The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-07-02
NOES IN ENGLAND.
al rn,arsatlnK 1IistorlcaI sl.eteh.

An Interesting Historical sketch.
The disturbances in London and Birmingham
give immediate interest to a historical sketch
which appears in the last number OF the Cornhm,
concerning the mobs of England
The earliest mob of any note In the eighteenth
century was in the reign of Queen Anne, in the
wear lfO9 At that time the Queen of England
had grown immensely popular with the English
people. Dissent was still associated with Puri-
fanism Dr. Sacheverel was a tory and divine
right man who in November, 1908, preached
sermon before the Lord Mayor, in which he In
dulped to the utmost in the exaltaton of all his
favorite IDEAS Passive obedience, divine right,
and all the articles of toryism we're laid down by
him as undoubted aXioms not to be questioned by
any faithful son OF the Church OF England.
The Lord Mayor desired the sermon to be
printed: but the Government took very diff
ferent view of the transaction, and eventually
ordered IL to be burned. In the meantime
Sacheverel had been Impeached, and at once
became popular idol. Sacheverel at this time
was living in the Temple; and he was escorted
70 and fro every dag by immense crowds of peo-
ple, who cheered him, and tried to kiss his
hand The trial lasted three weeks, and occa-
sionaly the mob burst out in acts of open vio-
lence In these outrages they were, according
to Bishop Burnett openly encouraged by men
OF rank, who accompanied the crowd in hack
ney coaches, and threw money to the rioters.
Their watchword was "the Church and
Sacheverel," and every man who refused to
join in the shout was liable to abuse or blows.
Burnett says he saw before his own door a
mans skull cleft open with a spade because he
refused this pious test. The mob, 1t seems,
were debating the propriety of burning the
Bishops own house, when they heard of the
approach of the Guards and Immediately dis
persed.
THE EXCISE MOB OF 1885,
The next great English mob which has ac-
quired historical celebrity distinguished itself
in 1888 against the famous Excise bill of Sir
Robert Walpole. This is an almost perfect in
stance of the submission of the majority of the
House OF Commons to demonstration of ply
sical force openly abetted by the minority. The
London populace assembled in vast numbers in
Palace Yard, and penetrated to the lobbies of
the House of Commons. The ''roughn element
asserted itself in attempts to mob the Prime
Minister and other obnoxious members OF Par
lament.
In spite of the threats of the populace, en-
eOuraged by the opposition orators, Sir Robert
Walpole continued to press his measure forward,
and obtained decisive though diminishing ma
joritles upon each division. But the mob became
90 violent at last that his resolution wavered.
The grounds on which his ultimate decision was
taken are, at this distance of time, not very
clear. 1t is certain, however, that the conduct
OF the mob had not only strengthened the regu-
Aar opposition, but had encouraged some OF the
minister's party, who wanted only an excuse for
detection, to declare that they could no longer
support him.
On the llth of April the bill was virtually
abandoned, by motion, introduced by Walpole
In person, that the second reading should be
postponed for two months. This humiliating
concession, which was the cause of much wall
ing and gnash1ng of teeth in st. James Palace,
did not have the effect of disarming the resent
ment of the mob against the authors of the
obnoxious scheme. On the night OF Its with
drawal larger mob than usual filed all the
precincts of the House of Commons; and though
they must have been informed OF what had
occurred inside, they seemed more ferocious
than ever When the House was rising, some
OF Walpole's friends, who had been outside,
came back, and told him what they must expect
II he went out by the public passage. But
Sir Robert gallantly resolved to face the worst,
saying there was no end OF flying from such
menaces, and SO, with ten or a dozen friends
close around him, and couple of servants,
he marched boldly out upon the rioters. Fifty
constables had been stationed outside the House,
TO secure free passage for members; and they
strove to keep lane for Walpole and his friends
to pass through. But this was impossible. A
general melee ensued One account says that
rufian got hold of Walpole's cloak behind his
protectors we're badly hurt Swords were
drawn at last. And by that means, and Dy
that only, was the minister enabled to reach his
carriage and get safely to his own house.
THE WILKES MOE IN l76s
When Wilkes, who had been expelled the
House of Commons, and outlaWed In l763 re-
turned to England in l76S, and was returned for
the county of Middlesex, he was not only de.
clared incapable of sitting, but was arrested and
imprisoned in the Kings Bench. The whole
Tabble of London were up in arms to protect
their favorite. They rescued HIM once from
the officers; but Wilkes had the good sense to
surrender himself again, and remained In prison
two years. The day of his incarceration was
the 10th of April, and from that to the 10th OF
May, the day fixed Tor the meeting of Parlia-
ment, the neighborhood of the prison was oc-
cupied by determined mob, who made more
than one attempt to deliver their cham
pion by force. On the morning of the
10th of May, when there seemed reason
TO apprehend q renewed attack on the prison,
more formidable than any which had preceded
1t, the magistrates appeared upon the spot with
regiment of infantry, which II was insnuated
at the time had been chosen because it was a
Scotch regiment and Indifferent to the liberties
of the English. The Riot act was read. 1t was
answered by stones and brickbats. The troops
fired, and killed six and wounded fifteen OF the
rioters. One man was shot by soldier before
the order to fire had been given. He was found
guilty OF murder by coroners inquest but was
acquitted when brought to trial, and publicly
presented with q purse by his colonel. Mr.,
Gillian, the magistrate, was likewise tried ano
acquitted. In this instance the mob was clearly
folled; for Wilkes remained in prison till 1870
and after he became Lord Mayor, and was
allowed to take his seat, he discarded the pro
fession of a demagogue,
THE REPORTERS RIOT.
The next serious riot by which the peace o.
London was disturbed occurred only three years
Afterwards. 1t arose out of the attempt Of the
House of Commons to exclude parliamentary
reporters. The printers of the reports took
refuge In the city. The House of Commons SEN
its officer 10 arrest them. The Lord Mayor an(
other city magistrates, of whom Alderman
oliver was, like his lordship member OF tn
House of Commons refused to recognize tn
Speakers warrant or in other words, set up tn
privileges of the city against the privileges Q
Parliament. They were eventually commltte
-. tba novuer where thew remained for som