uced; but he could tell nothing, except that passing
along the crags of the Gull's Nest, (the Protector started at the name,)
he saw the packet dangling in the air; he pulled at it, and it came
easily away in his hand; and finding it directed to his Highness, he had
been recommended to bring it forthwith--that he had ridden part of the
way in company with some who were coming as far as Gravesend, and had
'lifted' him. He looked like what he was, part oyster-dredger, part
smuggler. Cromwell saw nothing in him that would justify detention, and
dismissed him with a liberal gratuity.

"We shall solve the mysteries of this Gull's Nest Crag before we leave
the island," thought the Protector, and then proceeded to the almost
hopeless task of comforting the humbled and afflicted "Master in
Israel."

CHAPTER IV.

Where I, a prisoner chain'd, scarce freely draw
The air, imprison'd also, close and damp,
Unwholesome draught.
But here I feel amends,
The breath of heaven fresh blowing, pure and sweet,
With day-spring born.

MILTON.

My readers will, doubtless, be more interested in visiting Robin Hays
than in noting the preparations made and the order observed by the
Protector for his intended journey. When Cromwell put his state upon
him, he did it with all dignity; there was no sparing of expense, no
scant of attendants, no lack of guards--boldly and bravely were his
arrangements formed; for he wisely knew that plainness and simplicity,
although they may be understood and appreciated by the high-minded, are
held in contempt by the low and the uneducated, because imagined to be
within their own attainment. Had Cincinnatus ruled in England, he would
never have abandoned a kingdom for a ploughshare; such an act would have
been looked upon, at least by more than half the nation, as proceeding
from weakness rather than from true strength of mind. The English,
notwithstanding all their talk about equality, have not enthusiasm
enough to understand or to feel the greatness that slights, and even
scorns, magnificence! a gilded pageant wins their hearts; and a title
overturns their understandings. We will here hazard the assertion, that
if Cromwell had listened to a very powerful party, and had accepted,
instead of having declined the name, while he possessed the station of a
"King," he would have conquered all the obstacles by which he was
surrounded, and have bequeathed a th