In doing so, he certainly did
put himself in order, for a member can take his seat where he likes
during the progress of a division. But this step is what led to the
violent and unprecedented scene which followed. For Mr. Hayes Fisher
immediately caught hold of Mr. Logan by the collar, Ashmead Bartlett, I
understand, followed suit, and thus the first blow was struck.
[Sidenote: Colonel Saunderson hits out.]
It was partly curiosity--it was partly, I have no doubt, indignation--it
was partly the determination to rush to the assistance of a friend--that
led to the moving of the Irishmen from their own seats to the benches
above the gangway, which are occupied by their political opponents. In
making this move they had no intention whatsoever, I believe, of
striking or even hustling anybody, but the result of it was that Colonel
Saunderson was violently pushed and his hat knocked off. I really
believe that the person next him, who gave him the final push, must have
been one of his own friends; but angry, excited, and hot-tempered, he
jumped to his feet. Mr. Austin, an Irish member, was at that moment
standing in the gangway, as innocent of offence as anybody in the House,
and he it was who received the blow from Colonel Saunderson's clenched
fist.
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