no fear of death then, yet he was constantly in terror of death now. He went nowhere unguarded; he wore armour under his clothing, and always carried a sword, and a pistol. He never slept two nights together in the same room; and no one ever knew in what room he intended to sleep; and at night he placed sentinels at his door, and took care that there should be a way of escape in case of any sudden attack. This constant anxiety of mind, in time affected his body, and his health began to decline. Religion, which he had so long professed, appears to have given him no consolation, in this his time of weakness and sorrow. If indeed he had only professed it, it could not afford him any solid ground of comfort. At last, a dangerous illness seized him. His physicians soon saw that death must be its termination; but Cromwell himself had a strong belief that he should be restored to health; and he said to them confidently, "I tell you, I shall not die; I am well assured that I shall recover." But in this he was deceiving himself; he grew worse and worse, and sank into a state of insensibility. Then, his council, in alarm, sent a deputation to him to know his will with respect to his successor; for the power of appointing a successor had been granted to him when he was first made Protector. But Cromwell's senses

had now left him, and he was unable to understand or to answer the question addressed to him. Then he was asked again, whether his son Richard should succeed him; and some of those who stood around heard, or fancied they heard, the word "Yes," faintly uttered by the dying man. He expired shortly after, and Richard Cromwell was declared Protector in his room.

It soon became evident that a change in the form of government must take place. Richard Cromwell was a very different character from his father. He was a young man without ambition, and of little capacity for business or public affairs. He had never been entrusted by the late Protector with any matter of importance; but had passed his time in the country, and amused himself with rural sports and pursuits. It was not likely therefore that he should be able now to carry on the government of a large country; and in a few months he willingly resigned the Protectorship, and retired again into private life. He spent some time on the continent, and afterwards returned to England, where he lived to a great age, in comparative obscurity, but free from that anxiety which so imbittered the latter years of his more

celebrated father.

And now, the country began to feel the want of a fixed and settled form of government; for

the rule of the Parliament had become exceedingly disliked by the great body of the nation. Charles was the lawful heir of the long vacant throne; and a strong party was fully prepared to invite him back to England, and to welcome him as king. The restoration of Charles II, was planned by the royalists, and General Monk was the person who was chiefly concerned in bringing about this event.

Monk had always been attached to the king's side; but during the time of Cromwell's Protectorate, he had served in the army under the Parliament. Now, however, the period seemed to have arrived for bringing back the former mode of government; and Monk rejoiced to be once more engaged in support of the royal cause. But he arranged all his plans with great secrecy and caution, and indeed this was necessary in order to ensure his success. He then left Scotland, where he had been hitherto, and proceeded with his army to England. No one was fully acquainted with the exact object he had in view; but it was generally known that he was going to attempt some reformation of the Parliament. As he passed through the country, many of the principal inhabitants came to him with addresses, expressing a hope that he would restore to them the privileges of which they had been so long deprived, and particularly that he would adopt means for

electing a new Parliament which would govern according to law. Monk arrived in London; he was introduced to the Parliament, and had an amicable interview with the members. He pressed upon them the necessity of taking measures to satisfy the wishes of the nation; and though he could not bring them over to his own views, he yet negociated so wisely that, in a very short time, a dissolution of the Parliament took place, and a new one was formed, to the great joy of the people of London; for they now began to hope that better days, days of peace and justice, were really approaching.

The members of this new Parliament were mostly royalists, and General Monk saw that the time was come for him to carry out his plan for the restoration of the king. One day therefore, when he thought the way was clear before him, he gave directions to the president of the Council to inform the Parliament, that Sir John Granville, a servant of the king, had been sent over with a letter from his Majesty to the House of Commons, and that he was now waiting at the door. Sir John Granville was called in; the letter was read, and orders were given that it should be published immediately. This letter contained a declaration from the king, promising a general amnesty to all parties, and liberty of conscience; and it gave very general satisfaction. An invitation

was sent to Charles, without loss of time, entreating him to come and take the government into his own hands; and preparations were made for welcoming him with every token of affection and respect.

Charles was soon on his way to England. He landed at Dover, and was there met by General Monk, who had been, as we have seen, the chief cause of his restoration; and very cordial was the salutation which took place between the loyal subject and his grateful sovereign. Monk had indeed well deserved the thanks of his royal master. And there were many others to share the joyful feelings of that day. Crowds assembled to welcome back the king, and to testify their loyalty by shouts and congratulations. The mayor of Dover came forward, and presented his staff, the badge of his office. Then he offered the king a magnificent Bible, which Charles accepted, saying that he loved it above all things in the world. A splendid canopy was raised, under which he stood, and talked with General Monk and others, until the stately coach appeared which was to convey him to Canterbury. A bright and happy day was that 29th of May, 1660; and you know that we still commemorate its anniversary, and celebrate, as the year rolls round, the Restoration of Charles II.