eate disturbance: but being threatened by Sir Hardress
Waller, Colonel John Jones, and other officers, he very quietly resigned
his command, and retired to England. He had once entertained thoughts,
which he had not resolution to execute, of proclaiming the king in
Dublin.[**]

* Ludlow.

** Carte's Collections, vol. ii. p. 243.

Thus fell, suddenly and from an enormous height, but, by a rare fortune,
without any hurt or injury, the family of the Cromwells. Richard
continued to possess an estate, which was moderate, and burdened too
with a large debt, which he had contracted for the interment of his
father. After the restoration, though he remained unmolested, he thought
proper to travel for some years; and at Pezenas, in Languedoc, he was
introduced under a borrowed name to the prince of Conti. That prince,
talking of English affairs, broke out into admiration of Cromwell's
courage and capacity. "But as for that poor, pitiful fellow Richard,"
said he, "what has become of him? How could he be such a blockhead as
to reap no greater benefit from all his father's crimes and successes?"
Richard extended his peaceful and quiet life to an extreme old age, and
died not till the latter end of Queen Anne's reign. His social virtues,
more valuable than the greatest capacity, met with a recompense
more precious than noisy fame, and more suitable--contentment and
tranquillity.

The council of officers, now possessed of supreme authority, deliberated
what form of government they should establish. Many of them seemed
inclined to exercise the power of the sword in the most open manner; but
as it was apprehended, that the people would with great difficulty
be induced to pay taxes levied by arbitrary will and pleasure, it was
agreed to preserve the shadow of civil administration, and to revive
the long parliament, which had been expelled by Cromwell. That assembly
could not be dissolved, it was asserted, but by their own consent; and
violence had interrupted, but was not able to destroy, their right
to government. The officers also expected, that as these members had
sufficiently felt their own weakness, they would be contented to act in
subordination to the military commanders, and would thenceforth allow
all the authority to remain where the power was so visibly vested.

The officers applied to Lenthal, the speaker, and proposed to him, that
the parliament should resume their seats. Lenthal was of a low, timid
spirit;