rately defrayed. Also provides for the expenditures of the united kingdom.) ARTICLE VIII (Provides that existing laws and courts of jurisdiction within the respective kingdoms may be altered at pleasure of the united Parliament. Also provides for appeal.) (Evans' Collection of Statutes, ed. cited, VIII, 462.) CHAPTER XXX EMANCIPATION 209. The "No-Popery" Riots Wraxall The movement to relieve the Catholics of some of the disabilities from which they suffered provoked violent opposition at first. Lord George Gordon, a fanatic nobleman, headed an agitation which, had it been more ably led, might have worked lasting harm to England. As it was, the rioters for a time were masters of London, and their excesses alone prevented them from inaugurating a revolution, instead of a mere revolt. They were finally overcome and dispersed, and Lord George, the instigator of the outrages committed, consigned to prison. He soon after professed the Jewish faith. He died in prison. I was personally present at many of the most tremendous effects of the popular fury, on the memorable 7th of June, the night on which it attained its highest point. About nine o'clock on that evening, accompanied by three other gentlemen, who, as well as myself, were alarmed by the accounts brought in every moment, of the outrages committed; and of the still greater acts of violence meditated, as soon as darkness should favour and facilitate their further progress; we set out from Portland-place, in order to view the scene. Having got into a hackney-coach, we drove to Bloomsburysquare; attracted to that spot by a rumour generally spread, that lord Mansfield's residence, situated at the north-east corner, was either already burnt, or destined for destruction. Hart street, and Great Russell street, presented, each, to the view as we passed, large fires composed of furniture taken from the houses of magistrates, or other obnoxious individuals. Quitting the coach, we crossed the square and had scarcely got under the wall of Bedford House, when we heard the door of lord Mansfield's house burst open with violence. In a few minutes, all the contents of the apartments being precipitated from the windows, were piled up, and wrapped in flames. A file of foot-soldiers arriving, drew up near the blazing pile; but, without either attempt |