Bamford,
when he came to London in the beginning of 1817, records the
impression which the clubs made upon him. He went to several and
found them all alike; "each man with his porter-pot before him and a
pipe in his mouth; many speaking at once, more talkers than thinkers;
more speakers than listeners. Presently 'Order' would be called, and
comparative silence would ensue; a speaker, stranger or citizen,
would be announced with much courtesy and compliment. 'Hear, hear,
hear' would follow, with clapping of hands and knocking of knuckles
on the tables, till the half-pints danced; then a speech, with
compliments to some brother orator or popular statesman; next a
resolution in favour of Parliamentary Reform, and a speech to second
it; an amendment on some minor point would follow; a seconding of
that; a breach of order by some individual of warm temperament; half
a dozen would rise to set him right; a dozen to put them down; and
the vociferation and gesticulation would become loud and
confounding."
The Manchester clubs had set their hearts upon an expedition to
London--thousands strong; each man with a blanket to protect him and
a petition in his hand.
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