AN ORATOR (_bitterly_). The weather is against us, Feller Republikins, there's no denyin' that. As we were tramping along 'ere, through the mud and in the rain, wet to the skin, I couldn't 'elp remarking to a friend o' mine, that if it had been a pidging-shootin' match at Urlingham, or a Race-meeting at Hascot, things 'ud ha' been diff'rent! Ther'd ha' bin blue sky and sunshine enough _then_. Well, I 'spose hany weather's considered good enough for the likes of hus! Hany weather'll do for pore downtrod slaves to assert their man'ood and their hindependence in! (_Cries of "Shame!"_) Never you mind--hour turn'll come some day! We sha'n't _halways_ be 'eld down, and muzzled, and silenced, and prevented uttering the hindignation we've a right to feel! (_Bellowing._) We shall make our vices 'eard one day! But I'm reminded by my friend as I've got to keep to the pint. Well (_he composes his features into a sneer_) I'm told as 'ow 'Er Most Gracious Madjesty--(_"Booing" from Earnest Radicals_)--'Er Most Gracious Madjesty--'as she calls 'erself--'as put by a little matter of a millum an' a 'arf--since she came to the Throne. Now, Feller Republikins, that millum an' a 'arf 'as come out of _your_ pockets! SEVERAL PERSONS (_who do not look as if they paid a heavy income tax_). 'Ear 'ear! ORATOR. Yes, it belongs to the People--ah! and you've a legal right to demand it back--a legal _right_! And I arsk you--if that millum and a 'arf of money was to be divided among the Toilers of London ter-morrow--'ow many Hunemployed should we see? (_Crowd deeply impressed by this forcible argument._) Yet we're arst to put our 'ands in our pockets to support the Queen's children! A GENTLEMAN WITH VERY SHORT HAIR. Shame--never! [_Puts his hand in somebody else's pocket by way of emphasising his declaration._] ORATOR. Feller Republikins, if a Queen don't do the work as she's paid for doin' of, what ought to be done with 'er? I put it to _you_! A VERY EARNEST RADICAL. The Scaffild! [_Looks round nervously to see if a Policeman is within hearing._ A FAT LADY (_who has been ejaculating. "Oh, it is a shime, it is!" at every fresh instance of Royal expenditure_). Well, I must say that's _rather_ strong langwidge! ANOTHER ORATOR. Gentlemen, I regret to say that, on this monstrous fraud and attempted imposition known as "The Royal Grants Bill," Mr. Gladstone voted with the Government. [_Frantic applause._ ORATOR (_puzzled_). Yes, Gentlemen, I am here to state facts, and I am ashamed to say, that on this single occasion Mr. Gladstone--went wrong. [_Shouts of "No! No!"_ A FERVID GLADSTONIAN (_waving his umbrella_). Three cheers for Mr. Gladstone, what-_hever_ he does! [_The_ CROWD _join in heartily_; ORATOR _decides to drop the point, particularly as it does not seem to affect the Meeting's condemnation of the principle of the Bill_.