v; w _-w, l .

4

I

W immature.

m tire. enter an THE. noose oz commons.

As the‘ltiog. advanced along the floor he turned his head from. side to side, perusing with deliber- ate and. steady glance the lineanients ofevery member whom he- passed, and if when at a distance not one eye had sought him, so when be new stood close beside them not one eye avoided him. Each, asCharles came into his ‘direct line of vision, met his hard gaze with an

. unblenchiog and unloosing brow; for not one nan-even of yhosetlie most devoted to his will,

i” of those who would have served him at that

\

moment, who afterwards did servehim with their whole- hearts and lives—but was disgusted, angered, ftdl of deep sorrow, almost to despair. Little there was, however, of the stormy and more stronger passionspainted upon the brows of those who sat thus fearlessly braving the temper ofa king whose wrath the no less lasting and vindictiae tlmnit was hot and sudden. The expression that prevailed most largely was of mingled: aspect. half pity, half defiance. But when the tyrant—for that action, ifthat only, justified the title—approached the seat of Crom- well,and his glance fell upon those grim ungainly. features, then Ardenne witnessed—for his eye was still attracted, why he knew not, with strange sense of fascination toward the puritan—then Ardenne witnessed that which in aftertimes he often called to mind, and never without awe and wonder—a dark conflict—a conflict of eye, countenance, and bearing, between those two. . men soeminently thrown together, and blended in their spheres of goodor evil action. The glance of Charles, when first it fell upon the coarse and most unpleasant Iineaments ofOliver, was instantly averted, but averted as men ever turn the eye away from objects naturally hateful and unseemly. At that point of time the face of Cromwell was as tranquil, as immovable, as that ofhis great future rival; but the tranquillity was no less diflbreut than is the stillness ofa hushed volcano and:the peaceful calm of heaven. The corded and: swollen veins upon the temple, the eyebrows lowered and contorted, the balls gleam- ing beneath them With a fixed and baleful light, the nostrils rigidly extended, and the lips pressed so tightly that they alone of his Whole aspect were ofa livid whiteness. Ere Edgar had the time to think, had there been any matter yet for thou ht, the- eye of Charles stole back, half timi Iy as it appeared, towards that tiger-like and glaring face. Thenas it met the sinister and ominous stare of fiercedefiance, it bright- ened also—vivid and keen, with a falconlike and noble splendour. For some short space they gaaeds—those two undisciplined and haughty spirits-,—into~each.other’s very souls—mutually, as it seemed“, conscious at a glance of irremediable and desperate hostility. The king’s loak, quiet, although high and angry, and most unutterably proud—Cromwell’s sarcastic, bitter, furious and determined, and withal' so savagely triumphant, so irthful in. its dire malignity, that Ardeune ' it hevnever had'beheld'a countenance so ly expressive. And Charles Stuart’s exp' ssion—after a fixed. encounter of ten second’s space—Shades Stuart’s haughty asPect yquail‘ed‘benéath it, and as he passed along---for the whole occurred in less time than were need- fiil to recite it——-he gazed no more around him, but went directly onward,looking upon the groom, toward the speaker’s chair. But the stern.deinocrat, as if conscious that his genius had‘prevailed‘, cast his eyes round him With» an air of loft-ier feeling than Edgar had as yet observed-him- wear. It was a trifle, at the period when it passed, and none but- he noticed it; but after times and after deeds stamped it, no more to be erased, upon the tablet of his soul. Mean- whilethe king reached the chair; and Lenthall, the bold speaker, who had hitherto. sat- still. as proud, and far more placid than his visitor, arose and stepped out stately and cool to meet him. hen the king mounted to his place, stood upon

' the step, but spoke not, nor sat down-«there he stood, gloomin gazing upon the house, with a dark looktof' sullen. anger, for many minutes. At-length he-spoke. "Gentlemen: he said, in a high voice, clearly audible to the most distant corner, though neither musical nor pleasing, — ‘Gentlemen ofthe Commons, I’am sorry for this my cause ofcoming to you. Yesterday Idid send a sergeant. to demand some, who by my Order were accused oftreason. Instead ofprompt obedience, I‘ received a message !’ and he uttered the last word with the most concentrated scorn and insolence. ‘I must, then, here declare to you, that though no king that ever was in Eng- nd could be more careful ofyour privileges than I have been, and shall be, yet I can tell you. treason hath no privilege, and, therefore, am I come to. tell you, that I' must have these men, and will, wherever I may find them !’ As he spoke, he looked‘around' the hall with a deliber— ate air, scanning the faces of all present, if he might find hismen ; then raising his voice higher yet, he called“ aloud, till the roof rang again. ‘Ho, I say, Muster Hollis, Master Pym.’ No answer was returned, nor any sound, save an increased-and angry tumultvin thelobby, with a brandishing-of partisans, and producing of con- cealed but ready pistols, sot-hat some members thought to. see-the» soldiers instantly rush. into the chamber. Mter a littlepause, finding he got no answer, heturned' to-the speaker. ‘ Say,’ be filmed, ‘say, Mr. Speaker, be any of these meiLhere present 1" For a. moment Lenthall paused, as doubting whether.» to hurl" his own defiance, and that of the assembled commons, into his very teeth; but ere the- echoes ofthe

, monarch’s voice had ceased, he had resolved ‘ 41an the wiser and’ most prudent part, and

bending with most deferential'c0urtesy his knee, '4 have, sir,’ he replied, ‘ nor eyes to .see, nor migue to speak in this place, save as this house, lhmserunt I am- sworn, shall order me. And V.

therefore must I pray your majesty to pardon me

that I return no further answer._ ‘ I‘Ia, §lr, returned Charles, sharply, and With incipm: finv; but a moment’s thoughtconvmced d ‘- Ihat the humble answer of the speaker defie 8“ 0068, and rendered hopeless, any charge: violence against him. ‘ Ha, sir,’ again he sat , but in. a- milder tone, ‘ I do believe my eyes are full as good as yours, and I do see my birds .are flown, but this I tell: you, and see ye look to it——

their treason is most foul, and such as yo I thank me, all. of you, now todlscotler- Andl assure you, on. a king’s word I assure you, that

did never mean any violence, and they shall have. fair trial—I meant not any other." He waited not for further words, perchance be doubted. what reply he might receive _to this last false asseveration—-palpably, unquestionably false—for wherefore brought he his disbanded soldiery, his rude and ruflian bravoes, with rapier, partisan, and pistol, into the very precincts of the house. Wherefore, unless he had designed to hale the accused members forth by the strong arm of tyrranous authority. Stepping down from his chair, he walked, uncovered still, butat aquicker pace than that at which he entered, toward the lobby ;: but now, as he departed his looks were not turned haughtily from side to Side, but. sadly bent upon the floor; nor was his passage, stlent as before—for member after member started up as Charles went past him, with bent brow and clenched hand, and groans bot-h loud and deep saluted him. As he came nigh the seat of Cromwell, the king raised his visage,_liaggartl now and pale, as with an. anxious cunostty to‘ 100k upon the man before- whose eyes he felt himself to have recoiled; and as he met. it Oliver sprang uponhis feet, liis long tuck rattling in the scubbavrdw as. he rose, and. stamping on. the floor with fury,shouted aloud, in- tones not- mild nor measured, the word- ‘Privilege.’ A dozen voices took it up, though not so-l‘oudly, nor with 90- marked: defiance as the first daring- speaker, and the whole house was in the wildest and most uncontrouled confusion. Delightedly would the despotic prince, had lie but dared it, at that moment have cried 0N l~have given the word expected by his myrmidons, for massacre and havoc—have bid! the swords, whichrwere already thirsting in their scabbards,.leapforth and drink their fill of that most noble blood of England. But, thanks to heaven, he dared not. There would have been no object worthy ofthe risk— no gain to justify the detestation he would have so heaped upon his head. He did not dare; and therefore smothering‘ for the- time his virulent and vengeful fury, he departed—the door swang heavily behind him ; and with no muttered curseson the head of him who lacked the spirit to perform what he and they yearned equally to

cart on the bold speak ’ ineut at the excess of h him .of the faculty ofspe hat on his disordered locks, down.- upon made the whole ho . gentleman who was yet speaking,

er as thoughaatonish- is ’audacity had robbed ecli, the-n casting his he pulled it dpugedly his brows, and. with a. air e that use echo, advancing on the ‘v Come, srr,’ ' hrough his set

he said, ina low hissing vorce t teeth, griping th though he Would

e while his dagger hilt, as have stabbed liitn on the spot, ' I: will put an. end to your loud

I held this house to send ‘hem to me. Faim'lrg ‘ fiiilill‘zfimglfihesiirturning his back suddenly ‘fn orWhiCh’ [Shall myseugo seek them. Fgrsliill liim whom he addressed, he paced; to and fro in

the hall, his whole face :black With-the blood which rushed to it as Violently as though it would. have burst from every pore and VBIn,-hls broad breast panting and heaving With emotion, and his entire aspect displaying the most un- governable and‘ tremendous passmn. no parliament, I say,’ he shouted ' his stentoriau voice, ‘you are no parliament—ho; bring them in—without therel' Bring them in. There was a sudden pause—a moment ofpn- utterable 'terror,—-for such was the expresmon painted upon the faces ofthe members ofthe long parliament. ' _ . dared to-violate, in a far less degree, the priVili- gas of that high assemblage, their own undauu- ted valour, fired by a sense of right—a proud, uncompromising feeling oftheir inborn.wortli.— had well nigh armed those pat-riots to battle with such weapons as chance afl'brded' them against the licensed cut throats of the sovereign. as the door flew open, and Colon-e1 Worsely entered with a guard of twenty musketeers, black and base apprehensions sat on the pallid brows of three fourths of those present, nor did one mangof the whole number, offer to make the least resistance, to draw a sword, [O'TBISB a hand, or even to exchange a look with the strange person, who, from solately being their servant, or gt least their equal, bad then by one bold eflbrt, rendered: himselft'heir‘ master—their unquestioned, undisputed master. honest," oried‘ Sir Harry Vane, .at-length, when he had‘ rallied from the first surprise; “If. is against morality, and common honesty.’ ' cannot picture, language of man cannot describe, the change that flashed across the sparkling lineaments- of Olivier; stant only—ere Vane addressed him», allzhad been virulent and active fury, lashed as it were by its ownugoadings into a state purely animal and uncon-troullahle. instantly subsided, leaving the face, for the mo- ment, as passionless and vacant as an infant’s. But ere there was time—not for words—but for thought—the deepest-sneer ofscorn, ofloat'h- ing unutterable, uud'isgui'sed' contempt, ceeded. stern whisper, which drove the blood curdling through his veins.

‘ You are at the pitch of

When, years before, a king- had

But,

‘ This is not Words

An instant—short in-

Now the fierce glare of anger

suc- ‘ Sir Harry Vane," he replied, in a low

‘0 Sir Harry Vane, the

had so shamefully polluted.

PARLIAMENT.

execute. frustrate of their desired vengeance, unsatisfied and balked, his hireling desperadoes filed out from the venerable-walls their presence

~ 7 CROMWELL DISSOLVING THE LONG

At a late hour Oliver, who was waiting at White- hall, in his own private chambers, was advertised

Lord deliver me from Sir Harry Vane. Honesty and Sir Harry Vane. Morality and Harry Vane, -—who, if he had so pleased, might have prevent- ed this——who is a juggler—a mere hypocrite— and not common honesty hitnself! Aparliament, II do profess, a precious parliament-moi drunk- ards lmkiiaves !--extortiouers lA-adulterers! Lo, there,’ he added, pointing to Challoner, ‘there sits a. noted- wine bibber—a very glutton~ and

ofthese unjust and strange proceedings, and in- stantly commanded a company of soldiers to repair to the house, entered, and'tookbis seat among the members. He was more plainly— nay even slovenly—attired than at any time when he had appeared in public for 'several years. His dress was ofplain and coarse cloth, all black, doublet, cloak, and hose; with stockings of worsted rolled'up to his mid thigh. While the debate continued, Cromwell sat immersed ap- parently in thought, and listening most attentive- ly to the opinions of the different orators. The speaker, at length, rose, as ifto put the question —then beckoning to Harrison, who sat opposite him, Cromwell stood up.calmly, and as that ofli- cer approached him—Anew is the time," he said, ‘ now I must do it,’ and forthwith he put off his hat, and begun speaking in a mild tone, and more to the point than usual in his harangites, expressing his disapprobation, although moder— ately and in measured terms, ofthe motion before the house. But gradually, as he kindled with his subject, his speech became more vehement and fiery—his words rolled forth in one unbroken stream of' bitter and severe invective, scorchiua and blighting as the electric flash—his feature: were inflamed with tremendous passion—hisseyes lightened—and his Whole frame. expanded with a most perfect majesty of wrathful indignation. He rebuked them for their self-seeking and profaneness, their frequent denial of true justice, their oppression, their inordinate and selfish love of power, their'neglect to the brave-and honest, their idolizing the lawyers, their trampling under foot the valiant tnen who had bled for them» in the field, theirtampering with the false and time serving Presbyterians. "And for what,’ he cried, with loud and vehement tones, ‘for what all this, what, but to perpetuate your own ill-gotten pow- er—to replenish your own empty purses—empty through riot, and debauchery, and bribery, and" every kindiof'ill, which it befits not you'to-perpe- trate, and which it- were to me even degrading to mention, or to think of. But, now I say,’ he went on, stamping fiercely on the ground, ‘ your time hath come. The Lord hath disowned yoti. The God' of Abraham,- and of Isaac, and of 1 Jacob, hath done with you. He hath no need of‘you‘any. more !‘ Lol'h‘e hath judged you, and cast you forth, and chosen fitter instruments to him, to. execute that work in which you have dishonoured him.“ ‘ Order," exclaimed one-of the- holder of the members. ‘ Order—l" rise to order—never have I‘yet hea'rd'any language so unparliamentary, so insolent,—-the rather that it cometh‘ from our owu sepvant—one whom we have too fondly cherished—one whom, by raising to this unprecedented and undue elevation, we have endued with the daring and the mthus

to brave us.’ For a few'i’ninutes Graceful glan- V. 9"

s

drunkard. Henry Marten and Sir Peter Wentworth,.‘-there are two most foul adulterers.’ his heel, as ifhe-liad already said enough,and in a a voice as quiet and unruflied as if he had not been in anyw‘ise excited, commanded them to cleartlie house. "l,,"exclaimed Lenthall boldly, for seeing that no violence was offered, he had recovered his scared spirits, ofthis house, lawfully by its and save by vote ofthose same members, or by actual force, I never life.’ body ofthe long ball to the chair, attended by two musketeers; laid his hand on Lenthall’s shoulder, and prayed him to descend, and'with— outfurther words, he came down from his seat and putting on hishat, doparted ’ all crest fallen. and astounded. Algernon Syd- ney followed him at once, though with a statelier mien and bolder bearing, eighty more of the members moving with him While there had seemed

chance of any opposition to had stood in silence, with his breast, scowl' pressed; but now, when be perceived that all Without more words, were skulking away froui the house, he once again addressed them.

IS 'you,’ he exclaimed, ‘it is you, who have thrust this on me. \

Lord that he would slay me, on the doing of this work.’ do it,’ asked‘iA-llen bluntly, ‘_if that be so grievous to time tpnough to undo that con ooe——aud as our con ' ' ' done my Lord Cryxnvwnxscience teils you, ill Conscience, Alderman,’ what did thine tell thee, of the army, didst embez hundred thousand pounds to thine own uses. What sayest thou to that, good alderman? ho, methinks I have-thee. this peculatot'.

tolenforce- his words ‘ ' I qeepimiSdOings" , until he answeryr his tied, for they honest men of olfihat parliament, s ain a powerful monarch-—destr ' '-' tutt_on,and disenth’ralled the Dyed the cons“ nationu-vanquised all their country from a power Europe, now misera .e refuge in the ties ised obs 7

privatelife,—-deserted by the pgople in tlfdii‘liiirzf whom they had first deserted at the dictates of ti

There," casting his eyes towards

Then turning on

‘ I am the speaker members chosen,

quit its precincts while in Then Harrison stepped slowly up the

from the house,

towards the door. to be the slightest his will, Cromwell _ arms folded on his factiig the speaker’s chair, with a dark on. his brow and: his lips. rigidly com~

‘ It Night- and; day have I prayed the rather than put me ‘ Then wherefore ere he left the house, You? There is yet which has already

‘Conscience, ha,

returned Oliver, ‘ and when thou, as treasurer zle much more than one

G d Ho, h _ I uar s, apprehend , Away With him, away with him, say, andhe-stampediangrily upon the fluor as Sullen, humiliated, an unpi- liad lostalready the- respect- of all denominations, thememhers which had dethroned and

‘ people of‘a mighty foreign foes, and raised secondary to afirst rate sneaked away to find a

‘ hands across—down the middle—up agaifll '

cited and poor ambition“; 1 3:; forth from the hall, 1 .. ., mighty revolution fixed his a! m, v which lay on the board bgfofiiglfi‘l, chair. ‘What shall we do,’ ham! v. fool’s bauble 1 Here, carry it,“ng , that word, a private of the guard bow , ancient emblem of the people’s doing“ " ' on- which, not to preserve his soul, as, ‘ would have dared lay a finger at" ,,‘ bore it ofi'at the first biddingofthe'y ofasmall English borough, rt‘lisedi' ‘ strange sagacity and the indomitable jug his simple will to a far lgftier “him proudest despot of the east... C v. _ snatched the instrument of discolor" trembling fingers of the clerk; aided: doors to be locked, and girt by his desot returned to his own palace at White ' save name aking.—-N0ve10f" Oliver '

.w‘;

SHERIDAN.---On the invitation oft Richard Brinsley Sheridan, I this his funeral. I understood that it,wap , private, and that he was to be follow grave only by a few of his friends, and who had been particularly connected in politics. When I arrived at Peter house in George-street. to which thei been removed, as being neahto W_ Abbey, where it was to be buried, I ed at the number andi descriptioattgf' ' “ who were assembled (there ;: the Duke Lord Sidmoulh, Lord M’ulgrave, Lord Lord Lynedoch, VVellesley Pole, and .. “ whose politics have been generally Sheridan’s, and who could grace th with their presence only to pay artri, extraordinary talents. How strangem; For some Weeks before his death [m destitute of the meansof subsistieneerj ,— tiotis for debt were in his house; mete . his last days in the custody of sheriff“ who abstained from conveying him merely because they were assured that ,_ him would cause his immediate death when dead, a crowd of persons, the fir and station, and’opulence,_ were eager him to his grave. I believe that that) am sure that some, of tbemourners invited; Such, certainly, were thr Prince's friends, Lord Yarmouth, l Leach. They sent a letter. from can the day befdre the funeral, expressingf _ ‘I attend, and’ their offer was not refused Prince, about. ten days before Sheridail’g when he was in great distress, and aflef the newspapers had observed upon the inattention he met with, had sent him of £200; but Mrs Sheridan had the refuse it, and when she communicated husband what she had-done he appror ‘ ' duct. The immediate cause of hi , reported to be an abscess; but that " his constitution was_nearly worn origin}! his death was rapidly accelerated rigrle, appointment, and a deep sense of“ - experienced.---Ro'milly’s Memoirs. ‘3