CHAPTER XX[ToC]
THE UNCONVENTIONAL
Within a week it was necessary to appoint a commission to formulate an elaborate code of laws regulating various nuisances which had developed in the community.
A kitchen-boy insisted on playing a cornet in his room. He didn't know a musical from a promissory note but he swore he'd become a musician before he died. His efforts came near proving fatal to his neighbours before he was suppressed.
Several women had pet parrots. The people who lived near by strenuously objected. The parrots had to go.
A sailor had brought a monkey whose manners were not appreciated by any one except his master. The monkey had to go. Cats were arraigned for trial and a fierce battle raged over the question of allowing them in the building. The question was finally put to the popular vote in the assembly and the cats won by a good majority. But strict laws regulating the kind of cats, their number, and their care, were put into force.
Dogs won by a large majority when they were finally put on trial.
The commission on nuisances had finally to make a code of laws regulating table manners and the conduct of all social gatherings.
The one question which all but precipitated a civil war was the problem of dress. Inequality of wages meant, of necessity, inequality of dress.