in its dejection made no signs of resistance, neither did it give
any indications of satisfaction, and Richard was proclaimed "with
as few expressions of joy as had ever been observed on a like
occasion." For a brief while a stupor seemed to lull the
factious party spirit which was shortly to plunge the country
into fresh difficulties. The Cromwellians and Republicans
foresaw resistless strife, and the Royalists quietly and
hopefully abided results.

Nor had they long to wait. In the new Parliament assembled in
January, 1659, the Republicans showed themselves numerous and
bold beyond measure, and hesitated to recognise Richard Cromwell
as successor to the Protectorate. However, on the 14th of the
following month the Cromwellians gained the upper hand, when
Richard was confirmed in his title of "Lord Protector, and First
Magistrate of England, Scotland, and Ireland, with all the
territories depending thereon." Further discussion quickly
followed. "One party thinks the Protectorate cannot last; the
other that the Republican cannot raise itself again; the
indifferent hope that both will be right. It is easy to foretell
the upshot," writes Hyde. The disunion spread rapidly and
widely; not only was the Parliament divided against itself, but
so likewise was the army; and the new Protector had neither the
courage nor the ability to put down strife with a strong hand.
Richard Cromwell was a man of peaceful disposition, gentle
manners and unambitious mind, whom fate had forced into a
position for which he was in no way fitted. By one of those
strange contradictions which nature sometimes produces, he
differed in all things from his father; for not only was he
pleasure-loving, joyous, and humane, but he was, moreover, a