Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1837-04-21
ACENTuRY AGO.

The following [from Lady MoNTAGu's
lately published Letters] is an account
Of a scene which, we will venture TO as.
sert, is without parallel in any age or ma
on.-.Nut. Gnc,
"LoNDoN, MAY, l738.-Here is no news
to be sent yon from this place, which has
been for this fortnight and still continues
o vor~ h o)mod with politics, and which arc
of so mysterious nature, one ought TO
have some of the gifts of Lilly or Partridge
to be able to write about them; and leave
n hose dissertations to those distinguished
mortals who are endowed with the talent of
dlvination though am at present the only
one Of my sex who seems to be oflhat opin.
ion, the ladies' having shown their zeal and
appetite for knowledge IN u most glorious
manner. At The last warm debate in the
House Of Lords, 1t was unanimously resov-
ed there should be no crowd Of unnecessary
auditors consequently the fair sex were
excluded and the gallery destined to the
sole use Of the House of Commons. Not-
withsanding which determination, tribe
of danes resolved to show on this occasion
that either men nor laws could resis, them.
These herones were Lady Huntingdon,~
the duchess Of Qucensbury, the Duchess
Ancas'er Lady Wesmoreand. Lady Cob.
ham. Lady Charlotte Edwin, Lady Arch
ioald Hamilton and her daughter. Mrs.
Scott Mrs. Pendants, and Lady Frances
Saunderson. am thus particular in their
names, since look upon them to be the
| boldest assprters and m st resigned sufferers
for liberty ever read Of They presented
| themselves at the door at nine o'clock in the
morning, where Sir William SaundersoA
respec,iuly informed them the Chancellor
had made an order against their admittance.
The duchess Of bloomsbury, as head OF
the squadron, pished at the ill.breeding OF
n mere lawyer, and desired him to let them
Nd stairs privately. After some modest
rerusals he sworc by Che would not let
them IN, Her Grace, with noble warmth
answered, by G-they would come in. in
sp,e of the Chancellor and the whole
House. This being reported, the Peers
! resolved to starve them out; an order was
made that the doors should not be opened
ill they had raised their seige. These
Amazons now showed themselves qualified
for the duty even Of foot soldiers; they
stood there till five in the afternoon, with-
on, sustenancc every now and then playing
vollies of thumps, kicks, and raps, against
the door, that the speakers in the House
were scarce heard. When the Lords were
not to conquered By this, the two Dutch
esses VERY well apprized of the use OF
stralagcmS in war; commanded dead sl-
lence of half an hour and the Chancellor.
who thought this certain proof of their
absence, Uhe Commons also being very
impatient to enter,) gave order for the O..
penng of the door upon which they all
rushed in, pushed aside their competitors,
and placed themselves in the front rows of
the gallery. They stayed there Till after
eleven, when the House rose and during
, the debate gave applause, and showed
marks of dislike, not only by smiles and
! winks, (Which have always been allowed in
these cases. but by noisy laughs and appa.
rent contempls; which is supposed the true
reason why poor Lord llervey spoke mlser-
. ably beg your pardon, dear madam, for
! this long relations; but, tbs impossible to be
/ short on so copous subject; and you
h. must own this action very well worthy OF
/ record, and think not to be paralleled in
any history, ancient or modern. l look so
Y lnile in my own eyes. lwho was at that
time ingloriously sitting over a tea-table,.
j. hardly dare subscribe myself even.-.
!, Yours"