| Citation |
NHG-P.768.023
10 Jun 1768:21 (609)
London, March 29. . . . [31 lines of news about the
controversy surrounding John Wilkes]
March 31. Monday evening the mob preceded from
Fleet-street, through St. Paul's church yard, Cheapside, and
the Poultry, where the inhabitants immediately illuminated
their houses; but when they came to the Mansion-House, there
being no proper persons authorised to obey their commands,
they began to be outrageous, and broke all the windows to
pieces all round the house, which they could reach; and in
the great room facing Charlotte-street, they broke a large
glass chandelier that cost upwards of 100L and a large pier
glass in another room that cost 50L after which two
companies of soldiers were sent for from the Tower, who came
beating their drums, & playing on their fifes as loud as
possible, and surrounded the Mansion-house; but a worthy
alderman ordered them away into Cornhill, and to stay there
with their backs to the Mansion-house, to wait for his
orders, which was accordingly observed. He then came out of
the Mansion-house great door, with a candle in each hand,
placed them on the ballustrades, pulled off his hat, and
huzza'd, 'Wilkes for ever,' and then addressed the mob on
the impropriety of their zeal for Mr. Wilkes's success, and
ordered what candles could be procured to be immediately set
out; . . . [26 more lines about this incident]
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