parties now began active preparations for the eventful night--the rioters
by increasing and organizing their forces, and setting on foot plans to
get possession of the house; the friends of Macready, to prevent this from
being done, and at the same time secure sufficient aid from the
authorities to suppress all open violence. To keep the rowdies from
occupying the house, tickets were sold or given away only to those known
to be friendly to Macready; while to suppress violence, three hundred
police were promised, to be supported if necessary by two regiments of
soldiers, who were ordered to be under arms at their quarters, ready to
march at a moment's notice.

As the day advertised for the play approached, the excitement deepened,
and serious trouble seemed unavoidable. On the appointed evening, a strong
body of police was quietly placed inside of the house, with definite
instructions how to act. In the meantime, an immense crowd had assembled
in front of the building, and, when at last the doors opened, a rush was
made for them. But the police kept the crowd back, and only those who had
tickets were admitted. When the house was fairly filled, the doors were
closed and fastened. In the meantime the windows had been barricaded, with
the exception of one, which was overlooked. This the now disappointed
rabble assailed with stones, sending them through it, in among the
startled audience. They tried also to break down one of the doors, but the
policemen's clubs stopped them. Then commenced a series of yells and
shouts, mingled with horrid oaths and threats as the baffled wretches
surged around the building. Finding nothing else to vent their rage on,
they attacked the lamps in the neighborhood, breaking them to pieces, and
putting out the lights.

In the meantime, the play inside, with this wild accompaniment without,
commenced. Notwithstanding all the care that had been taken, a large