1848 THE CHARTIST SCARE 129 



of the Chartists to assemble 200,000 men on Kennington 

 Common and march to Westminster on the loth April 

 led to the taking of ample precautions for the security 

 of public buildings in London. Though the establish- 

 ment at Craig's Court might have been supposed to 

 lie almost hidden away from the ken of any rioters, its 

 officials prepared themselves most manfully to resist 

 the invasion of their premises. These preparations, 

 and the eventful day, are thus chronicled in Ramsay's 

 diary : 



1 %th April. Got sworn-in to-day a special con- 

 stable ; got a baton at Scotland Yard. Forbes refused ; 

 his usual policy. He says there is no cause for alarm, 

 and yet commends people for taking precautions ! Yet 

 he takes none. Sir H. also organises, yet does not 

 swear -in himself. Playfair, Hunt, Baily, Reeks, 

 J.i A. Phillips, 1 etc. etc., plucky. 



' <$tk. Wilson is also sworn-in, and quite ready to 

 <\o the needful. Quiet enough to-night ; doubtful to- 

 norrow. 



* loM. Grand row expected to-day. Forbes 

 called, and we went down to the Museum before ten ; 

 met Playfair. Sir Henry at the Museum very active 

 and mysterious, passing through holes into the back 

 stables of the Scotland Yard Police Office, and bring- 

 ing out armfuls of cutlasses. Streets full of special 

 constables. Chartists afraid, and cowed ; all passing 

 off quietly. No procession took place. However, we 

 had a jolly dinner in Sir Henry's room for fourteen, 

 and cigars and coffee in the laboratory afterwards. 



1 John Arthur Phillips, born 1822, died 1887 ; received his training at the 

 cole des Mines, Paris. At the time referred to in the text he was assistant to 

 Professor Playfair in an investigation ordered by the Admiralty into the steam 

 coals best adapted for the Navy. He afterwards became a consulting engineer 

 in mining and metallurgical matters, and travelled much abroad professionally. 



K 



