The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-07

read "Barnaby Rudge," by Charles
 ! Dickens, have become acquainted with his vivid description of the Lord George Gordon riots in London. The trlai of the eccentric nobleman who led the ferocious outbursts is, in many respects, one of the most remarkable in the annals of English criminal Jurisprudence.
 The year 17S0 was most trying one to the English. They had just passed through the American revolution, ana had lost their colonists on this side of the water, when they were plunged into re- belion at home brought about through a fanatieal religious agitation which DOT tended serious results. large party or the Church of England had secretly band ed themselves together against the Cath olcs of tue country and attempted, by legislation, to deprive them of equal rights. The public peace was first dis turbed in Scotland.
 Lord George Gordon was the organ in the House of Commons of the Scotch antiS Catholic party. and in presenting their petitions against the concessions that had been granted to the Catholics, he described the people of Scotland as ripe for insurrection and rebellion" and that the inhabitants fit to bear arms were ready to resist the powers of the gov ernment, and had invited him to be their leader. Finally, he declared that the religious constitution of Scotland was sacred against any law the Parliament of Great Britain might enact for it's altera- tion''
 England soon caught the fanatical flame and Protestant clubs were formed in London and in all the great towns of England "The General Protestant as- socia ton was organized and Lord George Gordon was elected its president. When Parliament again met he not only inveighed against judges and declared that If his majesty did not keep his coronation oath they would do more than abridge his revenues: they would cut off his head"
 Finally a monster petition was eircu- lated, and it was resolved that on Fri day, June ?, 17s0, the whole body of the Protestant association would assemble in St. Georges Fields. At the appointed time 60,O0O persons assembled and they decided to march cross the Thames in procession through the city and present their petition with their own hands.
 Accordingly the procession headed by Lord George Gordon crossed London bridge, and before the usual hour for assembling of the two houses, had gained undisputed possession of Palace Yard and all the surrounding streets. As Chief Justice Mansfield was on his way to Par liament the windows of his carriage were broken, and he himself was illtreated, his robe being torn and his wig disheveled. Other peers that followed fared much worse.
 After the Parliament had begun the proceedings could hardly be heard on &C., count of the yells of the mob in the Palace Yard. Both the House of Lords and the House of Commons were com pelled to adjourn. and Lord George Cor don and his associates had the metrop- oils entirely in their power. Day after day the violence of the mob increased. Finally the revolutionists passed be- yond the command of their superiors and the depredations they committed brought all the better class of citizens who believe in law and order to act, and the rebellion was checked by the arrest of the leaders. Lord Mansfield, who had been badly tents, consisting of his invaluable collec- tion of books, had been destroyed, was compelled to preside in the court of Kings bench at the trial of Lord George Gordon who stood charged with high treason. The chief justice was a man so fair and so broad that during the whole proceedings lie showed himself free from the slightest tinge of resentment or pre- judice; but at the same time he made no parade of generosity of feeling. There could be no doubt that the acts of the | riots, did amount to high treason; but
 the great question was how far the prisoner was to be considered privy to them-for although he had headed the procession to present the petition, and had then been guilty of great intemper- | ance of language by which the mobs were excited to violence, he had after
 wards attempted to control them. and had actually offered to assist the sheriffs in restoring tranquility.
 Luckily for him he was defended by l an advocate who on this occasion gave | full proof of those wonderful powers
 which afterwards rendered his name so illustrious, Lord Erskine.
 In summing up the case the chief jus tce left two questions to the jury: First. did the insurgents intend by force to compel the repeal of the statue passed to mitigate the penalties to which Roman