e, afterwards Emperor of the
French, stood with his constable's baton as a custoder of order. The
troops, which had been called from distances, and were billeted in the
suburbs, rapidly concentrated at tap of drum and call of bugle. The
Duke of Wellington, having the command, so disposed them that, without
appearing through the day, they were ready to act at a moment's notice,
wherever their presence might be necessary, and so posted that each
detachment could readily render support to another, in a regular chain
of defensive positions. From every part of the provinces chartist
delegates arrived, by railway and coach, bringing large rolls of
petitions to be appended to the general roll.

Very early in the morning the Chartists gathered, in large bodies, at
each separate rendezvous. Russell Square, Clerkenwell Green, and Stepney
Green, were the grand points of meeting, where the greatest numbers
assembled before marching to Kennington Common. Some of these
processions were composed, to a great extent, of old men, boys, and
women, and were attended by bands. Poles, surmounted by caps of liberty,
flags, and streamers, were borne in the ranks or in carts. All these
detachments were watched by mounted police and special constables, and
at each rendezvous a large body of special constables on foot was drawn
up to prevent any breach of the peace. The police being concentrated on
various points, their ordinary duty was performed by special constables,
who were distinguished by official staves and a white band round the
arm. The shops were closed, and the public buildings were all well
guarded and fortified. Buckingham Palace seemed the only place upon
which no extra care was expended. No one supposed that the home of her
majesty would be insulted, no matter what party was in the ascendant. As
the troops took up their several positions within the public buildings,
they were loudly cheered by the people in the streets, for it was
evident, notwithstanding the immense chartist concourse, that an
overwhelming majority of the Londoners was opposed to their proceedings.
While matters were taking this course with the general public, the
chartist delegates met in their usual place, the Literary and Scientific
Institution, John Street, Fitzroy Square; Mr. Reynolds was called to
the chair at nine o'clock. Mr. Doyle, the secretary, announced that a
communication had been received from the head police-office, Scotland
Yard, intimating that