' accounts from the Major-Generals out of divers Counties. "Out of Norfolk it was certified that Cleveland the Poet and one Sherland a wild Parson were apprehended' at Norwich by Colonel Haynes,' the Lord Fleetwood's Substitute in those regions. This is John Cleveland the famed Cantab Scholar, Royalist Judge-Advocate, and thrice-illustrious Satirist and son of the Muses; who had gone through eleven editions' in those times, far transcending all Miltons and all mortals, and does not now need any twelfth edition, that we hear of. Still recognisable for a man of lively parts, and brilliant petulant character; directed, alas, almost wholly to the worship of clothes,-which is by nature a transient one! His good fortune quitted him, I think, nine years ago, when David Lesley took him prisoner in Newark. A stinging satire against the Scots had led Cleveland to expect at least martyrdom on this occasion; but Lesley merely said, "Let the poor knave go and sell his ballads ;"2 and dismissed him,-towards thin diet, and a darkness which has been deepening ever since. Very low, now at Norwich, where he is picked up by Colonel Haynes: Thirty pounds a year;' lives with a gentleman to whom he is giving some instruction ;'-unfortunate son of the Muses. He indites a highflown magnanimous epistle to Cromwell, on this new misfortune; who likewise magnanimously dismisses him,3 to sell his ballads' at what little they will bring. Wednesday, December 12th, 1655. This day in a withdrawing-room at Whitehall,' presided over by his Highness, who is much interested in the matter, was held a Conference concerning the Jews;'4-of which the modern reader too may 1 Newspapers (in Cromwelliana, p. 154); Thurloe, iv. 185. › Life of Cleveland, prefixed to his Poems. 4 Newspapers (in Cromwelliana, p. 154). have heard something. Conference, one of Four Conferences, publicly held, which filled all England with rumour in those old December days; but must now contract themselves into a point for us. Highest official Persons, with Lord Chief Barons, Lord Chief Justices, and chosen Clergy have met here to advise, by reason, Law-learning, Scripture-prophecy, and every source of light for the human mind, concerning the proposal of admitting Jews, with certain privileges as of aliencitizens, to reside in England. They were banished near Four-hundred years ago: shall they now be allowed to reside and trade again? The Proposer is Manasseh Ben Israel,' a learned Portuguese Jew of Amsterdam; who, being stirred up of late years by the great things doing in England, has petitioned one and the other, Long Parliament and Little Parliament, for this object; but could never, till his Highness came into power, get the matter brought to a hearing. And so they debate and solemnly consider; and his Highness spake ;and says one witness, "I never heard a man speak so well." His Highness was eager for the scheme, if so might be. But the Scripture-prophecies, Law-learnings, and lights of the human mind seemed to point another way; zealous Manasseh went home again; the Jews could not settle here except by private sufferance of his Highness;—and the matter contracts itself into a point for us.2 This same Jew-Wednesday, Wednesday the 12th, as a laborious unimportant computation shews, was the 'evening' when Republican Ludlow had the first interview with his Highness and certain of his Council in the Protector's bed 1 Sir Paul Rycaut (in Spence's Anecdotes, p. 77;-as cited by Godwin, iv. 299). 2 Godwin, iv. 243-9.-To Manasseth Ben Israel, a Pension of 1007. per annum, payable quarterly, and commencing 20 February, 1656' (1657): Privy-Seals of Oliver; in Fifth Report of the Deputy Keeper of the Public Records (London, 1844), Appendix ii. p. 263. chamber.'1 Solid Ludlow has been in Ireland; dreadfully sulky ever since this Protectorate began. Solid Ludlow never would acknowledge any Single Person, never he; not though the Single Person "were his own father." He has nevertheless, by certain written engagements,' contrived to get across from Ireland, with much trouble by the road; but will not now give any promise satisfactory to his Highness. "He will "be peaceable; yes, so long as he sees no chance otherwise: "but if he see a chance-!-Should like, notwithstanding, "to breathe a little air in his own country; that is all he is "wanting for the present!" In fact, our solid friend is firm as brass, or oak-timber; altogether obstinate indeed, not to say dogged and mulish. The Protector, who has a respect for the solid man, and whose course is conciliation in such cases, permits him to reside in Essex; keeping his eye upon him. We might speak also of the famed Committee of Trade,' which has now begun its sessions 'in the old House of Lords.' An Assemblage of Dignitaries, Chief Merchants, Political Economists, convened by summons of His Highness; consulting zealously how the Trade of this country may be improved. A great concernment of the Commonwealth, which his Highness is eagerly set upon.' They consulted of 'Swedish Copperas,' and such like; doing faithfully what they could. Of these things we might speak; but prefer to end the year by this small interesting fraction of Domestic Gossip, coming to us in a small flute-voice across the loud Disturbances, which are fallen silent now, more silent now than even it! Sorry only that nobody can inform us who this blameworthy person' in the Lord Henry Cromwell's house is, or what her misdoings are: but the reader, skilled in perennial human nature, can sufficiently supply these, and listen to the ancient small flute-voice with intelligence: 1 Ludlow, ii. 551 et seqq. 2 Whitlocke, p. 618 (2 Nov. 1655). 66 The Lady Mary Cromwell to Henry Cromwell, "Hampton-Court, 7th December, 1655. "DEAR BROTHER,-I cannot be any longer without begging an excuse for my so long silence. You cannot but "hear of my Sister's illness; which indeed has been the only "cause of it. You might justly take it ill otherwise, and "think there were want of that affection I owe unto you. "Indeed, dear Brother, it was a great deal of trouble to "me to think I should give you any occasion to think amiss "of me: for I can truly say it, you are very dear to me; and "it is a great trouble to me to think of the distance we are "from one another; and would be more, if I did not think you are doing the Lord's service ;-and truly that ought to satisfy us, for while we are here, we cannot expect but that "we must be separated. Dear Brother, the Lord direct you “in His ways, and keep your heart close unto Himself. And "I am sure, therein you will have true comfort; and that "will last when all this world shall pass away. 66 you "I cannot but give you some item of One that is with 'you, who, 'it' is so much feared by your friends that love 'you, is some dishonour to you and my dear Sister, if "have not a great care. For it is reported here, that she "rules much in your Family; and truly it is feared that "she is a discountenancer of the Godly People. Therefore, "dear Brother, take it not ill, that I give you an item of her: "for, truly, if I did not love both you and your honour, I "would not give you notice of her. Therefore I hope you "will not take it ill, that I have dealt thus plainly with you. "I suppose you know who it is I mean, therefore I desire to "be excused for not naming her. I desire not to be seen in "it; and therefore desire you that you would not take the "least notice of my writing to you about it: because I was "desired not to speak of it; -nor should I, but that I know "you will not take it amiss from your poor Sister who loves you. "Dear Brother, I take leave to rest-your sister and ser"vant, "MARY CROmwell. "Her Highness1 desires to have her love to you and my "Sister; and my Sister Franke her respects to you both."2 My Sister Franke' and the Lady Mary, these are my 'two little wenches,' grown now to be women; with dresscaps, fresh blossoming hearts, musical glib tongues,—not uninteresting to men! Anthony Ashley Cooper, I am told, is looking towards this Lady Mary; now turned of Eighteen,3 and a desirable match for any youth of ambition,-but not attainable I doubt by Ashley. LETTER CCVIII. He that builds by the wayside has many masters! Henry Cromwell, we perceive by all symptoms, 4 has no holiday task of it; needs energy, vigilance, intelligence,-needs almost unlimited patience, first of all. With a hot proud temper of his own to strive against, too; and is not nine-and-twenty 2 Thurloe, iv. 293. 16 our Mother." a Antea, vol. i. p. 100. * See his Letters to Thurloe: Thurloe, iv. 254-608 (Letters from Nov. 1655 to April 1656). |