The Sun.
London, England, 1866-07-27 00:00:00

The Demonstration in Hyde Park. 8

A marked change for the better was noticeable
in Hyde Park yesterday. The experience of the
previous day had shown that the restoration of quiet
and order was near, and the prevalence of this im-
pression evidently contributed to the abatement of
public curiosity. In fact, a stranger to the scenes
of the last few days would scarcely have recognised
anything unusual, so energetically has the work of
removal and renovation been set about. The railings
have, of course, not been replaced, but workmen
are actively and numerously employed in repairing
the damage in this direction. The hoarding which
is intended for the time, at all events, to act as a
bar to unauthorised entrance to the park is being
rapidly proceeded with, and for some distance along
Park-lane is already completed. But all signs of the
destruction which was committed upon the trees and
plantations have disappeared. Cartload upon cart-
load of broken boughs and branches have been re-
moved, and the unsightly stumps of those trees
which were wrenched and broken off have been sub-
mitted to amputations much more orthodox in their
appearance. As much of the old trunk as remained
unconsumed by the early part of yesterday morning
has been removed, and but for the presence of a
small cluster of inquisitive spirits it would have been
difficult to determine at first sight the spot where so
many roughs had on Wednesday derived their after-
noon and evening's amusement. Nor was there any
attempt to renew the destruction of the previous
days. Indeed, with the absence of the police, none
of whom were to be seen in the neighbourhood of the
conflicts of Monday and Tuesday, all symptoms of
mischief seemed to have disappeared. The park was
in the morning given up to its usual frequenters,
and in the afternoon it was visited by many work-
ing men and a few members of the rougher classes,
but all alike appeared to be willing to confine them-
selves to legitimate amusements. Leap-frog and
lying and smoking on the grass appeared to be the
favourite modes of passing the time, and if here and
there some more demonstrative assemblages were to
be found, their behaviour, though rough, was per-
fectly good-humoured. There was no revival of the
stone-throwing, and the traffic outside the Marble
Arch was, for the first time since Monday, unim-
peded. The bills announcing the arrangement which
the Council of the League had made with the Go-
vernment were surrounded throughout the after-
noon by knots of men discussing anything and every-
thing bearing in any way upon politics, but no at-
tempts were made to hold any meetings. Indeed,
those at all in the secrets of the League appeared to
have carefully abstained from approaching the park,
and thus to have contributed as much as possible
to the cessation of the disturbances. Towardsnight-
fall the concourse of people was, of course, greater
than in the afternoon, but the increase in number
induced no alteration in behaviour, and as the

evening wore on the park was gradually deserted
by all but those who, for the present, at all events,
have selected it as a residence.

SPECIAL CONSTABLES.

At the usual weekly meeting of the Marylebone
Vestry held yesterday, Mr. Greenwell, vestry clerk,
read the following communication which he had just
received from the Home-office, and marked " im-
mediate" :

" Whitehall, July 25, 1866.
" Sir, —Apprehensions being entertained of a recurrence
of the recent disturbances in Hyde Park and its vicinity
I am directed by Mr. Secretary Walpole to transmit to
you the enclosed copy of a circular letter which he has
addressed to the magistrates of the Bow-street, Hammer-
smith, Marlborough-street, Marylebone, and Westminster
policB-courts on the subject of swearing in special constables
to assist the Metropolitan Police in the preservation of the
public peace ; and Tam to request that you will move the
vestry of the parish of Marylebone to lose no time in in-
viting well-disposed persons to come forward and enrol
themselves as special constables for the above purpose. To
further this object Mr. Walpole trusts that the vestry will
grant the use of their vestry-hall for the swearing in of
those persons who may offer their services as special con-
stables. " I am, Sir, your obedient servant,
" The Vestry Clerk of St. Marylebone."

"H. WADDINGTON.

The following is a copy of the circular letter ad-
dressed to the magistrates, also read by the vestry
clerk :

"Whitehall, July 25, 1866.
" Gentlemen—Mr. Secretary Walpole directs me to re-
quest that you will grant every facility at your court for
swearing in respectable individuals who may offer their
services as special constables for the preservation of the
peace; and that you will have the goodness to attend at a
vestry-room or other place where a number of persons may
find it convenient to assemble for the purpose of swearing
them in there. I beg, at the same time, to mention to you
that special constables should be sworn under the Acts of
the Ist and 2d William IV., cap. 41, and the sth and 6th
William IV., cap. 43, the former of which statutes requires
that a previous Statement on oath shall be taken that dis-
turbances exist or are apprehended.
"I am, sir, &c., "H. WADDINGTON."
The reading of these communications occasioned
derisive laughter from some of the members, and a
motion having been made and seconded that the re-
quest be granted, Mr. Hallam moved an amend-
ment, " That the communications from the Home
Secretary lie on the table." He was strongly sup-
ported by Messrs. Holcombe, Soden, and others,
and as strongly opposed by Professor Marks, Dr.
Bachhoffner, and other members. Mr. Nicholay
said he had a memorial from the ratepayers of the
parish, asking permission to hold a meeting in the
vestry-hall to protest against the conduct of the
police in the park, and suggested the withdrawal
of the amendment, so that Government and people
might have the use of the hall. Mr. Hallam withdrew
his amendment, to the great chagrin of some of
his supporters who wished to divide the board on
the question. The vestry then agreed that the
Home Secretary should be informed that they would
agree to his requests.