Pickwick Abroad: A Companion to the Pickwick Papers — page 237: what you’re looking at

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

VANITY FATR. A NOVEL WITHOUT A HERO. CHAPTER I. CHISWICK MALL. WHILE the present century was in its teens, and on one sun-shiny morning in June, there drove up to the great iron gate of Miss Pinkerton’s academy for young ladies, on Chiswick Mall, a large family coach, with two fat horses in blazing har- ness, driven by a fat coachman in a three- cornered hat and wig, at the rate of four miles an hour. A black servant, who re- posed on the box beside the fat coachman, uncurled his bandy legs as soon as the equi- page drew up opposite Miss Pinkerton’s shining brass plate, and as he pulled the bell, at least a score of young heads were seen peering out of the narrow windows of the stately old brick house. Nay, the acute observer might have recognized the little red nose of good-natured Miss Jemima Pinkerton herself, rising over some geran- ium-pots in the window of that lady’s own drawing-room. ‘It is Mrs. Sedley’s coach, sister,” said Miss Jemima. ‘* Sambo, the black servant, has just rung the bell; and the coachman has a new red waistcoat.” ‘‘ Have you completed all the necessary preparations incident to Miss Sedley’s de- parture, Miss Jemima?” asked Miss Pink- erton herself, that majestic lady: the Sem- iramis of Hammersmith, the friend of Doc- tor Johnson, the correspondent of Mrs. Chapone herself. | «The girls were up at four this morn- ing, packing her trunks, sister,’ replied Miss Jemima; we have made her a bow- ot.”’ | : *¢ Say a bouquet, sister Jemima, ’tis more genteel.”’ ‘‘ Well, a booky as big almost as a hay- stack; I have put: up two bottles of the gilly-flower-water for Mrs. Sedley, and the receipt for making it, in Amelia’s box.”’ ‘‘And I trust, Miss Jemima, you have made a copy of Miss Sedley’s account. This is it, is it? Very good—ninety-three pounds, four shillings. Be kind enough to address it to John Sedley, Esquire, and to seal this billet which I have written to his lady.” In Miss Joemima’s eyes an autograph let- ter of her sister, Miss Pinkerton, was an object of as deep veneration, as would have been a letter froma sovereign. Only when her pupils quitted the establishment, or when they were about to be married, and once, when poor Miss Birch died of the scar- let fever, was Miss Pinkerton known to write personally to the parents of her pupils; and it was Jemima’s opinion that if any thing could console Mrs. Birch for her daughter’s loss, it would be that pious and eloquent composition in which Miss Pinkerton an- nounced the event. In the present instance Miss Pinkerton’s ‘ biliet’’ was to the following effect :— “The Mall, Chiswick, June 15, 18—. ‘* MADAM, ‘‘ After her six years’ residence at the Mall, I have the honor and happiness of presenting Miss Amelia Sedley to her par- ents, as a young lady not unworthy to oc- cupy a fitting position in their polished and refined circle. ‘Those virtues which char- acterize the young English gentlewoman,,. those accomplishments which become her birth and station, will not be found wanting in the amiable Miss Sedley, whose industry and obedience have endeared her to her in structors, and whose delightful sweetness of temper has charmed her aged and her youthful companions. ‘‘In music, in dancing, in orthography, in every variety of embroidery and needle- work, she will be found to have realized her friends’ fondest wishes. In geography there is still much to be desired; and a careful and undeviating use of the backboard, for four hours daily during the next three years,, is recommended as necessary to the ac- quirement of that dignified deportment and carriage, so requisite for every young lady of fashion. ‘In the principles of religion and moral-- ity, Miss Sedley will be found worthy of an establishment which has been honored by GO JOO MUUC <SriG@ am