P.S. Come if you can the latter part of the week; when the Quaker is
most at leisure. There is a daily coach from Woodbridge to Norwich.

_To T. Carlyle_.

BOULGE. _June_ 29/47.

DEAR CARLYLE,

Last week I went over to Yarmouth and saw Squire. I was prepared, and I
think you were, to find a quaint old gentleman of the last century. Alas
for guesses at History! I found a wholesome, well-grown, florid, clear-
eyed, open-browed, man of about my own age! There was no difficulty at
all in coming to the subject at once, and tackling it. Squire is, I
think, a straight-forward, choleric, ingenuous fellow--a little
mad--cracks away at his family affairs. 'One brother is a rascal--another
a spend-thrift--his father was of an amazing size--a prodigious eater,
etc.--the family all gone to _smithers_,' etc. I liked Squire well: and
told him he must go to you; I am sure you will like him better than the
London penny-a-liners. He is rather a study: and besides he can tell you
bits of his Ancestor's journal; which will indeed make you tear your hair
for what is burned--Between two and three hundred folio pages of MSS. by
a fellow who served under Oliver; been sent on secret service by him;
dreaded him: but could not help serving him--Squire told me a few
circumstances which he had picked up in running over the Journal before
he burnt it; and which you ought to hear from himself before long.
Dreadful stories of Oliver's severity; soldiers cut down by sabre on
parade for 'violence to women'--a son shot on the spot just before his
Father's house for having tampered with Royalists--no quarter to
spies--noses and ears of Royalists slit in retaliation of a like injury
done to Roundheads;--many deeds which that ancient Squire witnessed, or
knew for certain, and which he and his successor thought severe and
_cruel_:--but I could make out nothing unjust--I am very sure _you_ would
not. The Journalist told a story of Peterboro' Cathedral like yours in
your book about Ely:--Oliver marching in as the bells were ringing to
service: bundling out canons, prebendaries, choristers, with the flat of
the sword; and then standing up to preach himself in his armour! A grand
picture. Afterwards they broke the painted windows which I should count
injudicious;--but that I sometimes feel a desire that some boys would go
and do likewise to the Pusey _votive_ windows; if you know that branch of
art.

Ancestor Squire got angry with Oliver towar