Star.
London, England, 1830-11-22 00:00:00

BEAKS AND II A N TS.

The state of the country becomes every day more alarming, ar.d un.
less the magistrates adopt the most active measures for the preservation
of the peace, and the protection of property, by exerting all the legal
means within their power, the most disastrous results will ensue. Maui'
hitherto secluded from popular commotion have been visited by incen-
diaries, and there is too much reason to believe, that there are agents of
some vile conspiracy travelling through the country to effect the work of
destruction, and to incite the labouring classes to meet and commit depre-
dations on all descriptions of property. I am happy to announce an in-
stance of successful resistance to a band of lawless ruffians by a magistrate
(a clergyman,) aided by his son and his parishioners, winch terminated
in the capture of the ringleader and ten of his associates, and the com-
plete dispersion of the rest. A few such examples of promptness and
decision would put down the spirit of mischief and devastation that is
abroad, sooner, and more effectually, than any other means. It had
been reported that during the last week • stranger, armed with pistols,
and having in his possession some combustible apparatus for setting fire
to ricks and buildings, had been in the vicinity of Newbury, and that
another stranger on horseback had paid for the refreshments which had
been supplied to some disorderly characters who had met at a public
house near there. It is impossible to ascertain the accuracy of these re-
ports in consequence of the excitement that prevails amongst those who
have anything to lose; but on Friday last a gang of about 150 ruffians as-
sembled in the neighbourhood of Newbury, and _proceeded from house to
house, extorting money, or whatever they could obtain, breaking ma-
chinery, and threatening to burn and destroy the property of every one
who opposed them. At Aldermaston they broke the windows of the
clergyman's house; at Woolhampton they entered the cottages, and,
carried away all they could find, and from thence proceeded to the farm
of William Mount, Esq. of Wasinrplace. where they destroyed the
thutshing-machines, converting the hos knobs from the spina into
most formidable weapons, by fixing them ma the ends of their sticks. The
Rev. C. Cove, of Orimpton, having heard of their approach, swore in as

;11h constables u many of his parishlot and the people in their em.
en
ploy he could muster, and, accompanied by them, went out to meet
the riotors. They met near the entrance of Brimpton. and Mr. Cove
attemptt-d toipersuade them to disperse ; but finding remmistrancesuseless
'he read the Riot Act. The rioters rushed on hint, but did not strike him;
both parties were armed with sticks, and a general fight took place,
which ended in the apprehension of the ringleader and ten of his com-
panions, who. it is said, made a env-t desperate resistance. The rest,
finding their leader was taken, ran off in all directiAns, many passing
through a small brook in order to effect their escape. With con.ider.
able difficulty the prisoners were secured by cart chains, and the few
handcuffs which the parish constables possessed, and conveyed to Mr.
Cove's house until post.chaises were procured to convey them to New.
bury. On their arrival at Newbut y, a considembie mob Levitt,: as-
sembled, and some apprehensions being enterained of a rescue, the pri.
toners were sent off in three post-chaises and four, and safely lodged in
Reading gaol. The prisoners are all men of indifferert epees teens,
well known in the neighbourhood, and chiefly unmarried mei, and.
therefore, not suffering those privations which press so sev-ie:y
who have families to support. The ringleader is an 0:11 cir.;.Jet,
a desperate fellow, a kind of half-gipsey. Mr. Mount's bailiff is said
to have been severely beaten about the head, and sevetal ol.ers are but'
fering from the hard knocks they me, ivied during the contest, but fortu-
nately no ore is dangerously hurt. It is impossible to speak too highly
of the spirited conduct of Mr. Cove and his son, and the fart.ers 6:1,1
men who so ably supported him. Titry deserve the thanks of the
neighbourhood, and of the county ger. rally, for dispersing a dangerous
mob by means of the civil power, which is at the disposal of may
magistrate. The labourers who have a-aisted their employers so faith-
fully in this attack should not be forgotten. Many of them continued
watching the village of Brimpton, and the houses in the neigh.
bourhood, all Friday night, and, indeed, almost every where, the
farmers are employing their men to guard their stack-yards and build.
loge at night, though even this precaution, it appears, is sometimes un-
availing. At Holypar: near :Maidenhead, elate barns, a shed, ten
ricks of corn, and two thrashing machines, the property of Mr. Wittle-
worth, were entirely consumed on Friday night, though it is said the.
premises were watched by three men. The tire was seen for many niiie,.
Another was observed in the direction of Overton, in Hampshire, and
the guard of one of the n Ails reported teat on use same right, as lie
passed near Marlborough, ore of the largest farms in Wiltshire was
burning. It was said to be between 31aelbotouiih and Post). The
vq:!gistrates met at Newbury last week, and determined In future, on all
applications respecting wages, to allow 105. e-eveek to single men and
to every married man with two children ; and for every child beyond
that number, the price of a loaf a week.—Correspondent of a Ilforniny
Paper.

HOTHERFIELD, N0v.19.

Yesterday was the day fixed by the earain of the mob for a genera
meeting of the labourers and farmers of the parish, when it was expected
that the captain who headed the mob when they went round to the dif-
ferent farmers, to make them sign a paper, W01:11 have been present,
and the labourers considered it all but settled that they were to have
whatever wages' they chose to demand—that all threshing-machines were
to be destroyed—that all the taxes were to be taken off ius,anter—and
that the farmers were to be relieved from tithes, and this: milks
were to be settled by them (the labourers), with the noble captain at
their head, in about two hours, when they were to retire quietly to the
innumerable beer shops established since the duty on that beverage has
been taken off, to get' drunk, and consult about what other changes
they would make, and perhaps name one of their own body as eligible to
fill the throne, instead of kis present Majesty. But unfortunately for tiur
new la w.malers,we have for our magistrates bold man,enc who is not to be
intimidated by a mob. Lord Liverpool was also present, and he is of the
same description. The first step taken by our Magistrate was, to ti.
deavour to find out and take up the noble captain, but he was not to
be found—consequently the mob, who had collected by about
one, to the number of about one thousand, found themselves without a
leader, and appeared rather at a nonplus ; from eleven to one o'clock the
Magistrates were swearing in special constables having summoned all the
farmers and respectable inhabitants of the parish for that purpose, and a
detachment of soldiers was ready, if wanted, but such was not the case.
At about two, the Magistrates, accompanied by Lord Liverpool and
the special constables entered into the middle of the mob (who
had until then remained perfectly quiet,) when, after listening
patiently to any one who had .any complaint to make, re-
quested them to disperse and go home ; but that advice did
not appear to satisfy them, and after a few murmurs there commenced a
general row, in which the mob came worst off; and, after a severe strug.
gle of about half an hour, three of the ringleaders were secured and
handcuffed, when they appeared to have had enough of it —a few
bloody noses was the consequence—but did not disperse. The magis-
tmte then mounted his horse and addressed the mob, telling them dim,
if they had any complaints to make, he was the person appointed and
ready to redress their grievances, bat that they must not think that they
could intimidate by mobbing; that he would give them halt' an hour
to disperse, and go home ; that if at the expiration of that time they
did not disperse, he would read the Riot Act, and then they must take
the consequence. This had the desired effect—tbe mob dispersed, and
each one went home to lament his folly. Lord Liverpool was most .c-
-tire, and, being a powerful man, severely punished one who bad .h 2
audacity to strike him.