The meeting at Copenhagen House failed to accomplish its purpose, and further protests were entered against the Seditions Bill “for the better protection of the king’s person,” which was carried in the House by large majorities; this repressive measure provided that no gathering exceeding fifty persons should take place, even in a private house, without previous information had been laid before a magistrate, who might attend, and, if he saw cause, order the meeting to disperse, while those who resisted would be guilty of felony. In the face of such unconstitutional interference, fresh hostility sprang up throughout the land; and there being anticipations of an appeal to the country, the opposition endeavoured to present a bold front before the constituencies in view of that event; one of these meetings was summoned by the Sheriff of Middlesex, inviting the freeholders to assemble at the Mermaid, Hackney; this gathering has been commemorated by Gillray. The object of the meeting was to obtain a repeal of the obnoxious Seditions Bill, which, as the artist shows, the Whig member, George Byng, is vigorously denouncing from the platform; it was at the same time proposed to prepare an “Address to the King,” and Mr. Mainwaring, the ministerial representative, is, with Jesuitical expression, deprecating hostility both to the Government and to their oppressive legislation, Fox is holding the hat of his oratorical disciple, Byng. It was on this occasion that the sturdy Duke of Norfolk, who raised the royal ire by proposing as a toast in a public assembly, “The Majesty of the People,” took occasion to warn those who valued the liberty of the subject that they must not be misled by the specious titles of the bill. [Illustration: MEETING OF PATRIOTIC CITIZENS AT COPENHAGEN HOUSE, 1795. SPEAKERS: THELWALL, GALE JONES, HODSON, AND JOHN BINNS. BY JAMES GILLRAY. “I tell you, Citizens, we mean to new dress the Constitution, and turn it, and set a new Nap upon it.” [_Page 298._] [Illustration: AT HACKNEY MEETING--FOX, BYNG, AND MAINWARING. BY JAMES GILLRAY.] “I daresay,” he observed, “if the High Priest of the Spanish Inquisition was to come among us to introduce his system of inquisition here, he would call it an act for the better support and protection of religion; but we have understandings, and are not to be deceived in this way.” Mainwaring stated in the House that the meeting had been most respectably attended, and that the requisition had been signed by three dukes, one marquis, two earls, and several freeholders.