The Sun.
London, England, 1837-08-01 00:00:00

in point of numbers, completely routed their. Along
one side of Wood-street where the ha,tirgs were
erected, runs a parapet wall of brick-work, s !parat-
ing the street from an adjoining field, about eiz,lit
or ten feet lower than the ground, which had,
till the movement we are describing, csntained several
thousands of the Orange party. Many thousands of the
same party were also engaged in the dreadful conflict which
was going on in the street ; these latter when overpowered
by their opponents, rushed tumultuously and precipitately
across the wall into the field below. Masses of men and
women were seen to hurl themselves from the parapet des-
perately, regardless of the dangerous depth below, and
many evidently suffered severely from the wounds inflicted
by their indiscriminating and merciless antagonists. In
this rush, a considerable portion of the wail gave way, and
unfortunately its materials furnished the retreating party
with the means of renewing the warfare in a mode which
most seriously involved the safety of all within reach of their
dangerous missiles. They armed themselves with brick-
bats, and breaking them in halves for the convenience of
throwing them, but by no means out of mercy for the lives
of others, they discharged them with furious effect, and in
some instances with too sure an aim against all within their
reach. The Blues now retaliated with the same weapons,
availing themselves of another brick wall in the neighbour-
hood of their position for a supply of ammunition. At
length they gained the advantage of this encounter also,
and drove the discomfited Orange party before them,
not only from the street and the field already mentioned,
but also from all the outlets adjoining, and they now ap-
peared complete masters of the field. But it was evident
that the cessation of hostilities caused by this temporary
success could not be of long duration. The Orange forces
were again seen mustering in immense strength in the dis-
tance, and without much delay they presented themselves
in a huge and threatening mass at the end of Wood-street,
filling the area of the High-street and Market-place. At
first they advanced slowly and cautiously, sending a few
stones as an earnest of their more terrible determination.
Some skirmishes took place between detached parties, but
speedily the Orange body rushed forward with overwhelm-
ing impetuosity, driving the Blues before them in their turn,
and taking possession of their positions. And now this dread-
ful commotion was at its highest. These ferocious men,
elated by their success, seemed determined to spare neither
friend nor foe. Showers of stones came incessantly pouring
into the hustings, and the situation of all persons there became
imminently perilous, the more so as no apparent means of
escape presented themselves, for it would have been al-
mo.st certain destruction to have attempted to make a re-
treat from the ground while either party remained upon it.
It may be unnecessary to observe, that during the whole of
the conflict, the proceedings of the election were com-
pletely suspended ; but it now became evident that it
would be necessary to terminate them altogether, in order
to avert the most awful consequences, and to put a stop to
the shedding of human blood. A renewed shower of
brickbats brought the matter to an issue. The High She-
riff hastily declared that a show of hands should be dis-
pensed with, and that a poll being demanded on behalf of
all the candidates, it should take place on Thursday morn-
ing. A rapid and general retreat was then commenced
from the hustings. It happened providentially that an
open space, scarcely two feet in width, was left along the
back of this temporary building, which opened upon the
roof of a vestibule attached to the Court-house. Through
this opening hundreds squeezed themielves, and flung their
bodies at length upon the roof, being thus sheltered, in
some measure, by the hustings, and by the parapet walls
about them. But even this asylum soon proved insufficient
and showers of brick bats still continued to descend there,
and many persons were severely wounded. No resource
was now left save to force a way into the Court-house,_and