rmy and to
other money-exigencies, with zealous prosecution of the war with
Spain, and consideration of what might be done for the King of
Sweden, the cause of European Protestantism, and English interests in
the Baltic. The speech was delivered in the Lords, only a few of the
Commons attending. They were busy with swearing in their members, and
with the election of a Speaker. Mr. Chaloner Chute, a lawyer, one of
the members for Middlesex, was unanimously chosen; but, short as the
session was to be, the House was to have three Speakers in
succession. Mr. Chute acted till March 9, when his health broke down,
and Sir Lislebone Long, one of the members for Wells, was appointed
his substitute. Sir Lislebone died only seven days afterwards (March
16), and Mr. Thomas Bampfield, one, of the members for Exeter,
succeeded him. Chute having died also, Bampfield became full Speaker.
April 15, 1659.[1]

[Footnote 1: _Parl. Hist._ III. 1537-1540, and Commons Journals
of dates.]

A day or two having been spent in preliminary business, and the House
presenting the spectacle, long unknown in Westminster, of no fewer
than between 300 and 400 members in daily attendance, Thurloe, on the
1st of February, boldly threw down the gage by bringing in a bill for
recognising Richard's right and title to be Lord Protector. Hasilrig
and the Republicans were taken by surprise, and could only protest
that the motion was unseasonable and that other matters ought to have
precedence. The bill having been read the first time that day,
Thurloe consented that the second reading should be deferred to the
7th. On that day, accordingly, there began a debate which lasted for
seven successive days, and was a full trial of strength between the
Government and the Republicans. Hasilrig, Neville, Scott, Vane,
Ludlow, and others, exerted themselves to the utmost, Hasilrig
leading, and making one speech three hours long. It was evident,
however, that the Republicans knew themselves to be but a minority,
and used the debate only for re-opening the question of a Republic.
They did not attack the direct proposal of the Bill; on the contrary
they vied with the Cromwellians in language of respect for Richard.
"I confess I do love the person of the Lord Protector; I never saw
nor heard either fraud or guile in him." said Hasilrig. "I would not
hazard a hair of his present Highness's head," said Scott; "if you
think of a Single Person, I would have him sooner than any m