Pickwick Abroad: or, The Tour in France — page 51: what you’re looking at

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

22 Pickwick Abroad. character of that truly great man, for some time objected; but Mr. Adolphus Crashem persisted in his determination that Mr. Pickwick should preside, and as president should order what he chose; so the matter was not argued any farther—and Mr. Crashem’s proposition was unanimously agreed to. ‘“‘ Wonderful fellow that Mr. Pickwick !” said Mr. Adophus Crashem to Mr. Winkle, in a whisper evidently intended to be heard by the great man himself. “ How admirably he serves the soup!—a regular trump, eh ?” | ‘“‘ Excellent!” exclaimed Mr. Winkle, totally ignorant whether his Rew acquaintance alluded to Mr. Pickwick or the soup. “Tell him to order Bordeaux-Laffitte, my dear fellow,” added Mr. Crashem, in a low whisper this time, that was not intended to be heard. “’*Tis the best wine inthis hotel. I have not drank less than four bottles every day since I have been here; and, by the bye, there is a French count living in the hotel, who not only drinks it instead of water, but actually bathes in it every morning. Excellent bath—hot claret with spices !” . “Sol should suppose,” observed Mr. Winkle, who did not choose to appear ignorant of such matters, which Mr. Crashem seemed to regard as quite common-place. “The devil you would!” thought Mr. Crashem; and while this gentleman was occupied in that and similar satisfactory reflections, r. Winkle whispered to Mr, Tupman, and Mr. Tupman whispered to Mr. Pickwick, and Mr. Pickwick hinted something to the waiter; and the upshot of the whispering and the hinting was the disappear- ance of the waiter for a few minutes, and then his return with several bottles of the wine so especially recommended by Mr, Adolphus Crashem. ‘Fine girl, that chambermaid !” said Mr, Tracy Tupman, when he had imbibed a couple of glasses of the Laffitte with peculiar relish. « Excellent wine !” observed Mr. Pickwick; and in the absence of a moment, during which he vainly endeavoured to recollect its name, he poured out and drank three glasses of the inviting beverage. “ Why, this is just like claret !” exclaimed Mr. Winkle; “ I thought I couldn’t be deceived !” “‘ Devilish good stuff it is too,” remarked Mr. Crashem, who scorned the circumscribed scope of a wine-glass, and drank the Laffitte in a tumbler. ‘Now then, waiter—clear away the soup—and, with all due deference to the president, let us have a glass of the best cham- e.” re he waiter, through some idiosyncracy or another, did not appear to have that faith in Mr. Adolphus Crashem which could remove mountains; he accordingly cast a glance of respectful appeal to Mr. Pickwick, and perceiving assent in the expressive countenance of that gentleman, he resolved upon executing the order forthwith. “Waiter !” cned Mr. Crashem, in an authoritative tone of voice, as that functionary was about to leave the room. ‘¢ Well, Sir,” said the waiter, somewhat discontentedly. ‘* Let it be Moett’s—Moett’s best, do you hear, waiter ?” added Mr. Adolphus Crashem, contracting his brows, and striking the table COL A) NOOO KS (c@