautumn,camebackagainwithseventyships,andchallengedtheboldBlake-whostillwasonlyhalfasstrong-tofighthim.Blakefoughthimallday;but,findingthattheDutchweretoomanyforhim,gotquietlyoffatnight.WhatdoesVanTrompuponthis,butgoescruisingandboastingabouttheChannel,betweentheNorthForelandandtheIsleofWight,withagreatDutchbroomtiedtohismasthead,asasignthathecouldandwouldsweeptheEnglishofthesea!Withinthreemonths,Blakeloweredhistonethough,andhisbroomtoo;for,heandtwootherboldcommanders,DEANandMONK,foughthimthreewholedays,tooktwenty-threeofhisships,shiveredhisbroomtopieces,andsettledhisbusiness.
　　Thingswerenosoonerquietagain,thanthearmybegantocomplaintotheParliamentthattheywerenotgoverningthenationproperly,andtohintthattheythoughttheycoulddoitbetterthemselves.
　　Oliver,whohadnowmadeuphismindtobetheheadofthestate,ornothingatall,supportedtheminthis,andcalledameetingofofficersandhisownParliamentaryfriends,athislodgingsinWhitehall,toconsiderthebestwayofgettingridoftheParliament.IthadnowlastedjustasmanyyearsastheKing'sunbridledpowerhadlasted,beforeitcameintoexistence.Theendofthedeliberationwas,thatOliverwentdowntotheHouseinhisusualplainblackdress,withhisusualgreyworstedstockings,butwithanunusualpartyofsoldiersbehindhim.Theselastheleftinthelobby,andthenwentinandsatdown.Presentlyhegotup,madetheParliamentaspeech,toldthemthattheLordhaddonewiththem,stampedhisfootandsaid,'YouarenoParliament.Bringthemin!Bringthemin!'Atthissignalthedoorflewopen,andthesoldiersappeared.'Thisisnothonest,'saidSirHarryVane,oneofthemembers.'SirHarryVane!'criedCromwell;'O,SirHarryVane!TheLorddelivermefromSirHarryVane!'Thenhepointedoutmembersonebyone,andsaidthismanwasadrunkard,andthatmanadissipatedfellow,andthatmanaliar,andsoon.
　　ThenhecausedtheSpeakertobewalkedoutofhischair,toldtheguardtocleartheHouse,calledthemaceuponthetable-whichisasignthattheHouseissitting-'afool'sbauble,'andsaid,'here,carryitaway!'Beingobeyedinalltheseorders,hequietlylockedthedoor,putthekeyinhispocket,walkedbacktoWhitehallagain,andtoldhisfriends,whowerestillassembledthere,whathehaddone.
　　TheyformedanewCouncilofStateafterthisextraordinaryproceeding,andgotanewParliamenttogetherintheirownway:
　　whichOliverhimselfopenedinasortofsermon,andwhichhesaidwasthebeginningofaperfectheavenuponearth.InthisParliamenttheresatawell-knownleather-seller,whohadtakenthesingularnameofPraiseGodBarebones,andfromwhomitwascalled,forajoke,Barebones'sParliament,thoughitsgeneralnamewastheLittleParliament.AsitsoonappearedthatitwasnotgoingtoputOliverinthefirstplace,itturnedouttobenotatalllikethebeginningofheavenuponearth,andOliversaiditreallywasnottobebornewith.SoheclearedoffthatParliamentinmuchthesamewayashehaddisposedoftheother;andthenthecouncilofofficersdecidedthathemustbemadethesupremeauthorityofthekingdom,underthetitleoftheLordProtectoroftheCommonwealth.
　　So,onthesixteenthofDecember,onethousandsixhundredandfifty-three,agreatprocessionwasformedatOliver'sdoor,andhecameoutinablackvelvetsuitandabigpairofboots,andgotintohiscoachandwentdowntoWestminster,attendedbythejudges,andthelordmayor,andthealdermen,andalltheothergreatandwonderfulpersonagesofthecountry.There,intheCourtofChancery,hepubliclyacceptedtheofficeofLordProtector.
　　Thenhewassworn,andtheCityswordwashandedtohim,andthesealwashandedtohim,andalltheotherthingswerehandedtohimwhichareusuallyhandedtoKingsandQueensonstateoccasions.
　　WhenOliverhadhandedthemallback,hewasquitemadeandcompletelyfinishedoffasLordProtector;andseveraloftheIronsidespreachedaboutitatgreatlength,alltheevening.
　　SECONDPART
　　OLIVERCROMWELL-whomthepeoplelongcalledOLDNOLL-inacceptingtheofficeofProtector,hadboundhimselfbyacertainpaperwhichwashandedtohim,called'theInstrument,'tosummonaParliament,consistingofbetweenfourandfivehundredmembers,intheelectionofwhichneithertheRoyalistsnortheCatholicsweretohaveanyshare.HehadalsopledgedhimselfthatthisParliamentshouldnotbedissolvedwithoutitsownconsentuntilithadsatfivemonths.
　　WhenthisParliamentmet,Olivermadeaspeechtothemofthreehourslong,verywiselyadvisingthemwhattodoforthecreditandhappinessofthecountry.Tokeepdownthemoreviolentmembers,herequiredthemtosignarecognitionofwhattheywereforbiddenby'theInstrument'todo;whichwas,chiefly,totakethepowerfromonesinglepersonattheheadofthestateortocommandthearmy.Thenhedismissedthemtogotowork.Withhisusualvigourandresolutionhewenttoworkhimselfwithsomefranticpreachers-whowereratheroverdoingtheirsermonsincallinghimavillainandatyrant-byshuttinguptheirchapels,andsendingafewofthemofftoprison.
　　Therewasnotatthattime,inEnglandoranywhereelse,amansoabletogovernthecountryasOliverCromwell.Althoughheruledwithastronghand,andleviedaveryheavytaxontheRoyalistsbutnotuntiltheyhadplottedagainsthislife,heruledwisely,andasthetimesrequired.HecausedEnglandtobesorespectedabroad,thatIwishsomelordsandgentlemenwhohavegoverneditunderkingsandqueensinlaterdayswouldhavetakenaleafoutofOliverCromwell'sbook.HesentboldAdmiralBlaketotheMediterraneanSea,tomaketheDukeofTuscanypaysixtythousandpoundsforinjurieshehaddonetoBritishsubjects,andspoliationhehadcommittedonEnglishmerchants.HefurtherdespatchedhimandhisfleettoAlgiers,Tunis,andTripoli,tohaveeveryEnglishshipandeveryEnglishmandelivereduptohimthathadbeentakenbypiratesinthoseparts.Allthiswasgloriouslydone;anditbegantobethoroughlywellknown,allovertheworld,thatEnglandwasgovernedbyamaninearnest,whowouldnotallowtheEnglishnametobeinsultedorslightedanywhere.
　　Thesewerenotallhisforeigntriumphs.HesentafleettoseaagainsttheDutch;andthetwopowers,eachwithonehundredshipsuponitsside,metintheEnglishChannelofftheNorthForeland,wherethefightlastedalldaylong.Deanwaskilledinthisfight;butMonk,whocommandedinthesameshipwithhim,threwhiscloakoverhisbody,thatthesailorsmightnotknowofhisdeath,andbedisheartened.Norwerethey.TheEnglishbroadsidessoexceedinglyastonishedtheDutchthattheysheeredoffatlast,thoughtheredoubtableVanTrompfireduponthemwithhisowngunsfordesertingtheirflag.Soonafterwards,thetwofleetsengagedagain,offthecoastofHolland.There,thevaliantVanTrompwasshotthroughtheheart,andtheDutchgavein,andpeacewasmade.
　　Furtherthanthis,OliverresolvednottobearthedomineeringandbigotedconductofSpain,whichcountrynotonlyclaimedarighttoallthegoldandsilverthatcouldbefoundinSouthAmerica,andtreatedtheshipsofallothercountrieswhovisitedthoseregions,aspirates,butputEnglishsubjectsintothehorribleSpanishprisonsoftheInquisition.So,OlivertoldtheSpanishambassadorthatEnglishshipsmustbefreetogowherevertheywould,andthatEnglishmerchantsmustnotbethrownintothosesamedungeons,no,notforthepleasureofallthepriestsinSpain.Tothis,theSpanishambassadorrepliedthatthegoldandsilvercountry,andtheHolyInquisition,werehisKing'stwoeyes,neitherofwhichhecouldsubmittohaveputout.Verywell,saidOliver,thenhewasafraidheOlivermustdamagethosetwoeyesdirectly.
　　So,anotherfleetwasdespatchedundertwocommanders,PENNandVENABLES,forHispaniola;where,however,theSpaniardsgotthebetterofthefight.Consequently,thefleetcamehomeagain,aftertakingJamaicaontheway.Oliver,indignantwiththetwocommanderswhohadnotdonewhatboldAdmiralBlakewouldhavedone,clappedthembothintoprison,declaredwaragainstSpain,andmadeatreatywithFrance,invirtueofwhichitwastosheltertheKingandhisbrothertheDukeofYorknolonger.Then,hesentafleetabroadunderboldAdmiralBlake,whichbroughttheKingofPortugaltohissenses-justtokeepitshandin-andthenengagedaSpanishfleet,sunkfourgreatships,andtooktwomore,ladenwithsilvertothevalueoftwomillionsofpounds:whichdazzlingprizewasbroughtfromPortsmouthtoLondoninwaggons,withthepopulaceofallthetownsandvillagesthroughwhichthewaggonspassed,shoutingwithalltheirmight.Afterthisvictory,boldAdmiralBlakesailedawaytotheportofSantaCruztocutofftheSpanishtreasure-shipscomingfromMexico.There,hefoundthem,teninnumber,withsevenotherstotakecareofthem,andabigcastle,andsevenbatteries,allroaringandblazingawayathimwithgreatguns.Blakecarednomoreforgreatgunsthanforpop-guns-nomorefortheirhotironballsthanforsnow-balls.
　　Hedashedintotheharbour,capturedandburnteveryoneoftheships,andcamesailingoutagaintriumphantly,withthevictoriousEnglishflagflyingathismasthead.Thiswasthelasttriumphofthisgreatcommander,whohadsailedandfoughtuntilhewasquitewornout.Hedied,ashissuccessfulshipwascomingintoPlymouthHarbouramidstthejoyfulacclamationsofthepeople,andwasburiedinstateinWestminsterAbbey.Nottoliethere,long.
　　Overandaboveallthis,OliverfoundthattheVAUDOIS,orProtestantpeopleofthevalleysofLucerne,wereinsolentlytreatedbytheCatholicpowers,andwereevenputtodeathfortheirreligion,inanaudaciousandbloodymanner.Instantly,heinformedthosepowersthatthiswasathingwhichProtestantEnglandwouldnotallow;andhespeedilycarriedhispoint,throughthemightofhisgreatname,andestablishedtheirrighttoworshipGodinpeaceaftertheirownharmlessmanner.
　　Lastly,hisEnglisharmywonsuchadmirationinfightingwiththeFrenchagainsttheSpaniards,that,aftertheyhadassaultedthetownofDunkirktogether,theFrenchKinginpersongaveituptotheEnglish,thatitmightbeatokentothemoftheirmightandvalour.
　　TherewereplotsenoughagainstOliveramongthefranticreligionistswhocalledthemselvesFifthMonarchyMen,andamongthedisappointedRepublicans.Hehadadifficultgametoplay,fortheRoyalistswerealwaysreadytosidewitheitherpartyagainsthim.The'Kingoverthewater,'too,asCharleswascalled,hadnoscruplesaboutplottingwithanyoneagainsthislife;althoughthereisreasontosupposethathewouldwillinglyhavemarriedoneofhisdaughters,ifOliverwouldhavehadsuchason-in-law.
　　TherewasacertainCOLONELSAXBYofthearmy,onceagreatsupporterofOliver'sbutnowturnedagainsthim,whowasagrievoustroubletohimthroughallthispartofhiscareer;andwhocameandwentbetweenthediscontentedinEnglandandSpain,andCharleswhoputhimselfinalliancewithSpainonbeingthrownoffbyFrance.Thismandiedinprisonatlast;butnotuntiltherehadbeenveryseriousplotsbetweentheRoyalistsandRepublicans,andanactualrisingoftheminEngland,whentheyburstintothecityofSalisbury,onaSundaynight,seizedthejudgeswhoweregoingtoholdtheassizestherenextday,andwouldhavehangedthembutforthemercifulobjectionsofthemoretemperateoftheirnumber.Oliverwassovigorousandshrewdthathesoonputthisrevoltdown,ashedidmostotherconspiracies;
　　anditwaswellforoneofitschiefmanagers-thatsameLordWilmotwhohadassistedinCharles'sflight,andwasnowEARLOF
　　ROCHESTER-thathemadehisescape.Oliverseemedtohaveeyesandearseverywhere,andsecuredsuchsourcesofinformationashisenemieslittledreamedof.Therewasachosenbodyofsixpersons,calledtheSealedKnot,whowereintheclosestandmostsecretconfidenceofCharles.Oneoftheforemostoftheseverymen,aSIRRICHARDWILLIS,reportedtoOlivereverythingthatpassedamongthem,andhadtwohundredayearforit.
　　MILESSYNDARCOMB,alsooftheoldarmy,wasanotherconspiratoragainsttheProtector.HeandamannamedCECIL,bribedoneofhisLifeGuardstoletthemhavegoodnoticewhenhewasgoingout-
　　intendingtoshoothimfromawindow.But,owingeithertohiscautionorhisgoodfortune,theycouldnevergetanaimathim.
　　Disappointedinthisdesign,theygotintothechapelinWhitehall,withabasketfulofcombustibles,whichweretoexplodebymeansofaslowmatchinsixhours;then,inthenoiseandconfusionofthefire,theyhopedtokillOliver.But,theLifeGuardsmanhimselfdisclosedthisplot;andtheywereseized,andMilesdiedorkilledhimselfinprisonalittlewhilebeforehewasorderedforexecution.AfewsuchplottersOlivercausedtobebeheaded,afewmoretobehanged,andmanymore,includingthosewhoroseinarmsagainsthim,tobesentasslavestotheWestIndies.Ifhewererigid,hewasimpartialtoo,inassertingthelawsofEngland.
　　WhenaPortuguesenobleman,thebrotherofthePortugueseambassador,killedaLondoncitizeninmistakeforanothermanwithwhomhehadhadaquarrel,OlivercausedhimtobetriedbeforeajuryofEnglishmenandforeigners,andhadhimexecutedinspiteoftheentreatiesofalltheambassadorsinLondon.
　　OneofOliver'sownfriends,theDUKEOFOLDENBURGH,insendinghimapresentofsixfinecoach-horses,wasveryneardoingmoretopleasetheRoyaliststhanalltheplottersputtogether.Oneday,Oliverwentwithhiscoach,drawnbythesesixhorses,intoHydePark,todinewithhissecretaryandsomeofhisothergentlemenunderthetreesthere.Afterdinner,beingmerry,hetookitintohisheadtoputhisfriendsinsideandtodrivethemhome:apostillionridingoneoftheforemosthorses,asthecustomwas.
　　OnaccountofOliver'sbeingtoofreewiththewhip,thesixfinehorseswentoffatagallop,thepostilliongotthrown,andOliverfelluponthecoach-poleandnarrowlyescapedbeingshotbyhisownpistol,whichgotentangledwithhisclothesintheharness,andwentoff.Hewasdraggedsomedistancebythefoot,untilhisfootcameoutoftheshoe,andthenhecamesafelytothegroundunderthebroadbodyofthecoach,andwasverylittletheworse.Thegentlemeninsidewereonlybruised,andthediscontentedpeopleofallpartiesweremuchdisappointed.
　　TherestofthehistoryoftheProtectorateofOliverCromwellisahistoryofhisParliaments.Hisfirstonenotpleasinghimatall,hewaiteduntilthefivemonthswereout,andthendissolvedit.
　　Thenextwasbettersuitedtohisviews;andfromthathedesiredtoget-ifhecouldwithsafetytohimself-thetitleofKing.