The Sun.
London, England, 1855-02-20 00:00:00

BREAD RIOTS- IN LIVERPOOL.

LIVERPOOL, Feb. 19,--This morning a large mob, composed
of the dregs of the population, and swelled by women and
girls, paridsd Shaw's-brow, Scotland-road, Vauxhall-road,
and Dale-street, entering all the bread-shops, with the ex-
ception of Mr. Lester's, opposite St. Anthony's Chapel, Scot-
land-yard, and demanding bread, helping themselves freely
to the loaves if repulsed. The shops in Scotland-road suffered
the most, being almost entirely cleared of their stocks of
bread. The riotous demonstrations have caused the greatest
consternation in the town. Shops have been closed in every
direction, and an entire stop has been put to trade. SOme of
the rioters asked for bread only, but small gangs of despe-
rate-looking fellows have entered a number of shops and
houses and demanded money, which in many cases was given
to them.
About half-past ten n'eloes the inhabitants of the neigh-
botubood of Islington and Brunswick-road were alarmed by
seeing a mob, to the number of about 500, proceeding along
Shaw-street towards Moss-street, through which they passed
It was noticed that in the main the mob consisted of boys and
youths, apparently from 16 to 17 years of age, led on by some
half-dozen rough-looking men, whose appearance indicated a
determination for mischief and riot rather than hunger or star-
vation. As is usual in these lawless acts, the mob included a
number of women, who seemed to take, a kind of fiendish
interest in the depredations on which the mob seemed most
ferociously intent. On arriving at the corner of Moss-street
and London-road, about 30 or 40 of the mob, headed by a
man who seemed to be the ringleader, and who cried out,
" Come on, here's a d—l who's got what we want," made a
rush towards the door of a provision dealer's shop, kept by
Mr. Allen. It would appear that Mr. Allen had been ap-
prised of what was going on in other parts of the town, for
the shutters of the shop were all up, but the door was only
partially closed. On the mob getting to the door they de-
manded food, one man shouting out that they bad been starving
for weeks, and that if he did not supply them with what
they wanted they would break open and ues.roy the pre-
mises. At this time there were no policemen about, but their
absence may well be excused at the moment when it is known
these lawless proceedings were going forward in every part of
the town. The person in charge of the premises was evidently
much alarmed by the menaces and threats of the men, and,
retiring from the shop door for a moment or two, ho returned
with a number of loaves and other articles of provisions,
which he threw miscellaneously among the crowd for some
quarter of an hour or 20 minutes, and when his stock of
loaves was exhausted he•closedthe door, and the mob retired,
some of the men carrying as many as three or four loaves
away, and running away in various directions. The main body
of the mob, however, remained united, their numbers indeed
being augmented by another body, which appeared to come
through Boundary-street, from the neighbourhood of BroWn-
lew-hill and Paddington. From this point the mob proceeded
up Prescot-street to another bread and provision-shop at the
corner of Epworth-street, kept by Mr. Charnock. On arriving
at these premises they found them entirely closed, but success
at Mr. Allen's would seem to have increased the furious de-
termination of their demandsrand made them utterly regard-
less of consequences. Finding admittance at Mr. Charnock's
denied to them, they made an attack upon the door, and
broke it almost instantly. They then eistered the promises in
large numbers, and stripped the shop of all its contents,
takipg not only all the breadlupou the shelves, but, in addi-
tion, helping themselves to flour and other articles at band.
Having got all on the premises, they emerged from the place
in quick succession, carrying with them the contents of their
plunder. One man bad no less than six loaves under one arm
and a bag of flour under the-other and others had two, three,
and four loaves, with flour and other articles ; and in this in-
stance our reporter particularly noticed tbat the men in pos-
session of the stolen property were stalwart strong-looking
desperadoes, while the bulk of the lads who had evidently been
secured for the purpose of terrifying the different shopkeepers '
into submission had no provisions with them. As the mob
were leaving Mr. Charnock's premises, two of the ringleaders
were pointed out, and, the police being now at hand, they
were taken into custody; and just as they were being secured
a woman, who was evidently associated with them, made use
of several vile epithets towards the police, and, endeavouring
to excite an attack upon the officers, commenced throwing
stones at them. She was; howeier' immediately pointed out,
and taken to Bridewell along with the two men.
About half-past 11 the mob, in large numbers, visited the
different shops in Paddington and Brownlow-hill. They en-
tirely stripped the premises of Mr. Lunt and Mr. Lloyd, bread
and provision dealers, and likewise attempted other premises,
but they were not equally successful, the different shops hav-
ing boon closed and firmly secured. On entering Mr. Lunt's
premises a few of the ringleaders deliberately walked round
the counter, and having forcibly ejected the man in charge of
the premises, telling him at the time that "they wanted bread
and would have it," they commenced their work of plunder,
and in an incredibly short space of time the shop was emptied
of its contents; and here a proofof the dcstructiveand riotous
character of the mob was exhibited. Not content with getting
everything ou the premises they afterwards threw stones
through the upper part of the shop windows which were not
protected by the shutters, and did considerable damage.
At the corner of Springfield, St. Anne-street, one of Mr.
Lightbound's shops was surrounded by the mob, and all its
contents, including bread and flour, taken away. The conduct
of the mob was here also most disgraceful. The man in charge
of the premises was anxious to give them all there was on the
spbt, in order that the premises themselves might not be at-
tacked, and with this view he threw out into the street from
one of the windows a large quantity of soda biscuits, which
Seymour-street,
were in an apartment adjoining the shop. Notwithstanding
that he thus endeavoured to meet their demands, they after-
wards smashed the shutters and shop-windows.' -
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ofm was going
appearance at his shop and demanding provisions, he stood
grasped in
each hand, and declared that he would shoot the first •
who attempted to enter. Perceiving the fixed determination
of Mr. Phillips the fellows made a hasty retreat, having failed
in their demands.

Shortly after 12 o'clock a mob'paraded Great Howard-
street and the adjacent thoroughfares, and forcibly took
bread, flour, and provisions from the shops containing them.
There was only one policeman visible at the time, but several
were ordered to come to his assistance from the nearest docks.

The police succeeded in apprehending about a dozen of the
ringleaders, ferocious-looking fellows, evidently prepared to
initiate any act of violence, and, about 20 boys.
A number of special. constables have been sworn in ; a
strong detachment of mounted police has been formed; and
every stop has been taken to secure the peace.
About half-past one o'clock the mob went to St. John's-
market, evidently with the intention of committing further
depredations, but, on arriving in Parker-street, they found,
to their disappointment, that the market had been closed.
They then moved off in the direction of Lime-street:
Major Greig went to different streets in which the people
were forming themselves into crowds, and addressed them
upon the folly of their attempting to gain by force what the
merchants and other inhabitants of the town were willing to
afford them of their own free will. He said that if they
would be quiet every suffering person would be relieved. He
felt sure that no one would suffer the pangs of hunger long.
He was frequently interrupted with cries of, " They should
have done it before," " We're elaniming," " Lots of us have

died of hunger." One woman threw a reaper's sickle at him,
which, fortunately, missed his head, though it passed within
an inch or two. It was naticed that the really suffering poor
were quiet, and willing to take their chance of procuring the
relief given to them, the noisy ringleaders of the mobs who
paraded the streets being ►ell-known thieves and bad charac-
ters. One who was take* into custody was found to have
four new loaves and 2/. in his possession. Among other places
where the mob called was Mr. Hutchins's, bread and biscuit

baker, opposite St. George's-hall. He, fortunately, had put
his shop shutters up, and he managed to get rid of his trou-
blesome customers by throwing biscuits and loaves to them.
The leaders then consulted together for a few minutes, and
ran off in the direction of Lime-street. •

A man dropped down in Crooked-lane, South Castle-street,
about half-past one o'clock. It was said that he had died from
starvation. He wax carried to the Northern Hospital by
policemen, an immense crowd following them.

8.15 P.M.

The town has resumed its ordinary evening appearance,
and all apprehension of further outbreak has ceased. Strong
bodies of mounted police patrol the streets, and the effective
measures organised by the mayor (Mr. J. A. Tobin) are
deemed sufficient to keep the peace and preserve the pro-
perty of the inhabitants.