e thing going. If the Capitalists will give
up their red-coats, I would be a moral force man to-morrow."

"And the new police," said Mick. "A pretty go when a fellow in a blue
coat fetches you the Devil's own con on your head and you get moral
force for a plaister."

"Why, that's all very well," said Chaffing Jack: "but I am against
violence--at least much. I don't object to a moderate riot provided it
is not in my quarter of the town."

"Well that's not the ticket now," said Mick. "We don't want no violence;
all we want is to stop all the mills and hands in the kingdom, and have
a regular national holiday for six weeks at least."

"I have seen a many things in my time," said Chaffing Jack solemnly,
"but I have always observed that if the people had worked generally for
half time for a week they would stand anything."

"That's a true bill," said Mick.

"Their spirit is broken," said Chaffing Jack, "or else they never would
have let the Temple have been shut up."

"And think of our Institute without a single subscriber!" said Mick.
"The gals is the only thing what has any spirit left. Julia told me just
now she would go to the cannon's mouth for the Five Points any summer
day."

"You think the spirit can't be raised, Chaffing Jack," said Devilsdust
very seriously. "You ought to be a judge."

"If I don't know Mowbray who does? Trust my word, the house won't draw."

"Then it is U-P," said Mick.

"Hush!" said Devilsdust. "But suppose it spreads?"

"It won't spread," said Chaffing Jack. "I've seen a deal of these
things. I fancy from what you say it's a cotton squall. It will pass,
Sir. Let me see the miners out and then I will talk to you."

"Stranger things than that have happened," said Devilsdust. "Then things
get serious," said Chaffing Jack. "Them miners is very stubborn, and
when they gets excited ayn't it a bear at play, that's all?"

"Well," said Devilsdust, "what you say is well worth attention; but all
the same I feel we are on the eve of a regular crisis."

"No, by jingo!" said Mick, and tossing his cap into the air he snapped
his fingers with delight at the anticipated amusement.

Book 6 Chapter 4

"I don't think I can stand this much longer," said Mr Mountchesney, the
son-in-law of Lord de Mowbray, to his wife, as he stood before the empty
fire-place with his back to the mantelpiece and his hands thrust into
the pockets of his coat. "This living in the country in August bores me
t