334 
OLIVER CROMWELL. 
in possession of a valuable and well-chosen library, ever patronized 
men of learning and science, and through his whole life. retained 
a regard for the university of Cambridge, we are not to suppose that 
he was averse to learning, or without a competent share of it. 
Upon the death of his father, which happened about a year after 
he had been placed at Cambridge, he left the university, by the direc- 
tions of his mother, v(^ho appears to have been a prudent sensible 
woman. Mrs. Cromwell was probably induced to take this step, from 
a knowledge of his irregularities there, which must have reached her 
ears : and it is not less probable that her injunctions were obeyed 
without reluctance by her son, as one reason of his returning home 
was to take possession of the family estate. He now fell into the 
usual dissipations of a young heir ; and unheedful of the affectionate 
entreaties of a tender mother, gave himself up to all the levities and 
vices of ungovernable youth. Oliver did not continue long at home. 
He soon after set out for London, in order to study the law; and he 
became a student at Lincoln’s inn, where he remained about two or 
three years. But as the metropolis was not a place wherein his dis- 
solute propensities were likely to find restraint, women of easy virtue 
engrossed more of his time than Coke upon Littleton, and the chief 
places of his residence were taverns and brothels. His companions 
were of the lowest rank, his manners and behaviour being so boister- 
ous and overbearing, that no persons of respectability would be seen 
with him. So notorious was he at length become, that it was not 
uncommon for the tavern-keepers, when they saw him coming, to say, 
“ Here comes young Cromwell ! shut up the door.” In short, at this 
period he seems to have had no control over his actions, but to have 
gratified his inclinations without respect to time, person, or place. 
- These dissolute propensities, however, do not appear to have sup- 
ported their dominion over the mind of young Cromwell for any con- 
siderable length of time. He had scarcely completed his twenty-first 
year, before the impropriety of his conduct forcibly struck him ; and 
he began to listen to the admonitions of a fond and venerable mother. 
He became sensible of the folly of having lavished away much of his 
property ; a compunction for the crimes which had attended this pro-^ 
digality took possession of his mind ; and he formed the resolution, not 
only of parting with his foibles, but of correcting his manners. He did 
so, and this amendment of his conduct procured him many and great 
friends. His relations, the Hampdens and the Barringtons, now 
interested themselves in his fortunes ; and by their influence he ob- 
tained an alliance with a lady of the name of Bourchier, who compen- 
sated, by the fortune she brought him, and her virtue and good sense, 
for the want of personal attractions. How difficult is it in the concerns 
of life to obtain that happy medium, w'hich ensures internal satisfac^ 
tion, and at the same time the approbation of the world ! 
From a debauched way of living, Oliver fell by degrees into the 
other extreme. His sudden transition from vice to virtue, with the 
preciseness of manners he had since adopted, having recommended 
him to the notice of the nonconformists, particularly to some of their 
preachers , they weaned him from the established church, and instilled 
into his head all the enthusiastic notions of their own sect. His 
