Page:Public School History of England and Canada (1892).djvu/115

 Never, except in the time of Elizabeth, had England been so respected abroad ag in these years. Jamaica was taken from Spain, 1655, and France gave up Dunkirk as the price of Cromwell’s aid against Spain. The Duke of Savoy, at Cromwell’s command, was forced to cease persecuting the Vaudois, and in him oppressed Protestants everywhere found a powerful protector.

9. State of the Country.—But peace and power, while it brought prosperity, did not bring content. The Puritan rule was hard, coldy and joyless. Innocent, as well as harmful, amusements were suppressed. Cock-fighting and bear-baiting, to the Puritans, were no worse than dancing round the Maypole, and eating mince pies. Theatres were closed, and Christmas revels were forbidden. The Puritans tried to make everybody religious, earnest, and sober. This they could not do, and people began to long for the return of the good old days, and some began to wish for the death of Cromwell. Plots were formed to kill him, and in his latter days he wore armour constantly under his clothing.

10. Death of Cromwell.—But the end was near. Cromwell’s health suffered much’ from his fear of assassination, and from his anxiety about the future of the nation. Then his favourite daughter, Elizabeth, died, and this broke the strong man’s heart. Ague seized him, and although prayers went up everywhere for his recovery, he passed away on the anniversary of his great victories at Dunbar and Worcester, Sept. 3rd, 1658. He was buried with royal honors in Westminster Abbey, and no greater ruler was there laid to rest than the “uncrowned King of England.”

11. Restoration of Charles II.—So great was the fear of Cromwell, even in death, that his eldest son, Richard, was allowed to succeed him as quietly as if he had been the rightful heir to a crown. Richard was a weak, good-natured, worthless man, and soon lost the respect of the army, which forced him to dissolve the Parliament which had just been elected, and to recall the fragment of the Long Parliament that Cromwell had driven out. But, as the Long Parliament could not agree with the army, it was again expelled. In the meantime, Richard, after holding office ten months, had to resign the Protectorship, and he gladly retired into private life, It was evident that England was drifting into anarchy, and.