Long after dark we heard a horse's feet, and in another minute
Griff, singed, splashed, and battered, had hurried into the room--
'It has begun!' he said. 'The revolution! I have brought her--Lady
Peacock. She was at Clifton, dreadfully alarmed. She is almost at
the door now, in her carriage. I'll just take the pony, and ride
over to tell Eastwood in case he will call out the Yeomanry.'
The wheels were to be heard, and everybody hastened out to receive
Lady Peacock, who was there with her maid, full of gratitude. I
heard her broken sentences as she came across the hall, about
dreadful scenes--frightful mob--she knew not what would have become
of her but for Griffith--the place was in flames when they left it--
the military would not act--Griffith had assured her that Mr. and
Mrs. Winslow would be so kind--as long as any place was a refuge
We really did believe we were at the outbreak of a revolution or
civil war, and, all little frets forgotten, listened appalled to the
tidings; how the appearance of Sir Charles Wetherall, the Recorder
of Bristol, a strong opponent to the Reform Bill, seemed to have
inspired the mob with fury. Griff and his friend the dragoon, while
walking in Broad Street, were astonished by a violent rush of
riotous men and boys, hooting and throwing stones as the Recorder's
carriage tried to make its way to the Guildhall.
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