Pickwick Abroad: A Companion to the Pickwick Papers — page 234: what you’re looking at

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

, vi BEFORE THE CURTAIN. love-making for the sentimental, and some light comic business: the whole accompanied by appropriate scenery, and brilliantly illuminated with the Author’s own candles. What more has the manager of the Performance to say 1—To acknowl- edge the kindness with which it has been received in all the principal towns of England through which the Show has passed, and where it has been most favorably noticed by the respected conductors of the Public Press, and by the Nobility and Gentry. He is proud to think that his Puppets have given satisfaction to the very best company in this empire. The famous little Becky Puppet has been pronounced to be uncommonly flexible in the joints, and lively on the wire: the Amelia Doll, though it has had a smaller circle of admirers, has yet been carved and dressed with the greatest care by the artist: the Dobbin Figure, though apparently clumsy, yet dances in a very amusing and natural manners the Little Boys’ Dance has been liked by some; and please to remark the richly dressed figure of the Wicked Noble- man, on which no expense has been spared, and which Old Nick will fetch away at the end of this singular performance. And with this, and a profound bow to his patrons, the Manager retires, and the curtain rises. Lonpon, June, 1848. COMMICOOOKSsE@