he stairs leading to the room {131} where the jury was consulting.
It was absolutely necessary to watch the officers who watched the
doors; for those officers were supposed to be in the interest of the
crown, and might, if not carefully observed, have furnished a courtly
juryman with food, which would have enabled him to starve out the other
eleven. Strict guard was therefore kept. Not even a candle to light a
pipe was permitted to enter. Some basins of water for washing were
suffered to pass at about four in the morning. The jurymen, raging
with thirst, soon lapped up the whole. Great numbers of people walked
the neighbouring streets till dawn. Every hour a messenger came from
Whitehall to know what was passing. Voices, high in altercation, were
repeatedly heard within the room: but nothing certain was known.

At first nine were for acquitting and three for convicting. Two of the
minority soon gave way; but Arnold was obstinate. Thomas Austin, a
country gentleman of great estate, who had paid close attention to the
evidence and speeches, and had taken full notes, wished to argue the
question. Arnold declined. He was not used, he doggedly said, to
reasoning and debating. His conscience was not satisfied; and he
should not acquit the Bishops. "If you come to that," said Austin,
"look at me. I am the largest and strongest of the twelve; and before
I find such a petition as this a libel, here I will stay till I am no
bigger than a tobacco pipe." It was six in the morning before Arnold
yielded. It was soon known that the jury were agreed: but what the
verdict would be was still a secret.

{132} At ten the Court again met. The crowd was greater than ever.
The jury appeared in their box; and there was a breathless stillness.

Sir Samuel Astry spoke. "Do you find the defendants, or any of them,
guilty of the misdemeanour whereof they are impeached, or not guilty?"
Sir Roger Langley answered, "Not guilty." As the words passed his
lips, Halifax sprang up and waved his hat. At that signal, benches and
galleries raised a shout. In a moment ten thousand persons, who
crowded the great hall, replied with a still louder shout, which made
the old oaken roof crack; and in another moment the innumerable throng
without set up a third huzza, which was heard at Temple Bar. The boats
which covered the Thames gave an answering cheer. A peal of gunpowder
was heard on the water, and another, and another; and so, in a few