One hundred years ago
The riots expected on Lord Mayor's Day did not occur. The City was not invaded; and though a few Socialists, many roughs, and great numbers of the criminal classes thronged to the West End, the precautions taken by the police proved sufficient in all respects but one. A kind of Socialist meeting was held in Trafalgar Square, although it had been forbidden by the Commission- er of Police; but the Square was so strongly held that the meeting was described as one 'with closed doors', and successive rushes made by the mob were prevented or driven back. A few hundreds reached Hyde Park; but the police followed closely, and the streets erfroute were not pillaged. The Square was finally cleared by the Life Guards, and the day ended without one shop being wrecked or one life lost. A severe fine had, however, been inflicted on all shopkeepers in the neighbourhood, who had been compelled to forfeit a day's work, and to barricade their houses; eight thousand policemen were kept all day in the rain; and the law was successfully defied by holding the public meeting. No explanation has been offered of this particular failure; and in the midst of the general rejoicing at the absence of bloodshed, there seems an indisposition to inquire into it. The Socialists say they took the police by surprise, and the police say the meeting never appeared to them to be a meet- ing; but there was clearly a blunder somewhere. The net result will prob- ably be to make London a little more gloomy and unpleasant on each Novem- ber 9th than is already usual.
The Spectator, 13 November 1886
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