conduct of countless individuals, of whom many were returned as the popular representatives in Parliament. Strong natural faculties, united with ardent imaginations, as they were the most likely to become prominent in such times, were the most readily selected for this service by men, whose own feelings were strong, and who beheld in such representatives the fit vehicles of their expression. Assembled under these concurrent circumstances, the Commons, (though at first more willing to contest than hoping to obtain) being taught by the weakness of the monarch, at length looked around on the nation, and on each other, with the heartfelt assurance of a sympathetic, undefined, but irrepressible elation and expansion in the minds of all. In one auspicious moment, they became conscious of their whole strength; they saw that they united zeal, judgment, and capacity, sufficient to work out the restoration of their liberties in their own persons; they no longer required the intervention of a band of nobles, to shield them from the rays of majesty, when approaching its sanctuary, and requiring its compliance with their just demands; and intuitively perceiving, that changes of the most important character HAD taken place, in the constitution—in the great body of the peoplein themselves—they rightly imputed the former

to the culpable ambition of their princes; but they erred in ascribing the latter to a cause religious for the most part rather than political; to a divine breathing on the country in their times, rather than to the natural aspirations of long dormant LIBERTY, now re-awakened, and on the eve of being restored, by GENERAL

OLIVER CROMWELL,

AND

HIS TIMES.

The Notes in this volume are arranged with a view to convenience in the perusal. When intimately connected with, or forming in fact a continuation of the subject matter from which they refer, (and not too long) they are placed at the foot of the page: when their connection with the text is remote, or when, from their length, or too frequent recurrence, they might prove disagreeable interruptions to the reader, the reference (by letters) is to their situation in the Appendix.

CHAPTER I.

FROM CROMWELL'S BIRTH TO HIS APPEARANCE

IN PARLIAMENT.

Brief View of his General Character-Birth and DescentJuvenilia-Enters the University of Cambridge-Early Irregularities-Marriage Supposed to become a Brewer at Huntingdon-Is twice elected a Member for that Borough -Moderate Conduct in Parliament.

Of all men living at the era of political and religious conflict just described, Oliver Cromwell was perhaps the best calculated, not merely to ride in the whirlwind and direct

the storm,' but to direct it so as invariably to promote his own advantages. Himself, past doubt, both a political and religious enthusiast, he was certain, from that circumstance alone, of securing the consideration, applause, and hearty services, of numbers; and, being at the same time gifted with a very extraordinary portion of a most opposite quality, self-command, he could instantly, when his interests. required it, bid the current of his own feelings subside, while he continued to avail himself of the full tide of those of others. By turns sincere, and a hypocrite; a religionist, and a zealous worldling; a man of gravity, and (almost) a buffoon; a preacher, and a punster; a clown, and a gentleman; stately, and familiar; slovenly, and precise; an orator, and without words to express himself;-cautious, and yet enterprizing; ardent, and yet methodical ; ready, and yet invariably politic;—his very defects were made to turn to his account, almost equally with his admirable qualities; and, by nearly literally becoming all things to all men,' he contrived to elevate himself above all his competitors.

This most singular combination of contradictions in mortal mould, was born at Huntingdon, April 25th, 1599, (a) of a good family, both by his father's and mother's side. Milton tells us, he "was descended of an house noble