Pickwick Abroad: or, The Tour in France — page 41: what you’re looking at

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

14 Pickwick A broad. the wire. When he beheld the confusion that prevailed, and heard Mr. Winkle vituperating the waiter as a sort of accompaniment to the music he was making with the bell, it immediately occurred to Mr. ' Weller’s mind that the said waiter had been abusing his revered master ; and, without any more ado, he communicated to the unoffending waiter’s nose so fierce a blow, and followed it up by another on the chest to such purpose, that the unfortunate waiter fell over the table, and scattered the remnants of the luncheon on the floor. The other domestics of the hotel rushed into the coffee-room in a body, just at the moment when their fellow-servant kissed the ground, and were - about to inflict summary and condign punishment on Mr. Weller. But their pugnacious determinations were stopped by the interference of Mr. Pickwick, who, with extraordinary promptitude, rose from his chair like a doll leaping out of a child’s box by means of a spring; and holding back Mr. Winkle with one hand, while he waved the other over his head, he proceeded to address the servile crew. His eloquence produced an immediate effect—the matter was explained to the satis- faction of all parties—and the waiter undertook to pardon Mr. Weller, on a small douceur being slipped into his hand, but not before Mr. _ Winkle had informed the domestics that it was very lucky they. were thus pacifically inclined, or they would have known the reason why. Peace being thus restored, Mr. Tupman hastened to bed, having only just strength enough remaining to desire the pretty chambermaid to follow him with the warming-pan, The domestics retired to the kitchen—Mr. Pickwick changed his trowsers and washed himself—which ceremony being performed, he and Mr. Winkle, having declined to eat any more luncheon, indemnified themselves with a hot glass of excellent brandy-and-water, by the coffee-room fire. The waiter was.summoned, after Mr. Pickwick and Mr. Winkle had held a consultation, at which Mr. Pickwick presided in due form, relative to the dinner; and it bemg thoroughly under- stood that no anti-Anglican meats were to be served up, the waiter was desired to have that repast on table at six o'clock, and to call Mr. Tupman at five. CHAPTER III. MR. WELLER’S LETTER TO HIS WIFE.—THE READER IS INTRODUCED TO A YOUNG GENTLEMAN WHO IS WELL ACQUAINTED WITIL THE. WORLD.—MR. WELLER’S ADVENTURE AT THE THEATRE. Wuewn Mr. Samuel Weller had partaken of a copious repast in the kitchen of Meurice’s hotel, he repaired to the bed-room which was destined for his reception. Being armed with writing materials and a glass of brandy-and-water, he took a seat at the table, and prepared himself to compose an epistle to his beloved spouse, whom he had left behind him at Dulwich Lodge. ““Wery particklerly good you air,” observed Sam, apostrophising the brandy-and-water, and smacking his lips after a long draught of the tempting beverage; ‘‘and may ve meet as frequently as con-wenient, as the gen’leman said to the pus vich he foun’ in the street. An’ now for this ’ere little he-pistle of mine,” continued Sam—*“ and mind ve Gomicbooks (E()