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but John immediately fetching a surgeon； who took from him a
large quantity of blood； he gradually came to himself。 As he was；
for the time； too weak to walk； they had no difficulty in persuading
him to remain there all night； and got him to bed without loss of a
minute。 That done； they gave him cordial and some toast； and
presently a pretty strong composing…draught； under the influence
of which he soon fell into a lethargy； and； for a time； forgot his
troubles。
The vintner； who was a very hearty old fellow and a worthy
man； had no thoughts of going to bed himself； for he had received
several threatening warnings from the rioters； and had indeed
gone out that evening to try and gather from the conversation of
the mob whether his house was to be the next attacked。 He sat all
night in an easy…chair in the same room—dozing a little now and
then—and received from time to time the reports of John Grueby
and two or three other trustworthy persons in his employ； who
went out into the streets as scouts； and for whose entertainment
an ample allowance of good cheer （which the old vintner； despite
his anxiety； now and then attacked himself） was set forth in an
adjoining chamber。
These accounts were of a sufficiently alarming nature from the
first； but as the night wore on； they grew so much worse； and
involved such a fearful amount of riot and destruction； that in
comparison with these new tidings all the previous disturbances
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sunk to nothing。
The first intelligence that came； was of the taking of Newgate；
and the escape of all the prisoners； whose track； as they made up
Holborn and into the adjacent streets； was proclaimed to those
citizens who were shut up in their houses； by the rattling of their
chains； which formed a dismal concert； and was heard in every
direction； as though so many forges were at work。 The flames too；
shone so brightly through the vintner’s skylights； that the rooms
and staircases below were nearly as light as in broad day； while
the distant shouting of the mob seemed to shake the very walls
and ceilings。
At length they were heard approaching the house； and some
minutes of terrible anxiety ensued。 They came close up； and
stopped before it； but after giving three loud yells； went on。 And
although they returned several times that night； creating new
alarms each time； they did nothing there； having their hands full。
Shortly after they had gone away for the first time； one of the
scouts came running in with the news that they had stopped
before Lord Mansfield’s house in Bloomsbury Square。
Soon afterwards there came another； and another； and then the
first returned again； and so； by little and little； their tale was
this：—That the mob gathering round Lord Mansfield’s house； had
called on those within to open the door； and receiving no reply （for
Lord and Lady Mansfield were at that moment escaping by the
backway）； forced an entrance according to their usual custom。
That they then began to demolish the house with great fury； and
setting fire to it in several parts； involved in a common ruin the
whole of the costly furniture； the plate and jewels； a beautiful
gallery of pictures； the rarest collection of manuscripts ever
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possessed by any one private person in the world； and worse than
all； because nothing could replace this loss； the great Law Library；
on almost every page of which were notes in the Judge’s own
hand； of inestimable value；—being the results of the study and
experience of his whole life。 That while they were howling and
exulting round the fire； a troop of soldiers； with a magistrate
among them； came up； and being too late （for the mischief was by
that time done）； began to disperse the crowd。 That the Riot Act
being read； and the crowd still resisting； the soldiers received
orders to fire； and levelling their muskets shot dead at the first
discharge six men and a woman； and wounded many persons； and
loading again directly； fired another volley； but over the people’s
heads it was supposed； as none were seen to fall。 That thereupon；
and daunted by the shrieks and tumult； the crowd began to
disperse； and the soldiers went away； leaving the killed and
wounded on the ground： which they had no sooner done than the
rioters came back again； and taking up the dead bodies； and the
wounded people； formed into a rude procession； having the bodies
in the front。 That in this order they paraded off with a horrible
merriment； fixing weapons in the dead men’s hands to make them
look as if alive； and preceded by a fellow ringing Lord Mansfield’s
dinner…bell with all his might。
The scouts reported further； that this party meeting with some
others who had been at similar work elsewhere； they all united
into one； and drafting off a few men with the killed and wounded；
marched away to Lord Mansfield’s country seat at Caen Wood；
between Hampstead and Highgate； bent upon destroying that
house likewise； and lighting up a great fire there； which from that
height should be seen all over London。 But in this； they were
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disappointed； for a party of horse having arrived before them； they
retreated faster than they went； and came straight back to town。
There being now a great many parties in the streets； each went
to work according to its humour； and a dozen houses were quickly
blazing； including those of Sir Joh