the owner promised, if they did, he would give it all away to the poor the
next day. At all events, they would soon have been compelled to abandon
the work of destruction, for the police hastened to the spot, accompanied
by a large body of citizens, who had volunteered their help. Some were
arrested, but most of the ringleaders escaped.

How many of those who attended the meeting in the Park anticipated a mob
and its action, it is impossible to say; but that a great number of them
did, there can be no doubt.

By nine o'clock the riot was over, and those who had engaged in it were
either arrested or dispersed.

The next day, Mr. Hart issued a card, denying that the exorbitant price of
flour was owing to his having purchased a large quantity for the sake of
monopolizing it, but to its scarcity alone.

It was certainly a very original way to bring down the price, by
attempting to destroy all there was in the city. Complaining of suffering
from the want of provisions, they attempted to relieve themselves by
putting its possession out of their power altogether. With little to eat,
they attempted to make it impossible to eat at all. A better illustration
of the insensate character of a mob could not be given.



CHAPTER VIII.


ASTOR-PLACE RIOTS, 1849.