13 FEBRUARY 1942, Page 4

In the little booklet Cromwell Speaks, which the Oxford University

Press publishes at sixpence, I find one quotation of unexpected relevance. The booklet contains a foreword by Mr.

Isaac Foot, chairman (and, I believe, chief founder) of the Crom- well Association. On page 8 it is recorded that the Protector said at Basingstoke on October r4th, 1645: " I must speak my

judgement to you. That if you intend to have your work carried on, recruits of Foot must be had . . " What more could the

Chairman of the Cromwell Association say to his supporters to- day? The last word but three, let it be made quite clear, was spelled with a capital in the original. Remarkable prescience.