Note 33 — Chapter XVI · THE ILLNESS OF THE PRINCE OF WALES.

Mr. Bruce’s management of this affair did much to bring the Government into contempt. When the promoters of the meeting defied him he withdrew his prohibition. On being questioned in the House of Commons on the subject, he explained that when he issued it he thought that the meeting was called to petition Parliament, and no meeting can legally be held within a mile of Parliament for that purpose. But, he added, having found that the meeting was merely going to discuss the grant he considered it to be a legal one, and therefore withdrew his prohibition.