 and attention to the feelings of the terrified
females, which could hardly have been expected from the videttes of a mob so
desperate. Those who stopped the chair usually made the excuse, that there was
much disturbance on the streets, and that it was absolutely necessary for the
lady's safety that the chair should turn back. They offered themselves to escort
the vehicles which they had thus interrupted in their progress, from the
apprehension, probably, that some of those who had casually united themselves to
the riot might disgrace their systematic and determined plan of vengeance, by
those acts of general insult and license which are common on similar occasions.
    Persons are yet living who remember to have heard from the mouths of ladies
thus interrupted on their journey in the manner we have described, that they
were escorted to their lodgings by the young men who stopped them, and even
handed out of their chairs with a polite attention far beyond what was
consistent with their dress, which was apparently that of journeymen mechanics.
10 It seemed as if the conspirators, like those who assassinated Cardinal
Beatoun in former days, had entertained the opinion, that the work about which
they went was a judgment of Heaven, which, though unsanctioned by the usual
authorities, ought to be proceeded in with order and gravity.
    While their outposts continued thus vigilant, and suffered themselves
neither from fear nor curiosity to neglect that part of the duty assigned to
them, and while the main guards to the east and west secured them against
interruption, a select body of the rioters thundered at the door of the jail,
and demanded instant admission. No one answered, for the outer keeper had
prudently made his escape with the keys at the commencement of the riot, and was
nowhere to be found. The door was instantly assailed with sledge-hammers, iron
crows, and the coulters of ploughs, ready provided for the purpose, with which
they prized, heaved, and battered for some time with little effect; for the
door, besides being of double oak planks, clenched, both endlong and athwart,
with broad-headed nails, was so hung and secured as to yield to no means of
forcing, without the expenditure of much time. The rioters, however, appeared
determined to gain admittance. Gang after gang relieved each other at the
exercise, for, of course, only a few could work at once; but gang after gang
retired, exhausted with their violent exertions, without making much progress in
forcing the prison door. Butler had been led up near to this the principal scene
of action; so near, indeed, that he was
