he secret source of his intelligence remained still unknown and
unsuspected.

Conspiracies for an assassination he was chiefly afraid of; these being
designs which no prudence or vigilance could evade. Colonel Titus, under
the name of Allen, had written a spirited discourse, exhorting every
one to embrace this method of vengeance; and Cromwell knew, that the
inflamed minds of the royal party were sufficiently disposed to put
the doctrine in practice against him. He openly told them, that
assassinations were base and odious, and he never would commence
hostilities by so shameful an expedient; but if the first attempt or
provocation came from them, he would retaliate to the uttermost. He had
instruments, he said, whom he could employ; and he never would desist
till he had totally exterminated the royal family. This menace, more
than all his guards, contributed to the security of his person.[*] [26]

* See note Z at the end of the volume.

There was no point about which the protector was more solicitous than
to procure intelligence. This article alone, it is said, cost him sixty
thousand pounds a year. Postmasters, both at home and abroad, were in
his pay: carriers were searched or bribed: secretaries and clerks were
corrupted the greatest zealots in all parties were often these who
conveyed private information to him: and nothing could escape his
vigilant inquiry. Such at least is the representation made by historians
of Cromwell's administration: but it must be confessed, that, if we
may judge by those volumes of Thurloe's papers which have been lately
published, this affair, like many others, has been greatly magnified.
We scarcely find by that collection, that any secret counsels of foreign
states, except those of Holland, which are not expected to be concealed,
were known to the protector.

The general behavior and deportment of this man, who had been raised
from a very private station, who had passed most of his youth in the
country, and who was still constrained so much to frequent bad company,
was such as might befit the greatest monarch. He maintained a dignity
without either affectation or ostentation; and supported with all
strangers that high idea with which his great exploits and prodigious
fortune had impressed them. Among his ancient friends, he could relax
himself; and by trifling and amusement, jesting and making verses, he
feared not exposing himself to their most familiar approaches.[*] With
oth