valor and devout intelligence, energy, and delicacy, on a basis of simplicity. Fifty-four years old gone April last; brown hair and moustaches are getting grey. A figure of sufficient impressiveness-not lovely to the man-milliner species, nor pretending to be so. Massive stature—big, massive head, of somewhat leonine aspect -wart above the right eyebrow-nose of considerable blunt-aquiline proportions-strict, yet copious lips, full of all tremulous sensibilities, and also, if need were, of all fierceness and rigor: deep, lowering eyes, (call them grave, call them stern,) looking from under those craggy brows, as if in life-long sorrow, and yet, not thinking it sorrow-thinking it only labor and endeavor: on the whole, a right, noble, lion-face and hero-face, and to me royal enough.' "The instrument of government," by which he was to be guided, contained forty-two articles, and was read by Lambert. This new constitution for England, provided, first, that "the supreme legislative authority, should be in one person and the people in parliament represented; and that person be Lord-Protector." He was to be assisted by a council of State, consisting of not more than twenty-one, and not less than thirteen, persons. He was to have control of all the land and sea forces, grant commissions, bestow honors, &c., &c. He could not repeal, or alter any law, without the sanction of parliament, which should be assembled at least once in three years, and sit five months. This parliament was to be composed of four hundred mem. * Vide Carlyle, vol. ii., page 65. 1653.] THE PROTECTORATE. 369 bers; and the representation to be proportioned as near as possible to the taxation. Ireland and Scotland were allowed, each, thirty. It was to assemble September, 1654; and, in the interim, Cromwell and his council. were to govern the State. When the result was announced to the people, shouts of "Long live the PROTECTOR!" rent the air; and he drove back in great pomp to Whitehall. CHAPTER XII. THE PROTECTORATE. From December, 1653, to the Second Protectorate Parliament, September, 1657-Ordinances Issued by Cromwell-Henry Cromweil goes to Ireland-Character of the New Government-Peace Abroad -Respect Shown to the Protector-Sycophancy of Dr. SouthAssembling of Parliament-Its Unjustifiable and Dangerous Proceedings-Noble Address of Cromwell-Submission of Parliament-Its Acts-Cromwell Thrown from His Carriage-Death of His Mother -The West Indian Expedition-Dissolution of Parliament-Cromwell's Arbitrary Course-The Major-Generals-Persecution of the Vaudois, and Noble Interference of Cromwell-Milton-Cromwell Champion of Protestantism-Assembling of the New Parliament. BETWEEN the 16th of December, 1653, and the 3d of December, 1654, when the new parliament was to assemble, Cromwell and his council had permission to pass such ordinances as they might deem beneficial; and they made free use of it. Sixty were issued—the most important of which, in relation to civil matters, were those fixing the law of treason-arranging the revenue-providing for the union of the two kingdoms, Scotland and England-granting grace and oblivion to offenders-regulating the manner .of choosing the Irish and Scotch members for the new parliament, and reforming the chancery. But, there were two affecting the church, which ranked still higher-one, appointing, as grand commis 1654.] PLOTS AGAINST HIS LIFE. 371 sioners, thirty-eight, to try public preachers; and the other, instituting a similar commission in every county, for the ejection of "scandalous, ignorant, and inefficient ministers." The duties of the latter were distinctly marked out; and they commenced their work of purgation in a way that evinced the purity of their intentions. This leading measure shows the drift of Cromwell's mind, to which we have frequently alluded. But, at this time, he was treading on dangerous ground-he had before incurred the hatred of both Presbyterians and royalists; and now, the title of Lord-Protector, drove away the more ardent republicans in the Independent party, who, hitherto, had clung faithfully to him. Harrison,* disappointed and angry, would not recognize his authority; and was, therefore, stripped of his rank, and sent into the country, with the injunction to be quiet. Anabaptists and levellers conspiring together, were arrested, and thrown into the Tower;the command of the troops placed in the hands of those whom he could trust; while Monk was sent to Scotland, to quell the republican spirit in the army there. Henry Cromwell was ordered to Ireland, to superintend matters in that portion of the realm, and immediately imparted to every department of government a vigor to which it had long been a stranger. The royalists, in the meantime, laid plots to murder the Protector: Charles, II., from his secure exile in * This able, but visionary officer, has been sadly belied by historians. Paris, issued a proclamation, offering a reward of £500 per annum, a colonel's rank in the army, "and other rewards suitable, to any one who would kill a certain base mechanical fellow, by name, Oliver Cromwell, who had, by most wicked and accursed means, traitorously usurped the throne:" but every attempt proved unsuccessful. The assassins were seized in their beds, and their plots divulged; for Cromwell had his spies and friends in every place. He comprehended the danger which surrounded him; and stood prepared to meet it, in whatever shape it might come. On the very morning the treaty with Portugal, which had been long under contemplation, was closed, the head of the ambassador's brother, who had killed an Englishman in the streets, rolled on the scaffold. In this stern manner did he treat his enemies both at home and abroad, and gave the world to understand what kind of a government he designed to administer. France, frightened into respect, courted his favor. Envoys and ambassadors from almost every court of Europe, flocked to England; and "all the kings of the earth prostrated themselves before this idol." His family-his aged mother, and beloved daughters, (Lady Claypole, Mary, and Frances,) were now removed to Whitehall; and the Lord-Protector had a household about him that would not have disgraced any king.* *"Cromwell had nine children-seven of whom, three sons and four daughters, came to maturity. Frances was the youngest daughter, and it was said that Charles II. wished to marry her, in order to recover his dominions; and a proposal to that effect was made to Crom |