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many perished in the conflagrations； or by their own excesses； is
unknown； but that numbers found a terrible grave in the hot ashes
of the flames they had kindled； or crept into vaults and cellars to
drink in secret or to nurse their sores； and never saw the light
again； is certain。 When the embers of the fires had been black and
cold for many weeks； the labourers’ spades proved this； beyond a
doubt。
Seventy…two private houses and four strong jails were
destroyed in the four great days of these riots。 The total loss of
property； as estimated by the sufferers； was one hundred and fifty…
five thousand pounds； at the lowest and least partial estimate of
disinterested persons； it exceeded one hundred and twenty…five
thousand pounds。 For this immense loss； compensation was soon
afterwards made out of the public purse； in pursuance of a vote of
the House of Commons； the sum being levied on the various wards
in the city； on the county； and the borough of Southwark。 Both
Lord Mansfield and Lord Saville； however； who had been great
sufferers； refused to accept of any compensation whatever。
The House of Commons； sitting on Tuesday with locked and
guarded doors； had passed a resolution to the effect that； as soon
as the tumults subsided； it would immediately proceed to consider
the petitions presented from many of his Majesty’s Protestant
subjects； and would take the same into its serious consideration。
While this question was under debate； Mr Herbert； one of the
members present； indignantly rose and called upon the House to
observe that Lord George Gordon was then sitting under the
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gallery with the blue cockade； the signal of rebellion； in his hat。 He
was not only obliged； by those who sat near； to take it out； but
offering to go into the street to pacify the mob with the somewhat
indefinite assurance that the House was prepared to give them
‘the satisfaction they sought；’ was actually held down in his seat by
the combined force of several members。 In short； the disorder and
violence which reigned triumphant out of doors； penetrated into
the senate； and there； as elsewhere； terror and alarm prevailed；
and ordinary forms were for the time forgotten。
On the Thursday； both Houses had adjourned until the
following Monday se’nnight； declaring it impossible to pursue
their deliberations with the necessary gravity and freedom； while
they were surrounded by armed troops。 And now that the rioters
were dispersed； the citizens were beset with a new fear； for；
finding the public thoroughfares and all their usual places of
resort filled with soldiers entrusted with the free use of fire and
sword； they began to lend a greedy ear to the rumours which were
afloat of martial law being declared； and to dismal stories of
prisoners having been seen hanging on lamp…posts in Cheapside
and Fleet Street。 These terrors being promptly dispelled by a
Proclamation declaring that all the rioters in custody would be
tried by a special commission in due course of law； a fresh alarm
was engendered by its being whispered abroad that French money
had been found on some of the rioters； and that the disturbances
had been fomented by foreign powers who sought to compass the
overthrow and ruin of England。 This report； which was
strengthened by the diffusion of anonymous handbills； but which；
if it had any foundation at all； probably owed its origin to the
circumstance of some few coins which were not English money
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having been swept into the pockets of the insurgents with other
miscellaneous booty； and afterwards discovered on the prisoners
or the dead bodies；—caused a great sensation； and men’s minds
being in that excited state when they are most apt to catch at any
shadow of apprehension； was bruited about with much industry。
All remaining quiet； however； during the whole of this Friday；
and on this Friday night； and no new discoveries being made；
confidence began to be restored； and the most timid and
desponding breathed again。 In Southwark； no fewer than three
thousand of the inhabitants formed themselves into a watch； and
patrolled the streets every hour。 Nor were the citizens slow to
follow so good an example： and it being the manner of peaceful
men to be very bold when the danger is over； they were
abundantly fierce and daring； not scrupling to question the
stoutest passenger with great severity； and carrying it with a very
high hand over all errand…boys； servant…girls； and ’prentices。
As day deepened into evening； and darkness crept into the
nooks and corners of the town as if it were mustering in secret and
gathering strength to venture into the open ways； Barnaby sat in
his dungeon； wondering at the silence； and listening in vain for the
noise and outcry which had ushered in the night of late。 Beside
him； with his hand in hers； sat one in whose companionship he felt
at peace。 She was worn； and altered； full of grief； and heavy…
hearted； but the same to him。
‘Mother；’ he said； after a long silence： ‘how long；—how many
days and nights；—shall I be kept here？’
‘Not many； dear。 I hope not many。’
‘You hope！ Ay； but your hoping will not undo these chains。 I
hope； but they don’t mind that。 Grip hopes； but who cares for
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Grip？’
The raven gave a short； dull； melancholy croak。 It said
‘Nobod