addressed to him by many of the most wealthy and prominent citizens of the
city, in which they expressed their regret at the treatment he had
received, and urged him not to yield to such a lawless spirit. They
promised that he should be protected in his rights, and hoped he would
give the city an opportunity to wipe out the stain that had been put upon
its character. This he unwisely consented to do, and the next Thursday was
fixed for his appearance in the same play. When the placards announcing it
were pasted up, there appeared immediately alongside of them another,
announcing the appearance on the same evening of Forrest, in the Broadway
Theatre, in the character of the "Gladiator."

In the meantime other posters appeared, and among them the following in
startling capitals:

"WORKINGMEN!

SHALL AMERICANS OR ENGLISH RULE IN THIS CITY?

The crew of the British steamer have threatened all Americans who shall
dare to offer their opinions this night at the

ENGLISH ARISTOCRATIC OPERA HOUSE.

WORKINGMEN! FREEMEN! STAND UP TO YOUR LAWFUL RIGHTS."

It will be observed, that this artful appeal was like a two-edged sword,
cutting both ways. It aimed at the same time to stir up the hatred of the
lower classes against the upper, by the word aristocratic; and the
national hatred of the English, by calling it the _English
aristocratic_ Opera House to be guarded by English sailors. Both