| Citation |
IL.781.031
21 May 1781:22 (3/155)
London, Feb. 1. . . Extract of a letter from Bristol, Feb.
4. The spirit of party is at present risen here to a height
scarce ever known before. Nothing but riots and tumults all
the day, with different mobs parading the streets, which as
they meet each other raise terrible disturbances, and
encounter with a fury much more becoming nations at open and
declared war, than contending factions at an election. In
one of these frays the White Lion Inn was nearly demolished
and much other mischief done. Nay, to such a pitch is the
party arrived, that a friend of one of the candidates
actually proceeded to the place of poll, with drums beating
and the American colours displayed. In short we know not
what end things may come to at last. Pitched battles are
fought between the opposite clubs in which many are killed.
A gentleman, this moment assures me, that he saw six lying
dead in the street.
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