The sloven was Oliver Cromwell. To those who, like his cousin Hampden, had enjoyed the intimacy of his private life, he had already revealed the strength of his will and the greatness of his genius; and he was then beginning to manifest both to the nation in his parliamentary life. Erelong, in his military and political career, he was to make himself known to the world as the greatest man of his age, but at the same time as a godly Christian.

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CHAPTER III.

SCHISM BETWEEN THE KING AND THE PARLIAMENT.

Conquest of Liberty-Beginning of the War-Cromwell's Frankness -Letter to Barnard-Intervention in Favour of Hapton Parish— Doubtful Advantages-Cromwell's Expedient-Fortune of War changes-Cromwell refuses to take part in Disorderly Living— Death of Hampden-The two Parliaments-Battle of Marston Moor-A Letter and an Episode-Prudence and CompassionCromwell's Military Character-Becomes the Real Chief-Battle of Naseby-The King's Cabinet opened-Storming of BristolGlory to God!-Christian Union-Discipline-Piety-King surrenders to the Scots-Ireton-Cromwell's Letter to his Daughter Bridget-King given up to Parliament-Cromwell's IllnessLetter to Fairfax-Cromwell and his Soldiers-Unity of Man.

THE time had come when one of the noblest victories ever gained by the human race was to be achieved. Constitutional liberty was about to be won for all future ages. This could not be attained without a terrible struggle—without great sacrifices; for it is only by such means, alas! that society advances. The despotism about to be struck down was destined to furnish one distinguished victim. "Charles," says a royalist writer, "struggled ineffectually against the force of things;

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SCHISM BETWEEN THE KING AND THE PARLIAMENT. 63

"the age had outstripped him: it was not his nation. "only, but the whole human race, that dragged him along; he desired what was no longer possible. "The liberty that had been won was first to be "swallowed up in a military despotism that deprived "it of its anarchy; but what was taken from the "fathers was restored to the children, and remained as a final result to England."*

On the 22d of August 1642, at six o'clock in the evening, the King planted the royal standard at Nottingham, and formally called his subjects to arms; but the wind, which was very tempestuous, blew it down the very night it had been set up. At a short distance from the same place, the Earl of Essex was organizing the parliamentary army, in which Cromwell was immediately made a captain.

He inspected his troop without delay, and marked the commencement of his military career by that frankness which is one of the distinctive features of his character. He was unwilling to follow the tortuous and hypocritical path of the Parliamentfight against the King and pretend at the same time that they were marching in his defence. It is Clarendon himself who gives us this information. "Soldiers," said he to his company, "I will not "deceive you, nor make you believe, as my com"mission has it, that you are going to fight for the "King and Parliament."† Cromwell carried his frankness even to rudeness: and this, rather than

Euvres com

Les Quatre Stuards, by M. de Chateaubriand. plètes, vi. + Clarendon, Hist. Rebellion, book x.

duplicity, is the fault we detect in him. He was determined to fight against all whom he found opposed to him, whoever they might be. might be. He continued, according to Clarendon's account: "If the "king were in front of me, I would as soon shoot him "as another; if your conscience will not allow you "to do as much, go and serve elsewhere." These latter words have been doubted; and in truth Clarendon, or rather those from whom he derived the report, may have easily exaggerated what Oliver actually said. But, even if we are to admit the correctness of the report, we may look upon simply as an energetic manner of saying: "Do not "be mistaken: we are fighting against the king."

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Cromwell was not simply a captain: his vigilant eye was everywhere. He knew how to baffle conspiracies, and give sound advice to men whose sentiments differed from his own. Mr Robert Barnard, a gentleman of his acquaintance, but a bad Protestant, was favourable to the royalists, and associated with those who frequented suspicious meetings. Oliver wrote to him, on the 23d of January 1643, a letter of advice, in which we find another proof of his frankness:-"Subtlety may "deceive you; integrity never will. With my heart "I shall desire that your judgment may alter, and

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your practice. I come only to hinder men from "increasing the rent,-from doing hurt; but not "to hurt any man: nor shall I you; I hope you "will give me no cause. If you do, I must be "pardoned what my relation to the public calls

"for."* This language is full of firmness, and at the same time of true charity.

He particularly busied himself with the protection of those who were suffering for their faith. In the county of Norfolk, the parishioners of Hapton were much oppressed by an individual named Browne, for their attachment to the Gospel. On their behalf Cromwell wrote to Mr Thomas Knyvett of Ashwellthorpe, in the following terms: "London, 27th July 1646..........I am bold to "ask your favour on behalf of your honest poor neighbours of Hapton, who, as I am informed, are in some trouble, and are likely to be put to more, by one Robert Browne your tenant, who, "not well pleased with the way of these men, seeks "their disquiet all he may.

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"Truly nothing moves me to desire this more "than the pity I bear them in respect of their honesties, and the trouble I hear they are likely "to suffer for their consciences. And however "the world interprets it, I am not ashamed to "solicit for such as are anywhere under pressure "of this kind; doing even as I would be done by. .......Sir, it will not repent you to protect "these poor men of Hapton from injury and oppression." †

It was in this manner that he manifested his brotherly charity,-" that charity, which," according to Milton, "is the strongest of all affections,

*Letters and Speeches, Carlyle, i. 158.

+ Gentleman's Magazine, 1787. Carlyle's Cromwell, i. 269.