got commissioners
appointed, who conducted that work, and divided the new-acquired land
among the several proprietors. He met with opposition from many, among
whom Cromwell distinguished himself; and this was the first public
opportunity which he had met with, of discovering the factious zeal and
obstinacy of his character.

From accident and intrigue he was chosen by the town of Cambridge
member of the long parliament. His domestic affairs were then in greater
disorder; and he seemed not to possess any talents which could qualify
him to rise in that public sphere into which he was now at last entered.
His person was ungraceful, his dress slovenly, his voice untonable, his
elocution homely, tedious, obscure, and embarrassed. The fervor of his
spirit frequently prompted him to rise in the house; but he was not
heard with attention: his name, for above two years, is not to be found
oftener than twice in any committee; and those committees into which
he was admitted, were chosen for affairs which would more interest the
zealots than the men of business. In comparison of the eloquent speakers
and fine gentlemen of the house, he was entirely overlooked; and his
friend Hambden alone was acquainted with the depth of his genius,
and foretold that, if a civil war should ensue, he would soon rise to
eminence and distinction.

Cromwell himself seems to have been conscious where his strength lay;
and partly from that motive, partly from the uncontrollable fury of
his zeal, he always joined that party which pushed every thing to
extremities against the king. He was active in promoting the famous
remonstrance, which was the signal for all the ensuing commotions; and
when, after a long debate, it was carried by a small majority, he told
Lord Falkland, that if the question had been lost, he was resolved next
day to have converted into ready money the remains of his fortune, and
immediately to have left the kingdom. Nor was this resolution, he said,
peculiar to himself: many others of his party he knew to be equally
determined.

He was no less than forty-three years of age when he first embraced the
military profession; and by force of genius, without any master, he soon
became an excellent officer; though perhaps he never reached the fame of
a consummate commander. He raised a troop of horse; fixed his quarters
in Cambridge; exerted great severity towards that university which
zealously adhered to the royal party; and showed himself