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"It is deuced lucky," said Mr. Berners, "that the Bedchamber business is over, and we are all right. This affair in the midst of the Jamaica hitch would have been fatal to us."

"These chartists evidently act upon a system," said Mr. Egerton. " You see they were perfectly quiet till the National Petition was presented and debated; and now, almost simultaneously with our refusing to consider their petition, we have news of this outbreak."

"I hope they will not spread," said the grey headed gentleman. "There are not troops enough in the country if there be anything like a general movement. I hear they have sent the guards down by a special train, and a hundred more of the police. London is not overgarrisoned."

"They are always ready for a riot at Birmingham," said a Warwickshire peer. "Trade is very bad there and they suffer a good deal. But I should think it would not go farther."

"I am told," said the grey-headed gentleman, "that business is getting slack in all the districts."