’Till the death of King Charles I. we find lord Broghill warm in the royal interest, and that he abhorred those measures which he foresaw would distract his country; and as soon as that melancholy event happened, he quitted his estate[4] as ruined past all hopes, and hid himself in the privacy of a close retirement.  How he came, afterwards to alter his conduct, and join with a party he before so much abhorred, we shall endeavour to shew.

Upon his lordship’s coming from Ireland, he withdrew to Marston in Somersetshire, where he had leisure to reflect on the ruined state of the Kingdom[5]; and when he revolved in his mind its altered and desperate situation, he was ashamed to think that he should remain an idle spectator of his country’s miseries, being of a different opinion from Mr. Addison:  ’That when vice prevails, and wicked men bear sway, the post of honour is a private station.’  These reflexions roused him to action, and produced a scheme worthy of himself.  He resolved to attempt something in favour of the King; and accordingly under the pretence of going to the Spa for his health, he determined to cross the seas, and apply to Charles ii. for a commission to raise forces in Ireland, in order to restore his Majesty, and recover his own estate.  Having formed this resolution, he desired the earl of Warwick, who had an interest with the prevailing party, to procure a licence for him to go to the Spa.  He communicated his scheme to some confirmed royalists, in whom he thought he could confide, and having rais’d a considerable sum of money, he came up to London to prosecute his voyage.  Lord Broghil[l], however, was betrayed, and the committee, who then took upon them the government of the realm, threatened him with destruction.  Cromwell interceeded, and being sensible of his lordship’s great abilities, obtained a permission to talk privately with him before they proceeded to extremities.  Cromwell waited upon Broghill, and reproached him gently for his intention, which his lordship denied; but Cromwell producing letters of his writing to several Royalists, in whom he confided, he found it was in vain to dissemble any longer.  The General then told him, that he was no stranger to his merit, tho’ he had never before seen him; and that as the reduction of Ireland was intrusted to him, he had authority from the Committee to offer his lordship a command in that war, and insisted upon his answer immediately, as the Committee were then sitting, and waiting his return.  Lord Broghill was infinitely surprized at so generous and unexpected an offer from Cromwell:  He thought himself at liberty, by all the rules of honour to serve against the Irish, whose cruelty and rebellion were equally detested by the royal party, as by the Parliament; and his life and freedom being in danger if he refused, he accepted the commission, and immediately repaired to Bristol to wait there till forces should be sent him.  This story we have from Mr. Morrice, who