The British Museum seems to have been one of the places in danger of being attacked by the mob; it was, therefore, considered prudent to take prompt and decisive measures to protect it from any possible assault. Though Sir Henry Ellis was the chief officer of the Museum at the time, Panizzi may be said to have taken the part of the real General, and was most active in swearing in his subordinates, some of whom had Chartist tendencies themselves, as, possibly, he had himself; but the safety of the Museum was paramount to all other considerations, and, to an objector, he replied, _What! not defend the place from which you get your living!!_
Mr. Cowtan in his “Memories of the British Museum,” tells us “that all persons employed upon the establishment, either in the various departments, or as artizans at work upon the building, were sworn in as ‘special constables,’ making in all 250. Major Baron, of the Royal Engineers, was sent to suggest the best means of barricading, and to place the force at hand in the best positions for defending the Museum, in case of an attack. The military force consisted of fifty-seven rank and file, and two officers. To this must be added twenty pensioners from Chelsea College. Fifty muskets, with proportionate ammunition were supplied, as well as cutlasses, and pikes for from two to three hundred persons. Provisions for three days were laid in, &c., &c.”
Scouts were sent out to bring authentic accounts, but the same “Memories” also inform us that “one or two, who, before the event took place, were loud in their protestations of devotedness to the Museum, and willingness to lay down their lives in its defence, began to funk and to _look unutterable things_.”
The following letter to Sir H. Ellis, referring to this subject, is well worthy of perusal:—
“British Museum, Friday night, April 7th, 1848.
I beg to enclose four lists of as many parties in my department, consisting of eleven persons each, ready to be sworn as special constables. The name at the head of each party is that of the gentleman who will act as leader or foreman to it. Any order which you will transmit to me for them shall be attended to. At the same time allow me to say that if anything very serious were to happen, we are not prepared for it. To be prepared, for an attack in earnest, should not the Museum be made a depôt for troops; the usual military guard ought to be at least doubled. Supposing the Riot Act read, and extreme measures unavoidable, the Museum can be well defended by a well-directed fire of musketry from the roof, which commands not only every side of the building, but every approach to it, as well as some most important points of the interior. I took Mr. Hawkins over it this morning on purpose to show him this. I should regret as much as any one that such mode of defence should ever be forced upon us, but a danger is better avoided by the determination and readiness to meet it with proper energy. The measures taken by the Government show that they do not think lightly of the state of affairs; and always hoping for the best, as prudent men, we ought to be ready for the worst. Permit me to suggest also for your consideration that