will, that's best, to wch submittinge, I rest your
humble servant,
O. CROMWELL."

vertue and godlinesse has soe great a place in my harte that I thinke fitt not to neglect anyThis refers to the opening of the negotiation. thinge on my parte which may conduce to conMr. Major appears to have broken it off, how-summate a close of the businesse, if God please ever, for some secret reason of objection. A to dispose the younge ones' hartes thereunto, year after overtures began again, "Mr. Robin- & other suitable orderinge affaires towards son, a preacher at Southampton," having been mutuall satisfaction appeare in the dispensation apparently selected for the purpose, either by of Providence. For which purpose, and to the the still love-sick Richard, or by the second end matters may be brought to as neer an issue and wiser thoughts of Mr. Major himself. To as they are capable of (not being at libertie, by Mr. Robinson, Cromwell thus writes on the 1st reason of publique occasions, to waite upon you, of February, 1648. nor, as I understand, your health permittinge), I thought fitt to send this gentleman, Mr. Stapleton, instructed with my minde to see how neer wee may come to an understandinge one of another therein; & although I could have wished the consideration of thinges had beene between us two, it beinge of soe neer concernement, yet Providence for the present not allowinge, I desier you to give him credence on my behalfe. Sr, all thinges which yourselfe & I had in conference at Farnham doe not occur to my memorie thorough multiplicitie of businesse interveninge, I hope I shall, with a very free harte, testifie my readinesse to that which may be expected from me. I have noe more at present, butt desiringe the Lorde to order this affair to his glory & the comfort of his servants, I rest, Sr, your humble servant, O. CROMWELL."

"S-I thanke you for your kinde letter. As to the businesse you mention, I desire to use this plainnesse with you. When the last overture was betweene me and Mr. Major, by the mediation of Coll. Norton, after the meetinge I had with Mr. Major at Farnham, I desired the Coll. (findinge, as I thought, some scruples and hesitation in Mr. Major) to knowe of him whether his minde was free to the thinge or not. Coll. Norton gave me this accompt, that Mr. Major, by reason of some matters as they then stood, was not very free thereunto, whereupon I did acquiesce, submittinge to the providence of God. Upon your revivinge of the businesse to me, & your letter, I thinke fitt to returne you this answear, & to say in plainnesse of spirit to you, That upon your testimonie of the gentlewoman's worth & the common reporte of the pietie of the familie, I shall be willinge to entertaine the renewinge of the motion upon such considerations as may be to mutuall satisfaction, only I thinke that a speedie resolution will be very convenient to both parties. The Lorde direct all to his glory. I desier your prayers therein, and rest your very affectionate friend, O. CROMWELL."

Negotiations thicken, and Cromwell appears somewhat shrewd and calculating, and conveniently forgetful, in his next missive, dated the 8th of March, 1648, to his "worthie friend" Mr. Major.

downe unto you myselfe. I have sent unto you this gentleman with my mind. I salute Mrs. Major, though unknowne, with the rest of your family. I commit you, with the progresse of the businesse, to the Lorde, and rest, Sr, your assured friend to serve you, O. CROMWELL."

SB,-Yours I have receaved, & have given further instructions to this bearer, Mr. Stapleton, to treate with you about the businesse in agitation betweene your daughter and my sonn. And eleven days after, I find the following I am ingag'd to you for all your civilities, & letter written to Mr. Major himself, describing respects already manifested. I trust there will passages of the interval. "SB,-I receaved be a right understandinge betweene us and a some intimations formerly, & by the last re- good conclusion; and though I cannot particuturne from Southampton a letter from Mr. Rob- larly remember the thinges spoken off at Farninson, concerninge the revivinge the last yeare's ham, to which your letter seemes to referre me, motion touchinge my sonn and your daughter. yett I doubt not butt I have sent the offer of Mr. Robinson was alsoe pleased to send inclo- such thinges now, which will give mutuall satsed in his a letter from you to him, bearinge isfaction to us both. My attendance upon pubdate the 5th of this instant February, wherein Ilique affairs will not give me leave to come finde your willingnesse to entertaine any good meanes for the compleatinge of that businesse. From whence I take encouragement to send my sonn to wayte upon you, & by him to lett you knowe that my desiers are (if Providence soe dispose) very full & free to the thinge, if upon an interview theire prove alsoe a freedom in the younge persons thereunto. What libertie you will give heerein I wholly submit to you. I thought fitt, in my letter to Mr. Robinson, to mention somewhat of expedition, because indeed I knowe not how soone I may be called into the feild, or other occasions may remove me from hence, havinge for the present some libertie of stay in London. The Lord direct all to his glorie. I rest, Sr, yr very humble servant, O. CROMWELL." Again, to his "very worthie friend" Mr. Major, on the 26th of February, the lieutenant-general writes yet more characteristically. S, -I receaved yours by Mr. Stapleton, together with an account of the kinde reception & the many civilities afforded them, especially to my sonn in the libertie given him to waite upon your worthie daughter, the report of whose

The next letter, after an interval of eight days, is a long one, and shows that the lieutenant-general arranged a marriage for his son as he would have manœuvred a battle for the Commonwealth. It is scrawled over, in what seems to be Mr. Major's handwriting, L. G. Cromwell's letter of exceptions," and truly very formidable exceptions they are, and put with an air of probably unconscious egotism, as though his conveniences should, as a matter of course, be paramount.

"S",-I receaved your paper by the handes of Mr. Stapleton. I desier your leave to returne my dissatisfaction therewith. I shall not neede to premise how much I have desired (I hope upon the best groundes) to match with you; the same desier still continues in me, if Providence see it fitt. Butt I may not be soe much

affectionate servant, O. CROMWELL. I desier my service may be presented to your ladie and daughters."

The interview followed, Mr. Major no doubt supposing that anything would be preferable to letters of this sort. The interview seems to have been only partially satisfactory, however, and in the next letter of the series, to his friend Norton, there is a curious allusion to some personal objections to himself which Mr. Major would appear to have urged. The date of this is the 28th of March, 1648.

wantinge to myselfe nor familie as not to have myselfe as I doe in the point of monies, and some equalitie of consideration towards it. I soe willinglie to complie in other thinges. Butt have two younge daughters to bestowe, if God give if I should not insist as before, I should in a them life and oportunitie.* Accordinge to your greater measure denie both my owne reason offer, I have nothinge for them, nothinge at all and the advise of my friends than were meete; in hand. If my sonn dye, what consideration which I may not doe. Indeed, S', I have not is there to me? And yett a jouncture parted closed with a farr greater offer of estate, butt rathwith, if she dye there is little, if you have an er chose to fix heere. I hope I have not beene heire male then butt £3000 without tyme as- wanting to Providence in this. I have made sertained. Butt for theise thinges, I doubt not myselfe plaine to you, desiringe you will make butt one interview betweene you and myselfe my sonn the messenger of your pleasure and they might be accomodated to mutual satis- resolution herein as speedilie as with convefaction, and in relation to theise I thinke weeniency you may. I take leave, and rest, your should hardlie part, or have many wordes, soe much doe I desier a closure with you. Butt, to deale freely with you, the setlinge of the manor of Hursley, as you propose, it stickes soe much with me, that either I understand you not, or else it much failes my expectation. As you offer it here is £400 per annum charged upon it. For the £150 to your ladie for a life as jouncture I stick not at that, butt the £250 per annum until Mr. Ludlow's lease expires, the tenure wherof I knowe not, and soe much of the £250 per annum as exceeds that lease in annual valew for some time alsoe after the ex- DEERE DICK,-It had beene a favour indeed piration of the sd lease, gives such a maime to to have mett you heere at Farnham, butt I the manor of Hursley as indeed renders the rest heare you are a man of great businesse! ... of the manor very inconsiderable. S', if I con- Therefore I say noc more. If it be a favour to cur to denie myselfe in point of present monies, the House of Comons to enjoy you, what is as alsoe in the other thinges mentioned as afore-it to me? Butt, in good earnest, when wi... said, I may and I doe expect the manor of you and your brother Russell be a lit... hoaHursley to be setled without any charge upon est, and attend your charge surelie so . . . exit after your decease, savinge your ladie's pect it, especially the good fellowes wh... chose jouncture of £150 per annum, which if you you . . . I have mett wth Mr Major; we spent should thinke fitt to increase I should not stand two or 3 howers together last night. I perupon it. Your own estate is best known to ceave the gentleman is very wise and honest, you; but surelie your personall estate beinge and, indeed, much to be valewed. Some thinges free for you to dispose, will, with some small of common fame did a little sticke. I gladlie heard matter of addition, begett a neernesse of equal- his doubts, and gave such answear as was next at litie, if I heare well from others; and if the dif- hand, I beleive to some satisfaction. Neverthe ference in that were not very considerable, I lesse, I exceedingly liked the gentleman's plainshould not insist upon it. What you demand nesse and free dealinge wth me. I knowe God has of me is very high in all pointes. I am willinge beene above all ill reports, and will in his owa to settle as you desier in everythinge, savinge time vindicate me. I have noe cause to complaine for present maintenance £400 per annum. I see nothinge butt that this particular busi£300 per annum I would have somewhat free nesse betweene him and me may goe on. The to be thanked by them for. The £300 per an- Lorde's will be donn. For newes out of the num of my ould land, for a jouncture after my north there is little, only the Mal. partie is prewife's decease, I shall settle, and in the mean vailinge in the Parint of S. They are earnest time, out of other landes at your election, and for a warr; the ministers oppose, as yett. ... truely, Sr, if that be not good, nor will any landes Mr. Marshall is returned, whoe says soe; and I doubt. I doe not much distrust your princi- soe doe many of our letters. Their great comples in other thinges have acted you towards mittee of dangers have 2 malig. for one right. confidence. You demand, in case my sonn It's sayd they have voted an armie of 40,000 in have none issue male, butt only daughters, then Parlat: soe some of yesterday's letters. Butt the lands in Hantsheire, Munmouth, and Glou- I account my newes ill bestowed, because upon cestersheire to descend to the daughters, or an idle person... I shall take speedy course in £3000 apeice. The first would be most une- the businesse concerninge my tenants, for wh quall, the latter is too high. They will be well thankes, my service to your ladie, I am really provided for by beinge inheritrixes to their your affectionate servant, O. CROMWELL." mother, and I am willinge to £2000 apeice to be charged upon those landes. Sr, I cannot butt with very many thankes acknowledge your good opinion of me and of my sonn, as alsoe your great civilities towards him, and your daughter's good respects (whose goodnesse, though known to me only at such a distance by the report of others) I much valew, and, indeed, that causeth me soe cheerfully to denie His second daughter, Elizabeth, had recently married Claypole, a man of Royalist prepossessions.

A second letter to Norton, dated the 3d of April, 1648, put a second period to these laborious negotiations. A supplementary interview, less successful than the first, is here described, with various points of an extremely interesting kind. Never, surely, did the ministers of a crowned head look so carefully about them in diplomatizing an affair of marriage. There is again in this letter a tone of strong personal exaction, of which the writer might or might not have been conscious. "DEERE NORTON,

could not in my last give you a perfect accompt | herein, that I may knowe Mr. Major's minde, of what passed betweene me and Mr. M., be- for I thinke I may be at leizure for a weeke to cause wee were to have a conclusion of our attende this businesse to give and take satisspeed that morninge after I wrote my letter to faction, from wch, perhaps, I may be shutt up you, which wee had, and havinge had a full in- afterwards by employment. I knowe thou art an terview of one another's mindes, wee parted idle fellowe, butt prithee neglect me not now. Dewith this, that both would consider with our re- lay may be very inconvenient to me. I much lations, and accordinge to satisfactions given relie upon you. Lett me heare from you in two there, acquaint each other with our mindes. . . or 3 days. I confesse the principall consideraI cannot tell how better to doe it, to receave tion as to me is the absolute settlement of the or give satisfaction, than by you, whoe (as I manor where he lives, wch he would doe butt remember) in your last sayd that if thinges did conditionally in case he prove to have noe sonn, stick betweene us, you would use your endeav- and but £3000 in case he have a sonn. Butt our towards a close... The thinges insisted as to this I hope farther reason may worke him upon were theise (as I take it). Mr. Major de- to more." sired 400 p. annum of inheritance lyinge in But now, on the return from the second civil Cambridgesheire and Norfolk, to be presently war, the young people appear to have lost none setled, and to be for maintenance, wherein I of their liking for each other, and Mr. Major desired to be advised by my wife. . . I offered has opened negotiations once more. Cromwell the land in Hampshire for present maintenance, answers on the 25th of March, 1649, and though wch, I dare say, with copses and ordinarie fells, his words are fair, not less distressingly minute will be communibus annis £500 p. annum, be- than ever does Mr. Major find him in the realisides £500 per annum in tenant's handes hold- ties. "S",-You will pardon the brevitie of inge butt for one life, and about £300 p. ann., theise lines; the haste I am in by reason of busome for two lives, some for three lives. Butt sinesses occasions it. To testifie the earnest as to this, if the latter be not liked of, I shall desier I have to see a happy period to this be willing a farther conference be had in the treatie betweene us, I give you to understand first... In point of jouncture I shall give satis- that I agree to £150 pr. annum out of the £300 faction. And as to the settlement of landes pr. annum of my ould land for your daughter's given me by the Parint, satisfaction to be given jouncture over the £150 where you please. . . in like manner, accordinge as wee discoursed... £400 pr. annum for present maintenance where In what else was demanded of me, I am will you shall choose, either in Hantsheire, Gloucesing (so farr as I remember any demand was) ter, or Munmouthsheire. . . . Those landes setto give satisfaction. . . Only I havinge beene led upon my sonn and his heires male by your informed by Mr. Robinson that Mr. Major did daughter, and in case of daughters only £2000 upon a former match offer to settle the manor apeice charged upon those landes. . . . £400 per wherein he lived, and to give £2000 in monie, annum free to raise portions for my two daughI did insist upon that, and doe desire it may ters. I expect the manor of Hursley to be setnot be with difficultie. The monie I shall neede led upon your eldest daughter and her heires, for my two little wenches, and therby I shall free the heires of her bodie. Your ladie a jouncmy sonn from beinge charged with them. Mr. ture of £150 per annum out of it. . . . For comMajor parts wth nothing in præsent but that pensation to your younger daughter, I agree to monie, savinge their board, weh I shoulde not leave it in your power, after your decease, to be unwillinge to give them to enjoy the comfort charge it with as much as will buye in the lease of theire societic, wch it's reason he smarte for, if of the Farme at Allington by a just computahe will robb me altogether of them. Truely the tion. . . . I expect, soe long as they live with land to be settled, both what the Parlat gives you, their diet as you expressed, or, in case of me and my owne, is very little lesse than voluntarie partinge, £150 pr. annum; £3000 £3000 per annum, all thinges considered, if I be in case you have a sonn, to be payed in two rightly informed. And a lawyer of Lincoln's yeares next followinge.... In case your daughInn havinge searched all the Marquisse of Wor-ter die without issue, £1000 within six months. cester's writinges wch were taken at Ragland and sent for by the Parint, and this gentleman appointed by the committee to search the sayd writinges, assures me there is noe scruple concerninge the title; and it soe fell out that this gentleman whoe searched was my owne lawyer, a very godly, able man, and my deere friend, wh I reckon noe small mercie. He is also possest of the writinges for me. I thought fitt to give you this account, desiringe you to make such use of it as God shall direct you, and I doubt not butt you will doe the part of a friend betweene two friends. I account myselfe one, and I have heard you say Mr. Major was entirely soe to you. What the good pleasure of God is I shall waite; there is onely rest. Præsent my service to your ladie, to Mr. Major, et. I rest your affectionate servant, O. CROMWELL. I desier you to carrie this businesse with all privacie. I beseeche you to doe soe, as you love me. Let me entreat you not to lose a day

Sr, if this satisfie, I desier a speedie resolution; I should the rather desier soe, because of what your kinsman can satisfie you in. The Lorde blesse you and your familie, to whome I desier my affections and service may be presented. I rest your humble servant,

"O. CROMWELL."

On the 28th, Mr. Major solicits an alteration in one point. On the 30th Cromwell refuses it. "S",-I receaved yours of the 28th instant. I desier the matter of compensation may be as in my last to you; you propose another way, which truely seemes to me very inconvenient. I have agreed to all other thinges as you take me (and that rightly), repeating particulars in your paper. The Lorde dispose this great businesse (great betweene you & me) for good. You mention to send by the post on Tuesday. I shall speede thinges heere as I may; I am designed for Ireland, which will be speedie. I should be very glad to see thinges setled before

was thought not a little strange even by your own councell. I confesse I did apprehend wee should be incident to mistakes, treatinge at such a distance, although I may take the boldnesse to say there is nothinge expected from me, butt I agree it to your kinsman's sense to a tittle. Sr, I desired to knowe what commission your kinsman had to helpe this doubt by an expedient, who denied to have any, butt did thinke it were better for you to part with some monie, and keepe the power in your owne handes as to the lande, to dispose thereof as you should see cause. Wherupon an overture was made, and himselfe and your councell desired to draw it up; the effect whereof this enclosed paper conteynes; and although I should not like change of agreements, yett to shew how much I de

I goe, if the Lorde will. My service to all your familie. I rest, sir, your affectionate OLIVER CROMWELL." Some hope for the poor young lovers appears at last, and they do not seem, from this pretty allusion in the lord-lieutenant's letter (for Cromwell was now lord-lieutenant of Ireland), to have been quite tired out with waitinge for it. The date is April the 6th, 1649. S",-I receaved your papers enclosed in your letter, although I knowe not howe to make soe good use of them as otherwise might have beene to have saved expence of tyme, if the arrest of your lawyer had not fallen out at this time. I conceave a draught to your satisfaction by your owne lawyer would have saved much time, which to me is precious. I hope you will send some up perfectlie instructed. I shall endeav-sier the perfectinge of this businesse, if you our to speed what is to be donn on my part, not knowing how soone I may be sent downe towards my charge for Ireland. And I hope to perform punctually with you. Sr, my sonn had a great desier to come down & waite upon your daughter. I perceave he minds that more than to attend businesses heere. I should be glad to see him setled and all thinges finished before I goe. I trust not to be wantinge therein. The Lorde direct all our hartes into his good pleasure. I rest, Sr, your affectionate servant, O. CROMWELL. My service to your ladie & family."

like thereof (though this be farr the worse bar-
gain), I shall submitt thereunto: your councell
thinkinge that thinges may be setled this way
with more clearnesse & lesse intricasie. There
is mention made of £900 pr. annum to be re-
served, butt it comes to butt about £800. My
landes in Glamorgansheire being butt little
above £400 pr. annum, and the £400 pr. an-
num out of my manor in Gloucester & Mun-
mouthsheire. I wish a cleere understandinge
may be betweene us. Truely I would not will-
inglie mistake, desiringe to waite upon Provi-
dence in this businesse. I rest, S', your affec-
tionate friend & servant, O. CROMWELL.
I desier my service may be presented to your
ladie & daughters.'

Most characteristically, however, does one letter of exception more close this very singular series. It is addressed to Mr. Major, nine days later than the last. S",-Your kinsman Very probably Mr. Major now conceded everyMr. Barton and myselfe repayringe to our coun- thing without farther dispute, for in a fortnight cell for the perfectinge this businesse soe much after, on the 1st of May, 1649, Richard Cromconcerninge us, did upon Saturday, this 15th of well was married to Dorothy Major, in Hursley April, drawe our councell to a meetinge, where- Church, Hampshire. She was a modest, unupon consideration had of my letter to your-obtrusive, kind-hearted woman, and bore her selfe expressinge my consent to particulars husband nine children.*

Cromwell had been a "family man," with much time on his hands, and no business save what he couid ingeniously, and with much pains, fashion out of his private affairs to attend to. Yet, in the interval comprised by these letters, what mighty events he had created and controlled!

which Mr. Barton brought to your councell, The reader might suppose, from the characMr. Hales of Lincoln's Inn. Upon the read-ter of these most elaborate arrangements, that inge that which expresseth the way of your setlinge Hursley, your kinsman expressed a sence of yours contrarie to the paper under my hand, as alsoe to that under your hand of the 28th of March, which was the same with mine as to that perticular, and I knowe nothinge of doubt in that which I am to doe, butt doe agree it all to your kinsman his satisfaction. Nor is there much materiall difference save in this, wherein both my paper sent by you to your councell and yours of the 28th doe in all literall and all equitable construction agree, viz., to settle an estate in fee simple upon your daughter after your decease, which Mr. Barton affirmes not to be your meaninge, although he has not (as to me) formerlie made this any objection, nor can the words beare it, nor have I anythinge more considerable in lewe of what I part with than this. And I have appealed to yours or any councell in England whether it be not just and equal that I insist thereupon. And this misunderstandinge (if it be yours as it is your kinsman's) putt a stop to the businesse, so that our councell could not proceed untill your pleasure herein were known, wherefore it was thought fitt to desier Mr. Barton to have recourse to you to knowe your minde, he alledginge he had noe authoritie to understand that expression soe, butt the contrarie, which

The trial and execution of Charles I., with * In article B. of the Appendix I have sketched the lineal descendants of Cromwell to the present time. Of Richard's wife Mr. Noble observes: "It is extraordinary that we know so little of her, considering that she was, at one time, suppose that she was scarce ever at court during Oliver's the second person in the kingdom: there is every reason to Protectorate. She felt the reverse of fortune in the most poignant manner, and wanted the comforts of the clergy to Among all the illiberal things that were levelled agarust reconcile her to what she judged the greatest misfortune. the protectorate house of Cromwell, her character is almost the only one that scandal has left untouched; she never fit tired to France in 1660; she died Jan. 5, 1675-6, in the is most reasonable to think) saw her husband after he reforty-ninth year of her age, and was buried in the chancel of Hursley Church. The only character of her that I have says, 'she was a prudent, godly, practical Christian." She ever met with is that given by Mr. John Maidstone, whe was certainly once at court during the government of her father-in-law, from the following item in Mr. Major, ber Daughter Cromwell went to London,' but as she had a chaid father's memorandum-book, still preserved: 1657, May 1, baptized at Hursley in September following, her stay mast have been short; and from an item of her father's discar ed reeve, it appears, she was at Whitehall when her hus Lodge, and lived upon her own lands.' ” band lost his power, after which she retired to Hursing

all their attendant circumstances, and their | vast result in the establishment of the Commonwealth, have been treated in the life of Henry Marten. Cromwell did not appear more openly in them than any of the other statesmen or officers-perhaps he was even less seen in them than any-but it was well known that the majority of the men concerned in the deed confessed to his extraordinary influence and control, while he, in his turn, if Bishop Burnet may be believed, was not without his controller also. "Ireton," says the bishop, "was the person that drove it on, for Cromwell was all the while in some suspense about it. Ireton had the principles and the temper of a Cassius in him he stuck at nothing that might have turned England to a commonwealth." The scurrilous falsehoods of the period, contained in that disgusting book which goes by the name of "The Trials of the Regicides," are scouted now by all well-informed persons, but two anecdotes of the time personally relating to Crom-chamber, and issued such strict orders that no well may properly find a place here.