SHarding, die etsculp. RICHARD CROMWELL LORD PROTECTOR. From a Miniature by Cooper in the Collection of the Right Honourable the Earl of Orford. atStrawberyHill. London Pub Marah 2.7799. by Hardy N:732, Flut Street. MEMOIRS RICHARD OF CROMWELL. RICHARD CROMWELL, Lord Protector, was the eldest surviving son of the Protector, OLIVER; he was born at Huntingdon, October 4th, 1626, and baptized the 19th following at the church of St. John in the same town. After he had received the rudiments of his education, he was sent for the completion thereof to Felsted, in Essex; under the inspection of Mr. John Bourchier, his maternal uncle, at that time resident there. In the 21st year of his age, May 27th, 1647, he was admitted to the Society of Lincoln's-inn; but applied himself very little, if at all, to the study of the law: addicting himself solely to the pursuits of pleasure. The difference between this amiably-inglorious person, and his renowned, but wicked father, was remarkable even in the outset of his life; for, while the latter was canting, praying, and bravely fighting for a throne, the son maintained his royalty, consorting constantly with the royalists; and, though unable to assist his unfortunate Sovereign, he publickly drank his health, and wished success to attend his arms: so far, indeed, did he carry his attachment to the hapless victim, as, when he was condemned to be beheaded, to throw himself at the feet of his stern father, and, in vain, implore that he would save his sacred life. After the death of Charles he married Dorothy, eldest daughter of Richard Major, of Hursley, in the county of Hants, Esq. Receiving a considerable fortune with this lady, and being disgusted with the scene of blood so lately acted in London, he retired into the country, where he enjoyed many years of dmoestic happiness; to which, and his beloved rural sports, he entirely devoted himself: nor did he here relinquish his loyal principles; professing the same affection for his exiled prince, as he had borne to the murdered monarch: and embracing every opportunity of serving such adherents to the royal cause as stood in need of his friendship and protection. From this state of innocence so congenial to his disposition, he was seduced on the elevation of his father to the protec * Vide Noble's Memoirs of the Protectorate House of Cromwell. B (2) torate; being made first lord of trade and navigation, November 11th, 1655: in August of the following year he was returned one of the county members for Hants; on the protector's resignation of the chancellorship of Oxford, July 3d, 1657, Richard was, the 18th following, elected his successor, and at the same time created master of arts. He was soon after sworn a privy-counsellor, then made a colonel in the army, and not long afterwards set at the head of the new-made house of lords, by the title of the right honourable the lord Richard, eldest son of his serene highness the lord pro tector. This gradation, it is not unlikely, suggested ideas in Richard beyond the simple delights of hawking and hunting; and, however averse he might have been from the means by which his father acquired his power, he shewed no reluctance in becoming his successor: he was, accordingly, on Oliver's demise, declared protector. This dignity he possessed not quite eight months, having neither the policy or cruelty of his father; refusing to sacrifice an individual at the altar of ambition. To encourage his resignation of the protectorate, the parliament promised much, but performed little for his future comfort in private life; and he became like the second Charles, a needy fugitive in various parts of Europe. After many vicissitudes, about the year 1680, he returned to England, and settled at Cheshunt, where he had an estate; here he lived many years incog. known, excepting to his intimate friends, only by the name of Clark. At a very advanced age he was necessitated to appear in a court of justice on a suit unjustly instituted against him by his daughters, to dispossess him of his estate; when the judge, respecting his former dignity and present distress, which his venerable aspect rendered in the highest degree affecting, ordered a chair to be brought into court, intreating him to be both covered and seated; and, severely reprobating his unfeeling daughters, confirmed him in the possession of what they were endeavouring to deprive him of. He was so hale and hearty at fourscore years of age as to be able to gallop his horse for many miles together; and, the natural consequence of a well-spent life, he died in peace with all mankind, not excepting his litigious daughters; to whom, at his departure for a better world, he said, Live in love, I am going to the God of love! He deceased July 13th, 1712, aged nearly 86 years. His father left behind him the character of a great man; Richard Cromwell, however heroes and statesmen may contemn him, left a more estimable character; that of a good man. |