Riot Act
,—read by a magistrate (or, if he cannot read, by the bell-man) in times of tumult, whenever more than three people are seen talking together;—a very convenient instrument of state to prevent any redress of grievances.
,—read by a magistrate (or, if he cannot read, by the bell-man) in times of tumult, whenever more than three people are seen talking together;—a very convenient instrument of state to prevent any redress of grievances.
Entry taken from Political Dictionary, edited by Charles Pigott from prison and printed in 1795.