ing, but was conftantly treated with every
mark of efteem, even by the cavaliers of
both kingdoms. What is remarkable in Oli-
ver's children is, that most of them disap-
proved of the violent fteps their father was
taking, and were warm partizans for Charles
the First, as well as for his fon, whose resto-
ration they greatly approved of, and lived
quietly under his
government.

Befides the foregoing children by his wife, Oliver is fuppofed to have had several illegitimate children; for though a great devotee, and affecting an outward fanctity of manners, he is known to have indulged himself, after he arrived at power, with the company of ladies, and that not in the most innocent

*manner.

INSTANCE

4

INSTANCE THE SEVENTEENTH.

RICHARD CROMWELL*,

SON OF OLIVER.

*

The tottering bark with skilful care to guide,
Through the rough billows of AMBITION's tide,
A heart undaunted, head ferene, demands;
She's loft, if fteer'd with inexperienc'd hands.

R

ICHARD CROMWELL exhibits a no less fingular inftance of the mutability of fortune, than his father has done. By a most unparalleled revolution, Oliver attained the fovereignty of these kingdoms: by a viciffitude nearly as extraordinary, did Richard, though he had peaceably fucceeded to the fame grand elevation, fall from the towering height, and left not to any of his name or kindred, a beam of that grandeur which had fhone round his father and himself.

Hiftory of England, Noble's Anecdotes of the Cromwell family, &c.

Richard,

C c

wards Lord Chief Baron Pengelly, in Chefhunt. This gentleman is fuppofed to have been a natural fon of Richard's, and was the only one of his family that feems to have fhewn an affectionate regard towards him.

Inconceivable was the abuse bestowed on the protector Richard, both by the cavaliers and the republicans; the former exhibiting him as a fubject of derifion; the latter, as a man of little or no religion.

A writer who favours the loyalifts, fays, "that he had not one of the great qualities of his father, and hardly any of a gentleman." This, however, is only the language of prejudice and party. It is true, he was not very converfant in public bufinefs; but this could not be expected, both from his inattention to it, and the little experience it was in his power to acquire, as he was almoft totally excluded from the affairs of government during his father's life. While he retained his elevated rank, it is certain he was not looked upon in that despicable light his enemies pretend. The counties and towns, nay the three kingdoms, ftrove which fhould be moft lavish in his praises, and in profeffing their attachment to his government. Foreign powers also paid

warmth and energy of the most faithful subject. But the dye had been some time cast ; it was decreed that Charles fhould lofe his life, and Oliver was inexorable to the tears and entreaties of his child.

Soon after the fatal catastrophe had taken place, he obtained, through the rifing eminence of his family, a very eligible marriage with Dorothy, eldest daughter of Richard Major, of Hurley, in the county of Hants, efq. with whom he had a very confiderable fortune.

Upon his marriage he retired to Hurley, where he refided, and became quite the country gentleman, enjoying all the rural fports. While here, he did not depart from his former loyal principles; he had the fame attachment for the fon, as he had borne the unfortunate father; and ufed all his endeavours to serve such of the loyalists as fell into inconveniences on that account. He was, likewife, ftill very inattentive to the public concerns, very uxorious, and not over frugal in his expences.

In this happy retirement Richard lived for fome time; but upon his father's advanceCc 2

ment

morning, though he had none near him to fupport his arguments and his firmness, except Secretary Thurlowe.

Neither was he wanting in a proper fenfibility of the inconftancy of the nation, when he was obliged to leave Whitehall. As his fervants were removing the furniture, &c. he bid them be very careful of two old trunks which ftood in the wardrobe. A friend that was near, furprized at this extraordinary care, afked what they contained? "Nothing lefs," replied Richard, " than the lives and fortunes of all the good people of England." The trunks were filled with addreffes which had been fent from every part of the kingdom, expreffing that the falvation of the nation depended on his fafety, and his acceptance of the fovereignty: nearly all of them proffer him their lives and fortunes, and several of them fubjoin, "all that is dear to us."

During the last years of his life, no perfons were permitted to vifit him, but fuch as had ftrong recommendations from fome of his old acquaintance, as being of agreeable chearful converfation, and of ftrict honour. Upon the introduction of any new acquaintance whom they recommended, the following ceremony

was