clockwork figures above the throng. A crowd of Socialists
are "remembering Chicago" in a corner. The chief centre of
attraction is a drag occupied by a Philanthropic Young-lady
Chairwoman, her chaperon, some leading laundresses, one or two
male sympathisers, and a couple of reporters. The_ Chairwoman
_conducts the proceedings with the greatest possible tact
and grace, but is slightly hampered by the levity of a crowd
composed of factory-girls, semi-imbecile larrikins, and
professional laundresses, whose burning anxiety for reform
masks itself under a surface frivolity. In the neighbourhood
is a lorry decorated with clean shirts, and occupied by young
washerwomen fired by an enthusiasm which manifests itself in
bursts of shrill cheering and lively interchange of chaff
with the spectators. In the meantime, the business of this
particular platform proceeds somewhat as follows:--_

_The Chairwoman_ (_with patient good-humour_). Now, I'm sure you'll
all be as quiet as you can while I ... (_Hubbub, caused by a personal
altercation between two Women in the crowd, and shouts of "Order!"_)
Because really my doctor has ordered me not to speak in the open air
at all ... (_Here an ill-conditioned female, taking offence for some
inscrutable reason, remarks loudly,_ "_'Er_ doctor, indeed, she's
a beauty, _she_ is--'er and 'er doctor!" _More calls to order, and
extreme indignation of the ill-conditioned female at being informed
that she is "no lady," and had "better 'old 'er jaw"; ribald and
utterly meaningless jests by the larrikins._) Order, _please_!
(_Imploringly._) I know you won't make it harder for me than you can
help. (_A young Lady in a very tall hat and feather is heard demanding
that the Gentleman in front of her should remove his "boxer," on
pain of obliging her to remove it herself; the question is argued at