Pickwick Abroad; or, The Tour in France — page 349: what you’re looking at

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

336 PICKWICK ABROAD, Another quarter of an hour elapsed, during which the trunks were corded behind the vehicle and the horses before ; and then the equi. page proceeded on its way, accompanied by acloud of dust and the best wishes of the landlord and his dependants. ‘‘ Tow very civil and attentive every one appears to be,” observed Mr. Snodgrass, as the chaise rattled rapidly along the paved road. ‘‘ A title, my dear Snodgrass, does every thing,” exclaimed the — Count, tapping the writing-case which he carried upon his knees. ‘‘Oh! de title vary good ting,’ assented the fascinating Love- minski, ‘‘T really do begin to think that it must be rather agreeable”, said Mr. Snodgrass, slightly envying the aristocratic appendages to the names of his fellow-travellers. ‘* One certainly experiences more civility at the hotels where one stops.” ‘“No doubt about that,” said the Count. ‘‘ But I am sure I care little for my rank and title,’’ he added, stretching himself lazily back in the vehicle, and yawning desperately as if with ennze. ‘‘ An’ me sure me not care more dan de wal-u of dis button for my title,’ cried the Countess, a smile of contempt for all worldly vanities curling her pouting lips. ‘‘ How beautiful are condescension and humility in aristocracy and wealth!’ ejaculated Mr, Snodgrass, almost involuntarily. “The lowliness and meekness of the high-born and the noble are as—as—” ‘“‘ Wonderful as they are rare,”’ said the Count, perceiving that his friend was somewhat at a loss how to round his period. ‘“‘ Exactly what I should have myself observed, my lord,” returned Mr. Snodgrass. ‘Well, Snodgrass,—I tell you what it is,’ cried the Count, starting as if a very sudden idea had struck him; ‘let us have a bit of fun. [ am tired of always being a lord—and you are anxious to try it. Now—I’ll tell you what we’ll do. During the remainder of the journey you shall be the Count, andI will be Mr. Snodgrass. What say you 2” Mr. Snodgrass had a great deal to say against the propriety of this arrangement; but all his objections were over-ruled by the Count, — who laughed heartily at the joke, and declared, in a peculiar style | of aristocratic eloquence, that it was “the rummest go he’d ever © known in the whole course of zs life.’ And so it was, indeed; but Mr. Snodgrass was compelled tosubmit, because the Countess Love- minski besought him to lend himself to so excellent a piece of fun. The matter was accordingly arranged to the satisfaction of the Count and his fair cousin; and a great deal more laughing, and joking, and quizzing succeeded, to make the means of amusement complete. Now, be it observed, that Mr. Snodgrass was not more vain than his fellow-creatures; but he felt his importance in the world ofletters asa poet, and in that of utility as a traveller: and he knew that if he were not a nobleman in reality, he fully deserved the title at the hands of his countrymen. Perhaps he was persuaded that himself and his three illustrious friends whom he was hastening to join in Paris, would certainly attain that eminence shortly: but, be this as it may—he — adopted the Count’s title with an ease which set it off to advantage, and — was pronounced by both that individual and his beauteous cousin to — s Gomichbooks.com