Pickwick Abroad: or, The Tour in France — page 323: what you’re looking at

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

264 Pickwick Abroad. — heels with the determination of outstripping his competitors; and Mr. Samuel Weller bestowed additional interest upon the whole scene by throwing his hat up in the air a plurality of times, and catching it dex- terously in one hand, while the aforesaid air was rent with the clamorous “‘ Hurrahs!” he emitted from his capacious throat. ‘“ May I never again aspire to the favours of the fair sex, if I am not perfectly out of breath with astonishment!” exclaimed Mr. Siffkin, when the whole party was again concentrated in one spot. ‘“ Self- preservation is a part of every sensible man's system,” said Mr. Hook Walker. ‘‘T’m sure I didn’t know what J was running for,” observed Mr. Winkle, with considerable emphasis on the pronoun. r ‘‘ And I only ran because I saw Pickwick do so,” exclaimed Mr. upman. What were the stakes? Who won?” enquired Mr. Scuttle. ‘It was merely a practical illustration of a self-evident propos- tion!’ cried the charming Mrs. Weston with a sweet smile. ‘¢Really—lI was so overcome—a sudden panic,” said Mr. Pickwick, somewhat confused: “but after all, man built stiles to protect himself against savage cattle, and is therefore lord of the creation.” ‘¢ An’ alvays vill be so, Sir,’”’ observed Mr. Weller, ‘‘ till cattle butids stiles to keep him out. Ve ain’t got no hides, an’ ve ain’t got no tails; and tho’ some on us does now and then vear horns, ve’re still wery much removed from the rank of them brute-beastesses vot lives u :’——and having delivered himself of this eloquent oration, Mr. eller bestowed a perfect museum of winks nods upon the astonished Mr. Nassau 8iffkin, who requested a certain dark gentle- man below to fetch him away if Sam Weller were not a most extraordi- nary fellow. Mr. Weller expressed his regret that he could not return the compliment; and order being now once more established in the vanks, Messieurs Scuttle and Walker resumed the command of the squadron, which passed rapidly onward in the direction-of the church. CHAPTER XXXII. THE ELECTION.— THE CONVENIENCE OF SEATS IN AN ARBOUR, AND OF AN ARBOUR IN A GARDEN.-=—A SONG.-—-AN ACCIDENT WHICH LEADS TO A SERIES OF UNPARALLELED ADVENTURES. Tux village church of Suréne was thronged with gaily dressed people of every rank and condition. On ane side nigh be seen the high- born ladies from Pans, whom gorgeous equipages had set down at the door of the sacred edifice; on the other the quiet and unassuming trades-people, who had performed the short journey from the metro- lis in a euekoo (a species of curiously contrived s van). ere was the gay young man about town, with his mistress : the wealthy banker from the Chaussée d’ Antin with his wife. Many a young heart was there ing with anxious hope and expectation. e young girls each fancied that haply the election might terminate in favour of herself; and the young men wished for honour of COL (O) SOKO |KS,EO