Carlyles' Works (Volume 18); Oliver Cromwell's Letters and Speeches (Paperback)

Book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1884. Excerpt: ... PART VIII. FIRST PROTECTORATE PARLIAMENT. 1654. LETTERS CXCII.-CXCV. The 3d of September ever since Worcester Battle has been kept as a Day of Thanksgiving; commemorative of the mercy at Dunbar in 1650, and of the crowning-mercy which followed next year; -- a memorable day for the Commonwealth of England. By Article Seventh of the Instrument of Government, it is now farther provided that a Parliament shall meet on that auspicious Anniversary when it next comes round. September 3d, 1654, then shall the First Protectorate Parliament meet; successive Parliaments, one at least every three years, are to follow, but this shall be the First. Not to be dissolved, or prorogued, for at least five months. Free Parliament of four hundred: for England three hundred and forty, for Scotland thirty, for Ireland thirty; fairly chosen by election of the People, according to rules anxiously constitutional, laid down in that same Instrument, -- which we do not dwell npon here. Smaller Boroughs are excluded; among Counties and larger Boroughs is a more equable division of representatives according to their population: nobody to vote that has not some clearly visible property to the value of two hundred Pounds; but all that have can vote, and can be voted for, -- except, of course, all such as have appeared against the Parliament in any of these Wars "since the First of January, 1642," and " not since given signal testimony " of their repenting that step. To appearance, a very reasonable Reform Bill; -- understood to be substantially the same with that invaluable measure once nearly completed by the Rump: only with this essential difference, That the Rump Members are not now to sit by nature and without election; not now to decide, they, in case of extremity, Thou shalt sit, Thou shalt not sit; -- others...