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former place； and they proceeded in silence。
It was between two and three o’clock in the afternoon when the
three great parties met at Westminster； and； uniting into one huge
mass； raised a tremendous shout。 This was not only done in token
of their presence； but as a signal to those on whom the task
devolved； that it was time to take possession of the lobbies of both
Houses； and of the various avenues of approach； and of the gallery
stairs。 To the last…named place； Hugh and Dennis； still with their
pupil between them； rushed straightway； Barnaby having given
his flag into the hands of one of their own party； who kept them at
the outer door。 Their followers pressing on behind； they were
borne as on a great wave to the very doors of the gallery； whence it
was impossible to retreat； even if they had been so inclined； by
reason of the throng which choked up the passages。 It is a familiar
expression in describing a great crowd； that a person might have
walked upon the people’s heads。 In this case it was actually done；
for a boy who had by some means got among the concourse； and
was in imminent danger of suffocation； climbed to the shoulders of
a man beside him and walked upon the people’s hats and heads
into the open street； traversing in his passage the whole length of
two staircases and a long gallery。 Nor was the swarm without less
dense； for a basket which had been tossed into the crowd； was
jerked from head to head； and shoulder to shoulder； and went
spinning and whirling on above them； until it was lost to view；
without ever once falling in among them or coming near the
ground。
Through this vast throng； sprinkled doubtless here and there
with honest zealots； but composed for the most part of the very
scum and refuse of London； whose growth was fostered by bad
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criminal laws； bad prison regulations； and the worst conceivable
police； such of the members of both Houses of Parliament as had
not taken the precaution to be already at their posts； were
compelled to fight and force their way。 Their carriages were
stopped and broken； the wheels wrenched off； the glasses shivered
to atoms； the panels beaten in； drivers； footmen； and masters；
pulled from their seats and rolled in the mud。 Lords； commoners；
and reverend bishops； with little distinction of person or party；
were kicked and pinched and hustled； passed from hand to hand
through various stages of ill…usage； and sent to their fellow…
senators at last with their clothes hanging in ribands about them；
their bagwigs torn off； themselves speechless and breathless； and
their persons covered with the powder which had been cuffed and
beaten out of their hair。 One lord was so long in the hands of the
populace； that the Peers as a body resolved to sally forth and
rescue him； and were in the act of doing so； when he happily
appeared among them covered with dirt and bruises； and hardly
to be recognised by those who knew him best。 The noise and
uproar were on the increase every moment。 The air was filled with
execrations； hoots； and howlings。 The mob raged and roared； like
a mad monster as it was； unceasingly； and each new outrage
served to swell its fury。
Within doors； matters were even yet more threatening。 Lord
George—preceded by a man who carried the immense petition on
a porter’s knot through the lobby to the door of the House of
Commons； where it was received by two officers of the house who
rolled it up to the table ready for presentation—had taken his seat
at an early hour； before the Speaker went to prayers。 His followers
pouring in at the same time； the lobby and all the avenues were
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Barnaby Rudge 528
immediately filled； as we have seen。 Thus the members were not
only attacked in their passage through the streets； but were set
upon within the very walls of Parliament； while the tumult； both
within and without； was so great； that those who attempted to
speak could scarcely hear their own voices： far less； consult upon
the course it would be wise to take in such extremity； or animate
each other to dignified and firm resistance。 So sure as any
member； just arrived； with dress disordered and dishevelled hair；
came struggling through the crowd in the lobby； it yelled and
screamed in triumph； and when the door of the House； partially
and cautiously opened by those within for his admission； gave
them a momentary glimpse of the interior； they grew more wild
and savage； like beasts at the sight of prey； and made a rush
against the portal which strained its locks and bolts in their
staples； and shook the very beams。
The strangers’ gallery； which was immediately above the door
of the House； had been ordered to be closed on the first rumour of
disturbance； and was empty； save that now and then Lord George
took his seat there； for the convenience of coming to the head of
the stairs which led to it； and repeating to the people what had
passed within。 It was on these stairs that Barnaby； Hugh； and
Dennis were posted。 There were two flights； short； steep； and
narrow； running parallel to each other； and leading to two little
doors communicating with a low passage which opened on the
gallery。 Between them was a kind of well； or unglazed skylight； for
the admission of light and air into the lobby； which might be some
eighteen or twenty feet below。
Upon one of these little staircases—not that at the head of
which Lord George appeared from time to time； but the other—
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Gashford stood with his elbow on the bannister； and his cheek
resting on his hand； with his usual crafty aspect。 Whenever he
varied this attitude in the slightest degree—so much as by the
gentlest motion of his arm—the uproar was certain to increase； not
merely there； but in the lobby below； from which place no doubt；
some man who acted as fugleman to the rest； was constantly
looking up and watching him。
‘Order！’ cried Hugh； in a voice which made itself heard even
above the roar and tumult； as Lord George appeared at the top of
the staircase。 ‘News！ News from my lord！’
The noise continued； notwithstanding his appearance； until
Gashford looked round。 There was silence immediately—even
among the people in the passages without； and on the other
staircases； who could neither see nor hear； but to whom；
notwithstanding； the signal was conveyed with marvellous
rapidity。
‘Gentlemen；’ said Lord George； who was very pale and agitated；
we must be firm。 They talk of delays； but we must have no delays。
They talk of taking your petition into consideration next Tuesday；
but we must have it considered now。 Present appearances look
bad for our success； but we must succeed and will！’
‘We must succeed and will！’ echoed the crowd。 And so among
their shouts and cheers and other cries； he bowed to them and
retired； and presently came back again。 There was another
gesture from Gashford； and a dead silence directly。
‘I am afraid；’ he