OntheBurningofLORDMANSFIELD'SLibrary,togetherwithhisMSS.bytheMob,intheMonthofJune,1780."On the fifth night of the Gordon Riots, Tuesday, 6 June 1780, the mob attacked the Bloomsbury Square
house of William Murray, first Earl of Mansfield (1705–93), Lord Chief Justice from 1756 to 1788. The rioters looted the house, burned its contents
on the street, and then set fire to the building itself."
(Baird/Ryskamp [1980-95], vol. 1, 411.)
1.SOthen—theVandalsofourisle,Swornfoestosenseandlaw,HaveburnttodustanoblerpileThaneverRomansaw!2.AndMURRAYsighso'erPopeandSwift,Andmanyatreasuremore,Thewell-judg'dpurchaseandthegiftThatgrac'dhisletter'dstore.3.Theirpagesmangl'd,burntandtorn,Thelosswashisalone,ButagesyettocomeshallmournTheburningofhisown.