the Park gathering at sixteen platforms, were substantially
agreed.

_Socrates._ Humph! Over forty-six thousand to each platform. That's
a far greater number than even _I_ ever addressed. How did you count
them, or ascertain their views?

_Thrasymachus-Shiptonides_ (_flustered_). Well, I've had twenty years'
experience of mob-mustering, and I think I _ought_ to know.

_Polemarchus-Steadmanides._ But will you, SOCRATES, give us your
opinions of the opinion of these three-quarters of a million.

_Socrates_ (_laughing_). By Hercules! that were a task more tremendous
than all his Labours.

_Cephalus-Pearsonides_ (_aside_). By Vulcan, this is his wonted irony.
He never inclines to answer a question forthrightly, but to use irony,
or evasion, or what the Hibernians call "shenanigan," rather than
answer, if anyone asks him anything.

_Thrasymachus-Shiptonides_ (_aside, hastily_). Yes, yes! But you must
not tell him that, here and now!

_Socrates_ (_blandly_). Friends, as you suggest that the proceedings
should be of a conversational or dialectical nature, a plan which
falleth in with my views also, I will, if you please, catechise you
categorically, so as to get further into the interior of the question,
and of your--ahem!--minds.

_Of this catechising, the reporter gives the following condensed
summary._

Do you suggest that I should turn my back on myself? _No, that would
be rude._ Or give myself away? _Nay, that were--unthrifty._ Can two
solid things occupy the same space at the same time? _By Zeus, no!_
Home-Rule--a _very_ solid thing--fully occupies my mind--for the
present. When a Gladstone-bag is _full_, can you put more into it?
_By Mercury, no! But could you not reconsider the packing!_ Not if the
contents consist of _one_ article only. You would like me to pack it
with your Eight Hours' Bill? _Prodigiously! Your strong personality,
would push forward even a worse thing._ How near are you to unanimity?
_As near as considerable difference of opinion will allow us to come._
Is an unascertained minority to coerce an unwilling majority? _Our
Council has not discussed that?_ Do you know the relative proportions
of majority and majority in organised and unorganised trades; how
their respective opinions are to be ascertained, and, if ascertained,
how legally enforced; if, and how, two millions and a half are to
commit eleven millions to certain binding laws, and involve them in
legal consequences? _No! Yes! Hard