The result of the Peace meeting of Sunday in Hyde
Park was not such as to encourage similar " demonstrations." From 80,000 to 120,000 persons attended, but they were chiefly spectators, and the actual " meetingers " were divided into two much smaller parties. Neither, of course, heard the speeches, or were edified by the proceedings, and a rough section of the war side detached itself from the main body, rushed the peace platform, slapped Mr. Bradlaugh, whose prominence in the affair ought not to have been allowed by men who detest his opinions, and threatened to throw Mr. Auberon Herbert into the Serpentine. Another section marched to Harley Street, yelled at Mr. Gladstone, assaulted the police, whom, to the disgrace of the country be it said, it is neces- sary to post round his house, and finally flung a shower of stones against his windows. Indeed, there was for a moment an ugly rush, finally checked by the police. As a demonstration of the opinions of the multitude, the meeting was a failure, the religious section of the workmen, a most numerous and respectable body, refusing to turn out on Sunday, while as a meeting it was a mere excuse for more or less savage rioting and horse-play.
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