The Sun.
London, England, 1860-08-23 00:00:00

THE A GAPEMONE STORMED.

It was known on Monday in Bridgwater that a
most determined attack was to be made, the follow-
ing (Tuesday) evening upon the Agapemone, to de-
liver Mrs. Price from the clutches of the Princeites,
and the aid of volunteers was solicited to enable the
Rev. Mr. Price to resist any force that might be
brought against him. The enterprise was soon
bruited abroad, and numerous persons of different
classes offered. to assist in the undertaking. The
storming party met on the Spaxton-road at six
o'clock on Tuesday evening, headed by Mr. Price,
and a few friends in a cab, and proceeded in two
vans, each drawn by a oouple of horses towards the
Agapemone. They arrived there about seven o'clock,
and directly commenced the assault. Two of the
inmates of this peculiar institution were on guard,
armed with bludgeons, at the gate leading from the
garden in front of the laundry, that point being the
one most easily scaled. Mr. Price, followed by
about twenty of his supporters, rushed towards the
gate in question immediately upon leaving his
vehicle, and scrambled over the adjoining wall, ob-
taining access to the grounds at once. The Aga-
pemonites retreated and gave the alarm, but were
quickly follo wed by their late co-religionist to the
front deor of the principal dwelling. On reaching
thus far Mr. Price knocked at the door and loudly
demanded entrance, declaring that he had come for
his wife. Entrance was denied him, and the door
was thereupon battered with iron bars the assail-
ants had brought with them. The panels were
smashed in a short space of time, but it was found
difficult to burst open the other portion, the wood
being very solid, and the bars at the back exceed-
ingly strong. When the panels were smashed the
Agapemonites were seen is strong force in the pas-
sage, well-armed with life-preservers, and the en-
trance was barricaded with tables. One of their
number presented a pistol, and threatened to shoot
the first intruder. A man in the crowd outside
hereupon produced a second pistol, and informed
the Princeite that his weapon was as good as the
one first exhibited.
While these proceedings had been going on the
door in front of the dwelling had been forced open,
and the assailants increased to 60 or 70 in number.
Mr. Price, in a firm and collected manner told his
late friends that they had brought this business
upon themselves by treating him like a dog, and
keeping his wife from him. He added that he was
resolved upon searching the premises for his lady,
if she were not given up-to him, and if he were not
allowed to do so peaceably, he would do so by force.
After this address the crowd became somewhat
excited. One man shouted "Let him shoot, he can
only kill one," and another called upon the owner
of the second pistol to fire also. A cry was raised
to break in the two bow windows: This direction
was about to be carried into operation, and the
people at the threshold were beginning to force
their way into the passage, a man aiming a blow
at the pistol with his cudgel, when one of the de-
fenders called out " A flag of truce." This was a
most prudent step, for the assailants were resolute
men, bent on carrying out their object, and blood-
shed must have resulted had not the Princeites de-
cided that discretion was in this instance the better
part of valour. A parley ensued, the spokesman
on the part of the Agapemone offering to admit Mr.
Price to the house. The companions of that gen-
tleman would not accede to that arrangement, and
it was eventually agreed that six individuals should
accompany Mr. Price in pursuit of his wife. They
then entered the house, and searched every room
therein, their examination lasting more than an
hour. A male Princeite went with the searchers
from room to room, and the ladies of the establish-
ment were seen in their various apartments. Beds
were turned over, and closets peered into, but no
Mrs: Price was discoverable. The investigating
party' were treated civilly by the inmates, and when
:t grew dark were supplied with a candle. Whilst
the search was going on the outside multitude was
greatly augmented by persons from Bridgwater,
who came in vehicles, on horseback, and on foot,
and by the inhabitants of the villages of Spaxton
and Charlinch, who flocked to the spot to ascertain
what was the matter. Before eight o'clock there
could not have been less than 500 people assembled,
and none were heard to utter other than disparag-
ing remarks of the fraternity whose repose had been
thus rudely disturbed. The lane leading to the
Abode of Love from the main road was filled with
gigs, vans, &c. From the first groups of men had
stationed themselves in-different parts of the grounds
to foil any attempt to take away the lady concern-
ing whom so much trouble was being taken. Two
or three Princeites stood as sentinels at the door
which had been broken in during the search of the
ptincipal residence. The upper rooms were,exa-
mined twice, and locked as they were' left, but the
scrutiny proved unavailing. The cottages, conser-
vatories, and stable's were next visited by Mr. Price
and his half-dozen followers without success, and
near eight o'clock the trespassers quitted the noto-
rious abode.
Thu conduct of the assailants was much less riot-
ous than might have been expected. It is said that
scarcely a shrub or, a flower was injured, and that
the breakage of the door was the only damage 'per-
petrated. Mr. Price, previous to setting out on his
expedition, impressed upon those who accompapied
him the great desirability of inflicting no greater
injury than was absolutely necessary for the ac-
complishment of the object he had in view, viz., the
rescue of his wife, to whom, he maintains, he is
rightly entitled. He kept the multitude, who readily
gave him their help, under control, and was anxious
that the Princeites who strolled about during the
search, should not be maltreated. A busy trades-
man in the furniture removal line had the effrontery
to inquire from a gentlemanly member of the pecu-
liar institution 'whether his services were likely to
be required, "For," said,he, "I have heard you are
about to leave this place, and I can remove goods
cheaply and safely for you." Prince himself, on this
as on the former occasion, was not visible. The
mission to the Agapemone having failed, a consulta-
tion was held as to what next was to be done. Some
suggested that the neighbouring Lamb Inn and cot-
tages should be visited, but the general opinion was
that Prince's farm at Aisholt (three miles distant)
contained Mrs. Price, and that it would be ad-
visable to hasten thither at once. To Aisholt,
therefore, Mr. Price led the way, twa vans,
several vehicles, and a numbei of men on foot
following. The cortege had not gone more than
half-a-mile before an inmate of the Abode wtZe
discerned mounted on one of the splendid black
chargers of the establishmentp galloping towards
the motley procession. The rider , passed the
hindermost gig at a smart pace ' • a shout was
then raised that he was a Princeite, and
must be stopped. The fiery horse was lashed and
struck, and men in the road ran in front of the
spirited animal to drive it back. The horse reared
and plunged, but its rider kept his seat admirably.
No progress could be made, and the mounted dis-
ciple of the " Holy Ghost" returned, only to hasten
to the menaced Aisholt Farm by another route.
The road was rough and hilly, so that heavily laden
conveyances advanced slowly. The expeditionary
corps were, however, eager for the fray, and left
their vans in order to walk to the place to be at-
tacked. Darkness drew on apace, and when the
bottom of the dangerous Aisholt-hill had been
reached, and the establishment in question was
near, a council of war was held, whereat it was de-
cided that it would be unwise to attack the farm
that night, as sufficient time had elapsed to permit
the removal of Mrs. Price, if she had been there,
and it would, be impracticable to hunt the adjacent
woods in search of her. Mr. Price and the indivi-
dual who had acted as his lieutenant collected
around them, in the road, what may be called the
advanced guard of the storming party, and ad-
dressed them. The lieutenant said the men had
acted manfully, bravely, yet prudently, in assisting
Mr. Price to obtain his rights. That gentleman
was deeply grateful to them for their generous
support, and none the less so on account of their
non-success. Another attempt would be made to
rest` re to Mr. Price what he was justified in seek-
ing, and what he was entitled to by the law of God
and man. i 4 trusted that the gentleman they had
so kindly and geeerously assisted would meet with
the same hearty support on a future occasion.
The Rev. Mr. PRICE also briefly addressed the
assembly. He first sincaely thanked them for their
hearty sympathy and suppot, and then went on to
state his belief that it would ist2 useless to proceed
to Aisholt that night. He appealed to God as his
witness that he had no desire to retaliate upon the

Agapemonites in consequence of the illitreatmen

heeh-ad received at their hands. He only wanted
his rights, and he was resolved to obtain them. A
visit to the Aisholt farm could only now have the

effect. of frightening and disturbing the inmates,

and that he had no wish to do when his purpose
could not be gained. Those who had accompanied
him, he averred, had done nothing of which/they,
need be ashamed at the Agapemone. When a large
body of persons congregated for such an object as
they had in 'view riotous behaviour usually took
eaceabl
place, but nothing of the kind had occurred that
night, and he begged those whc; had so kindly of--
forded him help thus far to quietly and p
return: to Bridgwater. He again thauked them in a
feeling might
hereafter ask raem for their assistance. Both
hlanner, and intimated that he
speakers were repeatedly applauded, and at the ter-
mination of Mr. Price's speech an enthusiastic in-
dividual called for three cheers for the hero of the
evening. Others thought it would be unseemly to
disturb the night byhurralis ; but more than a
any orders he might think fit to give.
dozen volunteered to lie in ambush for the lady,
and to obey
They disclaimed any thought of compensation, and
declared they were willing to continue the woman- ,
hunt for several days. Ihese offers were politely ,