PERHAPS a knighthood and ostrich feathers might have induced a little more decorum among the small band of demonstrators lying in wait for the Governor at the entrance to the Legislative Council. Nothing like a ceremonial sword to instil a little respect in the natives.
Plain Chris Patten had to run the gauntlet like the legislative councillors he had come to address.
''Elsie, say 'yes' to democracy,'' they had shouted to his venerable sparring partner as she made her way in a few minutes earlier.
''Say yes to democracy,'' they shouted to the Governor, as he stepped from the official car and unsmilingly doled out a few perfunctory waves before slipping past the police cordon.
''They'' were the sober contingent from Full Democracy in 1995. Sing Wai-bong, sole representative of the Liberal Party of China (yes, there is such a thing) had a few more colourful slogans in his quiver.
''Lapsap, lapsap, Chim Pui-chung,'' was one. ''Mr Patten, are you a human or an animal?'' was another.
