joy; and, though
there were still signs that Monk would stand a good deal on his
independence, his adhesion on any terms was an immense
gain.--Lockhart also, looking about him in Flanders, and considering
what would be best for English interests altogether, had given up all
thoughts of a revolt from the Rump by the Continental forces, and had
returned to England, early in June, to render his accounts. The
Council of the Rump, on their side, considering what was best in the
circumstances, with Dunkirk and the other results of Cromwell's
Flanders enterprise still on their hands, were glad to retain
Lockhart's services in the post of Ambassador to Louis XIV. and sent
him back, after a week or two, with re-credentials in that post from
the new Government.--There had been more uncertainty about Henry
Cromwell in Ireland. His great popularity and the conditions of the
country itself made a Cromwellian revolt there more likely than
anywhere else. But there was to be no such thing. Left by his inert
brother without direct communications, and receiving intelligence, as
he says, "only from common fame," Henry had very bravely held out to
the last, ascertaining the temper of his officers and the Army. Not
till the 15th of June was he clear as to his duty; but on that day,
having fully made up his mind, he addressed to the Speaker of the
Rump a letter worthy of himself and of the occasion. "All this
while," he wrote, "I expected directions from his Highness, by whose
authority I was placed here, still having an eye to the common peace,
by preventing all making of parties and divisions either among the
people or Army. But, hearing nothing expressly from him, and yet
having credible notice of his acquiescing in what Providence had
brought forth as to the future government of these nations, I now
think it time, lest a longer suspense should beget prejudicial
apprehensions in the minds of any, to give you this account: viz,
that I acquiesce in the present way of government, although I cannot
promise so much, affection, to the late changes as others very
honestly may. For my own part, I can say that I believe God was
present in many of your administrations before you were last
interrupted [i.e. before his Father's dissolution of them in April
1653], and may be so again; to which end I hope that those worthy
persons who have lately acknowledged such their interrupting you in
the year 1653 to have been their fault will by that sense of th