One hundred years ago
THE attack on Trafalgar Square threatened for Sunday was actually made. Although processions had been strictly forbidden, and were, after se- vere fighting, broken up by the police, a little before 4 o'clock vast crowds ar- rived at the Square, the Radicals and Socialists wearing red ribands, and the Irish Nationalists green. Shortly after 4 o'clock, desperate rushes were made to reach the Square, one of them headed by Mr Cunninghame Graham, MP, and though they were driven back, matters might have been serious but for the appearance of two squadrons of Life Guards, who were enthusiastically cheered by a vast crowd of spectators, with a Magistrate at their head ready to read the Riot Act. They rode round and round the Square, the regiment of Foot Guards from St George's Barracks at the same time forming in front of the National Gallery in double line with bayonets fixed. The appearance of the soldiers cowed the rioters, and within half-an-hour the police were able to clear the Square. No meeting was held, and the rioters were totally defeated; but the fighting in Parliament Street, Wellington Street, and other approach- es was unusually determined. No life was lost, however, and though one policeman was stabbed, and a great many severely injured, no dangerous case among the mob was treated in the hospitals, — a sufficient proof of the moderation with which the public ser- vants acted. A great number of arrests were made, and on Monday a few of the worst offenders received sentences of from two to six months' imprisonment, Mr Cunninghame Graham, MP, howev- er, being admitted to bail.
The Spectator, 19 November 1887
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