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However； let him now address the Monster Meeting。
Chapter XXVII。
Divide Et Impera。
（Letter continued；）
〃Mr。 Black explained the results of his mission by stating； that the Deputation was received by the Governor with much courtesy and urbanity； and that personally his Excellency had no objection to grant the public prayer。 He further stated； that so far as he had an opportunity of judging of the Governor's disposition； his Excellency was in favour of the people； but that he was so surrounded by injudicious advisers； as to leave him entirely impotent in state matters。 The great objection his Excellency seemed to entertain against the Deputation's claim； was what is termed want of courtesy in wordingfor it must be understood that the Committee sent； not to petition and pray； but demand the release of the state prisoners； and the word demand was said to operate more against the Deputation than the very object of their mission。 Upon hearing all these reasons； it was proposed to adopt the form of a memorial； and petition the Governor； but this proposition was furiously scouted； on the ground that it did not comport with the dignity of the League； first to demand and afterwards to pray。
〃Kennedy； along with the music of his rubbing the nails of the right hand against those of the left； blathered away in a masterly style for the benefit of the League。
〃It was evident that there was a 'split' among the three Delegates； yet Mr。 Humffray； who had been received by His Excellency； in an interview as a private digger； found favour among the assembly。 J。 B。 Humffray plainly explained； and calmly made us understand； that Sir Charles was with us； and was determined to put an end to our grievances； and that he had appointed to this effect； a Commission of Inquiry； of popular men well known to us； and His Excellency had made up his mind to 'act accordingly。' The feverish excitement was subdued； and three hearty cheers were given for the New Chum Governor； amid the discharging of several guns and pistols。〃
I must here interrupt the meeting； drop the letter； and hereby assert：…
lst。 Peter Lalor and myself； had never addressed any of the meetings； before this monster one。
2nd。 Having made up my mind to return to Rome； the following Christmas； in accordance with my brother's desire； I had to attend to my work； hence； I had never taken any part in the agitation and to my knowledge； Peter Lalor neither。
3rd。 I never was present at the Star Hotel and therefore； personally I know nothing of the boisterous Committee of the vaunting Reform League held there。
Corolarium。I am not dead yet！
Chapter XXVIII。
L'Union Fait La Force。
We had better proceed with the meeting first； and with the letter afterwards。
Peter Lalor proposed the following resolution：…
〃That a meeting of the members of the Reform League be called at the Adelphi Theatre； on next Sunday； at 2 o'clock； to elect a Central Committee； and that each forty members have the power to elect one member for the Central Committee。〃
Being an old acquaintance of Peter； I supported the above resolution。 He gave me his hand and pulled me up on the platform； from among the multitude。 The whole of that Wednesday morning； my tent on the Eureka had been a regular Babel。 Foreigners from all quarters of the globe and of the diggings； came to inquire from me what was the matter concerning so much excitement as then prevailed on Ballaarat。 I translated for them the news from our 'Ballaarat Times'； or from The 'Geelong Advertiser's' clever correspondent。 Thus； and thus alone； I became honourably their delegate； and subsequently interpreter to Lalor； the Commander…in…Chief； and I hereby express the hope that in time； Peter Lalor； though mutilated； may find at Toorak； a little more credit for his testimony than did that infernal spy； Goodenough。 Anyhow； for the present； 'Le Pere Duprat'； a well…known old hand； and respected French miner on Ballaarat； who was with me within the Eureka Stockade； and whose proposed plan for the defence； I interpreted to Lalor； is a living witness to the above。 We must； however； attend to our Monster Meeting。
Chapter XXIX。
Heu Mihi！ Sermo Meus； Veritas。
My friends had requested me to come forward at the meeting； and here is my speech according to notes I had previously taken in my tent。
Gold…laced Webster； I challenge contradiction。
I came from old Europe； 16；000 miles across two oceans； and I thought it a respectable distance from the hated Austrian rule。 Why； then； this monster meeting to…day； at the antipodes？ We wrote petitions； signed memorials； made remonstrances by dozens； no go： we are compelled to demand； and must prepare for the consequences。
The old style： oppressors and oppressed。 A sad reflection； very sad reflection； for any educated and honest man。
For what did we come into this colony？ 'Chi sta bene non si move；' is an old Roman proverb。 If then in old Europe； we had a bird in hand； what silly fools we were to venture across two oceans； and try to catch two jackasses in the bush of Australia！
I had a dream； a happy dream； I dreamed that we had met here together to render thanks unto our Father in heaven for a plentiful harvest； such that for the first time in this； our adopted land； we had our own food for the year； and so each of us holding in our hands a tumbler of Victorian wine； you called on me for a song。 My harp was tuned and in good order： cheerfully struck up；
'Oh； let us be happy together。'
Not so； Britons； not so！ We must meet as in old Europeold styleimproved by far in the southfor the redress of grievances inflicted on us； not by crowned heads； but blockheads； aristocratical incapables； who never did a day's work in their life。 I hate the oppressor； let him wear a red； blue； white； or black coat。And here certainly； I tackled in right earnest with our silver and gold lace on Ballaarat； and called on all my fellow…diggers； irrespective of nationality； religion； and colour； to salute the 'Southern Cross' as the refuge of all the oppressed from all countries on earth。The applause was universal； and accordingly I received my full reward：
Prison and Chains！ Old style。
Chapter XXX。
The Reform League； Grappling With The Right 'Stars'。
Monster Meeting continued：
Proposed and seconded by blather reformers； of course； Vern had his go：
〃That this meeting being convinced that the obnoxious licence…fee is an imposition and an unjustifiable tax on free labour； pledges itself to take immediate steps to abolish the same by at once burning all their licences； that in the event of any party being arrested for having no licence； that the united people will； under all circumstances； defend and protect them。〃
〃That this meeting will not feel bound to protect any man after the 15th of December who shall not be a member of the Reform League by that day。〃
The Rev。 Mr。 Downing proposed as an amendment； that the licences should not be burned。 Although the rev。 gentleman was heard with patience and respect； a sullen excitement pervaded the whole assemblage while he spoke。 Those even of his most devoted follo