up against him? It was quite astonishing to read the paragraphs in the papers and pamphlets against the Recorder of Bristol;-they were the maniac howlings of demons after their prey, rather than the honest and wholesome strictures of an English Press, whose boasted liberty had not until then become the pander to the assassin. There is a mystery in this not yet explained. But conjectures are easy.

Before finally closing the account of the Saturday Riots, it may not be irrelevant to make one remark upon a charge so frequently urged against the Magistrates, that they did not, in express terms, direct the troops to fire. Now it does not appear necessary that the Magistrates should point out in what precise way the soldier is to do his duty. It is sufficient if he is told to do it effectually; the mode must rest upon his discretion, and his knowledge of the uses of his resources. But if the reader will bear in mind the communication of a Magistrate to Colonel Brereton, on his first arrival in Queen-square, that the troop must fire and put down the mob, and that this order had the Mayor's approbation; and if he will bear in mind the remonstrances used to Colonel Brereton, and the enquiry if he had any other orders that forbad him the required use of the forces under his command, the charge will at once fall to the ground. And it is a wonderful inconsistency that an accusation of this character should be levelled against the Magistrates by the very parties who were so loud against them for applying at all for military force. But in fact it should rather be asked, why were not the military called in, and to instant action, at a very early stage of the riots?—and why were the mob

suffered such an atrocious indulgence as their advocates demanded and still demand for them? But here, likewise, let the candid reader bear in mind the opposition that was given to the first application for the military, and the unusual restrictions imposed by the Government on the use of the means they so tardily granted; let him recollect also the known scrutiny which the Government had so recently taken of Magisterial duties elsewhere, and the danger attending an energetic exercise of them;-let the candid reader bear all this in mind, and independently of the excuse which he will find in a natural and humane dislike to shed blood, he will be at no loss to justify and to applaud the proceeding of the Magistracy. It is a base and abominable cry that is set up against them, powerful, because it is the work of a demon Press, and for the vilest of purposes.* But it is hoped, even in this case, truth will prevail-and that there will be a re-action more creditable to the public feeling.

The envious malignity of the Radical Press against the Corporation has exceeded all discretionary bounds. The Bristol Mercury of the 1st Nov., while describing the horrors of the riots, and the breaking into the Mansion-house, treats as a ludicrous matter the exposure of the kitchen :-" the meats turning at the spits, and upon the ranges the different saucepans, kettles, &c. boiling, unattended by a living soul." And then, forgetting the feast was provided by the Mayor, (a reforming Mayor,) as an official necessity and condition, the virulent writer makes it a most serious charge of cruelty and gluttony against the Magistrates, to make the people believe that they contemplated nothing but the luxuries of a banquet."But the idea which, at the moment, so forcibly impressed us of the feelings of the men, who, anticipating disturbances of importance, sufficient to justify the calling in of the military, could, under such circumstances, contemplate the luxuries of a banquet, forbids us to enlarge upon the subject. We turned from the scene with disgust." The writer was not such a senseless fool as to have any such feelings; but it would throw contempt on the authority of the Magistrates, when that authority was most wanted for the peace of the city.

PART VIII.

RENEWAL OF THE RIOTS ON SUNDAY MORNING.

At about two o'clock in the morning of Sunday, when the greater portion of the mob had withdrawn, all the troops were ordered to their quarters, except a picquet of the 3rd dragoons who were left to patrol the Square, and a party of the 14th protecting the Council-house.

Three Magistrates sat up at the Mansion-house the whole of Saturday night, during which time carpenters were at work boarding up all the windows and doors, which was completed by six o'clock in the morning. At day break two of these Magistrates were relieved by others, but the Mayor still remained.

Between seven and eight o'clock, Colonel Brereton arrived at the Mansion-house, accompanied by Major Mackworth, and stated that the picquet must be withdrawn, as they were fatigued, and instead of being serviceable only tended to collect a crowd. They were accordingly ordered to their quarters.

The picquet had been no sooner removed, than the mob quickly came into the Square in great force. It is clear that the greater part of them must have been up all night, for they came down in a body, as if somewhere assembled and organized for instantaneous action. They immediately again attacked the Mansion House, tore down all the barricades that had been put up during the night, obtained complete possession

of the lower part of the house, and then commenced the plunder or destruction of every species of property it contained. It was now that the Mayor and one of the Sheriffs with difficulty escaped over the roofs. The Mayor on this occasion showed considerable courage; he hesitated even then to quit his post, though it was no longer tenable; and it was only on the remonstrance of Major Mackworth, who told him, though a soldier, that he thought it his duty to leave, that he was prevailed upon. Some constables made their escape at the same time. During the sacking of the Mansionhouse, the wine cellars were forced, and a very large stock of choice wines fell into the hands of the mob. It was a prize not to be neglected, and the effects were soon visible. The intoxicated wretches in great numbers ran or staggered through the more distant parts of the city, and this exhibition of their triumph drove fresh forces into the tumult, and they rushed to the Square to the indulgence of intoxication and plunder. The furniture of the ground floor, tables, china, and glass, were thrown into the Square, and wine distributed and wasted.

The Mayor and Magistrates in person immediately seek Colonel Brereton, order him to get out the troops, and, while the soldiers are saddling their horses, knock at the doors in College-green and on St. Augustine's Back, and call on the inhabitants to collect their servants and neighbours, and in the King's name to aid and assist the Magistrates. The troops arrive in the Square, Colonel Brereton a their head. (On reaching the Quay they had opened their ranks and taken the Mayor and another Magistrate between the horses.)