stairs, leaves it doubtful whether his intention was to quiet or irritate them still farther. He informed them, from time to time, of the progress of the debate, and mentioned by name (certainly, to put the best construction upon it, an extremely thoughtless proceeding,) those members who opposed the immediate consideration of the petition; saying,—"Mr so and so is now speaking against you." He told them that it was proposed to adjourn the question to the following Tuesday, but that he did not like delays; that "parliament might be prorogued before that, and there would be an end of the affair." During his harangues, several members of the house warmly expostulated with him on the imprudence of his conduct; but to no purpose. General Grant attempted to draw him back, begging him "for God's sake not to lead these poor deluded people
into danger;" and colonel Gordon, (or, as other authorities say, colonel Murray, uncle to the duke of Athol,) a near relative of his lordship's, demanded of him "Do you intend, my lord George, to bring your rascally adherents into the house of commons? If you do, the first man that enters, I will plunge my sword not into his body, but yours."—In this state did matters continue until about nine o'clock at night, when a troop of horse and infantry arrived. Lord George then advised the mob to disperse quietly, observing " that now their gracious king was made aware of the wishes and determination of his subjects, he would no doubt compel his ministers to comply with their demands." Those who attended from purely religious motives, numbering, it is said, not more than 600 or 700, immediately departed peaceably, first giving the magistrates and soldiers three cheers. The remainder also retired about 11 o'clock, after the adjournment of the house; but soon began to display the villanous designs which had congregated them. Dividing themselves into two bodies, one proceeded to the chapel of the Sardinian ambassador in Duke street, Lincoln's-Inn-Fields, the other to that of the Bavarian ambassador in Warwick street, Golden square, both of which edifices they completely gutted, burning the furniture, ornaments, &c., in heaps on the public street. A party of guards arrived, but after the mischief was over, who succeeded in capturing thirteen of the rioters. In concluding our account of this eventful day's proceedings, we must mention, that great negligence was charged, and seemingly riot without reason, against government as well as the magistracy, for the absence of every thing like preparation for preserving the peace, aware,—as they perfectly were, of the intended multitudinous procession.
Next day (Saturday) passed over without any disturbance; but this quiescence proved only a " lull before the storm." In the afternoon of Sunday, an immense multitude met simultaneously, and evidently by previous concert, in Moorfields, and raising the slogan of "No Popery," "Down with the Papists," &c., immediately attacked and utterly demolished the catholic chapel, burning the altar, images, pictures, &c., in the open street. Here again, the guards arrived (to use an Iricism) in time to be too late; and encouraged by this circumstance, as well as by the lenient deportment of the military, who up to this time, had refrained from the use of either sabre or fire-arms, the rioters hourly grew more daring and outrageous. They renewed their violence early on Monday, (the king's birth-day,) by destroying a school-house and three dwelling houses, with a valuable library, belonging to papists, in Rope-maker's Alley. Separating their force into several detachments, they proceeded into various quarters of the city at once,—thus distracting the attention of the authorities, who appeared to be paralyzed by the fearful ongoings around them lost all self-possession, and of course, their efficiency in checking the career of the rioters. The houses of Sir George Saville and several other public and private gentlemen, together with several popish chapels, quickly fell a prey to pillage and
