On Sunday afternoon about four o’clock the aristocratic vicinity of York-street, Portman-square, was worried into a state of unbecoming excitement through the disgraceful conduct of a drunken soldier, whom some men of the police force were endeavouring to take to the station-house in Harcourt-street. We shall describe the occurrence in the language of an eye-witness, who says:—”I saw a great bustle, and on looking to the spot perceived that the police force, about four in number, were urging an unwilling soldier to pay a visit to their quarters, alias station-house, in Harcourt-street. Much was the invitation, much was the refusal, and many ups and downs took place in the transit. During the time a sergeant and two privates of the military force were marching in the rear six paces distant, with all the stiffness and military decorum possible, not presuming to interfere with the civil force, who were so urgent in their invitation to their drunken comrade. With much difficulty the entrance of Harcourt-street was reached, when the boiled lobster put forth all his physical force of resistance, upon which the unboiled set to work; two seized each a leg of their guest, whilst two others supported his shoulders, and in this way he was dragged on his martial antipody to the station-house, the three red-coats still marching in slow time in the rear.
The Illustrated London News, London England, Week Ending June 4, 1842