 temperance song (whirlwinds of
cheers). The neatness of the young man's attire, the dexterity of his
feathering, the enviable state of mind which enabled him in the beautiful words
of the poet, to
 
»Row along, thinking of nothing at all,«
 
all combined to prove that he must have been a water-drinker (cheers). Oh, what
a state of virtuous jollity! (rapturous cheering.) And what was the young man's
reward? Let all young men present mark this:
 
»The maidens all flock'd to his boat so readily.«
 
(Loud cheers, in which the ladies joined.) What a bright example! The
sisterhood, the maidens, flocking round the young waterman, and urging him along
the stream of duty and of temperance. But, was it the maidens of humble life
only, who soothed, consoled, and supported him? No!
 
»He was always first oars with the fine city ladies.«
 
(Immense cheering.) The soft sex to a man - he begged pardon, to a female -
rallied round the young waterman, and turned with disgust from the drinker of
spirits (cheers). The Brick Lane Branch brothers were watermen (cheers and
laughter). That room was their boat; that audience were the maidens; and he (Mr.
Anthony Humm), however unworthily, was first oars (unbounded applause).
    »Wot does he mean by the soft sex, Sammy?« inquired Mr. Weller, in a
whisper.
    »The womin,« said Sam, in the same tone.
    »He ain't far out there, Sammy,« replied Mr. Weller; »they must be a soft
sex, - a wery soft sex, indeed - if they let themselves be gammoned by such
fellers as him.«
    Any further observations from the indignant old gentleman were cut short by
the announcement of the song, which Mr. Anthony Humm gave out, two lines at a
time, for the information of such of his hearers as were unacquainted with the
legend. While it was being sung, the little man with the drab shorts
disappeared; he returned immediately on its conclusion, and whispered Mr.
Anthony Humm, with a face of the deepest importance.
    »My friends,« said Mr. Humm, holding up his hand in a deprecatory manner, to
bespeak the silence of such of the stout old ladies as were yet a line or two
behind; »my friends, a delegate from the Dorking branch of our society, Brother
Stiggins, attends below.«
    Out
