cept the retreat of the fugitives, by taking possession of the opposite entrance. The surprise was attended with complete success. Four hundred were taken prisoners, of whom three, an officer and two corporals, suffered death; the rest were allowed to return to their respective regiments.

The events now mentioned gave rise to a literary warfare, which was carried on with great spirit by the enemies of the new government. In a pamphlet entitled the "Hunting of the Foxes," the reasoning formerly used by the officers against the parliament, is employed by the agitators with considerable effect against the council of state, who had announced their determination not to listen to petitions from the army. They quote the declarations suggested by Cromwell and Ireton, in which the military leaders told the two Houses that they were not mercenary troops hired to serve any arbitrary power of a state, but were called forth to the defence of their own and the people's just rights and liberties; and therefore, that they would not disband until their complaints had been listened to in parliament, and their just demands complied with to the fullest extent. They conclude, accordingly, "that to be denied the right of address by way of petition to the parliament, and to be tortured, enslaved, and oppressed, and not suffered to complain, but to be tormented and abused for complaining, is the highest cruelty, villany, and slavery that can be imagined-even tyranny at the heightand therefore to be opposed by the soldiery. O Cromwell! O Ireton! how hath a little time and success changed the honest shape of so many officers! Who then would have thought the council would have moved for an act to put men to death for petitioning? Who would have thought to have seen soldiers condemned by their orders to ride with their faces towards their horses' tails, to have their swords broken over their heads, and be cashiered; and that for petitioning and claiming their just right and title

to the same? We were before ruled by a king, Lords, and Commons; now by a general, a court-martial, and House of Commons; and, we pray you, what is the difference? The old king's person, and the old Lords are but removed, and a new king and new Lords, with the Commons, are in one house; and so under a more absolute monarchy than before. We have not the change of a kingdom into a commonwealth; we are only under the old cheat, the transmutation of names, but with the addition of new tyrannies to the old. For the casting out of one unclean spirit, they have brought with them in his stead seven other unclean spirits, more wicked than the former, and they have entered in and dwell there; and the last end of this commonwealth is worse than the first. Was there ever a generation of men so apostate, so false, and so perjured as these? Did ever men pretend a higher degree of holiness, religion, and zeal to God and their country than these? These preach, these fast, these pray, these have nothing more frequent than the sentences of Sacred Scripture, the name of God, and of Christ, in their mouths. You shall scarce speak to Cromwell about any thing, but he will lay his hand on his breast, elevate his eyes, and call God to record; he will weep, howl, and repent, even while he doth smite you under the fifth rib. Captain Joyce and Captain Vernon can tell you sufficient stories to that ̄purpose.

But the affairs of Ireland had appeared of so much importance to the parliament and council of state, that one of their first measures was to appoint Cromwell to the military command of that country. The

The Hunting of the Foxes from Newmarket and Triplow Heaths to Whitehall, by five small Beagles, late of the Armie; Or, the Grandee Deceivers unmasked, that you may know them. Directed to all the Free Commons of England, but in especial to all that have and are still engaged in the military service of the Commonwealth. By Robert Ward, Thomas Watson, Simeon Graunt, George Jellis, and William Sawyer, late members of the army. (1649,)

name of this distinguished general was first mentioned at the former Board, and by them recommended to the House; by both of whom he was unanimously elected to conduct the war against the royalists in that island, as well as to take revenge on the Catholics for the cruelties committed by them in the progress of their rebellion. It is said, that when Oliver presented himself in parliament to accept his new office, he affected surprise at the nomination, and made his acknowledgments with much hesitation and perplexity. He said something, as usual, about his great unworthiness, and even of his inability to undertake so weighty a charge; but, with an amiable inconsistency, of which he was perhaps altogether unconscious, he professed “that the difficulty which appeared in the expedition was his chief motive for engaging in it;" and that though he could hardly expect to prevail over the rebels, he hoped, nevertheless, to preserve to the commonwealth some footing in that kingdom. Dr. Lingard relates, on the authority of Whitelocke and the journals, that when the appointment was offered to Cromwell, he hesitated, and requested that two officers from each corps might meet him at Whitehall, and seek the Lord in prayer. After a delay of two weeks, he condescended to submit his shoulders to the burthen, because he had learned it was the will of Heaven.*

Although no man had greater confidence than Cromwell in his own talents and a good cause, yet he thought it unwise to hazard his reputation without securing adequate means of success. He demanded from the parliament twelve thousand horse and foot, selected by himself from those veterans whom he had taught to conquer every enemy; a plentiful supply of provisions and ammunition; and a military chest containing 100,000l. in ready money. He

*Vol xi. p. 31.

received, in the name of outfit, 30007.; ten pounds a day as general while he remained in England; and 20007. per quarter in Ireland, besides his pay as lordlieutenant.

Being thus furnished with the carnal weapons which he required in the character of a soldier, he next applied for the spiritual armour which became him in the quality of a saint. For this purpose, on the day of his departure, he assembled his friends at Whitehall, where three ministers invoked a blessing on his banners, as about to fight the battle of the Lord against the blinded Roman Čatholics of Ireland. These functionaries were succeeded by three officers, Goff, Harrison, and Cromwell himself, who expounded the Scriptures "excellently well, and pertinently to the occasion." After these outpourings, the lieutenant-general mounted his carriage, drawn by six horses; he was accompanied by the great officers of state and of the army; his life-guard, consisting of eighty young men, all of quality, and several of them holding commissions as majors and colonels, surprised the spectators by their splendid uniforms and gallant bearing; and the streets of the metropolis resounded as he drove towards Windsor, with the acclamations of the populace and the clangor of military music.†

The reader who connects this display of official pomp with the fact that Cromwell, even before the death of Charles, had taken possession of one of the "king's rich beds at Whitehall," will be satisfied that the spiritual humility which distinguished the future Protector did not extend to the trivial matters which belonged to his outward estate.

Mr. Morrice, the author of the life of Lord Orrery, relates an anecdote of the lieutenant-general, which, as it belongs to the period at which we have now

* Council Book, July 12; No 10.

† Whitelocke, 413.

arrived, and illustrates the policy which Oliver delighted to pursue, seems worthy of a place in our narrative. His lordship, we are told, after the murder of the king, gave up all Ireland for lost, and retired into England to a small estate which he possessed in Somersetshire. Resolving, while there, to attempt something for the public good, he applied, through the Earl of Warwick, for a passport to go beyond seas, that he might recruit his health at the waters of Spa in Germany. His real object was to obtain a commission from Charles the Second, collect what money and troops he could raise in foreign countries, and return to Ireland with the view of making a last effort to assist the royalists and recover his own estates.

He had already reached London in order to prosecute his scheme, when a gentleman belonging to Cromwell came to his lodgings to let him know that the general, his master, intended to wait upon him, if he knew but the hour when he would be at leisure to receive him. Much surprised at this, since he had never had any acquaintance with Cromwell, nor ever exchanged a word with him, his lordship told the gentleman he presumed he was mistaken, and that he could not be the person to whom he was sent. The other answered, he was sent to Lord Broghil-at that time the title of Lord Orrery-and therefore if he was that lord, he was sent to him. His lordship, finding, therefore, that there was no mistake, desired the messenger to present his humble service to the general, and to let him know that he would himself wait upon him when informed of his convenience; upon which the gentleman departed. Lord Broghil, in the mean time, was mightily concerned what Oliver's business with him should be. While yet musing on the subject Cromwell came to him; and after mutual salutations, told him he had a great kindness and respect for his lordship, and therefore he was come to acquaint him with someVOL. II.-B