The Project Gutenberg EBook of Punch, Or The London Charivari, Vol. 100,
June 27, 1891, by Various

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Title: Punch, Or The London Charivari, Vol. 100, June 27, 1891

Author: Various

Release Date: September 10, 2004 [EBook #13421]

Language: English

Character set encoding: ASCII

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PUNCH,

OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI.

VOL. 100.

June 27, 1891.

A WAIL FROM THE TUB.

A REMINISCENCE OF SUNDAY, THE 14TH OF JUNE.

SCENE.--_Hyde Park. Demonstration in progress, with the not
unreasonable object of inducing Parliament to extend the
Factory Acts to small and insanitary laundries. A lengthy
procession, composed of sympathetic Railway Workers, Cabmen,
Journeymen Tailors, Gas Stokers, House-Decorators, Carpenters,
&c., &c., alt with resplendent banners and hired bands, has
marched into the Park, together with some lorries and drags
containing deputations of ladies from the laundry in the
highest possible spirits. Once arrived, each platform chiefly
concerns itself with the grievances of its own particular
supporters, while a crowd of sightseers circulates, enjoying
the oratory with a desultory impartiality. The usual
silhouettes of gesticulating speakers appear like jerky
clockwork figures above the throng. A crowd of Socialists
are "remembering Chicago" in a corner. The chief centre of
attraction is a drag occupied by a Philanthropic Young-lady
Chairwoman, her chaperon, some leading laundresses, one or two
male sympathisers, and a couple of reporters. The_ Chairwoman
_conducts the proceedings with the greatest possible tact
and grace, but is slightly hampered by the levity of a crowd
composed of factory-girls, semi-imbecile larrikins, and
professional laundresses, whose burning anxiety for reform
masks itself under a surface frivolity. In the neighbourhood
is a lorry decorated with clean shirts, and occupied by young
washerwomen fired by an enthusiasm which manifests itself in
bursts of shrill cheerin