I am reproducing below the final part of the report in the Nottinghamshire Guardian of October 30th 1851. I only discovered this subject from researching my ancestor Levi lee, who is the first to speak in this extract. However, I have done more research and found previous articles in this newspaper on this subject, and it turns out that this was a plan to buy, ship and re-erect a fountain from The Great Exhibition in Hyde Park in Nottingham Market Place. I have also found out more about the so-called "calumnious, filthy, and outrageous" booklets that Mr. Mahon had published. Indeed, in looking through The Nottinghamshire Guardian I found that Mr. Mahon - Jeremiah Landon Mahon to be precise - had previously had a running battle in the letters section of this same newspaper with the local Post Office, and also with the newspaper itself when it shortened his letters and declined others. The editor of The Nottinghamshire Guardian was a Mr. Pickering, and it was he, amongst others, and his family that were defamed in these booklets, which were entitled "Fun for the Town" and "Nottingham Notorieties". That is why in the first section of the report of this meeting that someone was heard to cry out "And what have you said about Mrs. Pickering?" It also transpires that it was in fact the same Mr. Pickering that attacked Mr. Mahon, who "came from a dark place with a great thick stick and hit me as hard as he could." This was reported in a later court case. It seems that Mr. Mahon was quite an argumentative character and was also brought to court on other occasions for attacking street sellers outside his Long Row shop. I may get around to re-producing these article in the future. For the mean time though, here is the final extract from: MEETING EXTRAORDINARY TO PROMOTE THE FOUNTAIN. Mr. LEVI LEE, a mechanic, made some observations to the effect that at the last public meeting he opposed the fountain on the ground that it would become a nuisance if the oyster sellers, green grocers, and other market people were allowed to wash oysters, vegetables, and flowers; but as this could be avoided by railing it round, and having taps projecting at various points, with soughs beneath to carry off the surplus water, and as, according to the statement of Mr. Mahon, they could be supplied with water so cheaply by Messrs Hollins, he declared himself in favour of the project. (Cheers.) Mr. JOHN PLACE presented himself upon the platform. And was about to address the meeting, when the chairman observed that the time for closing the meeting had arrived. Mr. PLACE amidst the encouragement of his friends, and supported by the sturdy frame of Mr. Annibal, insisted on having a hearing. He called to their recollection that at the former meeting exercising the privilege which they all had the right to claim, he seconded a resolution in opposition to the fountain. In a short time afterwards a blackguard publication was issued, in which he was attacked in the most shameful manner, merely because he had expressed his opinions. (Hear, hear.) The liberty of the press was one of the most glorious privileges of our land. We had not the supervision that existed in democratic France, because our government were aware that Englishmen knew how to value their glorious privilege (Hear, hear.) But the liberty of the press was never in so much danger as when licentious and bad men used that mighty engine, which might be either applied in doing much good or evil (Cheers.) Mr. Mahon had said in reply to Mr, Fidler, that the grossly abusive and filthy epithets which had been published did not apply to him (Mr. Fidler) but to 9 or 10 other people. He (Mr. Place) was included by name in that number, and was therefore branded as a drunkard, whoremonger, and everything else that was vile and disreputable. (Loud cries of "Shame.") He demanded of Mr. Mahon a public apology. (Vehement applause, and cries of "turn him out.") The excitement now became intense, one stentorious voice exclaimed "Lock the doors." At this juncture Mr superintendent Reddish, inspectors Parkinson and Raynor, and one or two police, forced their way to the platform. Mr. Place continued to maintain his position, and, amidst the cheers of his friends, to demand an apology. He appealed to them as fathers, as sons, and as brothers, whether they could bear their mothers, their sons, or their brothers to be maligned by the most abominable falsehoods which it was in the power of a man to utter, without demanding an apology? (Vehement cheering.) >From this point the meeting resolved itself into a riotous and tumultuous assemblage. The chairman hurriedly vacated his post, and Mr. Mahon, with arms a-kimbo, increased the storm by fiercely exclaiming that Mr. Place was a liar. Forms were upset, tables were overturned, and many loud threats were launched against Mr. Place, who, however, was not to be intimidated. Mr. Annibal endeavoured to obtain a hearing, but Mr. Mahon, with spasmodic violence, declared that he should not speak. This added fuel to the flames, and the scene in the body of the hall becoming little less than pandemonium. Owing to the exertions of the police, however, no violence was committed, and with some difficulty the room was cleared soon after ten o'clock, without a collection for Mr. Mahon having been made, but not before three hearty cheers had been given for Mr. Place by his friends and supporters. END And we all thought that the middle classes in Victorian times were oh so well-behaved! Just to add to the story, on the 1851 census; John Place was a Bankers Clerk living in Sneinton, and despite being an uncommon surname, there are two possibilities for the Mr. Annibal, - Godfrey a FWK and William a labourer - living next door to each other, so possibly father and son. Brian Binns _____ No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 10.0.1410 / Virus Database: 1520/3904 - Release Date: 09/18/11