Page:Manners and customs of ye Englyshe.djvu/85



OMES to take me to the great Railway Meeting at the London Tavern; and we up the Back Stairs to the Platform among the Directors, and glad of ſo good a Place; but fearing to be taken for one of my Company, did get behind a fat Man to hide myſelf. The Shareholders below met to hear their Affairs debated, and what a Collection of wry and doleful faces! Methought the poor anxious Parſons and eager Half-pay Officers among them was a pitiful Sight. Looked hard about for the Railway King, but did ſay in my Ear he was not likely to ſhow his Face. The Secretary reading Bills to be brought into the Parliament to join other Railways with this, and all the while interrupted by the Shareholders with Noiſe and Outcries; but at laſt got through. Then the Chairman did propoſe that the Bills be approved of; but an Amendment moved with much Clapping of Hands that the Meeting do adjourn for one Month to examine the Company's Accounts; which they do ſay have been cooked. Upon this a long Speech from a Director, denying that it was ſo, and One made anſwer to him in a bouncing, ranting Harangue; but to hear how the Shareholders did ſhout and cheer whenever he accuſed the Board of a Piece of Roguery! He complained that Proxy Papers had been ſent out by ſome for Votes, whereby to gain their own Ends at £900