wakeful brain are wont to have, when in our sleeping hours, they recall to us, by grotesque imagery, events of real life in which we have been engaged. Allowing this to be the most. probable account of two trifling circumstances, of which so many and such various accounts have been given, it will be readily seen, that their whole consequence arose not from their being intrinsically remarkable, but from their subsequent application to the rise and fortunes of Cromwell.*

A tradition is still current at Huntingdon of an accidental meeting between the son of the brewer and Charles the First, when children and nearly of the same age, at Hinchinbrookehouse, the seat of his uncle, Sir Oliver. This occurrence is said to have taken place in the year 1603, on occasion of the journey of Charles, then Duke of York, from Scotland to London: but it must have occurred, if at all, in September 1604, to which period the coming of this young prince was deferred, on account of indisposition. The story, however, derives support from the known fact, that the mansion of this singularly worthy and loyal knight, was generally one of the resting-places of the royal family, when on their journeys from the North to the English capital. In the former year, for instance, when James was on his way to take possession of his new kingdom, he paid a visit to Sir Oliver, and accepted of a splendid entertainment at his hands. But what fixed the attention of political pro

* Oliver Cromwell and his Times, by Thomas Cromwell, p. 38,-Noble, vol. i.

muses. Dugdale informs us that he threw himself into a dissolute and disorderly course of life, being more famous whilst there for football, cricket, cudgelling, and wrestling, than for study; and being of a rough and blustering disposition, he acquired the name of Royster. The friends of the Protector have justly questioned the authority on which these statements are made, and have ascribed to the malignant spirit which pursued his memory after the epoch of the Restoration, many similar calumnies which, at such a distance of time, it was impossible for them to disprove. They have, on the other hand, endeavoured, with much less success, to establish his character as a man of learning, or at least as a patron of scientific pursuits, and a lover of the fine arts. But Cromwell has left no evidence that his mind was ever deeply smitten with an affection for the beauties of poetical or oratorical composition; and Milton, who knew him well, does not ascribe to him any high accomplishments in the way of literature. In his picture of a perfect statesman, drawn in the Second Panegyric presented to his warlike patron, the great bard relates that, in his combination of imaginary excellences, "to a nobility (which because it is derived from others is more used to be called theirs than our own) I added a study of letters; by which nature should be cultivated, the mind subdued and polished, and reason sharpened. Yet this in a person taught for the commonwealth and trained for public affairs, I wished should be moderate. For as the art of managing and governing a commonwealth is

for the most part active and practical, it should rather consist of counsel and prudence, than of knowledge and wisdom, which are speculative and theoretical. Wherefore it is necessary for him who is brought up to that art of ruling and commanding, to be tinged indeed with a study of letters, which very seasonably inform and drive away ignorance and unskilfulness from him; yet not to be so deeply tutored as to comprehend them exactly and absolutely in every point. For, I know not by what means, this thorough knowledge of the sciences, when it sharpens the intellect, yet dulls the soul, and breaks its attention for ministering of public affairs. Perhaps because it wastes the spirits necessary for action, and by wasting consumes them, and therefore causes the mind which wants them to languish. Those studies of the wit and mind are tender things. They do not fancy the sun and the crowd: they delight in the shade and in retirement. Noise and business disturb them. They shrink up at the horrors of arms, and are even affrighted at the brawling of the Forum. Like noble and delicate maidens, they must rather be kept safe at home, in free custody, than be brought forth into engagements and perils. Wherefore the most noble generals of former ages have so given themselves to be instructed by their preceptors, as rather to adorn than profess those studies; and applied themselves just so much to them, as should be enough to inform but not altogether to drown their minds."

Had Cromwell possessed erudition, his panegyrist would infallibly have discovered that no

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muses. Dugdale informs us that he threw himself into a dissolute and disorderly course of life, being more famous whilst there for football, cricket, cudgelling, and wrestling, than for study; and being of a rough and blustering disposition, he acquired the name of Royster. The friends of the Protector have justly questioned the authority on which these statements are made, and have ascribed to the malignant spirit which sued his memory after the epoch of the Restoration, many similar calumnies which, at such a distance of time, it was impossible for them to disprove. They have, on the other hand, endeavoured, with much less success, to establish his character as a man of learning, or at least as a patron of scientific pursuits, and a lover of the fine arts. But Cromwell has left no evidence that his mind was ever deeply smitten with an affection for the beauties of poetical or oratorical composition; and Milton, who knew him well, does not ascribe to him any high accomplishments in the way of literature. In his picture of a perfect statesman, drawn in the Second Panegyric presented to his warlike patron, the great bard relates that, in his combination of imaginary excellences, "to a nobility (which because it is derived from others is more used to be called theirs than our own) I added a study of letters; by which nature should be cultivated, the mind subdued and polished, and reason sharpened. Yet this in a person taught for the commonwealth and trained for public affairs, I wished should be moderate. For as the art of managing and governing a commonwealth is

for the most part active and practical, it should rather consist of counsel and prudence, than of knowledge and wisdom, which are speculative and theoretical. Wherefore it is necessary for him who is brought up to that art of ruling and commanding, to be tinged indeed with a study of letters, which very seasonably inform and drive away ignorance and unskilfulness from him; yet not to be so deeply tutored as to comprehend them exactly and absolutely in every point. For, I know not by what means, this thorough knowledge of the sciences, when it sharpens the intellect, yet dulls the soul, and breaks its attention for ministering of public affairs, Perhaps because it wastes the spirits necessary for action, and by wasting consumes them, and therefore causes the mind which wants them to languish. Those studies of the wit and mind are tender things. They do not fancy the sun and the crowd: they delight in the shade and in retirement. Noise and business disturb them. They shrink up at the horrors of arms, and are even affrighted at the brawling of the Forum. Like noble and delicate maidens, they must rather be kept safe at home, in free custody, than be brought forth into engagements and perils. Wherefore the most noble generals of former ages have so given themselves to be instructed by their preceptors, as rather to adorn than profess those studies and applied themselves just so much to them, as should be enough to inform but not altogether to drown their minds."

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Had Cromwell possessed erudition, his panegyrist would infallibly have discovered that no