The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1861-10-30
WELLINGTON FACING A MOB.


One morning in February noticed threaten
ing crowds near the Pail Mall gate, not far from
the statue of Achilles. This statue was cast
from cannon taken in the Iron Dukes various
battles. and was dedicated "To Arthur, Duke OF
Wellington, by the Women of England" de.
termined to watch the Duke, and zee what was
going to be done. Punctual to the moment, he
descended the steps of Apsley House, his resi-
dence. His appearance was imposing. He was
at the head of the Cabinet, Premier Of England,
and he was par excellence the first man in England
1t was a drizzly morning. He wore blue
frOck coat, buttOned up to the chin, military
stock, and brown pantaloons. His falcon eye
surveyed the excited groups about the Park
gate with a sort of pleasant contempt. The
mob we're either awed by his appearance and
prestige, or they had not yet screwed their cour
age to the insulting point. The Duke passed on
horseback, attended by his faithful valet No
body molested him till he reached his office
There the mob hissed him; but when he turned
around and faced them, the Kissing ceased. He
then quietly entered bis Office. As knew the
hour he would leave Downing Street to return
to the Park, was there in due season. The
neghborhOOd of the Horse Guards probably de-
tered a good many Of the excited lunatics from
gathering about the Office, but numbers were
gathered. The Duke, who was punc;uality it.
self, came out at the appointed moment, and
mounted his horse amid groars and Kisses. At
ter he passed the Horse Guards, the noise in
| creased to shouts. When be passed the Charing
| Cross, and entered Pail Mall, the mob began to
throw missiles and dirt Near Pail Mall gate.
| there was a whirlpool of human beings, eddying
round in strange, wild, and yet in a sort of sym.
metrical confusion. feared they would murder
him there. As he approached the gate, good
deal spattered with mud and dirt, the mob, as il
compelled BY some higher power than that Of
esrth, made lane for him to pass. For a mo
ment they seemed awed, and appeared to reent
But when he had entered the gate, their vio
lence rose to fury. He dismounted with diff
Guilty, placed his back against the rails of the
statue OF Achilles, and calmly faced his furiou;
assailants. l shall never forget that moment
Thoughts and feelings took mastery of my nature
then that have swayed me ever SINCE Not on,
word did he utter. There was no shrinking
not even a cloud Of apprehension upon tina, glo
rious face. o, how infinitely small and contemp
tible his assaants looked. How great is man
How little are meu.
There was lul in the storm of sholts, an,
missiles, and dirt, and an old Irishman, with
wooden leg, hustled his way to the side OF tn
Duke. This man sold apples and oranges by tn
Hyde Park gate, and his basket had been upse
By the mob. When he had reached the lro
Duke, he stood by his side, and unbound hi
wooden leg, and made speech that immediatel
. subdued the monster. He began:
my curse on you for co~ardly scoundrels
If ye have pluck, come and fight me. Let il b
tive OF Us against you all. Come and kill U
both. This is your fair play. This is Englis
: justice! Thousands against one! TAilk
7 Waterloo! But for him and OF, Boney woul
|. have beaten ye! I've got nv wooden leg ft
fighting for ye-ye villains!-and ye are goin' ,
e pay him by murtherin' him, We bloody scoul
e drels! Come on, but come one at time, n,
:; like towards and ruffians as ye are, altogether
The speech was q mighty success. The INC
was ashamed and calmed, and began to snes
away. Wellington gave smile OF recognize
II to the man Who had saved his life, and ever
e terward he amply provided for him, as he did f
+ many Others, out of his own private fortune,
his own quiet, noiseless way.-Aoore.