rities, apprehensive of some outbreak of popular
feeling, had commanded a recruiting sergeant and two corporals to be
under arms; and that, with the view of not irritating the people
unnecessarily by their presence, they had been requested to take up their
position before daybreak in a turnpike, distant about a quarter of a mile
from the town. The vigour and promptness of these measures cannot be too
highly extolled.

'Intelligence has just been brought me, that an elderly female, in a
state of inebriety, has declared in the open street her intention to "do"
for Mr. Slug. Some statistical returns compiled by that gentleman,
relative to the consumption of raw spirituous liquors in this place, are
supposed to be the cause of the wretch's animosity. It is added that
this declaration was loudly cheered by a crowd of persons who had
assembled on the spot; and that one man had the boldness to designate Mr.
Slug aloud by the opprobrious epithet of "Stick-in-the-mud!" It is
earnestly to be hoped that now, when the moment has arrived for their
interference, the magistrates will not shrink from the exercise of that
power which is vested in them by the constitution of our common country.'

'_Half-past ten_.

'The disturbance, I am happy to inform you, has been completely quelled,
and the ringleader taken into custody. She had a pail of cold water
thrown over her, previous to being locked up, and expresses great
contrition and uneasiness. We are all in a fever of anticipation about
to-morrow; but, now that we are within a few hours of the meeting of the
association, and at last enjoy the proud consciousness of having its
illustrious members amongst us, I trust and hope everything may go off
peaceably. I shall send you a full report of to-morrow's proceedings by
the night coach.'

'_Eleven o'clock_.

'I open my letter to say that nothing whatever has occurred since I
folded it up.'

'_Thursday_.

'The sun rose this morning at the usual hour. I did not observe anything
particular in the aspect of the glorious planet, except that he appeared
to me (it might have been a delusion of my heightened fancy) to shine
with more than common brilliancy, and to shed a refulgent lustre upon the
town, such as I had never observed before. This is the more
extra