68 THE WORLD'S WORKERS. 



Lords had thrown out the great Reform Bill, and, as 

 a consequence, the people were most impatient and 

 angry. Large indignation meetings were held in 

 different parts of the kingdom, and outrages and dis- 

 turbances occurred every day. 



In Bristol disorder was at its worst. The mob of 

 Bristol was one of the fiercest in England. It hap- 

 pened that the Recorder of Bristol, Sir C. Wetherell, 

 had been one of the most prominent anti-reformers, 

 and that at this time it was his duty to visit Bristol to 

 make the usual gaol delivery. The people of Bristol 

 determined they would seize the opportunity to pro- 

 test against his conduct in 'Parliament. Accordingly, 

 when he entered the city, he was received with groans, 

 yells, and hisses by the mob, his carriage was sur- 

 rounded by an angry crowd, and when at last he 

 managed to take his seat on the bench, the noise and 

 confusion were so great that the court had to adjourn. 

 The mob, finding themselves successful, became 

 gradually more and more daring, and soon gained 

 the upper hand. They made a rush on the police, 

 and completely routed them. Troops were called in, 

 but the rioters received them with showers of stones, 

 bottles, and bricks, and several lives were lost. 



At last they began to set public buildings and 

 private dwellings on fire. They went about their 

 work of destruction in a most systematic way, giving 

 the inmates of each house half an hour's notice before 

 setting it in flames. Then the leaders entered with 



