'He was always first oars with the fine city ladies.
(Immense cheering.) The soft sex to a man—he begged pardon, to a female—rallied round the young waterman, and turned with disgust from the drinker of spirits (cheers). The Brick Lane Branch brothers were watermen (cheers and laughter). That room was their boat; that audience were the maidens; and he (Mr.Anthony Humm), however unworthily, was 'first oars'(unbounded applause).