By Press Release
The Isle of Wight Observer of November 13th, 1869 reflects with disapproval on roudy Bonfire Night celebrations in Cowes, complaining that the authorities will do nothing about them. However, the newspaper the following week contains a gleeful report that the police have served summonses on six of the ringleaders. It goes on to say: “The punishment these gentlemen will doubtless meet with at the hands of the magistrates will no doubt have an effect upon “King Mob,” who has too often ruled the streets of this town during the last few years.
COWES
GUY FAWKES’ DAY. – Friday, being the anniversary of this worthy’s feats, the mob again took advantage of the custom to dress themselves in hideous disguises and parade the town with torches, to the annoyance of all respectable inhabitants. This time they appeared to have no complaint against anybody, and consequently no damage was done.
TORCHLIGHT PROCESSION. – On Tuesday evening the street was again taken possession of by a mob of men and boys, who paraded the streets with lighted torches, banners of strange devices, and the usual etcetera in the shape of disguises, tin noses, cocked hats, and striped cotton apparel. These, of course were followed by a host of men, women, and boys, some of the women actually carrying children in arms, so eager were they to see what was going on. Though we cannot find a word to say in favour of these disturbances, which meets, we believe with the censure of every respectable inhabitant, yet we are bound to say that there was a great improvement in their conduct, as there was no stone-throwing, and consequently no windows broken. This, however, is not enough; it is disgraceful that such scenes should be allowed, and we can only, it appears, regret that such conduct should go unpunished by the authorities, for in narrow streets it cannot but be dangerous.
