impersonal being, worked up as a sort of shadowy
puppet to act in the cause of future reform.

There were hot spirits abroad, who knew that much was amiss on many
points, and who burned to set them right; and there were others who were
simply envious and jealous of all that had power or authority, and
wanted to put these down for their own profit. They thought that the
way to get their cause attended to was to make the other party afraid of
the people, and they did not know or understand that those who delayed
to grant their wishes only desired patience, and to do the work in the
best and wisest way. All that they demanded, and more too, has since
been given to the people, but gradually, as was expedient, and without
tumult or disturbance.

So there was a desire to frighten the gentry by showing the strength of
the people, in anticipation of the Reform Bill to be proposed the next
year. It would not have made much difference to the country people, for
no one would have a vote whose rent did not amount to ten pounds a year,
and they would not have cared much about it if they had not been told
that if it was passed, every man would have a fat pig in his sty, and be
able to drink his daily quart of beer, moreover, that the noblemen and
gentlemen were resolved on keeping them out of their rights, making
bread dear, and depriving them of their wages by setting up machines to
do all the work.

This last came near home, and stirred up the minds that would have cared
for little else. Just as four hundred years before, Jack Straw was an
imaginary champion whose name inflamed the people to rise, so now Jack
Swing, or whoever it was who acted in that name, sent messages round
that such and such a place should be attacked at such and such a time.

There was always some one in the town who could be fired with the idea
that inciting riot and revolt was patriotism, and that a good cause
could be served by evil methods, who cast aside such warnings as
"Rebellion is like the sin of witchcraft," or "The powers that be are
ordained of God." Besides, the infection spread, and to hear what Jack
Swing was doing elsewhere encouraged others not to be behindhand with
their neighbours.

So the mandate had gone out, and there were a few at Elchester ready to
arrange for a rising at Uphill and Downhill. Dan Hewlett was known to
them in the public-house, and he had an especial spite at Captain
Carbonel, beginning from his knowledge of th