“Wednesday, 23rd. Same escort, though little necessary.”
The Wilson who swore in the Irish Brigade, has, of course, no connection
with Professor Wilson. He was a student, and remained throughout life a
loyal supporter of the cause.[72] His letter, written on the Sunday
following the riot, is interesting:
“DEAR MISS PECHEY,—I wish to warn you, and, through you, your friends,
that you are to be mobbed again on Monday. A regular conspiracy has
been, I fear, set on foot for that purpose. I wish you to tell your
friends that, although the projected demonstration against you on
Monday is intended to be much more serious than the one on Friday, and
to frighten you all away, you need not in the least fear it. I have
made what I hope to be efficient arrangements for your protection. I
have passed the word round amongst a lot of my friends—not wholly
inexperienced in the kind of work—and you will be all right.
I had a meeting with my friend, Micky O’Halloran who is leader of a
formidable band, known in College as the ‘Irish Brigade,’ and he has
consented to tell off a detachment of his set for duty on Monday.
Micky was the formidable hero with the big red moustache who stood by
us on Friday and whose presence with us rather disappointed the
rioters who, I think, calculated on the aid both of himself and his
set. I have taken care of _that_, and I believe the mere demonstration
of the fact that you have men on your side able and willing to protect
you, will deter the mob from even an attempt at a row.
They are a cowardly lot, nearly all very young, and I don’t think they
have even one amongst them, who has had experience of the days when
street-rioting was one of the accomplishments Edinburgh students were
acquainted with, so they are not likely to be very troublesome. I
believe they’ll ‘cave in’ if you only show a brave front. I have
considerable influence also with the Highlanders in College, and
expect to get a good deal of help from them, when I pass the word
round tomorrow.
May I venture to hint my belief that the real cause of the riots is
the way some of the professors run you down in their lectures. They
never lose a chance of stirring up hatred against you. For all I know
they may have more knowledge of the riotous conspiracy than most
people fancy. However, as I tell you, you and your friends need not
fear, as far as Monday is concerned. You will be taken good care of.
Yours faithfully,
ROBERT WILSON.
P.S. I would have sent this communication through Mrs. Kingsley, but
as I have no chance of seeing her tomorrow, and as you are her friend,
I send it to you.”
Footnote 72:
In January, 1886, Mr. Robert Wilson had an article, “Æsculapia
Victrix,” in the _Fortnightly Review_.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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