The Soldier's Wife — page 183: what you’re looking at

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162 unthinking giddiness which characterized her entire conduct.” I'he learned counsel commented in this strain for upwards of two hours on the various points of the evidence for the plaintiff; and he wound up avery ingenious and skilful speech with a t er- rific denunciatior of Peter Davis himself, whom he represented as a man that had been a cruel and remorseless father—a neglectful, sottish husband to his second wife—the suborner of the whole- sale perjury committed by Sarah Bodkin—and a wretch who had availed himself of the flimsiest circumstances, not merely as a pretext to get ria of this second wife, but also to enrich him- self by the extortion of a large sum under the fictio. of damages from the pocket of Captain Redburn nominally, but from the purse of Sir Archibald in reality. Several witnesses were called for the defence. A woman, at whose house.Sarah Bodkin had lodged tor scme months past at Middleton, proved that she (Sarah Bodkin) had said that if M;. Davis succeeded in his action it would be a goo? thing for her; and that, moreover, Fleece- wel!’s clerk had called on several occasions and had brought her money. Several of the Mid- dleton tradesmen proved how Mrs. Davis had eontracted debts with them—how they had been compelled to write letters threatening to enclose the biuls to her husband—and how, when Davis called upon them, he grumbled bitterly at his wile’s extravagancies, enjoining them to give her no more credit. Other witnesses, chiefly tradesmen from Oakleigh, proved how Davis had frequented the Royal Oak; and how, even previously to Captain Redburn’s visits to the cottage, he had been wont to complain of his wite’s temper and express his deep regrets that he had ever married her. The Judge summed up with clearness and impartiality ; and the jury retired to deliberate. The trial had already occupied nearly the whole day: it was already six o’clock in the evening; aud it was past seven before the jury could agree. At length they came back to their box; and the foreman delivered a verdict for the plaintii— damages £1,500. CHAPTER XXXYV. THE POLITICAL MEETING. ALTHOUGH the year 1836, of which we are writing, was not characterized by any very ge- nural agitation on the part of the industrious classes of the United Kingdom, yet there were certain districts in which the greatest discontent revailed. ‘I'his was especially the case in that Sidiand County wucre Middleton was situated ; for the working Classes of tuis town aud all the surrounding districts were plunged into the deepest distress. ILtis not our purpose to enter into minute details on this bead; sutlice it to giy that the industrious orders of Middleton, gouded almost to desperation by misery and wretcheduess, were assuming &@ most formidable attitude. Large mectings had been held at dil- ferent Lines lor sole Wuvutlis past; the speakers THE SOLDIER’S WIFE had grown bolder and bolder in exposing the fraud which had been practiced upon the people by the Reform Bill of 1832; and resolutions were passed, expressive of a determination to have the full measure of those rights which be- long to the entire community, but cf which so large a portiou were unjustly SeLarred by an arrogant and despotic oligarc: y. It was in consequence of these meetings, and of this bold but manly and patriotic language, that Colonel Wyndham’s regiment had been ordered to Mid- dleton. Notwithstanding the presence of the soldiery, the agitation went on increasing; meetings continued to be held; but no threat of physical force was used by any of the speak- ers. In short, the working classes of that town and district were merely intent upon a great moral movement. They thought that if such assemblages were convened, at which firm but peaceful resolutions were passed, and petitions drawn up to be presented to the Legislature, an impression would be made upon that body, and it would be impossible for the Government of the country to ignore representations so res- pectfully made, or repudiate claims so peaceably urged, | In such circumstances was it that the regi- ment to which Lonsdale belonged took up its quarters at Middleton. <A few weeks elapsed without any opportunity arising to afford a pre- text for Colonel Wyndham to accept the coer- cion and repression of the working classes. He was, however, in frequent communication with the local magistrates; and to them he signitied his readiness to act rigorously and peremptorily whenever he should be called upon. ‘The strictest injunctions were issued against any of the soldiers attending the meetings of tne work- ing classes; and threats of severe punishment were held out in case of disobedience. At length the wished-for opportunity appears » ed to present itself for Colonel Wyndham to ex- hibit his zeal on behalf of the cause of tyranny and oppression. It was at the close of the month of July, in the year of which we are writing, that a great meeting of the working classes was advertised to be held in the imme- diate neighbourhood of Middleton, on a particu- lar Monday morning. Specific instructions were transmitted from London to Colonel Wyndham, enjoining him how to act; but these were kept altogether secret until the Sunday immediately preceding the day on which the meeting was to be held. On that Sunday three troops of a cavalry regiment sta- tioned at Coventry, entered Middleton and were quartered at the barracks. The regiment to which Lonsdale belonged, paraded on that morning as usual, and was marched to chureh, On returning from divine worship, the regiment was drawn up in the barrack-yard, and formed into a square, the better to hear the addres3 which Colonel Wyndham was about to deliver. Ile spoke to this etfect :— ‘]t is understood that a number of seditious, discontented, and evil-disposed persons will as: semble to-morrow outside the town, under pre | tence of petitioning the Government for the re — dress of alleged grievances These persons have really no grievances to redress; aud thew Gomicbooks €oO