52a
HISTORY OF PRINTING.
paternal estate. Though educated in a liberal I style, his genius was little fitted for the elegant and tranquil pursuits of literature, and there- fore he made small proficiency in his studies at the universities. From Cambridge he went to study the law in London, where he became a member of Lincoln's Inn, and spent most of his time in dissipated company. He soon returned to reside upon his paternal estate, and in the long parliament be represented the town of Cam- bridge; but for two years he was not heard with attention, his person being ungraceful, his voice untuneable, his elocution embarrassed, and his speeches tedious, obscure, confused, and often unintelligible; his actions, however, were as de- cisive, prompt, and judicious, as his speeches were wavering, prolix, and inconclusive. He was forty-three years of age when he first engaged in the military profession ; and by the mere force of genius, seconded by an indefati- gable application, he soon became an excellent officer, though perhaps he never obtained the fame of a consummate commander. He soon convinced the world that no difficulties could deter him from serving the cause which he had embraced. By merit he speedily roue to be the first in command; and by fraud and violence he soon became the first in the state. In propor- tion to the increase of his power, his talents seemed to be enlarged, and he daily discovered new abilities, which he was never known to pos- sess till some particular emergency called them into action. The power he obtained awakened his ambition, and he adopted the usual mode of intrigue to extend it to tJie name aa well as the authority of a king. All Europe were amazed to see a nation, so restless and turbulent, who, for encroachments on their liberties, had de- throned and murdered their hereditary prince, now reduced to slavery by the immediate descen- dant of an obscure private gentleman. The system of the government was military, and was called the commonwealth, to give the lower classes a notion that it had for its object the common good of all; but, in fact, the presence of forty-five tiiousand men awed them (the people) into submission. The foreign powers had anticipated Cromwell's success, and upon his being invested with the supreme power, all who had reason to hope for his friendship, or fear for his enmity, hastened to present their congratulations. The cares of government oppressed his thoughts by day, and assassination haunted his dreams by night. One conspiracy was no sooner detected, than another rose from its ruins; indisposition affected his nerves, and domestic affliction undermined hissinking consti- tution; and, more than all, the exhausted state of his treasury gave him the most poignant un- easiness. He was in arrears to the army, and he had relied on that for support; and he was now taught, upon reasoning principles, that his death was not only desirable, but his assassination would be meritorious. The death of bis favou- rite daughter, Mrs. Claypole, filled up the measure of his affliction ; ne survived the loss of
her only a few weeks. Such confidence did \k friends of Cromwell entertain after his deitk of his sanctity, that Thurloe thus announced tk event to the deputy of Ireland, " He is gone to heaven, embalmed with the tears of his pe)i|)k and upon the wings of the prayers of the mnti.'
According to Ludlow's account, CromvdJ expressed on his death-bed, bome feais that liis memory would be insulted, and his renaiis trampled upon. He asked his preacher whetbet it was true that the elect could never finally &!!; and when assured that it was so, Cromw^ said, " Then I am safe ; for I am sure that once I «u in a state of grace." His last words appeared to be those of a person interceding witn God ibr the people. He was buried with g^reat paaf in Westminster abbey. Most of the Eniopetn courts went into mourning for him, even that d Versailles. Great as a general, Cnnowell iru still greater as a civil ruler ; and, on the whole, his political administration was masterly, lai adapted to the circumstance of his sitaatiM. The public revenues were strictly and tctna- mically managed without any additional impost He appointed forjudges the most upright and disting^hed men. He never interfered with the proceeding of the courts of justice. Liic- Hgion he acted on the principles of toleration. Every man had liberty of conscience. In otba things too, Cromwell, as his own correct jndr- ment prompted, would have governed with mild- ness and justice, promoted the arts and science, and healed the wounds of the nation ; but lie was obliged to maintain his power, as he hiil acquired it, ag^nst his better will, by a sererit; often amounting to tyranny.
On the other hand, he strengthened the Britisli navy. The famous admiral Blake,* and other naval heroes, fought several well-contested bal- ties with tiie Dutch fleets under De Rujter, Tromp, and others. At the peace with Hollaui, in 1654, England maintained the honour of be flag, and the navigration act gave a new impnlie to the colonial trade.
Oliver Cromwell had appointed his eldest too, Richard, his successor ; but the mild and Tirtnous Richard was compelled bv the mutinous oficm of the army to dissolve the parliament ; and < few days after, conscious of his incapacity, be voluntiuily abdicated the protectorship, April 22, 1659. At Uie restoration he went to the cw- tinent, and returned to England in 1680, aw assuming the name of Clark, passed the reman- der of his days in tranquil seclusion, at Cb^ hunt, in Hertfordshire, where he died Mara 25, 1712, at the age of eighty-six years, ne brother Henry, who had talent, bravery, »M mildness of temper, and who from 1654 baa governed Ireland in tranquillity, improved its
- Robert Blake wu born at Bridgewatcr, In SoBB**^
shire, Aagust 15, 1589. In Febnunr 1659, be wtmjj* ed to comnuuid the fleet, and donog nine y'^^^fSZ service In the navy, he peifbnned explolta that, fj^ skill with which they were conducted, and the »«o» that attended them, weie never wupasaed till the mp^ Howe, St. Vincent, Duncan, and Nelaon. He4ieilA4«< 17, 1857, aged 58, and was buried in Wettmimta tfrn-
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