The Press.
London, England, 1857-10-31 00:00:00

execution of Strafford and the early death of
Hampden left him a clear stage. M. Guizot, in
his brief but luminous characterisation of
Cromwell (in the " Lectures on Civilisation in
Europe "), has happily observed of Cromwell
that "he was the only man in history who, in a
" great political revolution, was first agitator,
" then victorious general in the field, and after-
" wards the triumphant ruler.' That is nearly
true, and it could not be predicated of Napo-
leon 1., who came late upon the stage of revo-
lution, and was not a political "agitator."
Yet it is overstating the case as to Cromwell
who was by no means the agitator in the pre-
liminary scenes of the drama. The political
" agitation" had been going on ever since the
time when Wentworth, in his early days, had
espoused the popular side, prior to his deser-
tiou to the Court; and Mr. Carlyle does great
injustice in concentrating his gaze merely on
Cromwell and overlooking the actions and con-
duct of Pym, Hampden, Vane, and many
others. Into the latter mistake ➢I. Guizot
does not fall.

It was when the nation's passions boiled,
and when it wanted a practical director, that
a man with Cromwell's faculties became truly
powerful. His practical ability was his greatest
characteristic, and he never showed it to more
advantage than in his formation of the famous
" Ironsides." Here is his own account of the
way in which he thought of them. In his
eleventh speech, 13th April, 1657, ho says :

I was a person who, from my first employment, was
suddenly preferred and lifted up from lesser trusts to
greater ; from my first being a Captain rf a Troop of Horse;
and did labour as well as I could to discharge my trust ;
an I God blessed me " therein " as it pleased Him. And
did truly and plainly—and in a way of fooltsh
as it was judged by very great and wise men, and good
men too—desire to make my instruments help me in that
work. And I will deal plainly with you I had a very
worthy Friend then, and he was a very noble person, and
know his memory is very grateful to all—Mr.John
Hampden. [Hear, hear—a notable piece of history !]
At my first going out into this engagement, I saw our men
were beaten at every hand. I did indeed ; and desired
him that he would make some additions to my Lord
Essex's Army of some new regiments ; and I told him I
would be serviceable to him in bringing such men in as I
thought had a spirit that would do something in the work.
This is very true that I tell you ; God knows I lie not.
" Your troops," said I, " are most of them old decayed
serving-men, and tapsters, and such kind of fellows; and,"
said I, " their troops are gentlemen's sons, younger sons,
and persons of quality: do you think that the spirits of
such base and mean fellows will ever be able to encounter
gentlemen, that have honour and courage and resolution in
them ?" Truly I did represent to him in this manner con-
scientiously, and truly I did tell him: " You must get men
of a spirit; and take it not ill what I say—l know you will
not—of a spirit that is likely to go on as far as gentlemen
will go ;or else you will be beaten still." I told him so; I
did truly. He was a wise and worthy person ; and be did
think that I talked a good notion, but an impracti-
cable one.

Cromwell's appreciation of " gentlemen," and
their " honour" and " courage" and "reso-
lution," shows deep political sagacity. He
thoroughly understood social dynamics. How
was the difficulty to be overcome in meeting
such men ? Hampden appeared to give no
suggestion on the point, and Mr. Carlyle has
a characteristic fling at Hampden :

Very natural in Mr. Hampden, if I recollect him well,
your Highness ! With his close thin lips, and very vigi-
lant eyes ; with his clear official understanding, livel) sen-
sibilities to " unspotted character," " safe courses," itc.S:c.
A. very brave man, but formidably thick-quilted, and with
pincer-lips, and eyes very vigilant. Alas ! there is no pos-
sibility for poor Columbus at any of the Public Offices, till
opce he become an Actuality, and say, " Here is the Ame-
rica I was telling you of!"

Cromwell then narrated how ho solved the
difficulty :
Truly I told him I could do somewhat in it. I did so—
" did this somewhat ;" and truly I must needs say this to
you, " The result was "—impute it to what you please—l
raised such men as had the fear of God before them, as
made some conscience of what they did ; [The Ironsides ;
yea !] and from that day forward, I must say to you, they
were never beaten, and wherever they were engaged
against the enemy, they beat continually.

That is to say, he encountered " the spirit of
" a gentleman" by exciting " the spirit of
" religion," and using religions enthusiasm
for purely political purposes. Truly, a man of
stern purposes, and of masterly method in car•
rying them out.
(To be continued.)