of his Fate--Peden's Predictions--Traditions
concerning Peden--John Brown the Martyr--Linlithgow
Loch Swans--Hereford Children--Great
Comet--Conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter at Eventful
Periods--Solomon's Power over Evil Spirits and over
the Beasts of the Field.

Fabulous relations are given in connection with the career of
Cromwell. We are told he was in league with the devil, to whom he
sold himself for a brief period of power among a people whom he
ruled with a rod of iron, and trampled their rulers under his feet.
That Cromwell used to consult astrologers, there can be little doubt.
He was accustomed to obtain advice from Lilly, the wizard, before
entering into any important engagement. In particular, he sought
the assistance of Lilly before he entered Parliament, and when he
besieged Dunkirk. The 3rd of September was a memorable day in the
life of Cromwell, for on a 3rd of September he fought his two most
famous battles, and on a 3rd of September he yielded up the
ghost--circumstances that gave colour to the reports circulated
concerning the help and protection he received from Satan. Colonel
Lindsay was responsible for the extraordinary stories spread abroad
affecting the character of the dictator. From the colonel's statement,
it appears that on the morning of the 3rd September 1651, the day on
which the battle of Worcester was fought and the forces of Charles II.
were routed, Cromwell and Lindsay entered a dark wood near the
battlefield. Lindsay, unaware of the object Cromwell had in view in
being in such a gloomy place, and thinking he perceived something
strange in the appearance of his leader, was seized with horror and
trembling, which prevented him going farther. Cromwell proceeded a
short distance alone. He was met by an old man with a roll of
parchment in his hand, which he gave to Cromwell, who perused it
carefully. An altercation took place between Cromwell and the old man
or devil, during which Lindsay heard Cromwell say, "This is but for
seven years; I was to get twenty-one." The being to whom he spoke,
replied that only seven years could be given. Cromwell, modifying his
demands, craved fourteen years, but the old man was inexorable. "Seven
years, and no more," he sternly replied. And the document, whatever
was its real meaning or tendency, was signed by the two parties, with
the "seven years" undeleted. As soon as the signatures were adhibited,
Cromwell hastil