Pickwick Abroad; or, The Tour in France — page 84: what you’re looking at

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

- - ge > -* PICKWICK ABROAD. 7) “ What is to be done, then ?” enquired Mr. Crashem, casting asup- ant look at the Pickwickians-—or rather at their pockets. “You had better go to prison at once,” said Mr. Pickwick, ina voice tremulous with emotion; ‘‘and then we can try and make arrangements with your creditors.” M:. Crashem expressed his gratitude for the advice, but begged to observe that he strongly suspected “‘ there was a hook at the end of it.” Mr. Pickwick acknowledged the compliment, although he did not exactly understand nor appreciate its full value. ‘“Yes,” continued Mr. Pickwick, after a pause; ‘‘that will be the better plan; and in a week or two, I have no doubt but that we shall be ‘able to come to a settlement.” “Will you undertake it yourself, old boy?” enquired Mr. Crashem, hastily. “Forthwith,” answered Mr. Pickwick, ina decided manner. “Then here goes for guod,” cried Mr. Adolphus Crashem; and he desired the waiter to mform the Awissicr that he was ready to accom- pany him. ‘The Justice of the Peace then made a polite bow, and with- drew ; and the bailiff ordered his witnesses to hasten to Saint Pelagie —or the New Prison, rather—and wait for him and his priscner in the lobby. ** Had we not better accompany our friend,’’ demanded Mr, Win- kle, ‘¢ just to see him as far as his new quarters ?” Decidedly,” exclaimed Mr. Pickwick, ringing the bell, and sum- moning Mr. Weller to order a hackney-coach—a commission that was immediately executed; so that the whole party, accompanied by the huissier, took immediate possession, outside and inside of the vehicle, and amidst the hootings, shouts, and cries of amazement of the various hangers-on to Meurice’s hotel, proceeded towards the Rue de Clichy, with as much hilarity and glee as if their destination were a bridal or christening. In process of time, the jfiacre stopped at No. 68, opposite a low gate-way, in a white free-stone wall, over which mignt be discerned a meagre quantity of trees, andavery high white building in the rear. The bailiff was the first to descend from the vehicle, and Mr. Pickwick paid the fare, while his companions issued from its recesses, or leapt from the top. They then all proceeded in a body to the iron-barred gate of the prison, across an extensive court, the gates of which were cuarded by sentinels, posted at certain intervals. A word from the bailiff, whispered in the ear of the turnkey, speedily caused that functionary to unlock the immense grilic, and the party was admitted into the lobby, and thence conducted to an extensive apartment ad- joining, called the waiting-room, from the window of which was a pleasant and agreeable view of the principal portion of the Debtors’ Prison of Paris. The gaol is built in a quadrangular form, the space circumscribed by its four sides being neatly laid out in a garden and graveiled walks, for the use ofthe prisoners. There is nothing of that miserable, gloomy, and Newgate-like appearance which so especially characterizes the Farringdon Hotel, and the Royal Repose in London, about this tene- ment for the reception of gentlemen whose habilities have exceeded their means. On the contrary, the New Saint Pelagie of Paris is EOMMICLOOOL<S (E() =