Pickwick Abroad: A Companion to the Pickwick Papers — page 111: what you’re looking at

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

a # q ‘ . 3 p & 4 4 =e _ ‘ . PICKWICK ABROAD. , grass,” sheer the Countes Loveminski, just after théy had changed horses at a * small village: “ven de Count call u Count before dem people at de inn, Ws look so noble, and dey all bow wid re- spect.” as! “Your favorable opinige flattering,” said Mr. Sno salaam, at which the Count Boloski nodde approvingly, and tendered his friend a pinch of snuff from the box of his illustri- ousirelative. “It seems very,easy to be a lord,” added Mr. Snodgrass. Qi yes,” axcldimedi@ount Boloski; then, with great frankness, he began to detail the modern qualifications of aristocracy. “ You must take eare,” said. he, “ and be pace with the other lords of the day; and in order to do so, you must be exceedingly skilful in wrenching off knockers, thrashing police-officers, fighting hackney-coachmen, and getting bilis discounted. If you can seduce a man’s wife, you will be esteemed the very essence of gallantry—that is, an is exceedingly ‘Individual a little too fond of mtrigue ; and he ladies will say behind your back, ‘Oh ! the naughty man: he’s a charmiug crea- ture, however! You need not be afraid of committing any disturbance in the street . . . at night, because the police magistrates never punish you, if you be a lord, beyond a paltry fine of five shillings: they would not dare think of sending you to the tread- mill, such is the happy state of the aristoc- racy in England. You must moreover be deeply in debt, and have all the sheriff’s- officers in your pay—bespeak the benefits of the fashionable actresses—drive a coach every now and then on the Bath or Bright- on Road—attend the gambling-houses— get up prize-fights—nod to all the jockeys and blacklegs _town—and pass six weeks eyery noWe and then in the King’s ench.2 7! 2 « | bless me!” exclaimed Mr. Snod- who had listened to this tirade in it. astonishment ; “is that all ecessary to make a nobleman ?” Z 1t—and kmowing how to tie a cra- t, talk nonsense, play at billiards, and de- ‘spise every thing connected with the poor,” added Count Boloski. | “ And yet,” pursued Mr, Snodgrass, “if a o Mr. Sno — in the middle walks of life were to | steps, my on : e guilty of such performances, he would be for ever disgraced and shunned.” . grass, with a _ | little privileges I mentioned, what’s the use of their titles Pr te F “ Vot- indeed ?” repeated the beauteous Loveminski. “De poor mans is but de shuttle-cock which de aristocrat strike wid his bat at his pleasure.” o 4 “ Sweet illustration !” exclaimed the en- raptured Mr. Snodgrass, as he exchanged a tender glance with the Countess, which her cousin of course would not perceive. “That very aristocracy is the glory of the Enlish nation,’ observed Count Bolos- ki, after a momentary pause : “and I should like to know what would become of the splendor of the throne without such lovely ornaments.” | In such conversation as this the time was passed agreeably away, and every moment served to conyince Mr. Snodgrass that he might consider himself exceedingly happy in having formed the acquaintance of his fellow-travellers. A slight repast at Cler- mont put them all in a better humor still aud at a late hour in the evening they en- tered Paris by the faubourg St. Denis, the splendid apie of which attracted Mr. Snod. grass’s most particular attention. “You had better sleep at the hotel tc which we are going, to-night,” suggested the Count; “and tu-morrow morning you can join your friends.” Mr. Snodgrass reflected that, it was just probable that there might be no spare bed for him at Mr. Pickwick’s lodgings ; and he therefore accepted this proposition. “Which hotel are we to put up at— Meurice’s?” inquired Mr. Snodgra “No—hang Meurice’s,” cried thelount Boloski, who had evidently some deeply- rooted aversion to that splendid caravanse- rail. “Lawson's Bedford Hotel—to be sure; Rue St. Honoré 8238. Ihave alread ordered the postillion to drive there.” In due time the carriage entered the yar of Mr. Lawson’s extensive establishment ; and the landlord himself, together with his wife, Mr. Lane, (the commissioner,) and a dozen waiters, chambermaids, “ boots,” por- ters, dic., rushed out to welcome the per. eller od “ Now, the cried the re voice, ' Count Boloski—now, then,” rass ; “take care of the 1ere—now you have 1t— my lord ;” and in a low whis- : 9 . r that’s rig per, as Mr, Snodgrass descended from the “That's the very thing,” returned Count | chaise, he added—“Keep up your title for Boloski; “for if . », % e aristocracy hadn’t the | the fun of the thing.” EO LOO) nobleman, at the top of his . SS (C©)