this, that no formal resolutions were
drawn up beforehand, and no one undertook, or understood how, to
preside. Hence the mass was broken up into groups of blustering
declaimers or curious spectators, among whom the deputies of the
government went about, pacifying here, instructing there, and again
perhaps using threats; but "We are to be bidden no longer"--resounded
again and again from the incensed multitude--"We wish the cities to get
used to walking; for ourselves we will ride once as lords of the day."
The popular _landvogt_, Lavater of Kyburg, succeeded in persuading
several of the most influential to pacify their friends and neighbors.
But the citizens of Winterthur took the wisest course. They invited the
entire host into their town, entertained them liberally, and thus made
them forget their enterprise for a while.

But the matter was soon taken up again. And for this the inhabitants of
the region between the rivers Rhine and Thur were chiefly to blame. In
closer connection with their German neighbors, and excited at the same
time by grievances suffered in consequence of the Storming of Ittingen,
they meditated a separation from Zurich; in any case they intended to
deal with the government not in the character of subjects, but in that
of an independent party. Meanwhile the government seeing the importance
of the crisis, roused itself for prompt action. First of all, some of
its prominent members were empowered to raise troops and money, and in
general to make all arrangements for defence in the city itself. Then
it was resolved to appeal, as before, to all the districts of the
canton, that still remained peaceful, viz: those on the lake, in
Limatthal, in the free bailiwicks and in the so-called Neuamt, (new
bailiwick). The same mode of proceedure, observed before, was again
employed: a delegation from the Council, their explanations and
inquiries, and a request for a written answer.

Information in regard to all that had occurred was given to the
assembled congregations in the form of a long vindication. They were
again reminded of the endeavors of the government to keep aloof from
every dangerous foreign influence and maintain the Gospel; and then the
points of grievance, handed in by the turbulent districts, and the
answers sent by the government were laid before them: "More than a
thousand florins have My Lords expended already on account of these
people, especially those on the other side of the Thur, and