condition wasfitlycompanioned by the angry gloom that pervaded the numbers thronging the streets from an early hour. T h e adjournment of the Police Court was followed by a cloud of rumours, the latest always the most exciting, as to what was to happen before nightfall. O n e of the first was, that it was the fixed intention of the Orangemen to rescue their imprisoned confreres, if committed for trial without bail; and that there was, in consequence, a strong muster of them at the Bird-in-Hand Hotel, only awaiting the word to sally forth. A s the afternoon advanced, the public excitement was intense, and the military, under the c o m m a n d of Lieutenant Wilton, with the mounted and town police, were in a state of continuous locomotion. T h e Superintendent (Latrobe), the Mayor, Messrs. H . Moor, J. Smith, E. Westby, Captain C. Hutton, and Dr. G. Playne, J's P., rode through the principal streets, and orders were given to clear out the Bird-in-Hand, which was effected without resistance, but not before the Riot Act was read, and a number of Orangemen (including M r . William Kerr) were compelled go elsewhere. A party of police remained in possession of the tavern. B y three o'clock all the principal shops were shut, and the public-houses c o m m a n d e d to do likewise. T h e town looked as if in a state of siege, and there could not be more of a panic if an invading army had disembarked at Sandridge, and was marching to sack and burn Melbourne. T h e Orange citadel was scarcely evacuated, when alarming intelligence was received from another quarter, viz., that a large force of armed m e n were drawn up in Lonsdale Street, and thither the Superintendent, magistrates, military, and police directed their course. Between Lonsdale Street and the (now old) cemetery was then a houseless, grassy open space, and on this parade-ground was marshalled in a very irregular order of battle, some three or four hundred m e n , armed with guns, pistols, sticks, bludgeons, and other weapons. T h e leader was an excitable tailor-publican (long since passed from amongst us), equipped with a double-barrelled gun and shot pouch. H e was fussily engaged in seeing that his m e n were in order; whilst officiating as a sergeant-major was another individual (also no more), who, though having only one full-length leg to stand upon, hopped about through the ranks with the agility of a goat on the side of a mountain, and brandishing a wicked-looking crutch, as if it were a battle-axe hungering for something to cleave. "When the Superintendent and his numerous retinue had appeared within a hundred yards of the would be insurgents, a loud-voiced spokesman known as " L o n g M o o n e y " advanced, and vociferated "That the people had assembled there solely in self-defence, and to protect themselves from the violence of the Orangemen." A general halt was immediately ordered, and a short parley ensued. T h e Mayor assured them that no Orange violence need be apprehended, and after the Riot Act had been read, he requested them in the Queen's name, as good and loyal subjects, to disperse. T h e reaction was instantaneous, for the answer returned consisted of "Three cheers for the Q u e e n ; three more for the Superintendent; three for the Mayor;" and the dispersion at once commenced. T h e military, however, did not return to barracks, but took up their quarters at the Royal Exchange Hotel, in Collins Street, lest their services should be required ; and the magistrates remained until near midnight at the police office. During the afternoon Constable Allcock (an Orangeman) swore informations against Mr. Michael M'Namara and three others, for being illegally armed. They were arrested, and lodged for safe custody in the goal, bail being refused. Next morning they were bound over in recognizances to appear for trial when called on.
SHOOTING AT O'SHANASSY.
The 16th July was also a notable day at the Police Court, for one Robert Cuthbert (arrested the evening before) was accused with having, by his o w n admission, discharged a loaded pistol at Mr. John O'Shanassy. Evidence was given that the prisoner was heard to boast in the shop of Mr. T h o m a s Hamilton, an Orange saddler, in Collins Street, that he had in the Pastoral row fired off a loaded pistol at O'Shanassy; "that O'Shanassy was not a bad mark to aim at, and if the bullet had caught him ,t would have settled him." H e was held to bail to answer any charge that the Crown Prosecutor might prefer against him.
