

TOc Cofees of Ibolfefoam 207 



wages in 1815, led many of the working classes in 

 the provincial towns to hold tumultuous meetings for 

 the repeal of the Corn Laws. Mr. Coke, Bfl a true 

 disciple of Fox, was no believer in Adam Smith's 

 doctrine respecting a free trade in grain, and always 

 voted, in common with other county members, for 

 1 protection to agriculture.' In the month of March, 

 1815, he and my father attended a Cattle Show in 

 the Norwich Castle Ditches. On the same day, an 

 Anti-Corn Law mob paraded the streets, preceded by 

 a man bearing a small loaf on a pole. Mr. Coke was 

 immediately recognised. ' Let us seize the villain,' 

 cried some of the weavers, ' and before night we will 

 have his heart on a gridiron.' At the same moment 

 they made a rush towards their intended victim. In 

 the crowd, a stalwart poacher, whom my father had 

 once befriended, formed with his body a temporary 

 barrier between the mob and the object of their re- 

 sentment. Coke and my father took advantage of 

 the momentary respite, and amidst a shower of stones 

 scrambled over some cattle-pens. A butcher named 

 Kett, seeing their danger, opened the door of one of 

 his pens, and having first twisted the tail of a large 

 bull, let him loose on the crowd. The beast, maddened 

 with pain, went bellowing and galloping down the hill. 

 The mob dispersed in a trice, but quickly reassembled 

 in greater force. The Riot Act was read, and the 

 military a regiment of Black Brunswickers (soon to 

 deal with a more formidable foe) was called out. One 

 trooper was wounded by a stone. 



In the meanwhile the fugitives made their escape 



