Phenix Gazette

An affray occurred at the Circus in Montreal on the evening of the 17th instant, of which an account is given in the Courant of the 21st.—It appears that the performance of the Tailor's Journey to Brentford gave offence to a few of the operative tailors in the city, who determined to put down the performance. By despatching circulars and concerting a plan of operations, a number of the rabble were induced to join in the project. None of the merchant tailors nor any of the respectable journeymen joined in it.

It was advertised for Friday evening, the 16th, and on that occasion, when the performers entered the ring to commence it, a number of persons with bludgeons entered the ring, knocked them down, and put an end to the exhibition; the rest of the spectators dispersing. On Saturday evening, for which the piece had been previously advertised, an affray again occurred.—We copy from the Courant:—

"All was peaceable till the redoubtable Billy made his appearance, when a person from the inside of the Circus made a signal to the mob in the street, and immediately a large number of people armed with sticks and bludgeons rushed in and attempted to take possession of the Ring as on the previous evening: This was met by the opposition party by an instantaneous rush, & the circus presented a scene of indescribable tumult and uproar. The Tailors were in a few minutes expelled—the doors closed—and the performance went through amidst the most astounding plaudits and shouts of victory.

Whilst this was going on inside, the expelled party attacked the circus with stones and attempted to pull a part of it down, but seemed to act with uncommon imbecility: for notwithstanding they were left almost entirely uninterrupted for more than an hour, the boards pulled down were put up again in about ten minutes.

Whilst this riotous part of the proceedings was going forward, a few of the most respectable citizens approached the mob, and in a mild tone requested peace; this request was immediately returned by a volley of stones, one of which struck Mr. William Lyman, Druggist, St. Paul street, with such violence as to break his leg in two places, inflicting also deep wounds in the flesh opposite both fractures.

Shortly after this accident, the demonstration of opposition to the rioters becoming visible in the excited feelings of the spectators, they prudently dispersed. A few minutes after they had left the scene a party of Military arrived and found tranquility restored."