New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-07-15

Church. PIP. xvii, 52& G. +. Putnam's Sons.
The distinguished mark OF Mr. Churchs study
is the emphasis which he lays upon the changes
in Cromwells views 10 freedom In religion. As
the Lord Protectors grasp frightened upon the
politics of England he seens TO Mr.. Church -
have felt a widened responsibility which en-
braced all the people. and not merely sect. He
meant to accomplish far more than he was able
10 do In behalf OF those against whom the preju-
dices OF the factions which supported him were
strong. Mr. Church maintains that he would
have restored the English Catholics TO an equal
ity with the rest II the nation II death had not
cut him Off. This aspect Of the Puritan hero's
character has not been much dwelt upon by other
bographers and historians. Nevertheless there
appears to be much truth in Mr.. Church's view
Of the matter II not that Cromwell's own
personal religious views changed. Nothing OF
this kind took place. He was from first 10 last
what might we'll be called an Old Testament
Christian Of the strictest sort Psalm singing
and sermonizing were characteristic OF him 10 a n
extent that makes his diplomatic letters
queer reading. Two three generations later
the ablest man In England could not have writ
ten In a style like Cromwelrs without mourning
the charge OF canting hypocrisy. But 1t was
thoroughly natural and thoroughly honest in him.
He was capable OF deceiving others He could
temporize and dissimulate with the skill OF
savage or a Mazarin when some political end was
to be gained when a victory already achieved
was to be made OF permanent value. or when i'm
minent disaster was to be averted But the very
skill with which this was done by man self
taught in the ways Of statecraft is evidence that
he could not nave deceived himself had he
wished. He was too clear in his mind 10 the
meaning of his own words and acts to be misled
hy diai he ha1,i uaII
Nor there any change In his Views to
practical morality; or, II there were, II was
toward the repressve. rattle than the indulgent,
side. Traditions known Of irregular conduct
on his part youth. But when he began his
military career 1t was with the conviction that
sober. religious men made the best soldiers. This
the principle on which his army was re-
cruited And when he became the ruler OF Eng
land he excluded even from the diplomatic circle
men Of evil lives. Ambassadors who had a scam
dalous repute found 1t impossible to meet him.
and there was at least one case OF the kind where
| the unucky envoy had to return to his own capt.
tai In despair. When Queen Christina Of Sweden
proposed to visit England no arguments could
overcome Cromwers opposition He had sent her
his picture with a description by Milton and he
endured some rather strange compliments from
the eccentric queen; but when 1t came to having
on her head ne rebeled. He thought that her
example would be dangerous The profigacy OF
the Restora ton shows that he right In his
estimate OF the people ever whom he ruled. Puri-
tanism was with many e. mere sallowness on the
surface necessary to the times. whereas for
merly," wrote contemporary ut was very diff
cult to live at Court without a prejudice TO re-
| Ngion, 1t is now impossible to be courtier with
out IT," There sort Of premium on the out
ward show OF pety which made converts rapidly.
| When the rewards ceased the religious fcrvor
ceased also. From the time that Cromwell left
| his soldiers and the can't 10 become the head OF
| the nation he must have found himself In this
! atmosphere OF doubtful loyalty to principle The
| army recruited largely by the method which he
| had prescribed. was honestly fanatic. But the
Court had TO be constructed on more indulgent
| lines Cromwell showed from the first that he
| saw where license must exist. 1t was only his
| own personal responsibility which he interpreted
strictly as when he refused to invite Christina TO
England. since. had she come. he would have
countenanced the scandals a which she was