Memoirs of the Court of England during the reign of the Stuarts, including the Protectorate

Chapter I

Character of Cromwell — Apartment in which he was born — his Infancy — he is snatched from his Cradle by a Monkey — notorious for robbing Orchards — his narrow Escape from Drowning — Childish Quarrel with Prince Charles — he is visited by an Apparition — singular Prediction of his future Greatness — performs the Part of Tactus in the Play of The Five Senses — Attempts to degrade him as a Person of mean Birth — his supposed Relationship to Charles the First. Page 1

Chapter II

Refutation of Cromwell having been a Brewer — Lampoons on the Subject — his early Profligacy — he is entered at Syd ney College, Cambridge — removal to the Inns of Court — associates with Roysterers and Drunkards — becomes the Terror of the "Ale-Wives" of Huntingdon — his Marriage — Reformation in his Conduct — his religious Melancholy and Fanaticism. — Cromwell takes a Farm at Stives — Failure of a CONTENTS. IV his agrarian Speculations — removes to Cambridge — sub scribes in Favour of the Republican Cause — prevented from emigrating to America — Hampden's Foresight of his future Greatness. ..... Page 14

Chapter III

Cromwell's Indifference as to Dress — Rudeness of his Man ners — his personal Infirmities caricatured — he is the first to take up Arms against the King — his Regiment of Lronsides — their Discipline and good Conduct. — Cromwell beloved by the common Soldiers — his first Military Exploit — plun ders the Cathedrals at Peterborough and Ely Battle of Marston Moor. — Cromwell's narrow Escape from being killed. — The second Engagement at Newbury. — Cromwell's per sonal Encounter with a Cavalier Officer. — Anecdote of Fair fax at the Battle of Naseby. — Cromwell's rapid Successes — accused of Cowardice by his Enemies. . . 26

Chapter IV

Cromwell appointed to the Command in Ireland — he de parts from Whitehall with a splendid Cavalcade. — Massacres at Drogheda and WTexford. — Instances of Cromwell's merciless Disposition. — Battle of Dunbar. — Treatment of the Prisoners. — Scotland indebted to Cromwell for the Introduc tion of Newspapers — he is attacked by a dangerous Illness — endeavours to shoot his Officers in his Delirium. — Battle of Worcester. — Cromwell's Election — marked Alteration in his Behaviour. . . . . .40

Chapter V

Cromwell's personal Exertions to insure the Execution of Charles — forces Ingoldesby to sign the King's Death-warrant his indecent Behaviour in the Court of Wards — visits the CONTENTS. V King's dead Body. — Anecdotes. — Cromwell's love of Buf foonery — his Practice of flinging Cushions at his Friends. — Curious Scene at a Banquet at Whitehall. — Cromwell's strange Conduct at State Conferences — encourages practical Jokes among his Soldiers — thrown from his Coach-box in Hyde Park — Lampoons on the Subject — his practice of being carried in a Sedan Chair. . . Page 47

Chapter VI

Installation of the Protector — his Views of Aggrandizement — his general Unpopularity — Ceremonies which attended his Installation — dines in State with the Citizens of London — takes Possession of the royal Palaces — Notices of his Removal to Whitehall — Tables provided for his Household — aspires to the title of King — consults wish his Friends on the Subject — refuses the Title — Instance of his Trickery — his Second Inauguration. — Gloom of his Court — affects greater Magnifi cence — his Entertainments at Whitehall — discourages the Visits of the Queen of Sweden — his frequent and prodigal Feasts. ...... 59

Chapter VII

De Grammont's Visit to the Court of Cromwell. — Respect paid by Foreign Ambassadors to the Protector's Daughters. — Cromwell's Love of Hunting — his Intrigues with the Duchess of Lauderdale and Mrs. Lambert. — Tact with which he ingratiated himself with others. — Anecdotes. — Cromwell's Want of Literary Taste and Information — Unsteadiness of his Religious Principles — his Cant and Hypocrisy — his Hatred of a Commonwealth — his Views regarding an Estab lished Church — thought to be the Messiah by the Jews — feared and respected by Foreign Powers. — Mazarine's dread of him. — Subserviency of the French and Spanish Monarchs. — Anecdotes. . . • • .76 VI CONTENTS.

Chapter VIII

Vigilance of Cromwell, and his extraordinary Means of ac quiring 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 Intelli gence — 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. Page 91

Chapter IX

Death and Burial of the Protector's Mother. — Distressing State of Cromwell's Mind at the Close of his Career Reflec tions on his ephemeral Greatness — his Dread of Assassination — his Custom of wearing secret Armour — Conspiracies against his Life. — Syndercombe's Plot and untimely Fate. — Reward offered by Charles II. to whoever should take away the Life of the Usurper. — Letter from the Duke of York on the Sub ject. — The Pamphlet of " Killing no Murder." — Sickness of the Protector — he removes from Hampton Court to White hall — his fanatical Enthusiasm — his last Moments — his Death — the fearful Storm which attended it — Blasphemous Language of his Panegyrists. . . . 103

Chapter X

Cromwell's " fortunate Day " _ magnificent Ceremony of his lying in State — his splendid Funeral — his Body exhumed and exposed at Tyburn — other Accounts of the Disposal of his Remains. — The Body of Charles supposed to have been substituted for that of Cromwell.— Barkstead's singular Nar rative. — Descendants of the Protector. — Reflections on his Character and Conduct. . 107 CONTENTS. VII ELIZABETH CROMWELL, WIFE OF THE PBOTECTOR. Abuse heaped on her by the Cavaliers — her Lineage — introduced to Charles I. at Hampton Court — her want of Beauty — her Thriftiness — Behaviour at her Elevation — Pasquinades of the Period — her Character and want of Influence with the Protector — her Flight at the Restoration — endeavours to secrete Pictures and other Valuables be longing to the Royal Family — her Residences and Death.

Page 142 RICHARD CROMWELL. Character of Richard — his Love of Field Sports — his At tachment to the Pleasures of the Table — opposed to the Measures of his Father — intercedes for the King's Life — his Marriage — lives in Retirement at Hursley — initiated in State Affairs — succeeds his Father — his brief Govern ment and Abdication — in Danger of being arrested for Debt — lives Abroad under a feigned Name — his singular Inter view with the Prince de Conti. — Anecdotes. — Richard's Personal Appearance — his Death and Burial. . 152 HENRY CROMWELL. His Resemblance to his Father, the great Protector — his Military Services — his amiable Character — his Marriage — appointed Lord Deputy of Ireland — his admirable Admi nistration in that Country — his Recall — lives in Retire ment after the Restoration — visited by Charles II. — his last Illness — the King interests himself in his Sufferings — his Death and Burial — Encomiums on his Character — his De scendants. . . . . • .173 CONTENTS.

VIII BRIDGET CROMWELL, MRS. IRETON. Her Republican Principles — her Sanctity — her Marriage with Henry Ireton — her second Marriage (with Fleetwood) — Anecdote — her Intrigue with the Duke of Buckingham — her Death and Burial. .... Page 184 ELIZABETH CROMWELL, MRS. CLAYPOLE. The favourite Daughter of the Protector — her amiable Dis position — her royalist Principles — her Marriage. — Cromwell's Buffoonery on the Occasion Notice of Mrs. Claypole's Hus band. — Mrs. Claypole befriends the oppressed Royalists — recovers the MS. of the Oceana for its Author — her last Illness — she reproaches her Father for his Crimes — her Death, and the Grief of the Protector — Andrew Marvell's Lament — her Burial. .... 188 MARY CROMWELL, COUNTESS OF FALCONBERG. The Protector's Third Daughter — her Character — her Mar riage — curious Anecdote connected with it — her Personal Appearance — her Resemblance to the Protector — her spirit ed Disposition. — Anecdotes. — Changes her Principles at the Restoration. — De Foe visits her in her Old Age her Death. . igg CONTENTS.

IX FRANCES CROMWELL, MRS. RICH. Charles II. her Suitor. — The Protector refuses his Con sent 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 nu merous Offspring — her Death. . . . Page 205 CHARLES II.

Chapter I

Birth of Charles. — Remarkable Constellation. — Ceremony of his Christening — Anecdotes of his Childhood — Juvenile Letters — his Guardians. — Charles witnesses from an Emi nence the Battle of Edgehill — parts with his Father for the last Time — sent into the West of England, with the Title of General — retreats before Fairfax — retires to Scilly — passes over to Jersey — visits the Hague — invited to Scot land after the Execution of his Father — proceeds to Paris — again lands at Jersey — quits that Island for Breda — arrives in the Frith of Cromarty — hard Conditions imposed upon him by the Scots — his Misery and Privations — crowned at Scone — frequently reprimanded for his Levity. — Battle of Dunbar. — Charles takes the Command of the Scottish Army — marches into England — admirable Con duct of his Soldiers. .... X CONTENTS.

Chapter II

Battle of Worcester — Gallantry of Charles during the Action — his Flight — halts at White Ladies — disguises himself as a Woodman — separates from the Duke of Buckingham and his other Attendants — his Adventures the Day after the Battle — his Journey to Madely — Adventure with the Miller — Return to White Ladies. — Charles conceals himself in the Oak — his Hiding-place at Boscobel — he is conducted by the Penderells to Moseley — Meeting with Lord Wilmot — his admirable Disguise. .... Page 233

Chapter III

Boscobel searched by the Parliamentary Soldiers — their Visit to Moseley. — Charles removes to Bentley — rides " double" as a Servant before Miss Lane — his Awkwardness in his new Character — Adventure with the Blacksmith at Broms grove — employed to wind the Meat-jack at Longmarston — Arrival at Abbotsleigh — recognised by Pope, a Butler. — Journey to Trent. — Cavalier Family of the Wyndhams — their affectionate Loyalty. — Rejoicings at the King's reported Death. — Charles listens to them from his Hiding place — removes to Charmouth — disappointed in his Hopes of Escape — his narrow Escape at Lyme — nearly recog nised by an Ostler. — Parliamentary Soldiers in pursuit of him — quartered with the Enemy's Troopers at Broad Windsor — Journey to Hele — Arrival at Brighthelmstone — Charles escapes to France. ..... 252

Chapter IV

Munificence of Charles to those who assisted him during his Wanderings. — Notice of the Penderells — of Jane Lane. — Pensions conferred on Colonel Wyndham and others. — No- CONTENTS. XI tices of the Houses visited by Charles — the Royal Oak. — Residence of Charles in France — at Spa — at Cologne — his splendid Reception in the latter Town — Poverty of his Court — his Habits and Amusements — his Love of Pleasure, and especially of Dancing — pays a Visit to Frankfort Fair — his Interview with the Queen of Sweden — Removes to Bruges — Profligacy of his Court — Plot against his Life — pays a clandestine Visit to the Hague — his Matrimonial Projects and Disappointments. . . . Page 281

Chapter V

Restoration of Charles II. — The King sails for England — received on landing by General Monk — his splendid Progress towards London — his Gratitude to Heaven singularly exem plified. — Coronation. — Familiarity of Charles with his Sub jects — his Habit of fast walking — his Saying to Prince George of Denmark — his Custom of feeding the Fowls in St. James's Park. — Anecdotes. — The King's witty Retort to the Duke of York. — The royal Barber. — Fondness of Charles for Dogs. — Lampoons on the Subject. — Social Qualities of Charles — his Love of Wit. — Shaftesbury's Retort to Charles. — Anecdote of Blood. — The King's quiet Reprimand of Penn, the Quaker — his witty Sayings and Love of Fun. . 304

Chapter VI

Instances of Charles's right Feeling and Kindness of Heart — his good-natured Support of Lord Keeper Guildford — his Kindness to Sir John Reresby. — Liberality of Charles — his excellent natural Capacity — his Knowledge of the Arts and Sciences — his Interest in naval Affairs — his Taste for the Sea becomes fashionable at Court — his Love of Theatricals. — Anecdotes. — Verses believed to be the Composition of Charles. — Profligacy of the Court. — Remarkable Punishment of Sir Peckshall Brockas. — Desecration at Court of the Sab- CONTENTS. XII bath Day. — A Court Ball. — Ancient Palace of Whitehall. — The King's Mode of Living at Windsor — his Taste for Fish ing — his Manner of Living at Newmarket Picture of a royal Debauch. — Anecdotes. — Royal Mistresses — their Rapa city. — The King's Nick-name of " Old Rowley" — his Poverty — his Custom of attending the Debates in the House of Lords. .... . . Page 319

Chapter VII

Religious Tenets of Charles — reproves the Duke of Buck ingham for his Profaneness — his Ridicule of Isaac Vossius — his praiseworthy Conduct to Bishop Ken — requests the dying Benediction of his old Tutor, Bishop Duppa — his Adoption of the Roman Catholic Belief — Interest which he takes in Reli gious Matters — his written Arguments in Favour of the Roman Catholic Religion — attacked by his last Illness — declines receiving the Sacrament from the Bishops — receives it from a Catholic Priest — his Demeanour during his Sickness — his Tenderness to the Duke of York and the Queen. 345

Chapter VIII

Dying Injunctions of Charles. — Grief of the Queen. — Affect ing Descriptions of the King's last Moments — his Piety and Resolution — his Death — Neglect shown to his Remains — his Funeral in Westminster Abbey — Reasons for believing him to have been poisoned — Anecdotes illustrating the Sup position. — Extraordinary Story related by the Duchess of Portsmouth. — Evelyn's Reflections ou the Death of Charles. — Description of the King's Person — his Loss lamented by the lower Orders — his illegitimate Children. . CONTENTS. XIII CATHERINE, UUEEN OF CHARLES II. The Queen's uncomfortable Situation at the Court of Charles — her Lineage — arrives at Portsmouth — Charles's Description of her to Lord Clarendon — her Marriage with the King — Descriptions of her Person — her extraordinary Retinue — List of her Household in 1669 — ■ Anecdotes — Lady Castle maine attempted to be forced upon her as a Lady of the Bedchamber — Indignation of Catherine — unfeeling Conduct of Charles and Lord Clarendon — the Queen consents to the Appointment of her Rival — Alteration in her Conduct — encourages Gaiety and Frolic — fashionable Freaks of the Period — the Queen's Unhappiness — Evidences of her being capable of bearing Children — her dangerous Illness, and Affliction of Charles — accused by Titus Oates — her Grief at the Death of Charles — Description of her later in Life — her Death. .....

Page 383 PRINCE RUPERT. Military Capacity of Prince Rupert — his early Attachment to England — his Services in the German Wars — taken Pri soner by General Hatzfield — proposed Marriage with Made moiselle de Rohan — her generous Conduct towards him. — Military Exertions of Prince Rupert in favour of Charles I. — The Prince's uncalled-for Surrender of Bristol — his Quarrel with the Earl of Southampton — distinguishes himself in Naval Warfare — turns Philosopher — his Skill at Tennis and in Pistol shooting — imitates the Fashionable at the Restoration — his Mistress — his natural Children. — Notice of his gallant Son, Dudley Rupert. — Death and Burial of the Prince. . CONTENTS. XIV GEORGE MONK, DUKE OF ALBEMARLE. Lineage of this Personage — cudgels the Under-Sheriffs for insulting his Father — adopts the military Profession — sides with the King in the Civil War — taken Prisoner by Fairfax — his Imprisonment in the Tower — released by Cromwell — curious Particulars relating to his Wife, Anne Clarges — her Character and Share in the Restoration. — Monk effects the Return of the King — Honours heaped upon him by Charles. — Anecdotes. — Monk's Conduct during the great Plague. — Gumble's Account of its Ravages. — Instances of Monk's In trepidity — Summary of his Character — his last Sickness — his Death and Burial. — Notice of Christopher, the second Duke of Albemarle — extraordinary Character of his Duchess — Suitors of this Lady — her Death . . Page 426 GEORGE VILLIERS, SECOND DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.

Chapter I

Character of this Nobleman — his Education with the Chil dren of Charles I present at the Storming of Lichfield his Estates confiscated by the Parliament— his Defeat under the Earl of Holland at Nonsuch — Melancholy Death of his younger Brother, Lord Francis Villiers. — The Duke escapes to St. Neot's — present with Charles II. in Scotland — escapes from the Battle of Worcester — his subsequent Adventures — performs the Character of a Mountebank in the Streets of London — escapes to France — returns privately and marries CONTENTS. XV Fairfax's Daughter. — Anger of Cromwell, who commits the Duke to the Tower — released by Richard Cromwell. — Ho nours conferred on Buckingham at the Restoration — his Wit and conversational Talents. — Anecdotes. — Instances of his whimsical Caprice .... Page 454

Chapter II

Buckingham's Conspiracy against Charles II. — Proclamation issued for his Apprehension — conceals himself in London — surrenders himself to the Lieutenant of the Tower — his Conduct at his Examination — pardoned by Charles. — Buck ingham's Quarrel with Lord Ossory — his late Hours — his Fray with Lord Dorchester — kills the Earl of Shrewsbury in a Duel — his Intrigue with the Countess of Shrewsbury — the Duke's Seat at Cliveden — sent on a Mission to France — Anecdote — again in Disgrace at Court — sent to the Tower — witty Reply to Lord Shaftesbury — retires from Court at the Death of Charles II. — his vast Debts — amusing Controversy with Father Petre — his last Moments and Death. — Cha racter of Buckingham. .... OLIVER CROMWELL. VOL. III. H MEMOIRS CONCERNING THE REIGN OF THE STUARTS OLIVER CROMWELL.

CHAPTER I.

Character of Cromwell — Apartment in which he was born — his Infancy — he is snatched from his Cradle by a Monkey — notorious for robbing Orchards — his narrow Escape from Drowning — Childish Quarrel with Prince Charles — he is visited by an Apparition — singular Prediction of his future Greatness — performs the Part of Tactus in the Play of The Five Senses — Attempts to degrade him as a Person of mean Birth — his supposed Relationship to Charles the First. One of the weaknesses of human nature is to derogate from the genius and merits of a great man, according as his political principles happen to differ from our own. Posterity itself is not always an impartial umpire ; and the virtues and capacity which were denied to the hero in his life time, are too often handed down to us discoloured by prejudice and party feeling.

Not unfrequently VOL. III. B the conceptions and encomiums of his worshippers are equally exaggerated. There is no medium between eulogium and execration ; no feeling in common between the panegyrist and the detractor. The one would award a halter, the other a laurel — the one the pillory, the other a triumph. Difficult as it is to reconcile to common sense that Cromwell should have been the idol of any particular party, he has, nevertheless, had an extraordinary share of adulation as well as ob loquy. And yet, what party is there that would naturally recognise him as their head ? Not the royalist, for he overthrew monarchy ; — not the whig, for he perverted the representative system, governed with a standing army, and left an ex hausted treasury where he found an overflowing one. Still less should he be a favourite with the republicans, for he was an apostate to the party who exalted him ; he threw down the lad der which had raised him to the summit, and would have installed himself in the ranks of legi timate kings whom he had assisted to expel.

Although the portrait of Cromwell has been sketched by many a masterly hand, his character continues to be as great an enigma as it is a wonder ; and we, who are enabled to take a calmer view of his conduct, are perhaps as far removed from the truth as were his more bigoted contempo raries. Who, indeed, can form a just estimate of one whose whole life was a continued artifice, — a long contradiction ; whose tools were the vices and weaknesses of mankind, and whose stepping-stones were dissimulation and deceit ; who professed humility while he aimed at greatness ; who spoke of liberty, yet ruled with the sword ; who fought against monarchy, yet made himself a despot ; and who, committing the most fearful crimes, could solemnly appeal to Heaven for their justice ? In so extra ordinary a compound of courage, enthusiasm, am bition, and hypocrisy, who will venture to draw the line, or undertake to sift the gold from the dross ?

Who will assert that he was always the hypocrite ; or, on the other hand, who will point out at what particular period he was honest in politics or sincere in religion ; that at such an era he was a patriot or a dissembler, a fanatic or a sceptic ? That which we really know of Cromwell's character may be summed up in a few words. On the one hand, he was brave in battle and wise in council ; temperate and sober in his manner of living ; and in the bosom of his own family kind, cheerful, and affectionate. On the other hand, he was at best an illustrious hypocrite. There was nothing of the Roman in his patriotism; his religion was sullied by fanaticism and grimace ; and he rose by artifices incompatible with true greatness. But whether we regard him as a patriot or a tyrant, who is there who will deny to Cromwell B the almost supernatural genius which awed and yet dazzles mankind !

That a mere country gentleman, without wealth, person, eloquence, and the many accomplishments by which the world is captivated, should have destroyed an ancient monarchy, and have brought his sovereign to the scaffold ; that, at a period of life when most men prepare to retire from the stage, he should have come forward and thrust aside the many great and wise men who already occupied the arena ; that he should have won battle after battle, and have reduced a powerful empire by the sword ; that the mere servant of the domineering Commons should rise to be their master ; that he should have created a peerage, and nominated parliaments at his will ; that he should have raised the national glory to a pitch of splendour unexampled in its annals ; that the princes of the earth should have trembled at his word ; that he should have been able to bequeath three kingdoms with his dying breath ; and that the terror of his name should have ensured the succession ; — who is there whom even so passing a summary of greatness will not strike with admira tion and wonder ?

But, alas, that such a catalogue of splendour should be tarnished by pettiness and infamy ! His purple is the gore of his sovereign. We strain our eyes to the summit of the column on which he stands;— the pillar is a composite of human weaknesses ; the reliefs are the disasters of his country ; and what consolation is it that the suppliants at its base were the rulers of the world ! Cromwell was born at Huntingdon, on the 25th of April 1599, and was christened four days after wards in the parish church of St. John's in that town. The apartment in which he was born was standing in the time of Noble the historian, and may possibly still exist.* The house itself be longed, within the last century, to a Mr. Edward Audley, a draper of Huntingdon, and a man of some note in his time. Lord Sandwich told Noble that when Audley, who was a bigoted politician, used to show the room, he invariably pointed out a figure of Satan in the tapestry behind the door, leaving his visitors to draw their conclusions.

The Protector was not born to a crown, or doubtless many signs and wonders would have recorded so remarkable an event. It is related, * Since the above was written, I have met with the following passage, in a modern memoir of the Protector. " The house (in which Cromwell was born) was built of stone, with gothic windows and projecting attics, and must have been one of the most considerable in the borough. It had extensive back pre mises, in which the brewery was carried on, and a fine garden. In the year 1810 the estate was purchased by James Rust, Esq., whose extensive improvements have entirely obliterated every trace of the Cromwell mansion. Previous to this date, the chamber in which Oliver was born, and the room under it, remained as they were at the time that even took place, and an out-building noticed by Noble, in which Cromwell was said to have held forth among the Puritans, was pointed out to strangers." — Life of Cromwell in Const.

Misc. vol. i. p. 18. however, on the authority of Dr. Scott's MSS. that when a mere infant in arms, his grandfather, Sir Henry Cromwell, having sent for him to Hinchin broke, a mischievous monkey entered the apartment, and snatching the baby in his arms, flew with him to the roof of the house. Sir Henry and the nursery-maids were in the utmost conster nation, and feather beds were in immediate requi sition to break his fall. It is added, however, that the monkey eventually descended of his own accord, and restored the "fortune of England" to the repose from which he had snatched him. The monkey should have dropped the child, and Charles have rewarded the animal with a pension. His schoolmaster was a Rev. Mr. Long, of Hunt ingdon, and afterwards a Dr. Beard of the same place, the latter of whom is described as a very severe castigator.

Cromwell himself is generally spoken of as having been a very obstinate, mischievous, and wrong-headed boy, always under the lash or in disgrace. Heath, who enters more fully than any other writer into the circumstances of Cromwell's boyhood, affords an amusing picture of his youthful delinquencies. " Amongst the rest of those ill qualities which fructuated in him at this age, he was very notorious for robbing of orchards ; a puerile crime and an ordinary tres pass, but grown so scandalous and injurious by the frequent spoils and damages of trees, breaking of hedges and inclosures, committed by this appledragon, that many solemn complaints were made both to his father and master for redress thereof, which missed not their satisfaction and expiation out of his hide. From this he passed unto another and more manly theft, the robbing of dove-houses, stealing the young pigeons, and eating and mer chandising of them, and that so publicly, that he became dreadfully suspect to all the adjacent coun try."

The same writer tells us that he had his fits of learning, and would occasionally study hard for a week, though afterwards he would be idle for months. Bolingbroke, Rochester, and other gifted profligates, coquetted in a similar manner with their genius. Cromwell, in his boyhood, was once in imminent danger of being drowned, but was saved by a Mr. Johnson, a clergyman. Many years afterwards, they encountered each other in the streets of Huntingdon, when the hero of Marston Moor was at the head of his Ironsides. Cromwell recognised his benefactor, and reminded him of the circum stance. " I remember it," said the old man ; " but I would rather have put you in, than seen you in arms against your King." Noble mentions a curious tradition which, within rather more than half a century, was current in Huntingdon.

Charles the First, then a very weak child, being on his way from Scotland, in 1604/, to join his parents in London, happened to spend a day at Hinchinbroke, then the seat of the Cromwells, and one of the resting-places of the kings of England in their progresses. Little Oliver was sent for to amuse the royal guest, and the children becoming intimate, they commenced the usual pastimes of boyhood. They had not played long when a dispute, and afterwards a fight ensued, in which the blood was made to flow from the Prince's nose. Certainly it was the first that was shed during the civil troubles. Cromwell could only have been five years old at the time alleged, and Charles a year younger. There is another story connected with the Pro tector's boyhood, to which the name of Claren don adds some weight.