3-021-383 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Swearing in the London Irish Rifle Volunteers as special constables, St Martin's-In-The-Fields, [London], 1868. Local magistrates '...Mr. Flowers congratulated these Irish gentlemen on their zeal as protectors of law and order. He said he believed our fellow-countrymen in Ireland had as much liberty as we in England; but, if Ireland had any grievances to complain of, there were legitimate ways of redress without violence or infringement of the law. The Irish were a generous people, and could not approve of such doings as those which had recently taken place, and which were not only "un-English," but "un-Irish" also. This remark was greeted with a tremendous burst of cheering. Major Ward then called for three cheers for the Queen and three for Ireland. The cheers were given in a most enthusiastic manner, lasting for several minutes; and, order having been restored, the process of swearing in commenced. Major Ward, Captains O'Connor, Purcell, Fowler, Tate, Dr. West, Captain and Adjutant Daubeny, Lieutenant Chisholm, and other officers were the first to take the oath. In all, above 500 were sworn; and the corps...[were] supplied with truncheons and striped crimson-and-white armlets, the colours of the city of Westminster'. From "Illustrated London News", 1868.