Dryden, John, 1631-1700; English literature -- Early modern, 1500-1700 -- History and criticism
'Different were the effects that the death of Cromwell produced
in the nation: those men who had been sharers with him in the
usurped authority were exceedingly troubled, whilst all other
parties rejoiced at it: each of them hoping that this
alteration would prove advantageous to their affairs. The
Commonwealthsmen were so charitable to believe that the
soldiery being delivered from their servitude to the General,
to which they were willing to attribute their former
compliance, would now open their eyes and join with them, as
the only means left to preserve themselves and the people.
Neither were the Cavaliers without great hopes that new
divisions might arise, and give them an opportunity of
advancing their minion, who had been long endeavouring to unite
all the corrupt interests of the nation to his party. But
neither the sense of their duty, nor the care of their own
safety, nor the just apprehensions of being overcome by their
irreconcilable enemy, could prevail with the army to return to
their proper station. So that having tasted of sovereignty
under the shadow of their late master, they resolved against
the restitution of the Parliament. And in order to this it was
agreed to proclaim Richard Cromwell, eldest son of Oliver,
Protector of the Commonwealth, in hopes that he, who by
following his pleasures had rendered himself unfit for public
business, would not fail to place the administration of the
government in the hands of those who were most powerful in the
army. Accordingly the proclamation was published in
Westminster, at Temple-Bar, and at the Old Exchange, with as
few expressions of joy as had ever been observed on the like
occasion. This being done, the Council issued out orders to the
officers of civil justice to act by virtue of their old
commissions till new ones could be sent to them: and that
nothing might be omitted to fortify the new government, various
means were used to procure addresses from all parts, which were
brought in great numbers from the several counties in England,
Scotland, and Ireland, as also from divers regiments of the
army. One of the first acts of the new government was, to
order the funeral of the late usurper; and the Council having
resolved that it should be very magnificent, the care of it was
referred to a committee of them, who sending for Mr.
Kinnersley, master of the wardrobe, desired him to find out
some precedent, by which they might govern themselves in this
important affair. After examination of his books and papers,
Mr. Kinnersley, who was suspected to be inclined to popery,
recommended to them the solemnities used upon the like occasion
for Philip the Second, king of Spain, who had been represented
to be in purgatory for about two months. In the like manner was
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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