IDLEHURST : 



Medoc a trifle mechanically at each new call. The 

 health of the Secretary is proposed by Brother 

 Newnham in terms resembling the following, which 

 may be taken as typical of Saxon oratory: "Mr. 

 Cheerman, gin'lmen, and brothers ! I've got to pro- 

 pose our worthy Secketary, Brother Backshall." (Ear- 

 rear ) " Well ! You all knows as I ain't much of a 

 spokesman ; but I've been a member of this Court 

 now for five an' twenty years, an' I 'ope as how I 

 alias shall be." (Ear-rear, thumping of glasses on 

 the table, and a voice " Good old Joe ! " followed by 

 roars of laughter.) " What I say is, as how Brother 

 Backshall is the right man for the place." (Cheers and 

 rising conversation, a decidedly drunk Brother hold- 

 ing forth in a sleepy drone to nobody in particular.) 

 " Look 'ere ! If Brother Boorne wants to open 'is 

 mouth, there's plenty o' room outside ! " (Roars of 

 laughter.) " What I say is, give me a Man ! " (A 

 sudden silence, produced by this remarkable senti- 

 ment. Several members at the bottom of the room 

 file out noisily, after a disagreement with the land- 

 lord about beer.) " Well, Brothers all, and worthy 

 Cheerman, I think that's about all I've got to say; 

 and here's to our worthy Secketary ! " 



In replying, the Secretary produces his balance- 

 sheet, and reads a longish statement of the Society's 



