dius for Nero. I am sensible these examples are foreign from my subject since the Romans in those days were buried in lewdness and luxury; whereas the people of England are now renowned all over the world for their great virtue and discipline, — and yet suffer an idiot without courage, without sense, nay, without ambition, to have dominion in a country of liberty. "One could bear a little with Oliver Cromwell, though contrary to his oath of fidelity to the Parliament, contrary to his duty to the public, contrary to the respect he owed to that venerable body from whom he received his authority, he usurped the government. His merit was so extraordinary that our judgement and passions might be blinded by it. He made his way to empire by the most illustrious actions. He held under his command an army that had made him a conqueror and a people that had made him their general. "But as for Richard Cromwell, his son, who is he? What are his titles? We have seen that he has a sword by his side, but did he ever draw it? And, what is of more importance in this case, is he fit to get obedience from a mighty nation who could never make a footman obey him? Yet, we must recognize this man as our king under the style of Protector-a man without birth, without courage, without conduct. For my part, I declare, sir, it shall never be said that I made such a man my master." Following this remarkable triumph of oratory Richard Cromwell was forced to resign, the famous Long Parliament was reassembled, and Sir Henry Vane was appointed one of the Committee of Safety, to whom the supreme and entire power of the country was entrusted until Parliament could make further arrangements. Later he was made President of the Council. And if General George Monk had not sold the army to Prince Charles for the title of a duke Vane's dream of a republican England would in all probability have been realized. As it was, Charles the Second was crowned and England given over to the scourge of an unbridled tyranny. Of course Sir Harry Vane was among the first to fall a victim to the treachery of the army and of Parliament. He was imprisoned, first in his own castle and then on the island of Sicily, while the king waited until he should be strong enough to claim his life. Then he kept him for another season in the Tower. In the Declaration of Breda Charles had proclaimed amnesty to all not especially excepted by Parliament and as Sir Harry had not been one of his father's judges and was a well-known opponent of the action taken by the regicides, it had been supposed that he would be quite secure from the vengeance of the new monarch. Moreover, the two Houses of Parliament had been assured through the Lord Chancellor that, "If Vane were ever convicted, execution as to his life should be remitted." It was because this appeared to be sufficient that Sir Harry Vane's name was excepted from the Act of Indemnity and Oblivion which the Commons framed. When a new Parliament came in, however, and, stimulated by desire to get a share of Sir Harry's great estate, pushed matters vigorously against him, the king had either to redeem or break his pledge. Characteristically he shifted the burden of decision upon his Chancellor in the following letter which shows, as well as a whole volume of history could, the manner of man who now ruled England: "HAMPTON COURT, Saturday, "Two in the afternoon. "The relation that has been made to me of Sir Henry Vane's carriage yesterday in the Hall, is the occasion of this letter; which, if |