But, whatever happen, do you faithfully honour and obey your prince, and adhere to the crown. I charge you never to forsake the crown, though it should hang on a bush." The sons faithfully observed the last commands of their dying parent.

Charles remained some days in the house of Colonel Windham, for it was long before a ship could be found to convey him to France. At last, he heard of one just about to sail from Shoreham in Sussex. After further adventures, and dangers, and escapes, he reached that spot, embarked in safety, and arrived at Fescamp, in Normandy. It was a happy circumstance for him that he was enabled to leave the country at that moment.

Had he

been detained any longer, his detection and seizure would have probably been the consequence; for he was now known to so many persons, that further concealment was almost impossible. And here we will leave Charles for the present, and return to Cromwell, and his affairs at home.

Ireland, as you will remember, had been quieted by the force of Cromwell's arms, and so too had Scotland. The next thing of importance that took place, was a war between England and Holland. There were at that time two celebrated naval commanders; one an Englishman, named Admiral Blake; the

other a Dutchman named Tromp. Between these two there was a great deal of fighting; and many lives and ships were lost on both sides. At first, Tromp had the advantage. He took and destroyed several of the English vessels, drove the rest into the Thames, and then appeared sailing in triumph down the Channel, with a broom at his top-mast head, to intimate that he meant to sweep the English navy from the seas. However, in the next encounter, victory was on the side of Blake, and the Dutch were defeated, after a desperate engagement which lasted three days.

The time was now come, for Cromwell to claim for himself a greater degree of power than he had yet ventured to assume. Some disputes and jealousies arose between himself and the Parliament. He wished for a dissolution, in order that he might form a new Parliament, composed of those who would be of his own views and sentiments; and when he found that the members were determined not to dissolve themselves, he formed the bold resolution of taking the matter into his own hands, and dismissing them by his sole power and authority. So one day, having summoned a party of armed soldiers to attend him, he proceeded to the house of Parliament. He left the soldiers at the door, entered the room, and sat down. He listened quietly for a few

But, whatever happen, do you faithfully honour and obey your prince, and adhere to the crown. I charge you never to forsake the crown, though it should hang on a bush." The sons faithfully observed the last commands of their dying parent.

Charles remained some days in the house of Colonel Windham, for it was long before a ship could be found to convey him to France. At last, he heard of one just about to sail from Shoreham in Sussex. After further adventures, and dangers, and escapes, he reached that spot, embarked in safety, and arrived at Fescamp, in Normandy. It was a happy circumstance for him that he was enabled to leave the country at that moment.

Had he

been detained any longer, his detection and seizure would have probably been the consequence; for he was now known to so many persons, that further concealment was almost impossible. And here we will leave Charles for the present, and return to Cromwell, and his affairs at home.

Ireland, as you will remember, had been quieted by the force of Cromwell's arms, and so too had Scotland. The next thing of importance that took place, was a war between England and Holland. There were at that time two celebrated naval commanders; one an Englishman, named Admiral Blake; the

other a Dutchman named Tromp. Between these two there was a great deal of fighting; and many lives and ships were lost on both sides. At first, Tromp had the advantage. He took and destroyed several of the English vessels, drove the rest into the Thames, and then appeared sailing in triumph down the Channel, with a broom at his top-mast head, to intimate that he meant to sweep the English navy from the seas. However, in the next encounter, victory was on the side of Blake, and the Dutch were defeated, after a desperate engagement which lasted three days.

Some

The time was now come, for Cromwell to claim for himself a greater degree of power than he had yet ventured to assume. disputes and jealousies arose between himself and the Parliament. He wished for a dissolution, in order that he might form a new Parliament, composed of those who would be of his own views and sentiments; and when he found that the members were determined not to dissolve themselves, he formed the bold resolution of taking the matter into his own hands, and dismissing them by his sole power and authority. So one day, having summoned a party of armed soldiers to attend him, he proceeded to the house of Parliament. He left the soldiers at the door, entered the room, and sat down. He listened quietly for a few

minutes to what was going on; then suddenly arose, and began to speak himself. He soon grew warm and angry; he accused the members of injustice and oppression; he told them that their time was come; that God had disowned them, and would find other instruments to accomplish his work. Some one ventured to interrupt, and to remonstrate. Cromwell

instantly silenced him, became very much agitated, and walked to and fro in great anger, crying out, "You are no Parliament; I say, you are no Parliament. Bring them in, bring them in." He stamped with his foot, as a signal; instantly, the door opened, and the soldiers entered. The members were alarmed; Cromwell again began his accusations, and then, turning to the soldiers, commanded them to clear the room. Some were removed from

their seats forcibly; others arose, and moved towards the door of their own accord. All were soon gone. Then Cromwell looked around, and saw the mace lying upon the table. "What shall we do with this fool's bauble?" he asked; "take it away." When the hall was emptied, he went out himself, locked the doors, and returned home. And so ended what is called the Long Parliament, which had existed twelve years.

The army was now the ruling power in the country; and it was soon determined, by a