PUBLIC FEELING IN LONDON.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VI, Issue 241, 11 October 1871, Page 4

PUBLIC FEELING IN LONDON.

There seems to b© a seething and fermenting process going on amid the masses in England that, odo of these days, must surely end in a great outburst. We learn tbat on the night of the debate on the question of granting an' annuity to Prince Arthur there was to be a " demonstration " in Trafalgar-6quare against the annuity. But the leaders of this movement were served with notices by the police that no such meeting would be allowed, as it was contrary to Jaw to assemble " within one mile of the House of Parliament during the sitting of Parliament." Large bodies of police were also concentrated in the neighborhood of the square ; but before evening arrived it was rumored that the Government had changed its mind, and would not interfere " unless the peace was broken." Messengers were sent to inform the intending speakers, who were fully resolved to defy any prohibition, and keep within their view of legal right. They abandoned the idea of presenting a petition to Parliament, and on this ground, as was afterwards explained in the House, the Government withdrew its objections. Meanwhile the possibility of a collision had drawn togetber one of the largest gatherings of recent years. It is said that there were at least 20,000 people collected in the Square, although but a few hundreds constituted the meeting proper. The conduct of the police is justly criticised, for the business was so managed that the impression was general that they had given way before the resolute words of Mr. Bradlaugh; and nothing would more surely bring us uuder mob rule than such vacillation — a sudden prohibition and Its as sudden withdrawal. The lions at the base of the Nelson column are the favorite supporters of our Republican orators, for the granite pedestal on which they rest makes an excellent platform. Mr. Bradlaugh's adveot by their side was greeted with vociferous cheers, and he was not sparing iv caustic and defiant words.. "I am hereto-night," he said, " simply because her Majesty's Government decided this morniDg that we had no right tp come here." Mr. Odger and others spoke in condemnation of the proposed annuity. There were cheers for Mr. Taylor, Mr. Fawcett, and Sir Charles Dilke; but no resolution was passed, so as to keep the meeting beyond the power of the law. Mr. Odger was followed on his way homeward by some 2,000. people, who sang the " Marseillaise " with much warmth. Throughout the evening all the approaches to the House of Parliament were closely guarded by the police.