Pickwick Abroad: A Companion to the Pickwick Papers — page 199: what you’re looking at

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

‘PICKWICK ABROAD. » 183 a pin from his shirt frill, the noise was a as distinctly as a clap of thun- “In the first. place,” continued Mr. Pick- wick, “‘ the wine is most excellent—the water, I confess, is not so good; but as I invariably took the precaution of mixing it e* ith brandy, I have not suffered from that Misovenience There is only one thing which I have not seen, and I regret the oversight. I have visited the Chamber of Deputies, but never the Chamber of Peers, during the sitting.” * § Indeed !” exclaimed M. Dumont; “ then you have really lost a grand spectacle. J remember when the ministers of Charles the Tenth were tried in 1830, I was on duty in the Chamber on one of the days during which that memorable trial Jasted. Never shall I forget the sight! ‘The calm de- meanor of those, who, if they had acted wrong, had perhaps behaved conscien- tiously, awoke feelings of the most pro- found respect and awe in the minds of all present. It wasa grand struggle between the sons of Freedom and the advocates or conservative tyranny; and as all Europe was interested in the fight, so was every old “Mr. Weller, with a most mysterious shake of the head; “I hope you'll never do sich a thing, or else I vouldn’t call you von o’ the Vellers.” | “Vell, I can’t stand idlin’ avay my time here, cos there’s the preparations for two wery grand and fashionable dinners to see about. Guvwner gives his last spread _to- day too; but he ‘don’t dine till six. Fust gem, fust served, as the hangman says.” “How .d’ye go to-morrow, Sammy ” asked the old coachman. ~ Post chay an’ five to Calais,’ was the answer; “steam to Dover, and ‘post-chays home.” | Pag oo 225 In the meantime Mr. Pickwick issued his invitations : and—passing over the fashion- able repast which took place at one pre- cisely in the kitechen—we shall introduce our keaders to that which was done justice, to in the parlor, There (in the parlor afore- said) around a table covered with the lux- uries of the season, and with those that had been robbed from other seasons to which they were peculiar, sate Mr. Pickwick in an arm-chair and an excellent humor. Op- posite to ee was Mr. Tupman, in the vice- president’s seat and.a new suit of black. On the right of the. president, were Mr.| nation pleased with the moderation of the Snodgras Dumont, Mr, Chitty, and Mr} result, successful as it was for the new dy- Weestorth Miu ey Pirid on his’ left welt sty.” 5 . Mr. Hook Walker, Mr, Winkle, and Mr.|— “ M. Dumont’s good health,” cried Mr. Scuttle. Cooper has written a novel called Pickwick, and the toast was drank with > a “The Last of the Mohicans.”—Scott has | enthusiasm. left us a poem of the “ Last Minstrel,,—we | “A friend of mine once made a famous 4 have also “The Last Man,’—and a news- | speech in favor of himself,’ observed Mr. paper has given us a report of “The Last | Wegsworth Muffley, “ He had been con- , of the Charlies,’"—and two great men have | demned to a certain punishment Z un- favored us with a description of the.“ Last | justly, and he harangued the multitude for of the Pickwick Dinners in Paris!” To Mr, | upwards of two hours from the place where Wegsworth Muffley, and Mr. Septimys | he was confined.” — + Chitty, is the world indebted for this eluci-| “And from whence did he speak?” in- dation of that important event which would | quired Mr, Pickwick : “from the Tower?” © otherwise have mained, like a sealed “ No—from the stocks,” was the repl book, unknown to posterity. The prose of | “ Cepit facile—he took it easy, then,” the one, and the poetry of the other, have | said Mr. Septimus Chitty. immortalized this dinner, and history may| “ Very,” returned Mr. Wegsworth Muf- record it amongst the other achievements | fley. _“ But there was another gentleman _ of great men, — of my acquaintance, whom we used to call “J cannot admit that I leave Paris with- | the Peripatetic Philosopher, because he out many—many regrets,” observed Mr.| harangued his comrades while they were Pickwick, in the course of this memorable | all taking the most violent exercise imagi- entertainment : ‘I confess that there are | nable.” many ties which eonne fest and my affec-|. “Indeed!” said Mr. Pickwick: “in the tious to Paris. In the first place—” fields, I presume.” The most profound. silence at this} “No,” rejoined Mr. Muffley. moment, reigned throughout the room;} “ Where then?” asked Mr. Pickwick. ’ and Mr. Scuttle having accidentally iet fall! “At the tread. mill,” was the reply. he 13 | . ¢ ‘es COMICooOoksS. CO