Page:Works of Thomas Carlyle - Volume 07.djvu/39

Rh ''deny both my own reason and the advice of my friends; which I may not do. Indeed, Sir, I have not closed with a far greater Offer of estate; but chose rather to fix here: I hope I have not been wanting to Providence in this.''

''I have made myself plain to you. Desiring you will make my Son the messenger of your pleasure and resolution herein as speedily as with conveniency you may, I take leave, and rest, your affectionate servant,'' OLIVER CROMWELL.

I desire my service may be presented to your Lady and Daughters.

On the morrow, which is Thursday the 15th, day also of John Milton’s nomination to be Secretary, Lieutenant-General Cromwell was nominated Commander for Ireland; satisfactory appointments both.

Lieutenant-General is in hot haste today; sends a brief Letter ‘by your Kinsman,’ consenting to almost everything.—Mayor, as we saw before, decidedly prefers ‘ my ould land’ to uncertain Parliamentary land. Oliver (see last Letter) offered to settle the 300l. of jointure upon his old land, after his Wife’s decease; he now agrees that half of it, 1507, shall be settled directly out of the old land, and the other half out of what Parliamentary land Mayor may like best.—The Letter breathes haste in every line; but hits, with a firm knock, in Cromwell’s way, the essential nails on their head, as it hurries on.

‘Your Kinsman,’ who carries this Letter, turns out by and by to be a Mr Barton; a man somewhat particular in his ways of viewing matters; unknown otherwise to all men. The Lieutenant-General getting his Irish Appointment con-