I saw that my advent did not pass unobserved on the platform, where a party of patriots sat in a row, like the Christy Minstrels, showing the soles of their boots to all whom it might concern.

In this case a working cobbler would have been deeply interested, as in a vast field of labour.

The Vicomte slipped a few yards away from me, and the shoulders of his fellow-countrymen obscured him.

I could find no such retreat, for your true Socialist never has much to recommend him to the notice of society, being usually a poor, mean man to look at, who seeks to add a cubit to his stature by encouraging the growth of his hair.
One such stood on the platform, mouthing the bloodthirsty periods of his creed.

He caught sight of me.
"Ah!" he cried, "here is a new disciple.