PREFACE.

THE object of these volumes, is to give a popular outline of the History of Oliver Cromwell, who, it is allowed on all hands, was, in many respects, the most extraordinary man that England has ever produced. Like all persons who from a low beginning have risen to elevated rank, he had ardent friends, and most violent enemies; and hence the record of his life, in most instances, has either been an undistinguishing eulogy, or a furious invective. The personal and political animosity which sprang from the doubtful struggle of the Civil War, survived a long time the events which marked its progress; as a proof of which, we have only to mention the bitter hatred which was directed against the memory of

Cromwell, by the writers who espoused the royal cause immediately after the Restoration, and who continued to exercise a powerful influence over the public mind, as long as the Stuart dynasty occupied the throne.

But in this, as in all other instances where the triumph of faction is carried too far, or where the cause of truth is sacrificed to the interests of a party, a strong reaction took place, as soon as the bias was removed which had perverted at once the judgment and the feelings of the people. The men of the Commonwealth were restored once more to public favour; the virtues of Hampden, and the patriotism of Pym, became again subjects of popular veneration; and the ablest writers were not ashamed to acknowledge, that even the Protector himself possessed many high qualities, both as a statesman and a soldier; that he increased or maintained the glory of his country; and that he wanted nothing to secure for him a place among the most illustrious of princes, but a just title to exercise the power which he had seized with an armed hand.

In this case, as in the former, there was manifested a decided tendency to excess.

The hypocrisy and dissimulation of Cromwell were forgotten, or represented as nothing more than that political caution which was altogether indispensable in the difficult circumstances wherein he administered the government. His ambition, even when it deviated the farthest from the path of sincerity and honour, was identified with that honest love of fame, which warms every generous bosom; or if it was admitted to be in any respect questionable, it was vindicated as the justifiable feeling of self-defence, which compels a man to take out of the hand of an enemy the sword which he is sure would be used against himself. Again, where it was not possible to throw upon his character the direct rays of approbation, an attempt was made to secure for it a favourable light, by darkening to the utmost degree the actions and motives of King Charles the First.

The contrast now stated will be fully illustrated by a perusal of the works of Clarendon, Heath, Bates, Dugdale, Hollis, Coke, and Slingsby Bethel, compared with those of Milton, Clement Walker, Winstanly, Sydenham, Dawbeny, the author of

the Unparalleled Monarch, Gibson, May, and Ricraft. In later times there is a similar diversity in the conclusions, as to the character and policy of Cromwell, which have been drawn by Hume and Echard, on the one hand, and by Macaulay, Laing, Brodie, and Godwin, on the other. The last named writer, indeed, combines in his own narrative the highest praise with the deepest condemnation-representing Cromwell as the best and greatest of mankind, the most humane and generous of patriots, while he charges him with the rankest hypocrisy and deceit, and with the intention of subjugating his countrymen to a state of degradation and slavery.

There is an anonymous work deserving of some notice, entitled "A Short Critical Review of the Political Life of Oliver Cromwell." The title page professes that it was written by a "Gentleman of the Middle Temple ;" but there is reason to believe that it proceeded from the pen of the learned Bishop Gibson, who was connected by marriage with the Cromwell family. The biography of the Protector, compiled by Dr Harris, is well known, and justly esteemed

as a magazine of information collected from the best sources; but the plan which the author pursued, in imitation of Bayle, as it neglects entirely the order of events, exhausts at once the sagacity and patience of the reader. The industry of Mark Noble, too, has brought to light many interesting facts respecting the genealogy and descendants of Oliver; and, as he never rested satisfied without an authentic reference, the various notices which he has embodied in his book may be confidently received as materials of history. There are, besides, "Memoirs of Oliver Cromwell, and of his Sons Richard and Henry," by a gentleman who boasts of having sprung from the Protectoral stock. Of this work, a mere compilation, nothing very flattering can be said; and it is in a great degree superseded by a more recent performance, "Oliver Cromwell and his Times," which is at once more judicious and more impartial.

It has been the study of the present author, while he availed himself of the labours of all his predecessors, to avoid the two extremes which have just been pointed out, and to give an unbiassed view of Cromwell's