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Barnaby Rudge 563
twilight； when they informed him that they were about to make a
slight demonstration in the streets—just to keep the people’s
hands in； as it was Sunday night； and the public might otherwise
be disappointed—and that he was free to accompany them if he
would。
Without the slightest preparation； saving that they carried clubs
and wore the blue cockade； they sallied out into the streets； and；
with no more settled design than that of doing as much mischief as
they could； paraded them at random。 Their numbers rapidly
increasing； they soon divided into parties； and agreeing to meet
by…and…by； in the fields near Welbeck Street； scoured the town in
various directions。 The largest body； and that which augmented
with the greatest rapidity； was the one to which Hugh and
Barnaby belonged。 This took its way towards Moorfields； where
there was a rich chapel； and in which neighbourhood several
Catholic families were known to reside。
Beginning with the private houses so occupied； they broke open
the doors and windows； and while they destroyed the furniture
and left but the bare walls； made a sharp search for tools and
engines of destruction； such as hammers； pokers； axes； saws； and
such like instruments。 Many of the rioters made belts of cord； of
handkerchiefs； or any material they found at hand； and wore these
weapons as openly as pioneers upon a field…day。 There was not the
least disguise or concealment—indeed； on this night； very little
excitement or hurry。 From the chapels； they tore down and took
away the very altars； benches； pulpits； pews； and flooring； from the
dwelling…houses； the very wainscoting and stairs。 This Sunday
evening’s recreation they pursued like mere workmen who had a
certain task to do； and did it。 Fifty resolute men might have turned
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them at any moment； a single company of soldiers could have
scattered them like dust； but no man interposed； no authority
restrained them； and； except by the terrified persons who fled
from their approach； they were as little heeded as if they were
pursuing their lawful occupations with the utmost sobriety and
good conduct。
In the same manner； they marched to the place of rendezvous
agreed upon； made great fires in the fields； and reserving the most
valuable of their spoils； burnt the rest。 Priestly garments； images
of saints； rich stuffs and ornaments； altar…furniture and household
goods； were cast into the flames； and shed a glare on the whole
country round； but they danced and howled； and roared about
these fires till they were tired； and were never for an instant
checked。
As the main body filed off from this scene of action； and passed
down Welbeck Street； they came upon Gashford； who had been a
witness of their proceedings； and was walking stealthily along the
pavement。 Keeping up with him； and yet not seeming to speak；
Hugh muttered in his ear：
‘Is this better； master？’
‘No；’ said Gashford。 ‘It is not。’
‘What would you have？’ said Hugh。 ‘Fevers are never at their
height at once。 They must get on by degrees。’
‘I would have you；’ said Gashford； pinching his arm with such
malevolence that his nails seemed to meet in the skin； ‘I would
have you put some meaning into your work。 Fools！ Can you make
no better bonfires than of rags and scraps？ Can you burn nothing
whole？’
‘A little patience； master；’ said Hugh。 ‘Wait but a few hours； and
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you shall see。 Look for a redness in the sky； to…morrow night。’
With that； he fell back into his place beside Barnaby； and when
the secretary looked after him； both were lost in the crowd。
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Barnaby Rudge 566
Chapter 53
he next day was ushered in by merry peals of bells； and by
the firing of the Tower guns； flags were hoisted on many of
T
the church…steeples； the usual demonstrations were made
in honour of the anniversary of the King’s birthday； and every
man went about his pleasure or business as if the city were in
perfect order； and there were no half…smouldering embers in its
secret places； which； on the approach of night； would kindle up
again and scatter ruin and dismay abroad。 The leaders of the riot；
rendered still more daring by the success of last night and by the
booty they had acquired； kept steadily together； and only thought
of implicating the mass of their followers so deeply that no hope of
pardon or reward might tempt them to betray their more
notorious confederates into the hands of justice。
Indeed； the sense of having gone too far to be forgiven； held the
timid together no less than the bold。 Many who would readily have
pointed out the foremost rioters and given evidence against them；
felt that escape by that means was hopeless； when their every act
had been observed by scores of people who had taken no part in
the disturbances； who had suffered in their persons； peace； or
property； by the outrages of the mob； who would be most willing
witnesses； and whom the government would； no doubt； prefer to
any King’s evidence that might be offered。 Many of this class had
deserted their usual occupations on the Saturday morning； some
had been seen by their employers active in the tumult； others
knew they must be suspected； and that they would be discharged
if they returned； others had been desperate from the beginning；
and comforted themselves with the homely proverb； that； being
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Barnaby Rudge 567
hanged at all； they might as well be hanged for a sheep as a lamb。
They all hoped and believed； in a greater or less degree； that the
government they seemed to have paralysed； would； in its terror；
come to terms with them in the end； and suffer them to make their
own conditions。 The least sanguine among them reasoned with
himself that； at the worst； they were too many to be all punished；
and that he had as good a chance of escape as any other man。 The
great mass never reasoned or thought at all； but were stimulated
by their own headlong passions； by poverty； by ignorance； by the
love of mischief； and the hope of plunder。
One other circumstance is worthy of remark； and that is； that
from the moment of their first outbreak at Westminster； every
symptom of order or preconcerted arrangement among them
vanished。 When they divided into parties and ran to different
quarters of the town； it was on the spontaneous suggestion of the
moment。 Each party swelled as it went along； like rivers as they
roll towards the sea； new leaders sprang up as they were wanted；
disappeared when the necessity was over； and reappeared at the
next crisis。 Each tumult took shape and form from the
circumstances of the moment； sober workmen； going home from
their day’s labour； were seen to cast down their baskets of tools
and become rioters in an instant； mere boys on errands did the
like。 In a word； a moral plague ran through the city。 The noise； and
hurry； and excitement； had for hundreds and hundreds an
attraction they had no firmness to resist。 The contagio