called on; yet the more immediate and particular cause of the popular outbreak at Ballaarat was the circumstances attending a Board of Inquiry upon an obnoxious individual, the proprietor of the Eureka Hotel, a Mr. Bentley. It appears that his hotel had been the rendezvous, as far as we can learn from the public papers of the day, of a host of infamous characters, and it was said that many acts, contrary to the good order of society, had been there committed, without any interference to check them by the local authorities. Amongst other things it was stated, that an unfortunate man of the name of Scobie was there murdered, and it was on this account that the Board of Inquiry was ordered to assemble, and Bentley brought to justice. Either from the default of witnesses, or partiality, we are not competent to form an opinion, but on his first trial at Ballaarat, he was declared to have come through the investigation without suspicion or a stain upon his character. The populace, however, became excited, and, believing that Bentley and his party were guilty, set no bounds to their indignation, but, in Lynch-law style, took the law in their own hands, attacked and burned down the Eureka Hotel, and would not permit the authorities to interfere. Bentley and his compeers were again brought into court, and all found guilty of manslaughter on this occasion, from evidence of the most undeniable character. Here, of course, the matter might have ended, had not the people been stimulated by demagogues and political
