Meaning: The quote you provided is from Henry Mayhew, a 19th-century English journalist, social researcher, and playwright. The quote is taken from his work, "London Labour and the London Poor," which was first published in 1851. In this quote, Mayhew is describing an experience where he was taken to a tavern in the evening where weavers who advocated the principles of the People's Charter would gather.

The People's Charter, also known as the People's Charter of 1838, was a political reform document that outlined six demands for democratic reform in the United Kingdom. These demands included universal suffrage for men, equal-sized electoral districts, voting by secret ballot, an end to the requirement for property qualifications for Members of Parliament, payment for Members of Parliament, and annual general elections. The Charter was a key document in the Chartist movement, which sought to extend suffrage to working-class men and address other political and social issues.

Mayhew's reference to the weavers advocating the principles of the People's Charter reflects the social and political climate of the time. The mid-19th century was a period of significant social and economic change in the United Kingdom, with industrialization leading to the growth of urban centers and the emergence of a working-class population. The Chartist movement was a response to the lack of political representation for the working class and the widespread social and economic inequalities of the time.

The tavern mentioned in the quote served as a gathering place for weavers who were actively involved in advocating for the principles of the People's Charter. These gatherings would have provided a space for political discussion, organizing, and solidarity among individuals who shared similar political beliefs and concerns. The tavern likely served as a hub for the exchange of ideas, strategies for political action, and a source of support for those involved in the Chartist movement.

Mayhew's mention of being conducted to the tavern suggests that he was taken there by someone familiar with the activities of the weavers and their involvement in advocating for the principles of the People's Charter. As a journalist and social researcher, Mayhew would have been interested in understanding the perspectives and experiences of the working class, especially those involved in political and social movements such as Chartism.

In "London Labour and the London Poor," Mayhew sought to document the lives and experiences of the urban poor in London, shedding light on the working and living conditions, as well as the social and political activities of various groups within the city. His work provided valuable insight into the realities of urban poverty and the efforts of marginalized communities to advocate for social and political change.

Overall, the quote captures a moment in which Henry Mayhew was introduced to a gathering place for weavers who were actively engaged in advocating for the principles of the People's Charter. This glimpse into the social and political activities of the working class during the 19th century provides valuable historical context and underscores the significance of movements like Chartism in the fight for political representation and social justice.