sonable to warrant such a course; and the prisoners were told that
they would be prosecuted for a conspiracy only. This was a bailable
offence; but Hunt refused to give bail, resolved to be a martyr in the
true sense of the word. Some of his friends, however, liberated him;
and his return from Lancaster to Manchester had the appearance of a
triumphal procession. He was the mob's idol; and he was attended by
thousands on horseback and on foot, who hailed him with loud shouts as
the assertor of British freedom. His trial took place in the next year,
at York, when he was sentenced to two years and a half's imprisonment at
Ilchester jail, and then to find security for good behaviour during
five years. Three of his associates were also condemned to one year's
imprisonment in Lincoln Castle, and were likewise ordered to find
sureties. Still faction prevailed. It requires an iron foot to put down
a democratical spirit. Meetings were still held at Leeds, Glasgow, and
other places; and the orators had the horrible details of the events at
Manchester, Birmingham, and other places, wherewith to entertain their
auditory. The sufferers at those places were compared to the Russells,
Hampdens, and Sidneys of ancient times, and ensigns of mourning were
established. The corporation of London even ventured to present an
address to the regent, censuring the authorities; but the regent
administered to them a forcible rebuke, as prejudging the matter without
having had any opportunity of understanding it. In order to counteract
the effects of these meetings, and the exertions of the regular
opposition, or whig party, loyal addresses and offers to raise yeomanry
corps were promoted by the friends of the administration. At the close
of this year, indeed, parties became bitterly exasperated against each
other; and as persons of property generally adhered to the ministerial
side of the question, the lower orders began to entertain a deep-seated
indignation against their superiors. But all this exhibition of feeling
ended finally in happy results; it contributed greatly to the reform of
our institutions. When the minds of men became sobered, the general
wish was, as it ever will be in the breasts of true born Englishmen, to
promote the general welfare. It cannot be denied that the artisans of
our manufacturing districts had their grievances; but there is no state,
however well ordered it may be, in which one class of persons are not
called upon to