Page:The child's pictorial history of England; (IA childspictorialh00corn).pdf/163

 more importance, by other nations, than it had ever been before.

33. The English Admiral, Blake, gained some great victories over the Dutch at sea; and some conquests were made both in the East and West Indies, particularly that of Jamaica, which was taken from the Spaniards.

34. The English people obeyed Cromwell more from fear than love, yet he had so many great qualities that he was respected, as well as feared. Milton, the poet, was one of his secretaries, and was much attached to him, as I believe most people were, who belonged to his domestic circle, for Cromwell was kind and mild in his family, although severe and determined in his public character.

35. There was not much merriment in England, while he was its ruler, for the Puritans thought it sinful to dance, or feast, or sing, or play at any games; so all the theatres and other places of public amusement were ordered to be shut up, even at Christmas, which had previously been a very gay time, when every body, rich or poor, used to make holiday for twelve days; and in every country mansion, there was a good Christmas dinner, and plenty of fun afterwards, old and young playing at forfeits, blindman's