The primitive Republican. (Columbus, Miss.) 18??-1852, 1852-06-03
OLIVER CROMWELL.
BY NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE.

VI Huglahu' Chere lived an English knight
at place called Hinchinbrooke His name
was Sir Oliver Cromwell He spent his
life, l suppose, pretty much like other Eng
lish knights and squires in those days, hunt
ing hares and foxes, and drinking large
quantities of ale and wine The old house
in which he dwelt had been occupied by his
ancestors before him, for good many years.
In it there was great wall hung round with
coats of arms and helmets, cuirasses and
swords, which his forefathers had used in
battle, and with horns of deer and tails of
foxes, which the said Oliver himself had
killed in the chase.
This Sir Oliver Cromwell had a nephew
who had been called Oliver, after himself
but who was generally known in the family
by the name of Little Noll His father was
younger brother of Sir Oliver The child
was then sent to visit his uncle, who proba-
bly, found him a troublesome little fellow to
take care of. He was forever in mischief,
and always running into some danger or
other, from which he seemed to escape only
by miracle.
Even while he was an infant in his cradle,
Ia strange accident had befalen him. A
huge ape, which was kept in the family,
snatchcd up little Noll in his fore-paws and
clambered with him to the roof of the house.
There this ugly beast sat grinning at the af-
friehtcd spectators, as if he had done the
most praiseworthy thing Imaginable For
tunately, however, he brought the child safe
down again; and the event was afterwards
= considered an omen that Noll would reach a
very elevated station in the world.
One morning, when Noll was five or six
years old, royal messenger arrived at Hin
+ chinbrooke, with tidings that King James
was coming to dine with Sir Oliver Crom-
well. This was high honor, to be sure,
but a very great trouble; for all the lords
y and ladies, knights, squires, guards, and yeo-
men who waited on the king, were to be
Toasted as well as himself; and more provis-
. ions would be eaten, and more wine drunk
in that one day, than generally in a month
However, Sir Oliver expressed much thank
fuluess for the kings intended VISIT and or
lorcd his butler and cook to make the bes
.prplaj,aus IN their power So great fire
was kindled in the kitchen; and the neigh
- bors knew by the smoke which poured GU
IF the chimney, that boiling, baking, roast
ing and frying, were going on mcrrily.
- by and by the sound Of trumpcts wa
heard approaching neaIcr and nearer aht
a heavy, oId-taShioned coach, surrounded b,
guards on horseback, drove up to the house
sir Oliver, with his hat in his hand stoot
at the gate ready to receive the king Hi
in majesty was dressed in a suit of green, no
very new; he had feather in his hat, an,
a triple ruff round his neck and over hi
shoulder was slungsa hanting horn, iustea,
re- r. Of sword Altogether, he had not til
~ most dignifcd aspect in the world; but tn
spectators gazcd at him, if there wa
something superhuman and divine in hi
person. They even shaded their eyes wit
ne their hands, as if they were dazzled by III
10 glory of his countenance.
M How are We, man 2" cried King jaime
speaking in Scotch accent, for Scotland W;
his native country. by my crown, S
! Oliver, but ! am glad to see We! y
- The good knight thanked the king, at II
same time kncehng down, while his majest
ahghtcd When King James stood on Il
ground, be directed Sir divers attention
little boy who had come with him in Il
J. coach. He was six or seven years old, al
80 wore hat and feather, and was more rich
RI dressed than the king himself. Though
Sc no means an Unlocking child, he seem
our shy, or even sulky; and his cheeks were I
les, theT pale, as II he had been Kept mopll
are within doors, instead of being sent out
my play in the sun and wind.
the 81 have brought my son Charlie to S
It's ye," said the king. 81 hope, Sir Oliver,
or have son of your own, to he his playmate
Sir Oliver Cromwell made reverent
= bow to the little prince, whom one of the
- tendants had now taken out of the coach.
was wonderful to see how all the spectacle
even the aged men, with their gray bear
DO- humbled themselves before this child III
bent their bodies till their boards aim
2. swept the dust. They looked as if they W
val, ready to kneel down and worship him.
my ny The poor little prince! From his EARL
ton infancy, not a soul had dared to contrad
him; every body around him had acted
, if he were a superior being; so that,
seys course, he had imbibed the same opinion
lch- himself. He naturally supposed that
i "Is whole kingdom of Great Britain, and all
inhabitants, had been created solely for
benefit and amusement. This was a
mistake; and it cost him dear enough al
~. he had assembled his fathers throne.
aao "What noble little prince he is p
'''' claimed Sir Oliver, lifting his hands in
miration. ''No, please your Majesty, h
i. no son to be the playmate of his Royal Hi
n ness; but there is a nephew of mine 81
con- where about the house. He is near
princes age, and will be but too happy
- wait upon his Royal Highness."
"Send for him, man! send for him p
the king.
But, as it happened, there was no nee
Sta sending for master Noll While Z
( James was speaking, rugged, bold-fa
sturdy little urchin thrust himself thro
IF the throng Of courtiers and attendants,
oo,,. greeted the prince with broad stare.
'0"'' doublet and hose (Which had been put
new and clean in honor of the kings Y
were already soiled and torn with the ro
play in which he had spent the mornin
Note He looked no more abashed than if I
cards James were his uncle, and the prince or
his customary playfellows.
md OF This was little Noll himself.
''Here, please your Majesty, is my neph,
said Sir Oliver, somewhat ashamed Of N
appearance and demeanor. "Oliver, /
o m,' your obeisance to the kings Majesty =
The boy made pretty respectful obeis
Is and to the king; for, in those days, chi
on'ry' were taught to pay reverence to their Ell
Ksuo Tanooc Svbo v,.s1o1 binaealf unOu