Pickwick Abroad: or, The Tour in France — page 317: what you’re looking at

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

260 Pickwick Abroad. ‘¢Sam.” cried Mr. Pickwick, in an authoritative tone of voice; “let Mr. Chitty get into the vehicle immediately. I wish to enjoy Mr. Chitty’s conversation during the ride.” ‘‘ Vell, it is agreeable to go in good company, as the boy remarked ven his mas’er said he’d send him off vith a flea in his ear,” eluci- dated Mr. Weller. ‘‘ Silence, Sam,” ejaculated Mr. Pickwick. ‘‘ Now, then—there’s plenty of room for five inside. Chitty, are you comfortable?” “ Omnis rectus—all right,” returned that gentleman; “so, scinde via—cut away, a8 soon as you like.” ‘‘ Satisfied with this pleasing intelligence, Mr. Pickwick took his seat in the vehicle, Mr. Weller closed the door with a somewhat un- necessary degree of violence, and in the course of a few moments the horses were prevailed upon to put the equipage in motion. ‘In which direction are we going?’ enquired Mr. Tupman, after a short pause, during which the coachman had urged one of his steeds into a canter, and the other into a trot. ‘‘ Along the southern bank of the Seine, presently, answered Mr. Walker; ‘“‘and so onto the village of Suréne. It is a part of my system to visit the coronation of the Rosiere at that place every year.” ‘ And, pray, what is the object of the institution ?” demanded Mr. Pickwick. ‘¢ The most virtuous and circumspect girl of the community,” re- lied Mr. Hook Walker, “is elected queen of the festival; and on er is the crown of roses bestowed, together with a donation of three hundred francs.” ‘“‘ How exceedingly interesting !”” observed Mr. Pickwick in the true spirit of philanthropy. ‘s And highly beneficial to the morals of the inhabitants of Suréne,” remarked Mr. Winkle. ‘‘] wonder whether the queen of the day is pretty, or not?’ said Mr. Tupman, — ‘‘ She is virtuous, Tupman—she is good,” cried Mr. Hook Walker; ‘¢ and that is better.” Tgis beautiful sentiment, coming, as it did, from such lips, and prompted by such a heart, did not fail to make a considerable im- pression upon Mr. Walker’s companions; and Mr. Chitty declared that he should envelop the idea in poetic guise the moment he re- turned home. In the meantime, while the carriage was rolling gently along the road which runs parallel, with the southern of the Seine, and while his masters and their friends were wiling away the time with rum punch and a highly mteresting conversation inside, Mr. Weller, perched upon the dickey, commenced a not less amusing dialogue with the driver outside. ‘*T say, old feller,” began the faithful valet, ‘‘ them hosses o’ yourn is rum uns to look at; but I des say they’re right down devils to go.” ‘Dey de Boon Norman osses,” returned the coachman, highly in- dignant at the ironical tone in which he was addressed. ‘Dey beat all your Inghs fine-lookin’, never-workin’, always-eatm’ animals, par- OM ‘* Not unlikely,” continued Sam in the same jeering tone; ‘“ but Gomi q) 1 SOKO |KS,EO