his private capacity he despised the taunts of
the last speaker too much to condescend to notice them. But as Chairman
of that meeting, and representing its dignity, he felt it his duty to
say that of all the offensive rapscallions whose ridiculous gabble was
ever permitted to contaminate the ears of gentlemen, MR. SHUNT was at
once the most audacious and the most contemptible. He had no desire to
be severe, but this statement was the mildest version in which he could
clothe the truth. He should now put the motion. (_Cries of "Yes, you'd
better!_" "_Down, down!" and more volleys of baked taturs._)

MR. FITZPISTON rose to protest. Not a word had been heard of the report,
and yet they were to be asked to adopt it. (_Loud applause._)

The CHAIRMAN: And whose fault's that? If the meeting had not made such
an unbusinesslike row, they would have heard it all.

A SHAREHOLDER: It was a dodge of the Secretary's, who read low in order
not to be heard.

The SECRETARY (_in a dreadful rage_): If I read low I hit high. Will the
honourable shareholder come round here and try?

The SHAREHOLDER: No, you are our menial servant, and it's your duty to
wait on your masters. (_Vollies of applause and taturs._)

The Secretary was here restrained, with some difficulty, by the
Chairman, from taking off his coat and chastising the meeting. During
the discussion, quarrelling was going on in all parts of the room. At
length, the Secretary being appeased into only caricaturing his enemies,
upon his blotting paper, instead of beating them, the Chairman again
rose, and put the motion.

MR. SHUNT leaped upon the table, and, taking a sight at the Chair, moved
as an amendment, that the report be pitched out of window, and the
Directors after it. (_Applause._)

A DIRECTOR (_terrified_): Police!

At this word the fury of the meeting became terrific. _Cries of "That's
the way shareholders are bullied!" "No crushers here!"_ and other
indignant expressions broke forth; and for three-quarters of an hour,
though various speakers tried to be heard, nothing resulted but
gesticulation. At last the meeting, being hoarse, permitted a few words
from the CHAIRMAN, who explained that this question had been already
discussed forty-two times, and each time with similar excitement. In the
meantime another company was pushing on the same scheme, and would, by
reason of the delay, take the wind out of their sails. (_Cries of "All
your fault!" "Swindling the share