ers he sometimes pushed matters to the length of rustic buffoonery;
and he would amuse himself by putting burning coals into the boots and
hose of the officers who attended him.[**] Before the king's trial, a
meeting was agreed on between the chiefs of the republican party and the
general officers, in order to concert the model of that free
government which they were to substitute in the room of the monarchical
constitution now totally subverted. After debates on this subject, the
most important that could fall under the discussion of human creatures,
Ludlow tells us that Cromwell, by way of frolic, threw a cushion at his
head; and when Ludlow took up another cushion, in order to return the
compliment, the general ran down stairs, and had almost fallen in the
hurry. When the high court of justice was signing the warrant for
the execution of the king, a matter, if possible, still more serious,
Cromwell, taking the pen in his hand, before he subscribed his name,
bedaubed with ink the face of Martin, who sat next him. And the
pen being delivered to Martin, he practised the same frolic upon
Cromwell.[***]

* Whitlocke, p. 647.

** Bates.

*** Trial of the Regicides.

He frequently gave feasts to his inferior officers; and when the meat
was set upon the table, a signal was given; the soldiers rushed in upon,
them; and with much noise, tumult, and confusion, ran away with all the
dishes, and disappointed the guests of their expected meal.[*]

* Bates.

That vein of frolic and pleasantry which made a part, however
inconsistent, of Cromwell's character, was apt sometimes to betray him
into other inconsistencies, and to discover itself even where religion
might seem to be a little concerned. It is a tradition, that one day,
sitting at table, the protector had a bottle of wine brought him, of
a kind which he valued so highly, that he must needs open the bottle
himself; but in attempting it, the corkscrew dropped from his hand.
Immediately his courtiers and generals flung themselves on the floor to
recover it. Cromwell burst out a laughing. "Should any fool," said he,
"put in his head at the door, he would fancy, from your posture, that
you were seeking the Lord; and you are only seeking a corkscrew."

Amidst all the unguarded play and buffoonery of this singular personage,
he took the opportunity of remarking the characters, designs, and
weaknesses of men; and he would sometimes push them, by an indulg