the Northern Counties, That upon their Petition to the Parliament," that the Houses of the late Dean and Chapter in the City of Durham might be converted into a College or School of Literature," the Parliament was pleased in May last to refer the same to the Committee for Removing Obstructions in the sale of Dean-and-Chapter Lands, "to consider thereon, and to report their opinion therein to the House:" Which said Committee, as I am also informed, have so far approved thereof as that they are of an opinion That the said Houses will be a fit place to erect a College or School for all the Sciences and Literature, and that it will be a pious and laudable work and of great use to the Northern parts; and have ordered Sir Arthur Haselrig to make report thereof to the House accordingly : And the said Citizens and Gentlemen having made some address to me to contribute my assistance to them therein: To which, in so good and pious a work, I could not but willingly and heartily concur. And not knowing wherein I might better serve them, or answer their desires, than by recommending the same to the Parliament by, Sir, yourself their Speaker,—I do therefore make it my humble and earnest request that the House may be moved, as speedily as conveniently may be, To hear the Report of the said Committee concerning the said Business, from Sir Arthur Haselrig; that so the House, taking the same into consideration, may do therein what shall seem meet for the good of those poor Countries. Truly it seems to me a matter of great concernment and importance; as that which, by the blessing of God, may much conduce to the promoting of learning and piety in those poor rude and ignorant parts;-there being also many concurring advantages to this Place, as pleasantness and aptness of situation, healthful air, and plenty of pro 1 Commons Journals, ubi supra. visions, which seem to favour and plead for their desires. therein. And besides the good, so obvious to us, 'which' those Northern Counties may reap thereby, who knows but the setting on foot this work at this time may suit with God's present Dispensations; and may,-if due care and circumspection be used in the right constituting and carrying on the same,-tend to, and by the blessing of God produce, such happy and glorious fruits as are scarce thought on or foreseen! Sir, not doubting of your readiness and zeal to promote so good and public a work, I crave pardon for this boldness; and rest, Your most humble servant, OLIVER CROMWELL.* Whereupon the Committee for Removing Obstructions does bestir itself; manages, in three months hence (for we do nothing rashly), to report' by Sir Arthur Haselrig, touching Duresme 'College-Buildings to be converted to a College or School for all 'the Sciences of Literature: That'—that—And, in brief, History itself has to report that the pious Project, thanks mainly to furtherance by the Lord General, whose power to further it increased by and by, did actually, some seven years hence, take effect ;2— actually began giving Lessons of human Grammar, human Geography, Geometry, and other divine Knowledge, to the vacant human mind,—in those once sleepy Edifices, dark heretofore, or illuminated mainly by Dr. Cosins's Papistical waxlights or the like and so continued, in spite of opposition, till the Blessed Restoration put a stop to it, and to some other things. In late * Baker Mss. xxviii. 495: printed also in Hutchinson's History of Durham; and elsewhere. 1 Commons Journals (vi. 589), 18 June, 1651. 2 Protector's Letters-Patent of 15 May, 1657, following up his Ordinance in Council of the previous Year: Hutchinson's History of the County Palatine of Durham (Newcastle, 1785), i. 514-30. See Cooper's Annals of Cambridge, iii. 473 (Cambridge Petition against it: 18 April, 1659). Throve apace,' says Hutchinson, till' &c. 6 years there is again some kind of Durham College giving Lessons, -I hope, with good success. LETTER CLVI. By that tempestuous sleety expedition in the beginning of February, my Lord General caught a dangerous illness, which hung about him, reappearing in three successive relapses, till June next; and greatly alarmed the Commonwealth and the Authorities. As this to Bradshaw, and various other Letters still indicate. To the Right Honourable the Lord President of the Council of State: These. MY LORD, Edinburgh, 24th March, 1650. I do with all humble thankfulness acknowledge your high favour, and tender respect of me, expressed in your Letter, and the Express sent therewith to inquire after one so unworthy as myself. Indeed, my Lord, your service needs not me: I am a poor creature; and have been a dry bone; and am still an unprofitable servant to my Master and you. I thought I should have died of this fit of sickness; but the Lord seemeth to dispose otherwise. But truly, my Lord, I desire not to live, unless I may obtain mercy from the Lord to approve my heart and life to Him in more faithfulness and thankfulness, and to' those I serve in more profitableness and diligence. And I pray God, your Lordship, and all in public trust, may improve all those unparalleled experiences of the Lord's wonderful Workings in your sight, with singleness of heart to His glory, and the refreshment of His People; who are to Him as the apple of His eye; and upon whom your enemies, both former and latter, who have fallen before you, did split themselves. This shall be the unfeigned prayer of, My Lord, Your most humble servant, OLIVER CROMWELL.* From Edinburgh, of date 18th March, by special Express we have this comfortable intelligence: The Lord General is now 'well recovered: he was in his dining-room today with his Offi'cers, and was very cheerful and pleasant.' And the symptoms, we see, continue good and better on the 24th. 'So that there is 'not any fear, by the blessing of God, but our General will be enabled to take the field when the Provisions arrive.' 'Dr. 'Goddard' is attending him.1 Before the end of the month he is on foot again; sieging Blackness, sieging the Island of Inchgarvie, or giving Colonel Monk directions to that end. LETTER CLVII. THE following Letter brings its own commentary: For my beloved Wife, Elizabeth Cromwell, at the Cockpit: MY DEAREST, These. 'Edinburgh,' 12th April, 1651. I praise the Lord I am increased in strength in my outward man: But that will not satisfy me except I get a heart to love and serve my heavenly Father better; and get more of the light of His countenance, * Newspapers (in Cromwelliana, p. 101). Ibid. pp. 100, 1. which is better than life, and more power over my corruptions:-in these hopes I wait, and am not without expectation of a gracious return. Pray for me; truly I do daily for thee, and the dear Family; and God Almighty bless you all with His spiritual blessings. Mind poor Betty of the Lord's great mercy. Oh, I desire her not only to seek the Lord in her necessity, but in deed and in truth to turn to the Lord; and to keep close to Him; and to take heed of a departing heart, and of being cozened with worldly vanities and worldly company, which I doubt she is too subject to. I earnestly and frequently pray for her and for him. Truly they are dear to me, very dear; and I am in fear lest Satan should deceive them,-knowing how weak our hearts are, and how subtle the Adversary is, and what way the deceitfulness of our hearts and the vain world make for his temptations. The Lord give them truth of heart to Him. Let them seek Him in truth, and they shall find Him. My love to the dear little ones; I pray for grace for them. I thank them for their Letters; let me have them often. Beware of my Lord Herbert's resort to your house. If he do so, it may occasion scandal, as if I were bargaining with him. Indeed, be wise, you know my meaning. wise,—you Mind Sir Henry Vane of the business of my Estate. Mr. Floyd knows my whole mind in that matter. If Dick Cromwell and his Wife be with you, my dear love to them. I pray for them; they shall, God willing, hear from me. I love them very dearly. Truly I am not able as yet to write much. I am weary; and rest, Thine, OLIVER CROMWELL.* * Cole Mss. xxxiii. 37: a Copy; Copies are frequent. |
