5 MAY 1939, Page 12

A HUNDRED YEARS AGO

"THE SPECTATOR," MAY 4TH, 5839. A fanatical Irishman, residing in the !ower part of Lincoln, having conceived an antipathy towards the Cathecral, has vowed to demolish it; and last Saturday morning he commenced his career of knight- errantry by smashing forty panes of glass in on of the Southern side windows. A policeman who was at hand fortunately put an end to the freaks of the madman.

The week opened with a cry of distress from Downing Street. Indeed, official repose was sadly troubled on the Saturday night, after a day which had disclosed to watchful observers sundry indi- cations of leave-taking and packing-up. Another " crisis " was announced.