blazed over the "common," while brilliant fireworks were exhibited at
Bowling Green. The feasting continued late in the night, and so delighted
were the "Sons of Liberty," that they erected a mast, inscribed "to his
most gracious Majesty, George the Third, Mr. Pitt, and Liberty." A
petition was also signed to erect a statue to Pitt, and the people seemed
determined by this excess of loyalty to atone for their previous
rebellious spirit. The joy, however, was of short duration--the news of
the riots caused Parliament to pass a "mutiny act," by which troops were
to be quartered in America in sufficient numbers to put down any similar
demonstration in future, a part of the expense of their support to be paid
by the colonists themselves. This exasperated "the Sons of Liberty", and
they met and resolved to resist this new act of oppression to the last.
The troops arrived in due time, and of course collisions took place
between them and the people. Matters now continued to grow worse and
worse, until the "riot of the Sons of Liberty" became a revolution, which
dismembered the British Empire, and established this great republic, the
influence of which on the destiny of the world no one can predict.



CHAPTER IV.


DOCTORS' RIOT, 1788.

Body-snatching.--Bodies dug up by Medical Students.--Excitement of the
People.--Effect of the Discovery of a human Limb from the Hospital.--Mob
ransack the Building.--Destruction of Anatomical Specimens.--Arrival of
Mayor, and Imprisonment of Students.--Second Day.--Examination of Columbia
College and Physicians' Houses.--Appeal of the Mayor and distinguished