Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-10-02
FOREIGN LITERATURE.
PROM THE LONDON SPECTATOR.

Struck with the light which documents lately pub
shed have thrown upon the character Of Cromwell the Pro-
estant historian OF the Reformation determined to give to the
world his conclusions from their examination, in some CONT
mental Review. The work, however, grew upon him, and
he found would far exceed the limits Of article An idea
Of translatng Caryles " Letters and Speeches OF Oliver
Cromwell" him. but was his and gener
al Continental opinion that Mr. Cayes book possesses
much originality Of thought and to defy all posi-
bty Of rendering them into any of languages The
consequence was the work before u.s. in which history biog
aphy and dsqustion mingled together dsqnisiton pre-
dominating in spirit not in substance might be expected
/ from the original conception
The Protector, Vndicaon is Evangelical Protestant
view Of Cromwels character which the author looks upon
the great Engshman instrument called up to Withstand
Popey and arbitrary power and estimates his character
by his sayings writings under all circumstances and at all
times than by his public Conduct not indeed, omit
ted and the survey includes continuous and toeaby full
notice oil Cromwells public and private life but his speeches.
letters and sayings the leading The object Of
DAubgnes dscourses is dsprove the usual charge Of
Cromwes hypocrisy and ambition and to explain the eng
of his character by ascbng his conduct strict
of Protestant religious duty. Oming the details, of
great events, and passing lightly many circumstances of
historical or biographical Importance the Genevese divine and
historian brings together into focus those uerances of
Cromwell which must be supposed unfold far any
ernal sign unfold his real thoughts and feelings The
vindicaor examines Cromwes conduct at very critical peri
DDS such the negotiations with the King and the trial. the
that Oliver should take the title of King, and his death He
scrutnizes Cromwels obscure manhood and his private l
from the first traces OF him to his highest greatness showing
that ne was the same "Godfearng speaking and writing
throughout; and bringing forward proofs of his affection
ate and sporve but pous character domestic letters that
he could have expected to pass beyond the family He
exhibits the plain simplicity OF divers habits and mode of e
when he at the highest point of human power and,
far it is possible judge of his mind and feelings He
adduces passages from political opponentsfrom Clarendon
Southeyas testimony to his humanity natural good quail
ities and concludes from these various evidences, and the
consistency raceable throughout that deep of rel
gous duty the handspring Of Cromwcs conduct and the
true key by which unlock his character Merle DAubigne
bame the death Of the King but draws distinction between
the culpably of and the character which should
tach to the actors and while doing full justice, and per-
haps something than justice to the sound Protestant
views Of the Protector, he the by which men
led to look for special directions instead of applying them
selves to the revealed word.
eve approaching catastrophe which would will
lngy avoid; but which in justice acknowledge diff
fers essentially from that which startled the world in 1893
If the safety OF the nation was incompatible with Chaess
naming the throne necessary that he should
from the throne TO the scafoldi Most certainly To
connive at his escape into foreign country would have been
the most BETTING course, expedent that afterwards
adopted in the of James H. and days. in that of
Charles X. 1t also that which in all probability
have SEEM Cromwell desired to have followed But the
fear of compromising the future tranquility of the nation
condemned the King to severer penalty We must depoe
such times those when prodigal of human
blood lament that the majesty of the throne
could not protect guilty princes but all the documents of the
sixteenth and seventeenth centuries attest that in
those ages condemned to death condemn them
a brief Imprisonment
'The manner in which he [Cromwoll] length led
to sign Chaess has not perhaps, been su
GENTLY appreciated We have already remarked that his great
religious his assuming for the handspring Of his
ons those inward impulses which he ascrbed God pre-
ference the explicit commands of the Holy Scriptures He
believed in what has been denominated particular faith
If while engaged in prayer or Immediately AFTER he It
nd hat
proceeded Immediately from Heaven, and that he ought
follow as the very voice OF God If the contrary, his
devoons remained angud he concluded that he ought
abstain from the meditated act. This in
pious minds and might point denomination Of
Christians celebrated for their spirit Of meeknes and peace
who partially participate in such sentiments.
cit this which guided him in the passed
Charles and freed him from all his doubts and scupes. John
Cromwell, at that time in the Dutch SERVICE had
England with message from the Princes of Wales and of
Orange TO endeavor TO the Kings e When introduced
TO his cousin Oliver he reminded him Of the Royast opinions
he had formerly entertained Hampton Court The latter
still uncertain to the line OF conduct which he ought
pursue replied that he had often tasted and prayed know
the will of God with respect King, but that God had
not yet pointed out the way When John had Withdrawn,
Cromwell and his friends again sought by the path they
ought to follow and it then the Parliamentary hero first
felt the conviction that Chaess death alone could Eng
land. From that moment all fixed God had spoken
divers INDIGESTION at end il remained merely
act and accomplish that will however appalling il might be-
At one o'clock in the morning messenger from the General
knocked the door of the where John Cromwell odg
ed and informed him that his cousin had length dismissed
his doubts and that all the arguments long put forward by
the most decided Republicans confirmed by the will
of the Lord
Enthusiasm, then, the Of Com wells error
This serious fault in religion but may
the fault in morals Is who desires TO obey God (
equally guilty with him who determined listen his pas
sons only Is not Gods will the sovereign rule of good and
evil
"Chateaubrand, witness beyond suspicion this point
speaking of the times which have been gancng if not
OF the particular act under examination proceeds thus at
this epoch faith every where, except small number Of
Ilbernes and philosophers it impressed the faults and
sometimes the crimes, something grave, and even
moral the expression may be allowed by giving the
tim Of policy the conscience Of the martyr to error the
conviction Of truth This in religion is opinion
the only important bemish be found in Cromwell At the
time il the key which opens aud explains his whole
life. His piety sincere, but it always sober
Yet if this be great extcnuaton of the Protectors
fault the crime which it led him remain in his
tory warning tery those who may base their conduct
their inward impressions, rather than the sure positive,
and everaccessbe inspirations Of that Word of God which
never deceives" N
II will be seen, from this extract that Cr0mtrc Tind
cniO parakes somewhat Of the Of sermon and
not devoid Of those pecuaies which the application Of
gous discourse lay matters generally involves, Of faults
almost nepnrabe from mode Of composition where cxhor-
taan opinion is beyond the actual matter
In literary point Of view, however, the book Of much
merit alike close and sku in the selection Of facts deriving
F,Vn fl.