Pickwick Abroad: or, The Tour in France — page 394: what you’re looking at

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

Pickwick Abroad. Sor Duels are of very frequent occurrence in this liberal community. Their causes are, for the most part, accusations of cheating at cards, the seduction of an imdividual’s mistress or daughter, the trifling offence which one gentleman commits when he tells another, in unvarnished — language, that he has uttered an untruth, or in some such every day occurrences, which speak so well and so much for the civilization and progressive improvement of the age we hve in. The pnncipal amusements of the gentlemen m Boulogne are gaming and getting drunk; those of the ladies, flirting and scandal—all equally innocent in their way, and absolutely necessary to the well-being of a fashion- able community. The only variation to these modes of pastime is walking on the quay or pier, to see the steam-boats arrive, and exhibit a new cloak or bonnet which the tailor or milliner, with an extent of faith sufficient to remove several mountains, has sent home the night before upon credit. In the middle of the Rue de I’Ecu, in the good town of Boulogne- sur-Mer, stands the Hotel du Nord; and on the occasion which we seize to introduce our readers thither, a tall slim young gentleman was standing in the middle of the court-yard of this splendid hotel. ** What time did you say the diligence starts ?’’ demanded the tall slim young gentleman, whose age might be about six or seven-and- twenty, and who carried over his arm a large cloak with a canine-skin collar. | : “At five dis evening,’ was the reply, given by a French Com- missioner, who had pounced upon the English gentleman the moment he landed from the packet, and dragged him by force to the Hotel du Nord. | ** Will you see about my luggage, then, if you please ?”’ continued the tall gentleman; ‘“‘and take me a place in the coupé (as I think they call it) for this evening ?” ‘“* Vary well, milord,” said the Commissioner. ‘* But vot your name, for me see ar’ter your von trunk?” ** Snodgrass—Mr. Augustus Snodgrass,” was the answer. A gentleman, with large black whiskers, who had been lounging in the court-yard while the above dialogue was going on, now stepped up to Mr. Snodgrass, and addressed him with that ease and familiarity often adopted by modern travellers. | “Going to Paris to-night ?”” demanded the gentleman. Mr. Snodgrass replied in the affirmative. | ‘“ Know the language ?”’ was the next question. A negative was the answer in its turn. “ Wouldn’t like to go in a post-chaise, eh? It’s a devilish deal better than humbugging in that cursed diligence, as the baronet used to say,” contmued the gentleman with the black whiskers; “and if you choose to go halves in the expense, I’m your man—and no mistake.” Mr. Snodgrass reflected for a moment that he was ignorant of the French language, and that the stranger appeared to be a very gentle- manly, though somewhat off-hand, individual; he accordingly made a few enquiries about the expense of travelling post, &c., and event- ually consented to accompany his new acquaintance in the manner proposed. 4 3 ° ° e , ‘Snodgrass is your name I believe,” said the gentleman, leading CORAICLOO© <S) (C()