Pickwick Abroad: A Companion to the Pickwick Papers — page 107: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

> a2 PICKWICK ABROAD. unfortunate | a ae the defeat-| For some reason or another, Mr. Snodgrass » ¢ 95 ed Poles to emigrate to South America ¢ | did not at this moment avow that he was We should have formed a Republic; and as specie would have been somewhat scarce amongst us, I should have adopted a scale like this for the remuneration of the officers of the commonwealth.” — Count Boloski drew a paper from his pocket ; and, as it was still just light enough for him to read, he edified Mr. Snodgrass with the ensuing rates of salaries: “His Excellency the Governor (per an- num) 1000 deer-skins; 7 sf “ His Honor the Chief Justice, 500 ditto ; “The Attorney-General, 450 ditto ; “The Governor's Secretary, 500 racoon skins; > ' i, » “The State, Treasurer, 450 otter skins: “Each County Clerk, 300 beaver skins; “Members of Assembly (per day) 3 racoon skins ; | “Justice’s fee for signing a warrant, | -musk-rat skin ; | : “To the Constable for serving a warrant,, ink skin; _ “ And fees in the same proportion,” added Lord Boloski, once more consigning the paper (on which it at first struck Mr. Snod- grass that there was nothing written) to his pocket. ¥ “And why was such an admirable scheme never put into execution, my lord?” de- manded Mr. Snodgrass. 3 “The jealousy of the southern republics of America*would have rendered the thing impracticable,’ explained Count Boloski, “But, by the bye, I have got myself into a little scrape, when I think of it,” cried his lordship, after an instant’s pause. . — . tidecd-t hope not,” said Mr. Snodgrass. “You have not forgotten your pistols ?” “Oh! they’re as right as a trivet,” returned the Polish nobleman. “But the fact is, that [ promised to take up a cousin of mine—a devilish handsome girl—who is staying with a French Marchioness at Montreuil. She was to be at the hotel where the dili- gence stops, and was to proceed with me to Paris. How shall we manage? I really quite forgot her.” “This chaise might hold four people,” suggested Mr. Snodgrass, timidly. “So it could,” said the Count; “I never thought of that. On the whole we shall be very comfortable together. The Countess ‘Loveminski ’s a very fine girl. She is a} widow—with a large fortune, and has no one to control her.” that the the other. the reply. Tord Bolos opposite to him, had married. His note-bo perfect astate as those of his three great friends, the editor of these. memoranda can- not elucidate the causes of this extraordinary circumstance. It is therefore fair to suppose that the Count Boloski fancied him to he a single young man. It was about tw vertently upon his own. astened to withdraw his, fearing he might irritate the high-born widow; but, to his great astonishment, her foot followed his; : e er. n prepared a “And the Baron ¢” said the Count. “Very well,” was the an “The Prince—you know who—hasn’t sent to inquire after me again,” continued ki, “has he ?” “No: but the old dowager Marchioness says she will leave you out of her Will, if you don’t call on her,” answered the Countess Loveminksi; and at this moment it struck Mr. Snodgrass that the young lady, who sat placed her foot inad- ays i not being in so , : elve o'clock at night when the post-chaise stopped at Montreuil; and on inquiry, Count Boloski ascertained Countess Loveminski had been waiting for him upwards of three d Mr. Snodgrass was introduced to her lady- ship in due form; and the meeting betwee her and her cousin was affecting in the extreme. A long embrace and many kisses demonstrated the friendship which can exist in aristocratic as well as in vulgar minds; and indeed the smack which the Countess Loveminski gave the Count Bo- loski was so loud, that Mr. Snodgrass felt a tear of tender sympathy trickle poetically down his countenance. .. “This is my intimate and most particular friend, Snodgrass,” said Count Boloski. © “Me vary happy to make de acquaintance of Monsieur Suowgrass,” returned the young lady, with a very bewitching smile, which revealed a set of such pearly teeth, and did such justice to two ruby lips, that thesheart of Mr. Snodgrass began t A slight refection was partaken of; and at the expiration of ha an hour the three travellers were agreeably ensconced in the chaise, the Count and his cousin occupying one seat, and Mr. Snodgrass alpitate audibly. n if “Have you seen the Duke lately ?” de- manded the Count. “No—the Marquis called last week,” was e accordingly (CO) mn LOO SS) (CO) =