throughout the whole nation, the higher and better informed classes were averse to the intemperate policy which the Parliamentary leaders at that period thought proper to adopt. The kingdom was thus divided into two great bodies, the Roundheads and the Cavaliers, according as they avowed their attachment to the new principles of freedom, or to the interests of monarchy. The origin of the former term is thus explained by Mrs Hutchinson, in her memoirs of her husband: "When puritanism grew into a faction, and the zealots distinguished themselves, both men and women, by several affectations of habit, looks, and words, which, had it been a real declension of vanity, and embracing of sobriety in all those things, had been most commendable in them; but their quick forsaking of those things, when they were where they would be, showed that they either never took them up for conscience, or were corrupted by their prosperity to take up those vain things which they durst not practise under persecution. Among other affected habits, few of the Puritans, what degree soever they were of, wore their hair long enough to cover their ears, and the ministers and many others cut it close round their heads, with so many little peaks, as was something ridiculous to behold; whereupon Cleveland in his Hue and Cry after them begins,

With hair in character and luggs in text,' &c.

"From this custom of wearing their hair, that name of Roundhead became the scornful term given to the whole Parliament party, whose

name.

army indeed marched out so, but as if they had been sent out only till their hair was grown; two or three years after, any stranger that had seen them would have enquired the reason of that The godly party of those days, when he (Mr Hutchinson) joined their party, would not allow him to be religious, because his hair was not in their cut, nor his words in their phrase, nor such little formalities altogether fitted to their humour, who were many of them so weak as to esteem men rather for such insignificant circumstances, than for solid piety, wisdom, and courage."

But it must not be concealed that, associated with the extravagance and affectation which deformed a large portion of English society, there was much sound principle, virtue, and patriotism. On both sides we see many things worthy of admiration. On the one hand, a brave and intelligent people are about to take the field in the cause of liberty, upon which the recent practice of the government had unquestionably made some serious encroachments; and, on the other, a generous nobility, supported by the great body of the minor barons of the kingdom, present themselves in the attitude of defending their sovereign against the fury of democratical ambition, which threatened to tread the crown and sceptre in the dust. If on either part there was an error, it arose from the undue intensity of a laudable motive. As in the physical constitution of the atmosphere, the principles which compose the invisible fluid which ministers to life may, by a slight excess of one of the ingredients, be converted into a most virulent poison;

so in the temper of the British people, at that important crisis, the infusion of an intemperate zeal for matters of inferior consequence, precipitated the most virtuous nation in Europe into the miseries of a civil war.

It is somewhat remarkable, that Oliver Cromwell seems to have been the first who took steps to prepare for actual hostilities. Early in the year 1642, he sent down arms to his native county, and seized the royal magazine in the castle of Cambridge. Shortly afterwards, upon hearing that the university meant to forward their plate to the king, he made haste to intercept it, at the head of a body of horsemen whom he induced to place themselves under his command. Doubts have indeed been expressed as to his success on this occasion. In a tract denominated the Querela Cantabrigiensis, it is said that "Master Cromwell, burgess for the town of Cambridge, and then newly turned a man of war, was sent down, as himself confessed, by his masters above, at the invitation of his masters below, to gather what strength he could, and stop all passages that no plate might be sent; but his designs being frustrated, and his character as an active subtile man thereby somewhat shaken, he hath ever since bent himself to work what revenge and mischief he could against us. In pursuit whereof, before that month was expired, down he comes again in a terrible manner with what forces he could draw together, and surrounds diverse colleges while we were at our devotion in our several chapels, taking away prisoners several doctors of divinity, heads of colleges, and these he carries with him to Lon

don in triumph." There is an entry in the Journals of the House of Commons, dated 18th August, 1642, stating that a committee was appointed to prepare "an order for the indemnity of Mr Cromwell and Mr Walton, and those that have or shall assist them in the stoppage of the plate that was going from Cambridge to York." But there is an ambiguity even in the terms of this authentic notice, which leaves the point undetermined; probability, however, leans to the opinion of those who think that part, at least, of the contribution of the university was actually seized by this sturdy partisan, and added to the treasures of the Parliament.

It would appear, too, that he had suggested the expediency of training the inhabitants to military exercises, of associating the eastern counties for mutual defence, and of watching with unremitting vigilance the movements of the opposite party.

In the journals just quoted, we find it ordered, that " Mr Cromwell do move the Lord-Lieutenant for the county of Cambridge, to grant his deputation to some of the inhabitants of the town of Cambridge, to train and exercise the inhabitants of that town."

There is some obscurity, it must be owned, as to the date and the authority of his first commission, for be is found actively employed in the service of the Parliament before the armies on either side were supplied with commanders. But no sooner was the royal standard erected, than he proceeded under a regular warrant to take a share in the fatigues and responsibility of the approaching war. He raised a troop of

horse among his friends in the country, where he may be said to have exercised a sort of independent command for the security of the adjoining districts. His popularity and success soon brought to him a great accession of recruits, so that his troop gradually increased into a regiment amounting to a thousand men. . From the very first, Cromwell displayed some of the best qualities of a soldier and commanding officer. The materials, indeed, of his regiment were excellent, and wanted nothing to render them invincible, but the discipline which their colonel delighted to enforce. Whitlocke informs us, that most of the men were freeholders and freeholders' sons, who upon matter of conscience engaged in this quarrel; and being thus well armed within by the satisfaction of their own consciences, and without by good iron arms, they would as one man stand firmly, and charge desperately. Heath mentions a fact, in which he is supported by other writers, which shows that Cromwell did not consider that all men who are actuated by good motives must necessarily prove heroes in the field. "Upon the first muster of his troop, having privily placed twelve resolute fellows in an ambuscade, (it being near some of the king's garrisons,) upon a signal at the appointed time the same ambush, with a trumpet sounding, galloped furiously towards the main body of their comrades, of whom some twenty instantly fled out of fear and dismay, and were glad the forfeiture was so cheap and easy." Ashamed of their childish and disgraceful conduct, they had not confidence to ask to be allowed the honour of remaining in the corps,