But the bone of contention in these parts - Boarstall, was still coveted by the self-styled national magnates; and, accordingly, in the spring of 1646, it was once more invested by Fairfax, with so numerous and well-appointed a force as to ensure success. Campion saw his position with a soldier's eye; and, on being duly summoned, desired permission to send a messenger to Oxford, and ascertain the opinion of the King's Commissioners. To this request Fairfax replied::-"I should be as willing to doe any civilitye for Sr Wm Campion as any man; but must not neglect ye duty of that trust I owe to ye Parliament. I doe wonder he shoulde stand upon such nicetyes as his desire to send a letter to ye Governor of Oxon about ye surrendering ye garrison of Borstall; I knowe it is not fitt for me to permit such a thing." He also deputed Major Shilburne to show Campion a despatch he had received, on his pledged honour, respecting the approaching submission of Oxford, the fall of which city was now inevitable. These circumstances, and the natural repugnance to a needless effusion of blood, induced Sir William to call a council of war to consider the exigency, the members of which unanimously assented to the "rendition" of the castle. This step was taken on the reasons here assigned, and there being, moreover, no possibility of relief; but not at all influenced by fear of Lord Wharton and several other waverers, who were "much sett" against the governor, because he was "soe obstinate."

Boarstall was accordingly surrendered on very favourable terms, and thenceforward was one of Cromwell's garrisons till the utter defeat of the Royalists, when Lady Dynham returned and took up her residence. As to the gallant Sir William Campion, whom Fairfax, in his despatch to the Parliament reporting the fall of the fortress, styled "a very faire ennemye," he was continuously employed on the King's service, and often protected the people from plunder and violence. Wretched, indeed, was the condition which those places had to endure wherever the rival forces came, whether to plunder or to protect the unfortunate inhabitants. The Earl of Essex, writing from Brickhill, observed that the Parliamentary army could only move by slow marches, "so that the country suffers much wrong, and the cries of the poor people are infinite:"

what with arbitrary exactions, pillage, wanton havock, forced labour, and malevolent imprisonment, their bitter cup was full. Campion exerted himself to moderate these evils, but at length was unhappily killed in a sally at the siege of Colchester; he was in the 34th year of his age, and was buried in St. Peter's Church in that town, amidst universal regret, on the 16th of June, 1648. Peace to his manes!

Without pretending to give judgment upon the usurpation of Cromwell, we may remark that its consequences became glorious by his wise administration, which made England formidable by sea and land, and procured her some valuable territorial acquisitions-Jamaica to wit-with many commercial advan— tages which she still enjoys, or did till expediency, relinquishment, and concession became paramount in our councils. But how could the vigour of that government be questionable where Cromwell was the head; where the courts of judicature were filled by Hale, and other known men of integrity; where Blake was the Admiral; Fairfax the General; Whitlocke the Lord Keeper; and Milton, Thurloe, and Marvel the Secretaries; besides boasting such men as Ayscue, Waller, Usher, Hobbes, Harvey, and Simon the præses of medallists.

We have no intention of entering critically on the acts of those troublous days; yet, in a sketch of this description, it may be remarked that Cromwell displayed great skill as a general for the age he appeared in, and considering the disadvantage of his not having been a soldier till twice twenty winters had passed over him. But his military exploits exceeded those of all his "regularbred" contemporaries; and he managed an army amounting on the whole to over 50,000 men with a firm grasp. He also infused spirit by raising its standard of respectability, in recruiting from the freeholders and farmers, instead of clogging his ranks with " decayed serving-men and tapsters." Considerable countenance was given to render military life palatable, and the pay per diem was raised to the following scale; money being then worth about twice as much as at present, besides which, from the comparative absence of luxury, less expenditure was necessary:--

At page 126 of this volume, my surprise was expressed that no relics were preserved of John Hampden, even in his domicile; but it is otherwise with Oliver Cromwell, his intimate friend and relation; for, besides the authentic portraits of him, the coins and medals by the inimitable Simon are bearing his likeness to posterity. In that venerable mansion, Chequers Court, there are Cromwellian tokens of various kinds, all of which Lady Frankland Russell kindly shows and ably describes. There is Noll as a child, and in mature age; his mother, and his wife; his two sons, and his four daughters; together with effigies of several others of the Protectorate. Here are also his trusty sword, his chair, his slippers, and a mask taken from his face and Mr. Joseph B. Reade's reply to my request relative to the weapon (2nd June, 1862,) merits insertion:

I have now the pleasure of forwarding to you a drawing of the Protector's sword photographed ad vivum. Whether this sword or another took the life of the Earl of Derby of that day it is needless to determine, but it is a curious fact in the family history at Chequers Court that one fifth great-grandfather cut off the other fifth great-grandfather's head. In the celebrated painting by Cooper of the battle of Marston Moor-from which contested field I have sent relics to the Museum at Halifax-the hero is represented on his charger cheering on his men, with this identical sword raised high in air, but wielded with the left hand, the sword-arm being disabled, and in a sling. It is true that tradition may have its weak points, but I am quite prepared to stand by the family story of the old chair and Noll's sword, "the sword of the Lord and of Gideon," as the sturdy enthusiast would no doubt have called it. But I must not say a word to a sailor against the celebrated author of the "Navigation Act."

You threaten to apply to me the instrument of death under which so many have fallen; but I hope your only salutation will be, "Rise, Sir Joseph!" It will be a great event in the quiet history of a country parson, to be knighted by an admiral with old Noll's sword.

In the following illustration it will be at once seen that Mr. Reade's beautiful photograph is well treated by the graver of Mr. Thomas Cobb. The

sword-blade is 30 inches in length by 14 inch wide; the ornamental steel guard is lined with buff leather, and of small size, the opening being 4 in. wide, tapering to 2 inches. The hilt is 4 in. long, covered with fine interlaced cane-work.

Two other swords of Cromwell having fallen under my own cognizance, may also be registered here. Of these the one marked A in the following cut is now in the United Service Institution, where it is thus registered, "No.

1279. Basket-hilted cut-and-thrust sword used by Oliver Cromwell at the siege of Drogheda, 10th September, 1649, on which occasion, his troops having twice mounted the breach, and twice been repelled, he led them himself the third time, and was victorious. The blade bears the marks of two musquet-balls. This sword was inherited by the donor Joshua S. Simmons Smith, Esq. as a collateral descendant of the Protector." The blade is 32 inches long and 14 broad, with a hilt 6 inches in length.

While this weapon was reposing in glass case C, between the swords of Nelson and Wolfe, it came to pass that the Duke of Wellington, paying our Museum a visit, seized upon that of Cromwell, and, handling it, remarked "He had a strong wrist, eh!" As a better opportunity could not offer itself, his Grace was instantly reminded that as yet we possessed no sword of his, and how much we should prize such a gift. He very good-naturedly replied that we should have "the one I wore at Waterloo," at least so it was understood. Weeks, however, passed away, then month after month, without the arrival of the expected present, and I was repeatedly pressed by our Council to learn the reason why. At length an opportunity offered, as shown in the following letter of the 29th of June, 1850:

MY LORD DUKE,

As Chairman of the Council of the United Service Institution, I feel obliged to address your Grace on a matter of such delicacy that nothing but necessity could have driven me to the measure.

We have just completed a very compact lecture theatre, and a large gallery for the reception of the elaborate model of the Battle of Waterloo by the late Captain Siborne, the arrangements for securing which are advancing with renewed vigour.

On a visit to Syon House a few days ago the Duke of Northumberland questioned me as to our progress, and remarked that there was an impression on the Council that your Grace had promised to favour the Institution with a sword; adding that, when the Waterloo Gallery should be thus honoured, he himself would present the telescope used by Napoleon on the 18th of June, now in his possession.

Under so strong a circumstance I have considered it best, before mentioning it elsewhere, to put the question before your Grace, and shall be proud of your Grace's commands on the subject. I have the honour, &c.

To this letter I received an answer of so characteristic a tenor for a warrior in his 82nd year, that I must insert it here. It is dated July 3rd, 1850: