The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-04-22
OLIVER CROMWELL.
BY NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE.
'orn 1899, d,od 1858.

Not long after King James the First took
the place of Queen Elizabeth on the throne O.
England, there lived an English knight at 6
place called Hinchinbrooke. His name was 81,
Oliver Cromwell. He spent his life, | suppose
pretty much like other English knights anC
squires in those days, hunting hares and foxes
and drinking large quantities of ale and wine
| The old house in which he dwelt had been oc
cuphd by his ancestors before him, for a good
many years la il there was a,great hall, hung
round with coats Of arms, and helmets, cuirass.
es and swords which his forefathers had used
| in battle and with horns of deer and tails of
| foxes which they or Sir Oliver himself had
| killed in the chase
4 This Sin Oliver Cromwell had 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 often sent
to visit his uncle, who probably 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 SEEM
ed to escape only by miracle
Even while he was an infant in the cradle a
strange accident had befallen him. A huge
ape, which was kept in the family, snatched 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 affrighted spectators,
as if he lad done the most praseworthy thing
imaginable. Fortunately 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, a royal messenger arrived at Hinchinbrooke
with tidings that King James was coming to
dine with Sir Oliver Cromwell This was a
high honor to be sure but very great trouble
for all the lords and ladies, knights, squires
guards and yeomen, who waited on the king
were to be Toasted as well as himself; and more
provisions would be eaten, and more wine drunk
in that one day, than generally in month
However, Sir Oliver expressed much thankful.
ness for the kings intended visit and ordered
his butler and cook to make the best prepara-
tons in their power So great fire was kin.
died in the Kitchen and the neighbors knew
by the smoke which poured out of the chin
ney, that boiling, baking, stewing, roasting, and
frying were gong on merry
BY and by the sound OF trumpets was heard,
approaching nearer and nearer; and a heavy,
old-fashioued coach, surrounded by guards on
horseback, drove up to the house Sir Oliver,
with his hat in his hand, stood at the gate
ready to receive the king His majesty was
dressed in a suit of green, not very new: he
had a feather in his hat and a triple ruff round
his neck and over his. shoulder was slung a
hunting horn instead of a sword Altogether
he had not the most dignfed aspect in the
world; but the spectators gazed ut him, as il
there was something superhuman and divine
in his person, They evens shaded their ewes
with their hands, as if they'werc daxled by the
glory Of his countcnance.
Chow are We, man9n cried King James.
speaking in Scotch accent; for Scotland was
his native country "By my crown, Sir Oliver
but am glad to see YEP
The good knight thanked the king at the
same time kneeling down, while his majesty
alightcd. When King James stood on the
ground, he directed Sir divers attention to q
little boy who had come with him in the coach
He was six or seven years old, and wore a hat
and feather, and was more richly dressed than
the king himself Though by no means an ILL.,
looking child, he seemed shy, or even sulky
and his cheeks were rather pale, as if he had
been kept moping within doors, instead of be.
ing sent out to play in the sun and wind.
Y 81 have brought my son Charlie to see ye, ,
said the king. IL hope Sir Oliver, We have q
son of your own, to be his playmate!"
Sir Oliver Cromwell made rcvcrential bow
|
had now taken out of the coach. II was won.
derful to see how all the spectators, even the
aged men, with their gray boards, humbed
themselves before this child They bent their
bodies till their boards almost swept the dust
They looked as if they were ready to knecl
down and worship him
The poor little prince! From his earliest
infancy. not a soul had dared to contradict him
everybody around him had acted as il he were
IA superior being so that of course, he had i'm
bibed the same opinion Of himself He natu-
rally supposed that the whole kingdom of Great
Britain, and'a its inhabitants, had been crea-
ted solely for his benefit and amusement. This
was sad mistake; and it cost him dear
enough after he had assembled his father
| throne.
What noble little prince he isl! exclaim-
ed Sir Oliver, lifting his hands in admiration.
No, please your majesty, have no son to be
the playmate of his Royal Highness; but there
is a nephew of mine somewhere about the
house. He is near the princes age, and will
be but too happy to wait upon his Royal High
ness
"Send for him, man send for him!p said
the king
But as it happened, there was no need OF
sending for master Noll While King James
was speaking, rugged. bold-iaced, sturdy little
urchin thrust himself through the throng of
courters and attendants, and greeted the prince
with broad stare. His doublet and hose
(which had been put on new and clean in hon.
or Of the kings visit were already sOiled and
torn with the rough play ia which he had
spcnt the morpiny He look ed no more ahash