ertain signals as to the state of the city;
while crowds of people thronged the pathways, and conversed in a low
tone, which broke forth now and then into a savage yell as often as some
interference on the part of the military seemed to excite their angry
passions. At the Castle gates the crowd was more dense and apparently
more daring, requiring all the efforts of the dragoons to keep them
from pressing against the railings, and leave a space for the exit of
carriages which from time to time issued from the Castle yard. Few of
these, indeed, went forth unnoticed. Some watchful eye would detect the
occupant as he lay back to escape observation; his name would be shouted
aloud, as an inevitable volley of hisses and execrations showered upon
him. And in this way were received the names of Mr. Bingham, Colonel
Loftus, the Right Hon. Denis Browne, Isaac Corry, and several others who
happened that day to be dining with the Lord-Lieutenant, and were now on
their way to the House of Commons.
Nothing struck me so much in the scene as the real or apparent knowledge
possessed by the mob of all the circumstances of each individual's
personal and political career; and thus the price for which they had
been purchased--either in rank, place, or pounds sterling--was cried
aloud amid shouts of derision and laughter, or the more vindictive yells
of an infuriated populace.
"Ha, Ben! what are you to get for Baltinglass? Boroughs is up in the
market." "Well, Dick, you won't take the place; nothing but hard cash."
"Don't be hiding. Jemmy." "Look at the Prince of Orange, boys!" "A groan
for the Prince of Orange!"--here a fearful groan from the mob echoed
through the streets. "There 's Luke Fox; ha! stole away!"--here followed
another yell.
With difficulty I elbowed my way through the densely-packed crowd, and
at last reached the corner of George's Street, where a strong police
force was stationed, not permitting the passage of any one either up or
down that great thoroughfare. Finding it impossible to penetrate by this
way, I continued along Dame Street, where I found the crowd to thicken
as I advanced. Not only were the pathways, but the entire streets,
filled with people; through whom the dragoons could with difficulty
force a passage for the carriages, which continued at intervals to pass
down. Around the statue of King William the mob was in its greatest
force. Not merely the railings around the statue, but the figure itself
was su
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