Dear Barnaby Rudge (Chs XLVIII/IX) and the Gordon Riots; A Gentle Poetic Counterpoint

Music

Hello and good evening and welcome to Thursday's bonus episode where we do one possibly two but

it might just be one more chapter of Barnaby Rudge to keep the momentum going. Chapter

48. Uncertain where to go next and bewildered by the crowd of people who were already a stir. They sat

down in one of the recesses on the bridge, to rest. They soon became aware that the stream of

life was all pouring one way, and that a vast throng of persons were crossing the river from

Middlesex to the Surrey Shore in unusual haste and evident excitement. They were for the most part

in knots of two or three, and sometimes half a dozen. They spaked little together, many of them

were quite silent, and hurried on as if they had one absorbing object in view, which was common

to them all. They were surprised to see that nearly every man in this great concourse which still

came pouring past without slackening, in the least, wore in his hat a blue cocade, and that the

chance passengers who were not so decorated appeared timidly anxious to escape observation or attack

and gave them the wall as if they would conciliate them. This however was natural enough considering

their inferiority and point of number, for the proportion of those who wore blue cocades to those

who were dressed as usual, was at least 40 or 50 to one. There was no quarrelling however,

the blue cocades went swarming on, passing each other where they could, and making all the speed

that was possible in such a multitude, and exchanged nothing more than a look, and very often not

even one of those, with such the passabies as would not of their number. At first the current of

people had been confined to the two pathways, and but a few more eager stragglers kept the road,

but after half an hour or so the passage was completely blocked, up by the great press,

which, being now closely wedged together, and impeded by the carts and coaches it encountered,

moved but slowly, and was sometimes at a stand for five or ten minutes together.

After the laps of nearly two hours, the numbers began to diminish visibly, and gradually dwindling

away by little and little, left the bridge quite clear, saved that now and then some hot and

dusty man, with the cocade in his hat, and his coat thrown over his shoulder, went panting by,

fearful of being too late, or stopped to ask which way his friends had taken, and being directed,

hastened all again, like one refreshed. In this comparative solitude, which seemed quite strange

and novel, after the late crowd, the widow had, for the first time, an opportunity of inquiring

of an old man who came and sat beside them, what was the meaning of that great assemblage?

Why, where have you come from, he returned, that you have an urge of Lord George Gordon's great

association? This is the day he presents the petition against the Catholics, God bless them.

Why have all these men got to do with that, she asked? What have they got to do with it, the old

man replied? Why, how you talk? Don't you know his lordship, as declared, he won't present it

to the house at all, unless it's attended to the door by 40,000 good and true men at least.

There's a crowd for you, a crowd indeed, said Barnaby, do you hear that, mother?

And their mustering yonder, as I'm told, resumed the old man, nigh upon a hundred thousand strong,

let Lord George alone enose his power, there will be a good many faces inside them three windows

over there, and he pointed to where the House of Commons overlooked the river, that will turn pay

all when Lord George gets up this afternoon, and with reason too, aye aye, let his lordship alone,

let him alone enose, and so with much mumbling and chuckling and shaking of his forefinger,

he rose with the assistance of his stick, and tottered off.

Mother said Barnaby, that's a brave crowd he talks of, come, not to join it,

cried his mother, yes, yes, he answered, plucking at her sleeve, why not come?

You don't know, she urged, what mischief they may do, and where they may lead you and what

their meaning is, dear Barnaby, for my sake, for you say, he cried, patting at her hand,

well, it is for your sake, mother, you remember what the blind man said about the gold,

he is a brave crowd, come, wait till I come back, yes, yes, you wait here.

She tried with all her earnestness, her fears engendered to turn him from his burpees,

but in vain, he was stooping down to buckle on his shoe, when a hackney coach passed them rather

quickly, and a voice inside called to the driver to stop, young man, said a voice within,

who's that, quite Barnaby looking up, do you wear this ornament, return the stranger,

holding out a blue cocaid? In heaven's name no, pray, do not give it to him, exclaim the widow.

Speak for yourself, woman, said the man within the coach coldly, leave the young man to his choice,

he's old enough to make it, and to snap your apron strings, he knows without your telling,

whether he wears the sign of a loyal Englishman, or not, Barnaby trembling with impatience,

cried, yes, yes, yes I do, as he had cried a dozen times already. The man threw him a cocaid and

crying, make haste as St. George's fields, ordered the coachman to drive on fast, and left them,

with hands that trembled with his eagerness to fix the bobble in his hat, Barnaby was adjusting

it as best he could, and hurriedly replaying to the tears and entreaters of his mother,

when two gentlemen passed on on the opposite side of the way, I think I just heard Mr. Cat.

Observing them and seeing how Barnaby was occupied, they stopped, whispered together for an instant,

turned back, came over to them. Why are you sitting here, said one of them, who was dressed in a

plain suit of black, wore long, blank hair, and carried a great cane? Why have you not gone with

the rest? I am going, sir, replied Barnaby, finishing his task, and putting his hat on with an

air of pride, I shall be there directly. Say my Lord, young man, when his Lordship does you the

honour of speaking to you, said the second gentleman, mildly, if you don't know Lord George Gordon

when you see him, it's high time he should. Nay, Gashford, said Lord George, as Barnaby pulled off

his hat again, and made him a low bow. It's no great matter on a day like this, which every

Englishman will remember with delight and pride. Put on your hat, friend, and follow us for you

lag behind and are late. It's past ten now, didn't you know that the hour of assembling was ten

o'clock? Barnaby shook his head, and looked vacantly from one to the other. He might have known it

friend, said Gashford, it was perfectly understood, how came you to be so ill informed. He cannot tell

you, sir, the widow interposed. It's of no use to ask him. We are but the smalling come from a long

distance in the country and know nothing of these matters. The cause has taken a deep root and

has spread its branches far and wide, said Lord George to his secretary. This is a pleasant hearing,

I thank heaven for it. Our men cried Gashford, with a solemn face. You do not understand me, my Lord,

said the widow, pardon me, but you cruelly mistake my meaning. We know nothing of these matters.

We have no desire or right to join in what you're about to do. This is my son, my poor afflicted son,

dearer to me than my own life. In mercy's name, my Lord, go your way, alone, and do not tempt him

into danger. My good woman, said Gashford, how can you, dear me, what do you mean by tempting

into danger? Do you think his Lordship is a roaring lion? Going about and seeking whom he made a vow,

God bless me. No, no, my Lord, forgive me, implored the widow, laying both her hands upon his

breast and scarcely knowing what she did or said in the earnestness of her supplication. But there

are reasons why you should hear my earnest mother's prayer, and leave my son with me, oh do,

he is not in his right senses, he is not indeed. It is a bad sign of the wickedness of these times,

said Lord George, evading her touch and coloring deeply, that those who cling to the truth and support

the right cause are set down as mad. Have you the heart to say this of your own son, unnatural mother?

I am astonished at you, said Gashford with a kind of meek severity. This is the very sad picture

of female depravity. He has surely no appearance, said Lord George, glancing at Barnaby and whispering

in his secretaries ear, of being deranged, and even if he had we must not construe any trifling

peculiarity into madness, which of us, and here he turned red again, would be safe if that were

made the law. Not one replied the secretary, in that case the greater zeal, the truth and talent,

and a more direct call from above, the clearer would be the madness. With regard to this young man,

my Lord, he added, with a lip that slightly curled, as he looked at Barnaby, who stood twiling his

hat and stealthily beckoning them to come away, he is as sensible and self-possessed as any one I ever

saw. And you desire to make one of this great body, said Lord George, addressing him, and intended

to make one, did you? Yes, yes, said Barnaby with sparkling eyes. To be sure I did, I told her so myself.

I see, replied Lord George, with a reproachful glance at the unhappy mother, I thought so,

follow me, and this gentleman, and you shall have your wish. Barnaby kissed his mother,

tenderly on the cheek, and bidding her be of good cheer, for their fortunes were both made now,

did as he was desired. She, poor woman, followed too, with how much fear and grief it would be hard to tell.

They passed quickly through the bridge road, where the shops all shut up for the passage of the

great crowd, and the expectation of their return, had alarmed the tradesmen for their goods and

windows, and where, in the opera stories, all the inhabitants were congregated, looking down into the

street below, with faces variously expressive of alarm, of interest, expectancy, and indignation.

Some of these applauded and some hissed, but regardless of their interruptions,

for the noise of a vast congregation of people at a little distance sounded in his ears,

like the roaring of a sea, Lord George Gordon quickened his place, and presently arrived before

St. George's fields. They were really fields at that time and of considerable extent. Here an immense

multitude was collected, bearing flags of various kinds and sizes, but all of the same colour,

blue, like the cockades, some sections marching to and through in military array, and others drawn

up in circles, squares, and lines. A large portion, both of the bodies which paraded the ground,

and of those which remained stationary, were occupied in singing hymns or psalms,

with whom, so ever they, or this originated, it was well done for the sound of so many thousand

voices in the air, must have stirred the heart of any man within him, and could not fail to have

a wonderful effect upon enthusiasts, however mistaken. Scouts had been posted in advance of a great

body to give notice of their leaders coming. These, falling back, the word was quickly passed through

the whole host, and for a short interval they're ensured, ensued, a profound and death-like silence,

during which the mass was so still and quiet, Mr. Cats just jumped on my lap, very stealthily,

because puppies on the floor beside me, he's looking anxious, he wants to go where my book is,

but you can't, but just sit there quietly, it's all right, you'll get used to him,

you'll get used to her, and I'll get used to the genders. It's chaotic time, do any of you want to

come and help me? It has been a little bit hard, I have to admit, and I've got a temperature at the

moment, and a croquis throat, so I'm trying not to feel sorry for myself, but I do feel a bit

sorry for myself, because all I really want to do is go to Wells and go around the beautiful

cathedral there, which I'm hoping to do on Sunday. Then they burst into a tremendous shout into

another and another, and the air seemed rent and shaken, as if by the discharge of canon.

Gashford cried, Lord George, pressing his secretary's arm tight within his own,

and speaking with as much emotion in his voice as in his altered face.

I am called indeed, I feel and know it, I am the leader of a host, if they summoned me at this

moment with one voice to lead them on to death, I'll do it, yes and a fool first myself.

It is a proud sight, said the secretary, it is a noble day for England and for the great cause

throughout the world, such homage my Lord, as I, a humble, but devoted man, can render,

what are you doing, cried his master, catching him by both hands, for he had made a show of

kneeling at his feet. Do not unfit me, dear Gashford, for the solemn duty of this glorious day.

The tears stood in the eyes of the poor gentleman as he said the words,

let us go among them, we have to find a place in some division for this new recruit,

give me your hand. I don't really like interrupting in case you hate it,

but there's obviously a symmetry going on here with a simpleton on the one hand who's innocent

of heart and who's following Lord George, and then a simpleton on the other hand who is actually

Lord George, being led by Gashford to, well, I'm not going to say to what, but there are sort of two

innocent simpletons here and both are being led astray. Gashford slid his cold, insidious palm

into his master's grip and so hand in hand and followed still by Barnaby and by his mother too,

they mingled with the concourse. They had by this time taken to their singing again and as their

leader passed between their ranks, they raised their voices to their utmost. Many of those who were

banded together to support the religion of their country, even unto death, had never heard of him

or saw him in all their lives, but these fellows having for the most part strong lungs and being

naturally fond of singing, chanted any ribbordry or nonsense that occurred to them,

feeling pretty certain that it would not be detected in the general chorus and not caring very much

if it were. Many of these volunteers were sung under the very nose of Lord George Gordon,

who quite unconscious of their burden, passed on with his usual stiff and solemn deportment,

very much edified and delighted by the pious conduct of his followers. So they went on and on

up this line, down that, round the exterior of this circle, and on every side of that hollow square,

and still there were lines and squares and circles out of number to review, the day being now

intensely hot, and the sun striking down his fiercest rays upon the field, those who carried

heavy banners began to grow faint and weary. Most of the number assembled were faint to pull off

their neck-cloths and through their coats and waist-coats open, and some towards the centre

quite overpowered by the excessive heat which was of course rendered more un-indurable by the

multitude around them, lay down upon the grass and offered all they had about them for a drink of

water. Still, no man left the ground, not even those who were say distressed. Still, Lord George

streaming from every poor, went on with Gashford, and still Barnaby and his mother,

followed close behind them. They had arrived at the top of a long line of some 800 men in single

file, and Lord George has turned his head to look back, when a loud cry of recognition in that

peculiar and half-stifled tone, which a voice has when it's raised in the open air, and in the

midst of a great concourse of persons, was heard, and a man stepped with a shout of laughter

from the rank and smoke Barnaby on the shoulders, with his heavy hand. How now he cried,

Barnaby Raj, why, where have you been hiding for these hundred years? Barnaby had been thinking

within himself that the smell of the trodden grass brought back his old days at cricket,

when he was a young boy and played on chig-well-green, confused by this sudden and boisterous address,

he stared in a bewildered manner, that the man and could scarcely say,

What, Hugh? Hugh echoed the other, I, Hugh, Maple, Hugh. You remember my dog? He's alive now,

and we'll know you, I warrant. What, you wear the coloured you? Well done! Ha ha ha!

You know this young man, I see, said Lord George, knowing my Lord, as well as I know my own right

hand, my captain knows him, we all know him. Will you take him into your division?

It hasn't been in a better nor a nimble, nor a more active man than Barnaby Raj, said Hugh,

show me the man who says it has full in Barnaby. He shall march my Lord between me and Dennis,

and he shall carry, he added, taking a flag from the hand of a tired man who tended it,

the gaiest silken streamer in this valiant army. In the name of God, no, shriek the widow

darting forward. Barnaby, my Lord, see, he'll come back, Barnaby, Barnaby. Women in the field,

cried Hugh, stepping between them, and holding her off, hello, my captain there.

What's the matter here, cried Simon Tapetit bustling up in a great heat? Do you call this order?

Nothing like it, captain, answered Hugh, still holding her back with his outstretched hand.

It's against all orders, ladies are carrying off our gallant soldiers from their duty,

the word of command, captain, they're filing off the ground quick.

Close, said Simon, with the whole power of his lungs, form march. She was thrown to the ground,

the whole field was in motion. Barnaby was world away into the heart of a dense mass of men,

and she saw him no more. And that's the end of the very sad chapter.

Now's the time dear friends, if you haven't looked up this situation that happened in 1780 to

look it up. And remember, 1780 was only just after the American War of Independence, and of course,

only nine years before the French Revolution. So yeah, a lot happening around the world at this

particular time, people rising up and and taking a heart from other causes that were going on

and realising that actually by getting a mass of people together, you had great power against

authority, not all for the good, of course. And I'm going to read a poem by Thomas Hardy,

the man who forgot, and this is dedicated to all those who are grieving at the moment. And even if

someone you love has passed away a long time ago or died, if you prefer, people prefer different

terms. So I'm thinking particularly of Diana, the wife of Steve, but anybody else, indeed, who's

grieving, or is sad about someone that they're not with anymore. The man who forgot by Thomas Hardy,

at a lonely cross where byroads met I sat upon a gate, I saw the sun decline and set and still

was faint to wait. A trotting boy passed up the way and roused me from my thought, I called to him

and showed where lay a spot I shyly sought. A summer house fair stands hidden where you see the

moonlight thrown. Go tell me if, within it there, a lady sits alone. He half-demured, but took the

track and silence held the scene. I saw his figure rambling back and asked him if he had been.

I went just where you said, but found no summer house was there, beyond a slope,

it is all bare ground, nothing stands anywhere. A man asked what my brains were worth,

the house he said grew rotten and was pulled down before my birth and is almost forgotten.

My right mind woke and I stood dumb, 40 years frost and flower had fleeted since I had used to come

to meet her in that power. And now, as all as ablaze in the world, we return to 1780 in London,

where all was ablaze there to chapter 49. The mob had been divided from its first assemblage into

four divisions, the London, the Westminster, the Sutherkin, the Scotch, each of these divisions

being subdivided into various bodies, and these both bodies being drawn up in various forms and

figures, the general arrangement was, except to the few chiefs and leaders, as unintelligible as

the plan of a great battle to the meanest soldier in the field. It was not without its method,

however, for in a very short space of time, after being put into motion, the crowd had resolved

itself into three great parties and were prepared, as they had been arranged, to cross the river by

different bridges and make for the House of Commons in separate detachments. At the head of that

division which had Westminster bridge for its approach to the scene of action, Lord George Gordon

took his post, with Gashford at his right hand, and Sundry Ruffians, of most unpromising appearance,

forming a kind of staff about him. The conduct of a second party whose route lay by

black friars was entrusted to a committee of management, including perhaps a dozen men,

while the third which was to go by London bridge and through the main streets in order that

their numbers and their serious intentions might be better known and appreciated by the citizens

were led by Simon Tappetit, assisted by a few subalterns selected from the brotherhood of

United Bulldogs, Dennis the Hangman, Hugh and some others. The word of command being given,

each of these great bodies took the road aside to it and departed on its way in perfect order

and profound silence. That which went through the city greatly exceeded the others in number

and was of such prodigious extent that when the rear began to move, the front was nearly four

miles in advance, notwithstanding that the men marched, three abreast, and followed very close

upon each other. At the head of this party, in the place where Hugh, in the madness of his humour,

had stationed him, and walking between that dangerous companion, and the Hangman,

went Barnaby, as many a man among the thousands who looked on that day afterwards remembered well.

Forgetful of all other things in the ecstasy of the moment, his face flushed and his eyes sparkling

with delight, heedless of the weight of the great banner he carried, and mindful only of its flashing,

in the sun and rustling in the summer breeze, on he went, proud, happy, elated, past all telling,

the only light-hearted, under-signing creature in the whole assembly. What do you think of this,

as Hugh, as they passed through, the crowded streets and looked up at the windows,

which were thronged with spectators? They all turned out to see our flags and streamers,

a Barnaby? Why, Barnaby's the greatest man of all the pack, is flags the largest of the lot,

the brightest too? There's nothing in the show like Barnaby, all eyes are turned on him.

Don't make that din brother, grow out the Hangman, glancing, with no very approving eyes at Barnaby,

as he spoke. I hope he don't think there's nothing to be done, but harrying that their piece of

blue rag, like a boy at breaking up. You're ready for action, I hope, eh? You, I mean, he added,

nudging Barnaby, roughly with his elbow. What are you staring at? Why don't you speak?

Barnaby had been gazing at his flag, and looked vacantly from his questioner, to Hugh.

He don't understand your way, said the latter. Here I'll explain to him, Barnaby old boy,

attend to me. All attend, said Barnaby, looking anxiously around. But I do wish I could see her somewhere,

see who demanded Dennis and a brothel. You ate your love, I hope, brother. That ain't the sort of

thing for us, you know. We mustn't have no love here. She would be proud, indeed, to see me now.

A Hugh, said Barnaby, wouldn't it make her glad to see me at the head of this large show?

Oh, she cry with joy, I know she would. Where can she be? She never sees me at my best,

and what do I care to be gay and fine if she's not by? Why, what per love is this?

Ask Mr. Dennis with supreme disdain. We ain't got no sentimental members among us. I hope.

Don't be uneasy, brother, cried Hugh, he's only talking of his mother.

There is what, said Mr. Dennis, with a strong oath, is mother. And have I combined myself with this

year's section and turned out on this year memorable day to hear men talk about their mothers,

growled Mr. Dennis, with extreme disgust. The notion of a man sweet art's bad enough,

but a man's mother. And here his disgust was so extreme that he spat up on the ground and could

say no more. Barnaby's right cried Hugh with a grin, and I say it, looky, bold lad,

if she's not here to see it's because I've provided for her and sent half a dozen gentlemen,

every one of them with a blue flag, but not off as fine as yours, to take her in state to a

grand house, all hung with gold and silver, and everything else you please, where she'll wait

for you to come and want for nothing. I said Barnaby, his face beaming with delight.

Have you, indeed, that's her good hearing, that's fine, kind Hugh. But nothing to what will

come bless you, retorted Hugh, with a wink at Dennis, who regarded his new companion in arms,

with great astonishment. No indeed, cried Barnaby, nothing at all,

cried Hugh. Money, cocktats and feathers, wet coats and gold lace, all the fine things there are,

ever were, or will be, will belong to us, if we are true to that noble gentleman, the best man in

the world, carry our flags for a few days, and keep them safe, that's all we've got to do.

Is that all, cried Barnaby, with glistening eyes as he clutched his pole the tighter?

Oh, warrant you, I keep this one safe then, you have put it in good hands, you know me, Hugh,

nobody will rest this flag away, heck well said, cries Hugh, nobly said, that's the old stout

Barnaby that I have climbed and leaped with many a day, I knew I was not mistaken in Barnaby.

Don't you see, man, he added in a whisper, as he slipped to the other side of Dennis,

that the lads are natural, and can him got to do anything if you take in the right way,

letting alone the funny ears, he's worth a dozen men in earnest as you'll find if you tried

a fool with him, leave him to me, you shall soon see whether he's of you or not.

Mr. Dennis received these explanatory remarks, with many nods and winks, and suffered

his behaviour towards Barnaby from that moment. Hugh laying his finger on his nose,

stepped back into his former place, and they proceeded in silence.

It was between two and three o'clock in the afternoon, when the great parties met at Westminster.

And uniting into one huge mass, raised a tremendous shout.

This was not only done in token of their presence, but as a signal to those on whom the task

devolved, that it was time to take possession of the lobbies of both houses, and of the various

avenues of approach, and of the gallery's stairs. To the last named place, Hugh and Dennis,

still with their pupil between them, rushed straight away. Barnaby, having given his flag

into the hands of one of their own party, who kept them at the outer door, their followers

pressing on behind, they were born as on a great wave to the very doors of the gallery,

once it was impossible to retreat even if they'd been so inclined by reason of the throng which

choked up the passages. It is a familiar expression in describing a great crowd that a person

might have walked upon the people's heads. In this case, it was actually done for a boy who had

by some means got among the concourse, and was an imminent danger of suffocation, climbed to the

shoulders of a man beside him, and walked upon the people's hats and heads into the open street,

traversing in his passage the whole length of two staircases and a long gallery.

Nor was the swarm less dense for a basket which had been tossed into the crowd was jerked from

head to head, and shoulder to shoulder, and went spinning and whirling on above them,

until it was lost to view, without ever falling in among them or coming near the ground.

Through this vast throng sprinkled doubtless here and there, with honest zealots,

but composed for the most part of the very scum and refuse of London whose growth was fostered

by bad criminal laws, bad prison regulations, and the worst conceivable police.

Such of the members of both houses of Parliament, as had not taken the precaution to be

already at their posts, were compelled to fight and force their way. Their carriages were stopped and

broken, the wheels wrenched off, the glasses shivered to atoms, the panels beaten in, drivers,

footmen and masters pulled from their seats and rolled in the mud, lords, commoners, and reverent

bishops with little distinction of personal party were kicked and pinched and hustled,

passed from hand to hand through various stages of ill usage, and sent to their fellow senators

with their clothes hanging in ribbons about them, their bagwigs torn off, themselves speechless

and breathless, and their persons covered with the powder which had been cuffed and beaten

out of their hair. One Lord was so long in the hands of the populace that the peers as a body

resolved to Sally forth and rescue him, and were in the act of doing so when he happily appeared

among them, covered with dirt and bruises, and hardly to be recognised by those who knew

him best. The noise and uproar were on the increase every moment. The air was filled with

excersh execrations, hoots and howlings, and the mop raged and roared, like a mad bonster,

as it was, unceasingly and each new outrage served to swell its fury.

Within doors matters were even yet more threatening. Lord George proceeded by a man,

who carried the immense petition on a porters not, through the lobby to the door of the House of

Commons, where it was received by two offices of the House, who rolled it up to the table ready

for presentation, had taken his seat at an early hour before the speaker went to prayers.

His followers pouring in at the same time, the lobby and all the avenues were immediately filled,

as we have seen. Thus the members were not only attacked in their passage through the streets,

but were set upon within the very walls of Parliament, while the tumult, both within and without,

was so great that those who attempted to speak could hardly hear their own voices,

far less, consult upon the course it would be wise to take, in such extremities,

or animate each other to dignified and firm resistance. So sure as any member just arrived with

dress disordered and disheveled hair, came struggling through the crowd in the lobby,

it yelled and screamed in triumph, and when the door of the House partially and cautiously

opened by those within, for his admission, gave them a momentary glimpse of the interior,

they grew more wild and savage, like beasts at the sight of prey, and made a rush against the

portal, which strained its locks and bolts in the staples, and shook the very beams.

The strangers gallery, which was immediately above the door of the House, had been ordered to be

closed on the first rumour of disturbance, and was empty, saved at now, and then Lord George

took his seat there, for the convenience of coming, to the head of the stairs which led to it,

and repeating to the people what had passed within. It was on these stairs that Barnaby,

Hugh and Dennis were posted. There were two flights, short, steep, and narrow,

running parallel to each other, and leading to two little doors communicating,

with a low passage which opened onto the gallery. Between them was a kind of well,

or unglazed, skylight, for the admission of light and air, into the lobby which might be of

some 18 or 20 feet below. Upon one of these little staircases, not that at the head of which

Lord George appeared from time to time, but the other, Gashford stood with his elbow on the

banister, and his cheek resting on his hand, with his usual crafty aspect. Whether he varied

this attitude in the slightest degree, so much as by the gentlest motion of his arm,

the uproar was certain to increase, not merely there, but in the lobby below,

from which place no doubt some man, who acted as fugal man to the rest, was constantly looking

up and watching him. Order cried Hugh in a voice, which made itself heard even above the

roar and tumult, as Lord George appeared at the top of the staircase, news, news from my Lord.

The noise continued, notwithstanding his appearance, until Gashford looked round.

There was silence immediately, even among the people and the passages without,

and on the other staircases who could neither see or hear, but to whom notwithstanding the

signal was conveyed, with marvellous rapidity. Gentleman, said Lord George, who is very pale and

agitated. We must be firm. They talk of delays, but we have no delays. We must have no delays.

They talk of taking your petition into consideration next Tuesday, but we must have it considered

now. Present appearances look bad for our success, but we must succeed, and will. We must succeed,

and will, echoed the crowd, and so among their shouts and cheers, and other cries he bowed to them

and retired, and presently came back again. There was another gesture from Gashford, and a dead

silence directly. I am afraid, he said this time, that we have little reason, gentlemen,

to hope that any redress from the proceedings of Parliament, but we must redress our own grievances,

we must meet again, and we must put our trust in providence, and it will bless our endeavours.

This speech, being a little more temperate than the last, was not so favourably received,

when the noise and exasperation were at their height, he came back once more, and told them that

the alarm had gone forth for many miles round. That, when the king heard of their assembling together

in that great body, he had no doubt his majesty would send down private orders to have their wishes

complied with, and, with the manner of his speech, as childish, irresolute, and uncertain as his

matter, was proceeding in this strain when two gentlemen suddenly appeared at the door where he stood,

and pressing past him, and coming a step or two lowered upon the stairs, confronted the people.

The boldness of this action quite took them by surprise. They were not the less disconcerted,

when one of these gentlemen, turning to Lord George, spoke thus in a loud voice,

that they might hear him well, but quite coolly, and collectively.

You may tell these people if you please, my Lord, that I am General Conway,

of whom they may have heard, and that I oppose this petition, and all their proceedings and yours.

I am a soldier, you may tell them, and I will protect the freedom of this place, with my sword.

You see, my Lord, that the members of this house are all in arms today.

You know that the entrance to it is a narrow one. You cannot be ignorant that there are men

within these walls, who are determined to defend that past to the last, and before whom many

lives must fall, if your adherence persevere. Have a care, what you do.

And, my Lord George, said the other gentlemen addressing him in a like manner,

I desire them to hear this from me, Colonel Gordon, your near relation.

If a man among this crowd, whose uproar strikes us death, crosses the threshold of the House of

Commons, I swear to run my sword that moment, not into his, but into your body.

With that they stepped back again, keeping their faces towards the crowd,

to each and arm of the misguided nobleman, drew him into the passage, and shut the door,

which they directly locked and fastened on the inside. This was so quickly done, and the

demeanor of both gentlemen, who were not young men either, were so gallant and resolute

that the crowd faltered and stared at each other with irresolute and timid looks.

Many tried to turn towards the door, some of the faintest hearted,

cried that they'd best go back, and called to those behind to give way,

and the panic and confusion were increasing rapidly, when Gashford whispered to Hugh.

What now? Hugh wrought aloud, turning towards them. What I go back, where can you do better than

hear boys, one good rush against these doors, and one below at the same time will do the business?

What's the matter puppy? Why are you having dreams about rabbits?

Rush on then, and so to the door below, let those stand back who are afraid, let those who are not

afraid try, who shall be the first to pass it. Here goes, look out down below. Without the delay

of an instant he threw himself headlong over the banisters, into the lobby below.

He had hardly touched the ground, when Barnaby was at his side. The chaplain's assistant and some

members who were imploring the people to retire, immediately withdrew, and then with a great shout,

both crowds, through themselves, against the doors, pale male, and besieged the house in earnest.

At that moment when a second onset must have brought them into collision with those who stood

on the defensive within, in which case a great loss of life and bloodshed would inevitably have

ensued. I'm going to put the microphone near to puppy, she's making funny noise.

I want to say hello puppy, say hello to the crowd, and come on now.

No, she doesn't want to say anything, oh dear, I leave her in peace, it's been a long busy day

for a puppy, hasn't it? You've been busy today, all your meetings, all the things you've had to

administer to, all the things you've had to put into place. At that moment when a second onset must

have brought them into collision with those who stood on the defensive within, in which case a

great loss of life and bloodshed would inevitably have ensued. The hindmost portion of the crowd gave

and the rumour spread from mouth to mouth that a messenger had dispatched by water for the military

who were forming in the street, fearful of sustaining a charge in the narrow passages in which they

were so closely wedged together, the throng poured out as impetuously as they had flocked in.

As the whole stream turned at once Barnaby and Hugh went with it and so fighting and struggling

and trampling on fallen men and being trampled on in return themselves, they and the whole mass

floted by degrees into the open street were a large detachment of the guards, both horse and foot,

came hurrying up, clearing the ground before them so rapidly that the people seemed to melt away

as they advanced. The word of command or halt being given the soldiers formed across the street,

the rioters, breathless and exhausted with their late exertions, formed likewise,

though in a very irregular and disorderly manner. The commanding officer, hello Mr. Gatt,

I'll sort you out in a minute, just going to finish this chapter. The commanding officer hastily

rode into the open space between the two bodies, accompanied by a magistrate and an officer of

the House of Commons for who's the accommodation a couple of troopers had hastily dismounted.

The riot act was read but not a man stirred and it's so used so often isn't it? You know,

the people say I'll read you the riot act. In the first world, the riot act was read here.

In the first rank of the insurgents at Barnaby and Hugh, I want to say poor Barnaby,

I don't like these chapters that make me worried for him.

Stood side by side, somebody had thrust into Barnaby's hands when he came out into the street,

his precious flag, which being now rolled up and tied around the pole, looked like a giant quarter

staff as he grasped it firmly and stood upon his guard. If ever man believed with his whole heart

and soul that he was engaged in a just cause and that he was bound to stand by his leader to the

last, poor Barnaby believed it of himself and Lord George Gordon. After an ineffectual attempt

to make himself heard, the magistrate gave the word and the horse guards came riding in among

the crowd. But even then he galloped here and there, exerting the people to disperse,

and although heavy stones were thrown at the men and some were desperately carton bruised,

they had no orders but to make prisoners of such of the rioters as were the most active

and to drive the people back with the flats of their sabers. As the horses came in among them,

the throng gave way at many points and the guards following up their advantage were rapidly

clearing the ground. When two or three of the foremost, who were in a manner cut off from the

rest by the people closing around them, made straight towards Barnaby and Hugh, who had no doubt

been pointed out as the two men who dropped into the lobby, laying about them now with some effect

and inflicting on the more turbulent of their opponents, a few slight flesh wounds under the

influence of which a man dropped, here and there, into the arms of his fellows amid much

groaning and confusion. At the sight of gashed and bloody faces, seen for a moment in the crowd,

then hidden by the press around them, Barnaby turned pale and sick, but he stood his ground and

grasping his pole more firmly yet, kept his eye fixed upon the nearest soldier nodding his head

meanwhile, as Hugh with a scowling visage whispered in his ear. The soldier came sparing on,

making his horse rear as the people pressed about him, cutting at the hands of those who would

grasp his rain and forced his charger back, and waving to his comrades to follow, and still

Barnaby, without retreating an inch, waited for his coming. Some called to him to fly,

and some were in the very act of closing about him, to prevent his being taken when the poles

swept the air above the people's heads, and the man's saddle was empty in an instant. Then he

and Hugh turned and fled, the crowd opening to let them pass, and closing up again so quickly

that there was no clue to the course they had taken. Panting for breath, hot, dusty and exhausted,

with fatigue they reached the riverside in safety, and getting into a boat with all dispatch,

was soon out of any immediate danger. As they glided down the river, they plainly heard the people

cheering, and supposing that they might have forced the soldiers to retreat, lay upon their

oars for a few minutes, uncertain whether to return or not, but the crowd passing along Westminster

soon assured them that the populace was dispersing, and Hugh rightly guessed from this,

that they had cheered the magistrate for offering to dismiss the military, on condition of their

immediate departure to their several homes, and that he and Barnaby were better where they were.

He advised therefore that they should proceed to Blackfriars, and going ashore at the bridge,

make the best of their way to the boot, where there was not only good entertainment and safe lodging,

but where they would certainly be joined by many of their late companions.

Barnaby assenting, they decided on this course of action, and pulled for Blackfriars,

accordingly. They landed at a critical time, and fortunately from themselves at the right

moment, for coming into Fleet Street, they found it an unusual stir, and inquiring the cause

were told, that a body of horse-gards had just galloped past, and that they were escorting some

rioters, who they had made prisoners to new gate for safety. Not at all ill pleased to have so

narrowly escaped, the calvacade, they lost no more time in asking questions, but hurried to the boot,

with as much speed as he considered it prudent to make, without appearing singular,

or attracting an inconvenient share of public. Notice, and that's the end of chapter 49.

And now we'll finish with overlooking the River Stour, Thomas Hardy.

The Swallows flew in the curves of an eight above the River Gleam in the wet June's last

beam, like the little crossbows animate, the Swallows flew in the curves of an eight above the

River Gleam. Plaining up shavings of crystal spray, a moorhen darted out, from the bank they're

about, and through the stream-shine ripped away, planning up shavings of crystal spray, a moorhen

darted out, closed with a king-cups, and the mead dripped in monotonous green, through the days

morning-shine, had shown it golden and honey-bead, closed with a king-cups, and the mead,

dripped in monotonous green, and never I turned my head, a lack, while these things met my gaze,

through the pains, drop-drenched gullays, to see the moor behind my back, and never I turned,

but let a lack, these less things hold my gaze. Good night.