of which there was a large proportion, yet did he exceed in tendernesse towards sufferers. A larger soul, I thinke, hath seldome dwelt in a house of clay than his was. I do believe, if his story were impartially transmitted, and the unprejudiced world wel possest with it, she would add him to her nine worthies, and make up that number a decemviri. He lived and dyed in comfortable communion with God, as judicious persons neer him wel observed."

Mr. Maidston, in the rest of this letter, writes freely of Cromwell's public measures.

Whitelock's foregiven account of Cromwell's taking the Great Seal from himself and Sir Thomas Widdrington, for declining to execute the ordinance for regulating the practice of the court of chancery, and soon afterwards appointing them commissioners of the treasury, describes him as "good natured, and sensible of this harsh proceeding, for keeping to that liberty of conscience which himself held to be every one's right, and that none ought to suffer for it; and as then in tending to make some recompense to them, by giving them this appointment."

All these instances fully prove the humanity and kindness of Cromwell's disposition.

Cromwell's supposed religious hypocrisy is the grand instrument of attack; it is a favourite weapon in Lord Clarendon's hands; and has been adopted, without examination, by Mr. Hume, and by every

subsequent writer to His Lordship to the present day.

It is certainly the readiest and surest mode of destroying character, inasmuch as it is the attribution, without the labour of proof, of ambitious, base, and unworthy motives to the best actions, under a religious mask.

CHAPTER IX.

CROMWELL'S PUBLIC CHARACTER. REPRESENTS CAMBRIDGE IN THE PARLIAMENT OF 3D APRIL, 1640, AND IN THE SUCCEEDING PARLIAMENT OF 3D NOVEMBER FOLLOWING, BEING THE LONG PARLIAMENT.

IS IMMEDIATELY PUT LORD CLARENDON'S OB

SERVATIONS UPON HIS SUPPOSED BOISTEROUS MANNERS

CONSIDERED. -
CONSIDERATIONS OF SOME OF THE CAUSES
OF THE CONTEST BETWEEN THE KING AND HIS PARLIA-
MENT. THE FIRST OPPOSERS OF THE COURT'S MEASURES.

COMPLAINTS OF GRIEVANCES.

THE DIFFICULTY OF RECONCILIATION FROM THE WANT OF MUTUAL CONFIDENCE. THE EARL OF BRISTOL'S SPEECH, RECOMMEND

ING ACCOMMODATION.

BILL FOR VESTING THE POWER

OF THE MILITIA IN THE PARLIAMENT. - LUDLOW'S OBSERVATIONS UPON THIS MEASURE, AND UPON THE KING'S ATTEMPT TO SEIZE THE FIVE MEMBERS.

UPON HIS

UPON HIS ATTEMPT UPON

WITHDRAWING TO YORK.
HULL.-UPON THE PARLIAMENT'S PROPOSITIONS SENT TO
THE KING, AND HIS REJECTION OF THEM. AND HIS
SETTING UP HIS STANdard at NOTTINGHAM.

Ir is unnecessary to say more of Cromwell's private character: even Lord Clarendon does not charge him with any one vicious or immoral act in his private life. And it might have been reasonably hoped and expected, that this irreproachableness of life and manners might have led to a more favourable construction of the views and motives

of his public conduct. But herein he meets with no mercy. His public character comes next to be considered.

On the 25th March, 1640, Cromwell was chosen one of the representatives of the town of Cambridge in the short Parliament that commenced the 3d April following.

The following extracts have been most obligingly permitted to be made from the records of the Corporation of Cambridge.

In the Common Day-book of the Corporation of Cambridge are the following entries.

"Villa Cantabr. dies comm'is lectime sum ibidem tent die Martis septimo die Januarii, anno Regni dni nri Caroli Dei gra. nunc Regis Ang. &c. decimo quinto, 1639.

"Oliverus Cromwell de Huntingdon in com. Hunt. Ar. ad requisitione maioris ville sedm antiquam consuetud ville predte noitut heat libtatem ville predce gratis et solvet pix 1d. pauper et jur. est."

“25 March, 1640, Thomas French, gen Maior. "This day, the greatest part of the burgesses of this town being present in the Guild-Hall, have chosen for burgesses, for the next ensuing Parliament for this town, Thomas Meautys, Esq'. & Oliver Cromwell, Esq."

In the preceding Parliament of 1628, the above

Mr. Meautys and Mr. Thomas Purchas, alderman, were the members for Cambridge.

The above Parliament of the 3d April having been dissolved, and another called to meet on the 3d November in the same year, being the Long Parliament, the following entry appears :

"Com" day, 14 Oct'. 16 Charles.

"This day a letter was read, that was sent from the Right Hono1. John Lord Finch, Lo. Keep. of the Great Seal of England, and High Steward of this town, the tenor whereof is as follows:

"To my verie loveing friends, M'. Maior of Cambr. Alder", his brethren, and the rest of the Corporation.

"After my verie hartie commendacons unto yo".

"I must, in the first place, give you manie thanks for that expression of your love and respect unto me, which I found at my being with you. And I shall pray you to rest assured, that nothing in my power shall be wanting, whereby I may give you assurance how ready I shall ever be to requite your love with my indeavours for the good of your corporation upon all occasions. hath pleased His Majesty to somon a Parliament to be holden at Westminster, the third of November, and I hope it will be a happy one. The last Parliament I recommended unto you my cosen

It