A History of the Four Georges and of William IV, Volume IIIMcCarthy, Justin H. (Justin Huntly)
History
A History of the Four Georges and of William IV, Volume III
McCarthy, Justin H. (Justin Huntly)
Great Britain -- History -- 1714-1837; Great Britain -- Politics and government -- 1714-1837
In the excitement that followed on the passing of the relief measure
Lord George Gordon found his opportunity for being actively noxious. A
gloomy fanaticism in Scotland took fire at the fear lest kindred relief
should be extended to the North Briton, and, as we have said, displayed
itself in savage speech and savage deed. In the press and from the
pulpit denunciations of the Catholics streamed. The Synod of Glasgow
solemnly resolved that it would oppose any Bill brought into Parliament
in favor of Scottish Catholics. In Edinburgh and in Glasgow houses
were wrecked and lives menaced. In Glasgow a worthy potter, Mr.
Bagnal, who had brought from Staffordshire its famous art, had his
property wholly destroyed. In Edinburgh the house of a Catholic priest
was wrecked in obedience to a brutal handbill which called upon its
readers to "take it as a warning to meet at Leith Wynd, on Wednesday
next, in the evening, to pull down that pillar of popery lately erected
there." The "pillar of popery" was the dwelling occupied by the
priest, which was duly wrecked in obedience to the bidding of the
nameless "Protestant" who signed the manifesto. It is curious to note
a postscriptum to the handbill, which ran thus: "Please to read this
carefully, keep it clean, and drop it somewhere else. For King and
country.--UNITY." The means which were adopted to spread fanaticism in
Scotland were carefully followed when the time came for carrying the
agitation into England.
[Sidenote: 1778-80--The English "Protestant Association"]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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