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f affairs is unreasonable。  Lay aside this pussillanimity; every moment is precious; your enemies spend the time in acting which we waste in consulting。〃  〃Talk no more of it;〃 answered the Protector。  〃I am thankful for your friendship; but violent counsels suit not with me。〃

The climax was at hand; his fall was but a question of time。  〃A wonderfull and suddaine change in ye face of ye publiq;〃 writes Evelyn; on the 25th of April; 1659。  〃Ye new Protector Richard slighted; several pretenders and parties strove for the Government; all anarchy and confusion。  Lord have mercy on us!〃

Before the month of May had expired; the House of Commons commissioned two of its members to bid Richard Cromwell leave the palace of Whitehall; and obtain his signature to a deed wherein he acknowledged complete submission to Parliament。  His brief inglorious reign was therefore at an end。  〃As with other men;〃 he wrote to the House of Commons; 〃I expect protection from the present Government:  I do hold myself obliged to demean myself with all the peaceableness under it; and to procure; to the utmost of my power; that all in whom I have any interest to do the same。〃  He retired into Hampshire; where he dwelt as a private gentleman。  His brother Henry resigned his position as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland and settled in Cambridgeshire。  From this time the name of Cromwell was no longer a power in the land。

During two years subsequent to the death of Oliver the government of England underwent various changes; and the kingdom suffered many disorders; until; being heartily sick of anarchy; the people desired a king might once more reign over them。  accordingly; they turned their eyes towards the son of him whom 〃the boldest villany that ever any nation saw〃 had sent to the block。  And the time being ripe; Charles Stuart; then an exile in Breda; despatched Sir John Grenville with royal letters to both Houses of Parliament; likewise to the Lord Mayor of London and members of the Common Council; to Monk; commander of the forces; and Montagu; admiral of the fleet。  These letters were received with so universal a joy and applause; that Parliament forthwith ordained Charles Stuart should be proclaimed 〃the most potent; mighty; and undoubted King of England; Scotland and Ireland。〃 Moreover; both Houses agreed that an honourable body of Commissioners; all men of great quality and birth; should be sent to the king with letters; humbly begging his majesty would be pleased to hasten his long…desired return into England。  And because they knew full well the royal exchequer was empty; Parliament ordered these noble gentlemen to carry with them a present of fifty thousand pieces of gold to the king; together with ten thousand to his brother of York; and five thousand to his brother of Gloucester。  Nor was the City of London backwards in sending expressions of loyalty and tokens of homage and devotion; to evince which twenty valiant men and worthy citizens were despatched with messages of goodwill towards him; and presents in gold to the amount of twelve thousand pounds。

And presently Admiral Montagu arriving with his fleet upon the coast of Holland; awaited his majesty near Scheveling; and all things being in readiness the king with his royal brothers and a most noble train set sail for England。

It came to pass that on the 25th day of May; 1660; a vast concourse of nobility; gentry; and citizens had assembled at Dover to meet and greet their sovereign king; Charles II。; on his landing。  On the fair morning of that day a sound of cannon thundering from the castle announced that the fleet; consisting of 〃near forty sail of great men…of…war;〃 which conveyed his majesty to his own; was in sight; whereon an innumerable crowd betook its joyful way to the shore。  The sun was most gloriously bright; the sky cloudless; the sea calm。  Far out upon the blue horizon white…winged ships could be clearly discerned。  By three o'clock in the afternoon they had reached the harbour; when the king; embarking in a galley most richly adorned; was rowed to shore。  Then cannon roared once more from the castle; and were answered from the beach; bells rang from church towers; and a mighty shout went up from the hearts of the people。

In the midst of these rejoicings Charles II。 landed; and the gallant General Monk; who had been mainly instrumental in bringing his royal master to the throne without loss of blood; now fell upon his knees to greet his majesty。  The king raised the general from the ground; embraced and kissed him。  Then the nobility hastened to pay their duty likewise; and the Mayor and Aldermen of Dover presented him with a most loyal address。  And presently; with the roar of cannon; the clangour of bells; the sound of music; and the shouts of a great multitude ringing in his ears; the king advanced on his way towards Canterbury。  At the gates of this ancient city he was met by the mayor and aldermen; and was presented by them with a golden tankard; Here he spent the following day; which being Sunday; he went with a great train to the cathedral; where service according to the Church of England; long disused by the Puritans; was restored; to the satisfaction of many。

Setting out from Canterbury on Monday; the 29th of Maywhich was; moreover; the anniversary of his birthhe journeyed to Blackheath; where he reviewed the forces drawn up with great pomp and military splendour to greet him; and bestowed many gracious expressions on them。  Then; having received assurances of their loyal homage through their commander; Colonel Knight; he turned towards London town。  And the nearer he approached; the more dense became crowds thronging to meet him; the fields on either side the long white road being filled with persons of all conditions; who cheered him lustily。  As he passed they flung leaves of trees and sweet May flowers beneath his horse's feet; and waved green boughs on high; And when he came to St。 George's Fields; there was my lord mayor in his robes of new velvet; wearing his collar of wrought gold; and attended by his aldermen in brave apparel likewise。  Going down on his knees my lord mayor presented the king with the city sword; which his majesty with some happy expressions of confidence gave back into his good keeping; having first struck him with it upon the shoulder and bade him rise up Sir Thomas Allen。  Whereon that worthy man rose to his feet and conducted the king to a large and richly adorned pavilion; and entertained him at a splendid collation; it being then one of the clock。  And being refreshed his majesty set forth again; and entered the city; which had never before shown so brave and goodly an appearance as on this May day; when all the world seemed mad with joy。

From London Bridge even to Whitehall Palace the way was lined on one side by the train…bands of the city; and on the other by the city companies in their rich livery gowns; to which were added a number of gentlemen volunteers; all in white doublets; commanded by Sir John Stanel。  Across the streets hung garlands of spring flowers that made the air most sweet; and at the corners thereof were arches of white hawthorn in full bloom; bedecked with streamers of gay colours。  From wooden railed balconies; jutting windows; and quaint gables hung fair tapestries; rich silks; and stuffs of brilliant hues; and from the high red chimneys; grey turrets; and lofty spires; floated flags bearing the royal arms of England; and banners inscribed with such mottoes as loyalty and affection could suggest。  The windows and galleries were filled with ladies of quality in bright dresses; the roofs and scaffolding; with citizens of all classes; who awaited with eager and joyous faces to salute their lord and king。

And presently; far down the line of streets; a sound was heard of innumerable voices cheering most lustily; which every minute became nearer and louder; till at last a blare of trumpets was distinguished; followed by martial music; and the tramp and confusion of a rushing crowd which suddenly parted on all sides。 Then there burst on view the first sight of that brave and glorious cavalcade to the number of twenty thousand; which ushered the king back unto his own。  First came a troop of young and comely gentlemen; three hundred in all; representing the pride and valour of the kingdom; wearing cloth of silver doublets and brandishing naked swords which flashed in the sunlight。  Then another company; less by a hundred in number; habited in rich velvet coats; their footmen clad in purple liveries; and next a goodly troop under the command of Sir John Robinson; all dressed in buff coats with cloth of silver sleeves; and green scarves most handsome to behold。  These were followed by a brave troop in blue doublets adorned with silver lace; carrying banners of red silk fringed with gold。  Then came trumpets; and seven footmen in sea…green and silver liveries; bearing banners of blue silk; followed by a troop in grey and blue to the number of two hundred and twenty; and led by the most noble the Earl of Northampton。 After various other companies; all brave in apparel; came two trumpets bearing his majesty's arms; followed by the sheriffs' men in red cloaks and silver lace; and by a great body of gentlemen in black

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