him. The only effect of this notice was to raise, if possible, a louder clamour than that which it was intended to suppress. On this fresh ebullition of feeling partially subsiding, Sir Charles again repeated his instructions to the officer, who replied by saying that the tumult arose chiefly from a few individuals, and suggested the propriety of some constables being sent into the body of the ball. Several of the specials then disposed themselves among the people, who then commenced a different species of annoyance by coughing, which at length they ended in a general burst of indignation. of Mayor's and Sheriff's officers, mounted, him forward, he would immediately commit with favours, proceeded slowly towards the city. Just as Sir Charles was passing over Hill's bridge, his carriage was assailed with four or five stones; but no movement took place with a view to apprehend the offenders, the whole force being auxious only for the protection of the Recorder's person. As the procession moved onward, the crowd continued to increase, and the expressions of disapprobation from the multitude became more and more deafening; and occasionally some stone or missile was hurled against the object of their displeasure. In Temple-street, the wiudows of the houses were crowded with spectators, and the lower orders of the females were particularly vociferous in the expression of their feelings, frequently charging the men with cowardice and a waut of spirit. In the passing from the bridge to High-street, one of the constables, a respectable tradesman, received a dangerous contusion in the head; and in the latter street also some few stones were thrown. In this manner the usual preliminaries were gone through, ending by the adjournment of the Court by Sir Charles till eight o'clock on Monday morning. The Recorder then with. drew from the bench, and the populace, after some further marks of their displeasure towards the learned Judge, gave three cheers for the King, and retired into the street. On arrival at Guildhall, in Broad-street, Some considerable time then elapsed before it was with the greatest difficulty that Sir the Recorder was taken up, for the purpose of Charles could alight, from the pressure of the being conveyed to the Mansion-house. Durimmense multitude; but, after the lapse of a ing the interval, Broad-street, and, indeed, few minutes, he was handed out in safety, and the whole line of the route, was occupied by a proceeded to take his station on the bench. dense mass of the population. Beyond the The doors of the hall were thrown open to the mere vocal expression of their feelings, howpopulace, and, in a few minutes, the area was ever, there was nothing in their conduct, at completely choked up. On the Recorder this period, calculated to excite alarm. On alighting, we thought he seemed somewhat Sir Charles's re-appearance, he was greeted agitated, which indeed was reasonably to be with a repetition of the same favours that had expected, but he appeared to be in the enjoy-before been so liberally bestowed upon him, ment of excellent health. On taking his seat, which continued through the remainder of however, he resumed his composure, and smiled and nodded to several individuals whom he recognised in Court. his progress, with the exception that, at the Commercial-rooms, in front of which build. ing, a body of his admirers had placed themselves, he was greeted with three cheers. But there was no violence; beyond hissing and groaning nothing else occurred, as far as we can learn, until his arrival at the Mansionhouse, in Queen-square. There a few stones were thrown, and a lamp or a window of the carriage was broken, but the Recorder himself received no injury. The usual form for opening the Commission then commenced; but the noise and confusion occasioned considerable interruption. Mr. Serjeant Ludlow, Town Clerk, then rose and said, that he believed there was not an individual present who had come there for the purpose of insulting the commission of the King; that, with respect to reform-[Here the most astounding cries were raised by the We have now arrived at what we conceive people in favour of that measure, and in deri-to be the most important part of our narrative, sion of the Recorder, mixed with yells and groans; during which Sir Charles, who stood behind the Town-Clerk, pulled the latter by the gown, and from his gestures, for it was impossible to hear a word he said, manifested considerable displeasure at the introduction of the subject.]-The Town Clerk then resumed, merely adding, that with respect to that question (Reform) it had nothing to do with the proceedings of that day. The reading of the commission, was then attempted to be proceeded with, but the confusion again became so uproarious as to render the voice of Mr. Brice, the Mayor's clerk, quite inaudible. The Recorder then addressing one of the officers, said, if the latter saw any person in Court making a disturbance, and would bring inasmuch as it is the opinion of every one with 严 who during these proceedings, were really guiltless of any new outrage, subjected them to the most brutal attacks of some of the persons who assumed to be special constables, many of whom, by imprudently brandishing | their staves, did much to excite the feelings of the people. We saw one man carried away from a quarter where an affray had just taken place, and were informed that he had been knocked down by a blow on his head, and afterwards uumercifully beaten. We have since learned that his skull was fractured, and that he is dead. The constables, it will never be forgotten, acted wholly without any system of organization. No magistrate made his appearance to regulate their proceedings, to direct their operations, or to remonstrate with the populace. compelled to read the Riot Act, and they should be called in to quell the disturbance. His Worship, we regret to state, during his address, was assaulted with stones, and a very large one very narrowly missed striking him on the head. The Riot Act was then read, but without producing the least good effect upon the mob, who, perceiving the weakness of the force opposed to them, rushed upon the constables, disarmed them, and beat them se verely. In this affray we have heard of some losing their lives, others having their limbs broken, and very many being severely injured. One constable, as a condition of release from their vengeance, was compelled to throw his own staff at the Mayor's windows; others were obliged to seek refuge in flight; and one was actually chased into the float, whence he was taken up by a boat-hook. At this moment the number of persons collected in the square could not have been less Nothing now remaining to curb the mob, than ten thousand; and a cry having been the work of violence immediately commenced raised "To the Back," where piles and fag-by a general and simultaneous attack on every gots and firewood are usually kept, a large part of the Mansion-house. In an instant body proceeded thither, and having armed the windows and sashes were smashed to themselves with sticks, returned in a few mi- atoms; the shutters were beaten to pieces; nutes to the scene of action. It was then the doors forced, and every article of furniture that, for the first time, we apprehended any on the ground-floor broken up. Tables, serious collision; but the constables, rushing chairs, sideboards, mirrors, chimney-glasses out in a body, in a moment infused terror into-in fact, every-thing that could be found was the people, and the sticks were soon strewed demolished. The iron palisades, together in every direction upon the ground. These with the curb-stones in which they were set, were then gathered up in bundles and carried were thrown down as if they had been mere off. This was about half past twelve o'clock. reeds stuck in a mud bank, and furnished From that period till about four o'clock, the many a desperate villain with a formidable time was passed in occasional skirmishes be-irou bar; young trees were torn up by the tween the constables and the populace, which generally ended in some one being taken into custody. During these proceedings it was visible that the people were becoming more aud more exasperated. Now and then a pane of glass was smashed in, or a club hurled at the heads of the constables, and these attacks generally led to measures which heightened, rather than allaved, the popular feeling. roots aud converted into weapons of destruction; walls were thrown down to provide bricks with which to assail the upper windows; and straw and combustibles were procured with which to fire the whole premises. At this critical moment it was, as we have been informed, that Sir Charles effected his retreat (in disguise) through the adjoining premises; but it was not made known until twelve o'clock on the following day (Sunday) that he had left the city. For the present, however, the Mausion-house was saved from conflagration by the arrival of the troops. About four o'clock, when the shades of night were rapidly approaching, a considerable portion of the constabulary force was most uuadvisedly permitted to retire to their homes, for the purpose of refreshing themselves, with an We had supposed, judging from the conduct understanding that they should return to re- of the mob in the morning, that the appear lieve the remainder at six o'clock. From that ance of two troops of horse would have been moment the mob became more daring in their the signal for a general rout. We were, howattacks on the Mansion-house, until at length ever, deceived. They had now acquired a the Mayor came forward to beg of them to de- considerable accession of force, and it was sist, and to retire peaceably to their homes. The obvious that they had been joined by some of sentiments delivered by his Worship on the the most determined and desperate characters. occasion were such as did honour to his heart, Instead of retreating, the thousands who were though it is to be regretted that he did not present, clustering like bees on the adjoining come forward at an earlier stage of the pro-walls and elevations, cheered the troops with ceedings, before the minds of the people had the greatest enthusiasm. been so highly wrought up. His Worship Cautioned them of the possible consequences of continuing their refractory proceedings; and, in alluding to the military, known to be in the immediate neighbourhood, said sorry should he be for it to be hereafter said, that during his mayoralty, such scenes took place as most probably would ensue, if he should be Under the protection of the military, the constables and specials again collected in considerable numbers, and several of the most daring of the mob were made prisoners. Still it was found impossible to clear the squares or streets adjacent. The soldiers trotted their horses backward and forward amidst the cheers of the mob, but not the slightest dis position was shown to disperse. The Colonel again commenced their outrages. Ascending of the district, Colonel Brereton, exerted him- now to the upper rooms of the Mansion-house, self in the most humane and laudable man- they proceeded to throw out the valuable furner. He harangued the multitude, begged niture into the square. The drawers and and intreated them to repair to their homes, other depositaries were ransacked. and wearand cautioned them of the dreadful conse-ing-apparel, bed and table linen, china, &c. quences which their conduct otherwise would were plundered, or wantonly destroyed. infallibly draw upon them. He was every. But another, and a most dangerous exciting where received with the greatest cordiality, cause now began to develope itself. During and with loud cheers. It is a subject of deep the sacking of the Mansion-house, the wineregret, that at an earlier period soine such an cellars were forced, and it is supposed that at able individual had not been found to attempt least one-third of a stock of three hundred the conciliation of the people. We cannot dozen of choice wines was carried off and but think that the good temper, firmness, and wasted and drunk by the mob. It is needless presence of mind which he displayed would to say that the result was fraught with the have been fraught with the happiest results. worst possible effects: they became madly in If any thing of a nature calculated to draw furiate, and regardless alike of what mischief off the attention from the consideration of the they committed, or what risk they incurred. present state of things could be tolerated, we The scene at this moment was of the most might here descant at some length on the depraved description; all ages, of both sexes, ludicrous appearance of the kitchen at the were to be seen greedily swallowing the inMansion-house, as viewed through the broken toxicating liquors, while upon the ground the windows, at the fire, the meats were turning bodies of scores were to be found dead with upon the spits, and upon the ranges the diffe- drunkenness. The streets, too, remote from rene saucepaus, kettles, &c. were boiling, the scene of action, from this time became unattended by a living soul. But the idea noisy from the turbulence of wretches who which at the moment so forcibly impressed were to be seen staggering about in all dius of the feelings of the men who, anticipat-rections. The troops were then speedily reing the disturbances of importance sufficient to justify the calling in of the military, could, under such circumstances, contemplate the luxuries of a banquet, forbids us to enlarge upon the subject. We turned from the sceue with disgust. placed. but the infuriate mob began to act on the offensive, and sought to wreak their vengeance on them for the wounds they had inflicted on the preceding evening, and parti cularly to be revenged for the killing of the man on the top of the Pithay. They attacked In the manner already described, things them with a shower of stones and brick-bats, proceeded in the square until twelve o'clock which the men were unable to resist, no maat night. About this time a party of the gistrate being in attendance to take the rerioters, disappointed by the restraint which spousibility of orders to that effect, The Althe troops imposed upon them, proceeded to dermen, we have been assured, considering the Council-house, where they commenced this the exclusive duty of the Mayor, refused operations by smashing the windows. Mean-to give the word, and the latter, it would apwhile orders were given to the cavalry to make a charge, and here the scene became one of the greatest confusion. The people, who ran in all directions, were pursued through the streets for a considerable distance by the soldiers, and several of them received severe cuts from the sabres. Many of the people took refuge in the various passages in Wine-street, from whence they assailed the troops with stones, particularly at the top of the Pithay, where one of the soldiers having been struck, he immediately turned round, and shot a man dead upon the spot. It has been currently reported that he dismounted and followed him; but we have been assured, on good authority, that this was not the case. This was at half-past twelve, and the soldiers continuing to gallop about the streets, prevented the re-assembling of the mob during the night. On Sunday morning the people began again to assemble at an early hour in Queen-square, but every thing remaining quiet, and it being hoped danger had subsided, the troops were withdrawn for some refreshment, having been on duty for more than twenty-four hours. They had scarcely disappeared, when the mob pear, was overpowered by his feelings. In this state of things the commanding officer judged it prudent to withdraw the troops (the 14th Light Dragoons), and replace them with a body of the 3rd Dragoon Guards. On the retirement of the former, they were followed by a large portion of the mob who continued their assaults upon them along the quay and over the drawbridge. On arriving at St. Augustine's back, being provoked beyond further forbearance, they turned round and fired seve ral shots on their assailants, aud a further loss of life was the result. The mob, however, nothing daunted, still continued to follow them, and in College-green some further firing occurred. In this place considerable number of persons had assembled, expecting Sir Charles, as usual, would attend divine service in the Mayor's chapel. Still the mob continued their assaults, hanging upon the soldiers' heels until they arrived at their quarters in the Boar's Head Yard, where they were again fired upon. The discharges, as the result must show, were, however but partial: the number of killed, as near as we could ascertain, being one, and wounded seven or eight. One poor fellow, who had taken no part in the disturbances, was shot through the arm as he was standing upon the quay, on the opposite side. the yard and the Governor's house, and were busily employed in throwing every moveable article into the new river, and as the tide was Immediately after these occurrences, Colo- fast ebbing, all was carried off by the stream. nel Brereton rode down to the square, follow-The caravan used for conveying the prisoners ed by a considerable number of men and boys, to the Guildhall was launched into the water who cheered him on his way thither. He as-entire, and thither also were consigned the sured them that there should be no more firing, that the 14th should be immediately sent out of the city, and again exhorted them to return to their homes. This was about eleven o'clock, and it was truly awful to reflect on the scenes which were passing at the time when service was cominencing in the churches in the neighbour 'hood. Governor's books and the apparatus for coustructing the drop. The rioters, we have heard, procured hammers from the adjoining ship-yard, and with them the massive locks on the iron doors of the different wings were smashed to attoms. The prisoners were now released, and the scenes which followed were beyond description. Many of them, both male and female, stripped off their prison In the square, with the exception of the clothes, and proceeded on their way almost in scenes of drunkenness which were still going a state of nudity. As they passed along, the on, nothing particular transpired until the mob cheered them and followed after them evening, with the exception that an individual with exultations. Many of them met their mounted the statue of King William, and fix-friends on the outside, and it is not easy to ing a tri-coloured cap on a long pole, pronounced aloud, "The Cap of Liberty!" The soldiers were drawn up in front of the Mansionhouse, and the mob seemed nowise disposed to molest them, After a while, however, they manifested a restlessness for action, and a party, by no means numerous, proceeded to the BRIDEWELL, for the purpose of rescuing the prisoners. On their arrival, they lost no time in procuring sledge-hammers from the nearest smith's shop, and immediately proceeded to beat in the doors. The keeper (Mr. Evans), we have been informed, had just sat down to dinner when he received the visit of the unwelcome intruders. Having succeeded in opening the doors, they became apprehensive that the large folding gates which at night shut up the thoroughfare, would be enclosed upon them, and they directly set about removing them. This they accomplished with most astonishing facility, and disposed of them by throwing them over the bridge into the float; they then proceeded to liberate the prisoners, and, having accomplished their end, they forthwith set the building on fire. During their operation not the slightest mo lestation was offered them. This happened about two o'clock. About the same time a stronger party, comprising, iudeed, almost the whole body, proceeded to THE NEW JAIL, depict the extravagant joy with which they mutually embraced each other. After the prisoners had been liberated, amounting altogether, exclusive of debtors, to more than one hundred, the next step taken was that of setting the prison on fire; and a black handkerchief having been tied to the weathercock on the top of the porter's lodge, over the gateway, it seemed to be the signal for commencing operations, for immediately after dense clouds of smoke were seen to issue fromevery part of the building. The flames were seen first to break out from the treadmill, which burnt with fury until it was quite consumed. In about an hour, the Governor's house, over which was the chapel, was completely enveloped in flames, and the reflection on the heavens was grand and terrific. The wings, however, being built almost exclusively of stone and iron, with iron roofs, were but little injured by fire; though the rioters left behind them every mark of wanton outrage. During the proceedings, and while the prisoners were in course of liberation, a party of the 3d Guards, about twenty in number, arrived; but the mob appeared nothing intimidated; on the contrary, they cheered the troops, who acknowledged the compliment by taking off their caps, and almost immediately after turned round and departed. As soon as the work of destruction was here completed, the rioters divided themselves into parties, the one proceeding to the TOLL-HOUSES, a strong-built, modern building, having been erected about ten years since at a cost of nearly at Prince's-street Bridge, another to the one 100,000. When we first heard of this move- at the wells, and another to the one at St. ment we regarded any attempt upon the pri- Philip's. These, in the present state of things, son as the wildest scheme that could have were considered minor affairs, and were been imagined; but we lost no time in repair- speedily in flames. The tenants, we were ing to the spot. The scene which there pre-informed, had liberty given them to remove sented itself, will never be effaced from our their effects. While these were being dememory. Along the New Cut, in front of thestroyed, the fire at the prison raged with the jail, a dense mass of rioters had assembled; greatest fury. They then set off, about seven and on the opposite bank of the river, and in- o'clock, to the deed, wherever the eye could range, the people were posted in thousands. The mob had already succeeded in forcing an entrance into GLOUCESTER COUNTY PRISON. Lawford's-gate, which in a short time was broken into, the prisoners all released, and the building also fired. Here the flames ashes. The Right Reverend the Bishop, who were as appalling as at the New Jail. At happened to have been in town during the last the same time also a party proceeded to ten or twelve days, removed out of the city Bridewell, which had only partially been de-about the middle of the day; and we hear that stroyed, and kindled up the wing occupied by the most valuable of his effects had also been the keeper; so that the three prisous were in removed, as a measure of precaution. He flames at the same instant. There was now preached, we believe, at the cathedral in the not even the appearance of a check to the morning. licentiousness of the mob, nor indeed had But to return to the square: after the dethere been since the firing of the soldiers instruction of the Mansion-house, it was hoped the morning; but they now seemed to revel that the fury of the mob would have been ap in a consciousness of their security. Ac peased; but, unfortunately, it was otherwise. cordingly a mere handful of the miscreants The military, having no orders to act otherproceeded to wise than as mere spectators, were, immediately after their arrival, withdrawn, and we believe joined the remainder of their comrades, altogether few in number, in protecting the Council-house, which it was expected would be the next public building attacked. It was Mansion-house, if not protected from the at least hoped that the house adjoining the flames, would be the last that would be permmitted to be destroyed. But we blush for the honour of our city, while we record the fiendlike conduct which followed. The rioters conceived the plan of firing the adjoining houses, and by twelve at night, the whole mass, from the Mansion-house to the middle avenue, including THE BISHOP'S PALACE, Canons' Marsh, and having effected an entrance, immediately commenced the work of destruction. A few individuals, however, were hastily collected, and for a while suc ceeded in staying their diabolical designs. *. Orders were then sent for the inilitary, who had been guarding THE MANSION-HOUSE, THE CUSTOM-HOUSE, to repair for the protection of the Bishop's residence. They had no sooner, however, left for that purpose, than the mob, who had all day meditated the total destruction of the Mansion-house, commenced operations, and in a very short period set it on fire, commencing h in the kitchen under the banqueting-room. On the arrival of the troops at the Bishop's and all the back building, in Little KingPalace, they found things there tolerably se-street, was one immense mass of fire. The cure; but the flames which even then rose Custom-house, as may readily be supposed, from the Mansion-house too plainly indicated was a large building, and the expertness of that they had gone to the protection of the the wretches in lighting it up here, it is certain one place at the expense of the destruction of proved the destruction of many who were the other. They, however, turned back again, ranging the upper apartments. Many of them and, by the time of their return to the square, were seen as they approached the windows to the reflection on the opposite side of the Froom drop into the flames, and others, among whom made it apparent that, by their endeavours to was a female, threw themselves in desperation protect both places, each had been sacrificed from the windows. The latter was carried to to the fury of the incendiaries. When they the infirmary, where she has since died. arrived in the square, they found the whole of Again the hope was raised that the dreadful the back premises of the Mansion-house work would now cease; but it was in vain. A burning with fury, and the apartments in the small band, chiefly boys, who seemed to go front rooms occupied by wretches facilitating about their work as if they had been regularly the destruction of the building, by firing the trained to the hellish employment, proceeded apartments simultaneously. The infatuated to extend the devouring element, preceding creatures, no less intoxicated with their suc- their operation by giving half an hour's notice cessful career than with liquor, pressed for- to the inmates to retire. The windows were ward to the windows and waved their hand- afterwards smashed in, the furniture thrown kerchiefs, cheering, at the same time, in ex-out and carried off, and the premises ignited ultation of the final accomplishment of their with a rapidity truly astonishing. In this designs on the ill-fated building.. We are al-manner they swept away one whole side, and most certain, however, that many of them then proceeded to another; commencing with paid the forfeit of their lives for their criminal temerity. From the rapidity of the progress of the flames, it is supposed that some were cut off from a retreat, and that they thus met with an untimely end. The fire spread with most surprising quickness, and in about 30 minutes the roof fell in, and, together with the whole front, came down into the street with a tremendous crash.. By this time the fire at the Bishop's Palace raged thoughout the whole pile of building, which, in a short period, was reduced to 1 'THE EXCISE OFFICE at the corner. To follow up the account from this time, three o'clock in the morning, would only be a repetition of the details at which pur heart already sickens. Unrestrained as were the flames, they extended to the houses of the parallel streets; and, as in this quarter of the city are many of the principal wine and spirit stores, the fury of the devouring element can scarcely be conceived. > Altogether there have been completely destroyed forty-two dwelling-houses and ware |