He was in the forefront at Edge Hill, Newbury, Marston Moor, and many lesser fights. He greatly helped the glorious victory at Naseby, as I have been told by Cromwell himself. There it pleased God his active service should end; but he returned here wounded and dying. The last scenes of his life were greatly occupied in confirming the faith and settling the affairs of those he loved, and in arranging for the good of our city. His last words were, 'I know

in whom I have believed.' Has not God given us in him an instance of great faith, which does great things and suffers great things? May we all be followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.'"

As the pastor thus spoke, sobs were heard all over the Cathedral from youths whom George had trained, families he had comforted and helped. But Alice looked steadily on her father's face, with a sort of glorious triumph contending with her sorrow that her husband was publicly sealed as such a hero and such a Christian.

As they left the Cathedral, Ann, dashing her tears away, said, "Was not Mistress Alice wonderful? She sat like an angel looking into Heaven!"

"She is an angel," said Will; "and Heaven is the place for heroes who have done their work."

"I almost begin to think," replied Ann, "perhaps it may not be so ill-ordered. If he had lived-bless him!-his brother would never have taken this good turn. He himself would have been always away in London; his life would then not have left this deep impress ;—and he—well, what work can they find for a warrior up there! They may have, to be sure, the devil and his angels to fight; and I'll warrant he'll be in the foremost rank of God's army."

Were sons indeed, they felt a filial heart,
And shining each in his domestic sphere,
Shone brighter still, once called to public view."

COWPER.

GREAT event took place in London soon after the thanksgiving day-the marriage of

the eldest daughter of General Cromwell to Colonel Ireton.

The morning of the wedding-day dawned bright and fair. "May, my love," said Edward to his wife, "I don't care much for this marriage. Ireton supplanted George with Cromwell."

"But," replied May, "he will find his match. Bridget is very different to your meek wife. And you, thank God, are very different-shall I say?—from what you were once, or we could never have agreed."

"Is the change in me only? Why, May, you are not the same person !-you used to be biting as the east wind; -but now you are a perpetual sunbeam !"

"Perhaps I was before, to every one but you; but you were self-contained, and censorious on others. Now the assuming priest is lost in the enlightened Christian gentleman."

"We are complimentary this morning, my love! I used to think I owed my best influence to Alice; but I begin to fancy that she rather fostered my disease, while it was all the while laughing George and critical May who were the alkali to cure me."

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I am sure, Edward, I was growing bitter and jealous; but since you have come to yourself, all that crust has fallen off. Besides, your profound devotion to religion has always been a true lesson to us all. Only never put on the priest's cowl again, or I must go back to my father, or to the cloister."

"That seems most unlikely, my lovely wife, for your power is rooted as deep in my reason as in my heart."

"Edward, how much we owe to George's unconscious power! His mirth ever kept me from a morbid discontent, while his sound sense was a constant corrective to us all."

"I wish I had appreciated it more early, but now I daily recur to it. George will always live to us."

Master Milton was expected to breakfast, in order to proceed in the Count's train to the Cathedral at Westminster. Will Barnard was up in attendance on Dr. Edward Sherwood. He was walking early, before the house door, with Rudy Hervey who loved to gossip with him of the wars,—when a carriage drove up, from which alighted a youngish man, carefully helped by his ancient servant, as if he were a child. Will went forward to receive them, when the gaunt servant met him, saying, "Could the Count be seen? My master is invited. He is General Cromwell's friend!—John Milton."

Will hastened to say, "Surely;-will your master walk in? -you are early.”

"There!" cried the servant, turning round angrily on his master, "did I not tell you we were too soon when you muttered something about 'the cock's shrill clarion'?"

"But will you enter ?—the Count will soon

Will

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could not finish for mirth, when he saw the servant unbutton the visitor's cloak, remove his hat, and give him an arm up the steps as if he had been a decrepit weakling. At last the master was settled in a room with a book in his hand, in such quiet as chattering little Rudy would permit, who kept asking, Sir, are you the great poet? Do you know Cromwell ?—I do, he sent specially for me! Do you like horses and hunting? Isn't the Countess a splendid woman? This is a fine house, sir?" Poor Milton feebly replied, yes—no, indeed, and moved from chair to chair in vain. At last he said, "Boy! I have trained many youths, but I would not undertake you.” the incorrigible Rudy, "but I don't want training."

"Thanks," said

of

All were soon prepared to start, in a splendid array carriages, and they found the streets full of similar processions. They were graciously received, in a large hall full of company, where a brief service was conducted by the Most Reverend Archbishop Ussher—a great friend of Cromwell, -with some prayers of the old liturgy repeated without book. They then marched to the Abbey, where a lengthy service was effectively managed by the dissenting divines Dr. Goodwin and the Rev. W. Bridge; from which they returned to a banquet. Cromwell was escorted by many of his officers and a body of troops. The bridegroom and bride walked under a silken canopy, with white streamers held over them by young pages, before them a number of lovely girls scattered flowers.

After the banquet, the company met in the withdrawingroom. In the centre stood the bridal pair,—Bridget richly dressed, full of life and active merriment, with a commanding look which resembled her father. Ireton was a tall, well-built trooper, of narrow intelligence. Cromwell himself looked his best, with his paternal gratification very manifest, and his most genial qualities in play. Even his enemy Mistress Hutchinson admitted that he "had much

natural greatness, and well became the place he usurped." His wife hovered about him to see that all went well. His handsome daughter Elizabeth-afterwards Lady Claypole, whom he loved most tenderly—with her future husband, together with his younger daughters, formed an inner ring. There were also present Colonel Desborough—who married Cromwell's sister, his sons Henry and Richard, several also of the great generals of the time, and of his scientific and religious friends.

John Milton asked permission to read three sonnets on the occasion, "On losing a daughter,” “On gaining a wife," and "On success in arms and love." The pathos of the first touched all hearts, and even Cromwell's eyes paid their tribute. The second was so full of learned allusions as to confuse the hearers, and prove the author to know nothing of his theme. The last, by its spirit and ring, amply made up for the second, and the room shook with applause.

"Milton," said Cromwell, "most hearty thanks for the honour you have done us, and the pleasure you have given. In the distant future, where your kingdom lies, we shall hope to be among those who live in fame through you as our poet and historian."

The company then turned to general conversation. Cromwell engaged the Count, Bridge, Dr. Sherwood, Sir W. Hervey, with Whitelocke, Lisle, and Desborough, in conference on the position of affairs.

"What are we to do with the King," asked Cromwell, "when the Scots yield him to us?"

"Are you sure they will?" asked Desborough. unless you pay them a round ransom, I trow.

Scot holds all he's got.'"

"Not

'Canny

“What is the King worth to us?" said Lisle. "He has cost us dear already."

"True," said Cromwell; "and may live to cost us more." "Why not let him go free, abroad-to France or America, -anywhere out of England?" asked the Count.