eers). I say that Mr Trafford has always
acknowledged the rights of Labour (prolonged cheers and cries of "So he
has"). Well, is he the man that we should injure? ("No, no"). What if
he did give a cold reception to some visitors this
morning--(groans)--perhaps they wore faces he was not used to (loud
cheers and laughter from the Mowbray people). I dare say they mean as
well as we do--no doubt of that--but still a neighbour's a neighbour
(immense cheering). Now, my lads, three cheers for the National
Holiday," and Gerard gave the time, and his voice was echoed by the
thousands present. "The master here has no wish to interfere with the
National Holiday; all he wants to secure is that all mills and works
should alike stop (cries of "Very just"). And I say so too," continued
Gerard. "It is just; just and manly and like a true-born Englishman
as he is, who loves the people and whose fathers before him loved the
people (great cheering). Three cheers for Mr Trafford I say;" and they
were given; "and three cheers for Mrs Trafford too, the friend of the
poor!" Here the mob became not only enthusiastic but maudlin; all vowing
to each other that Trafford was a true-born Englishman and his wife a
very angel upon earth. This popular feeling is so contagious that even
the Hell-cats shared it--cheering, shaking hands with each other, and
almost shedding tears--though it must be confessed that they had some
vague idea that it was all to end in something to drink.

Their great leader however remained unmoved, and nothing but his brutal
stupidity could have prevented him from endeavouring to arrest the tide
of public feeling, but he was quite bewildered by the diversion, and for
the first time failed in finding a prompter in Field. The Chartist was
cowed by Gerard; his old companion in scenes that the memory lingered
over, and whose superior genius had often controlled and often led him.
Gerard too had recognized him and had made some personal allusion and
appeal to him, which alike touched his conscience and flattered
his vanity. The ranks were broken, the spirit of the expedition had
dissolved, the great body were talking of returning, some of the
stragglers indeed were on their way back, the Bishop silent and confused
kept knocking the mane of his mule with his hammer.

"Now," said Morley who during this scene had stood apart accompanied
by Devilsdust and Dandy Mick. "Now," said Morley to the latter, "now is
your time."

"Gentleme