tured into prosperity at home the arts and occupations properly belonging to profound national tranquillity, (of which it ever maintained an outward semblance), calls indeed for our wonder and admiration, and excites a feeling akin to awe. But, hearing also that such a man appealed to the compassion of his contemporaries, on account of the difficulties with which he was encompassed; and that, when charged with his tyrannical excesses, he pathetically asked, 'What would you have one in my station do?' -we are tempted to reply for them, (though the reply in his case were certainly too severe), Sir, we would have nobody in your station. To vindicate murder, from the necessity of committing it in order to conceal robbery, is to argue like a murderer and a robber. But it is honest logic to answer, Do not rob, and then you need not to be tempted to murder: but if you will do one, and consequently both, remember that punishment does or ought to follow crimes; and the more crimes the more punishment. If, by a repetition of crimes, you become too mighty to be punished, you must be content to be accursed and abhorred as an enemy to the human race; you must expect to have all men for your enemies, as you are an enemy to all men: and, since you make sport of the lives and liberties of

CHAPTER. XII.

Petition

FROM THE MEETING OF THE SECOND PARLIAMENT OF THE PROTECTORATE, TO CROMWELL'S DEATH. Composition of the Second Parliament-The Protector's Re fusal to Approve a Number of the Members-Their Conse quent Exclusion-Remonstrance of the Excluded-Pro ceedings of Parliament-Appointment of High Courts of Justice-Origin and History of such Extraordinary Courts -The Parliament's 'Petition and Advice' to the Protector to Assume the Title of KING-Conferences on the SubjectDelays and Difficulties-Military Petition against Monarchy-Cromwell REFUSES THE CROWN-A House of Lords constituted, and the Protector empowered to Appoint a Successor-Reflections on these Articles of the and Advice' Second Inauguration-Admission of the Excluded Members-Death of Admiral Blake-The Commons' Contemptuous Treatment of the Upper House-Dissolution of the Parliament-Fifth-Monarchy Men's PlotRoyalist Plot--High Court of Justice-Execution of Dr. Hewett and Sir Henry Slingsby-Gallantry of the English on the Continent-Capitulation of Dunkirk-Firmness of the Protector with Cardinal Mazarine-Arrival of a French Ambassador-Decay of Cromwell's Health and Mental Powers-Decease of the Lady Elizabeth Claypole, and Remarks upon Lord Clarendon's Relation of that EventReligious Enthusiasm of Cromwell in his last Illness-He Declares His Son Richard his Successor His Prayer on the Night preceding his Dissolution-His DEATH-Welwood's Sketch of his Person and Character.

FROM the experience of what was to be expected from parliaments, which Cromwell

had acquired by his first, it was not probable that he would call another, at least until the period when compliance with the Instrument of Government would require it. But the expences of the Spanish war were such, as he deemed it imprudent to attempt to meet by levies made by his own authority alone; and he besides hoped it might not prove altogether impossible, by management, to procure the return of such members alone as he could trust. He had unfortunately found, that a free parliament, assembled beneath such a sway, and in such times, as his, would almost necessarily prove factious: he therefore made use of every art of influence, although he would not employ money, (of which he was too careful); in order this time to get a parliament that should be useful to him. He was successful in a very eminent degree. Not only was the full comple. ment for Scotland and Ireland, with the exception of three members from the latter country, obtained to his liking; but his kinsmen, dependants, placemen, or officers, to the number of 182, were returned for various counties and places in England. Still, however, there were ninety-eight members sent up, as it were in spite of him, by his English subjects, who were zealous republicans, or anti-courtiers, and likely to give much interruption to the business and designs of his government. How to dispose of

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these became, therefore, his consideration: and, it must be confessed, he hit upon an expedient altogether without parallel in our history; for he actually resolved to prevent their taking their seats!

With this design, when the members, (on the 17th of September, 1656,) after meeting him at the Abbey, and afterward in the Painted Chamber, repaired to the House, they were stopped at the doors by a party of the military, in the mean time stationed there; and no one permitted to enter, who could not produce a certificate, signed by the Clerk of the Commonwealth in Chancery, that he was returned to serve in this present Parliament, and approved by the Council.' Properly indignant at this usage, a majority of the excluded representatives next day addressed a letter to the Speaker, Sir Thomas Widdrington, stating the manner of their being kept back by soldiers,' and desiring to be admitted. The letter having been read, the House ordered the Clerk of the Commonwealth to attend them on the following morning with all the indentures of returns of Knights, Citizens, and Burgesses; and having, by means of these, pro forma, ascertained the absence of the complaining members, the Clerk was asked by what authority they had been excluded. He, of course, naming the Protector's Council, the Council were next applied to for