THE POSTHUMOUS PAPERS OF
THE PICKWICK CLUB
[Illustration: _The Pickwick Club_]
THE POSTHUMOUS PAPERS
OF THE
PICKWICK CLUB
BY
CHARLES DICKENS
ILLUSTRATED BY
CECIL ALDIN
VOLUME THE FIRST
[Illustration]
NEW YORK
E. P. DUTTON & COMPANY
31 West Twenty-Third Street
CONTENTS
CHAPTER I PAGE
+The Pickwickians+ 1
CHAPTER II
+The First Day's Journey, and the First Evening's
Adventures; with their Consequences+ 7
CHAPTER III
+A New Acquaintance. The Stroller's Tale. A Disagreeable
Interruption, and an Unpleasant Encounter+ 39
CHAPTER IV
+A Field-Day and Bivouac. More New Friends. An Invitation
to the Country+ 52
CHAPTER V
+A Short One. Showing, among other Matters, how Mr.
Pickwick undertook to Drive, and Mr. Winkle to Ride;
and how they both did it+ 66
CHAPTER VI
+An Old-fashioned Card-party. The Clergyman's Verses. The
Story of the Convict's Return+ 78
CHAPTER VII
+How Mr. Winkle, instead of Shooting at the Pigeon and
Killing the Crow, Shot at the Crow and Wounded the
Pigeon; how the Dingley Dell Cricket Club played
All-Muggleton, and how All-Muggleton Dined at the
Dingley Dell Expense: with other Interesting and
Instructive Matters+ 95
CHAPTER VIII
+Strongly Illustrative of the Position, that the Course
of True Love is not a Railway+ 111
CHAPTER IX
+A Discovery and a Chase+ 126
CHAPTER X
+Clearing up all Doubts (if any Existed) of the
Disinterestedness of Mr. Jingle's Character+ 136
CHAPTER XI
+Involving another Journey, and an Antiquarian Discovery.
Recording Mr. Pickwick's Determination to be Present
at an Election; and containing a Manuscript of the Old
Clergyman's+ 152
CHAPTER XII
+Descriptive of a very important Proceeding on the part
of Mr. Pickwick; no less an Epoch in his Life, than in
this History+ 173
CHAPTER XIII
+Some Account of Eatanswill; of the State of Parties
therein; and of the Election of a Member to Serve in
Parliament for that Ancient, Loyal, and Patriotic
Borough+ 181
CHAPTER XIV
+Comprising a Brief Description of the Company at the
Peacock assembled; and a Tale told by a Bagman+ 202
CHAPTER XV
+In which is given a Faithful Portraiture of two
Distinguished Persons; and an Accurate Description of
a Public Breakfast in their House and Grounds: which
Public Breakfast leads to the Recognition of an Old
Acquaintance, and the Commencement of another Chapter+ 222
CHAPTER XVI
+Too full of Adventure to be Briefly Described+ 238
CHAPTER XVII
+Showing that an Attack of Rheumatism in some cases, acts
as a Quickener to Inventive Genius+ 261
CHAPTER XVIII
+Briefly illustrative of Two Points;--First, the Power of
Hysterics, and, Secondly, the Force of Circumstances+
271
CHAPTER XIX
+A Pleasant Day, with an Unpleasant Termination+ 283
CHAPTER XX
+Showing how Dodson and Fogg were Men of Business, and
their Clerks Men of Pleasure; and how an affecting
Interview took place between Mr. Weller and his
Long-lost Parent; showing also what Choice Spirits
assembled at the Magpie and Stump, and what a Capital
Chapter the Next One will be+ 300
CHAPTER XXI
+In which the Old Man launches forth into his Favourite
Theme, and relates a Story about a Queer Client+ 319
CHAPTER XXII
+Mr. Pickwick Journeys to Ipswich, and meets with a
Romantic Adventure with a Middle-aged Lady in Yellow
Curl-papers+ 338
CHAPTER XXIII
+In which Mr. Samuel Weller begins to devote his Energies
to the Return Match between himself and Mr. Trotter+ 357
CHAPTER XXIV
+Wherein Mr. Peter Magnus grows jealous, and the
Middle-aged Lady apprehensive, which brings the
Pickwickians within the Grasp of the Law+ 367
CHAPTER XXV
+Showing, among a variety of Pleasant Matters, how
Majestic and Impartial Mr. Nupkins was, and how Mr.
Weller returned Mr. Job Trotter's Shuttlecock as
heavily as it came. With another Matter, which will be
found in its Place+ 385
CHAPTER XXVI
+Which contains a Brief Account of the Progress of the
Action of Bardell against Pickwick+ 407
CHAPTER XXVII
+Samuel Weller makes a Pilgrimage to Dorking, and beholds
his Mother-in-law+ 415
CHAPTER XXVIII
+A Good-humoured Christmas Chapter, containing an Account
of a Wedding, and some other Sports beside: which
although in their Way even as Good Customs as Marriage
itself, are not quite so religiously kept up, in these
Degenerate Times+ 426
ILLUSTRATIONS
IN COLOUR
_The Pickwick Club_ _Frontispiece_
_"Wo--o!" cried Mr. Pickwick. "Wo--o!" echoed Mr. Tupman
and Mr. Snodgrass from the bin_ _Facing page_ 70
_Mr. Pickwick ran to his assistance_ " 72
_"Bless my soul!" said Mr. Winkle, "I declare I forgot
the cap"_ " 98
_"Love to Tuppy--won't you get up behind?--drive on,
boys," replied Jingle_ " 134
_Sam at the White Hart_ " 142
_At the table sat Mr. Tupman, looking as unlike a man who
had taken his leave of this world as possible_ " 156
_"She looked up in Tom's face and smiled through her
tears"_ " 220
_"I won't suffer this barrow to be moved another step
unless Winkle carries that gun of his in a different
manner"_ " 286
_"Take example of your father, my boy, and be very
careful o' widders all your life"_ " 310
_"I trust, ma'am," resumed Mr. Pickwick, "that my
unblemished character and the devoted respect I
entertain for your sex----"_ " 354
_"Mother-in-law," said Sam, "how are you?"_ " 418
_A distant response is heard from the yard, and Mr.
Pickwick and Mr. Tupman come running down it_ " 430
IN TEXT
PAGE
_Heading to Chapter I_ 1
_Heading to Chapter II_ 7
_"Weeks!" said Mr. Pickwick in astonishment--and out came
the note-book again_ 9
_"What's the fun?" said a rather tall thin young man_ 11
_"My name is Winkle, sir"_ 28
_Heading to Chapter III_ 39
_Heading to Chapter IV_ 52
_"Damn that boy, he's gone to sleep again"_ 59
_Heading to Chapter V_ 66
_"T'other side, sir, if you please"_ 71
_Heading to Chapter VI_ 78
_Heading to Chapter VII_ 95
_Heading to Chapter VIII_ 111
_"He must have been fast asleep," whispered Mr. Tupman_ 115
_Heading to Chapter IX_ 126
_"Here I am; but I han't a willin"_ 127
_Heading to Chapter X_ 136
_Sam Weller at the keyhole_ 146
_Heading to Chapter XI_ 152
_"There is an inscription here," said Mr. Pickwick_ 158
_Heading to Chapter XII_ 173
_"Oh, you kind, good, playful dear"_ 176
_Heading to Chapter XIII_ 181
_"He has patted the babies on the head"_ 196
_Heading to Chapter XIV_ 202
_"No other than Tom Smart"_ 207
_Heading to Chapter XV_ 222
_Mr. Pickwick, with the Brigand on one arm, and the
Troubadour on the other_ 230
_Heading to Chapter XVI_ 238
_"Looks as convivial as a live trout in a lime-basket"_ 244
_"Who's there?" screamed a numerous chorus of treble voices_ 254
_Heading to Chapter XVII_ 261
_"Open it flew, disclosing Nathaniel Pipkin"_ 268
_Heading to Chapter XVIII_ 271
_Heading to Chapter XIX_ 283
_"Who are you, you rascal?"_ 296
_Heading to Chapter XX_ 300
_Heading to Chapter XXI_ 319
_Heading to Chapter XXII_ 338
_"Sam," said Mr. Pickwick, "Where's my bedroom?"_ 355
_Heading to Chapter XXIII_ 357
_Heading to Chapter XXIV_ 367
_Heading to Chapter XXV_ 385
_"You don't mean to say you did that on purpose?"_ 405
_Heading to Chapter XXVI_ 407
_Mrs. Bardell and her two friends were getting on very well_ 410
_Heading to Chapter XXVII_ 415
_Heading to Chapter XXVIII_ 426
_"Aha!" said the fat boy_ 432
[Illustration: POSTHUMOUS PAPERS
OF
THE PICKWICK CLUB]
CHAPTER I
THE PICKWICKIANS
The first ray of light which illumines the gloom, and converts into a
dazzling brilliancy that obscurity in which the earlier history of the
public career of the immortal Pickwick would appear to be involved, is
derived from the perusal of the following entry in the Transactions of
the Pickwick Club, which the editor of these papers feels the highest
pleasure in laying before his readers, as a proof of the careful
attention, indefatigable assiduity, and nice discrimination, with which
his search among the multifarious documents confided to him has been
conducted.
"May 12, 1827. Joseph Smiggers, Esq., P.V.P.M.P.C.,[1] presiding. The
following resolutions unanimously agreed to:--
[1] Perpetual Vice-President--Member Pickwick Club.
"That this Association has heard read, with feelings of unmingled
satisfaction, and unqualified approval, the paper communicated by
Samuel Pickwick, Esq., G.C.M.P.C.,[2] entitled 'Speculations on the
Source of the Hampstead Ponds, with some Observations on the Theory of
Tittlebats'; and that this Association does hereby return its warmest
thanks to the said Samuel Pickwick, Esq., G.C.M.P.C., for the same.
[2] General Chairman--Member Pickwick Club.
"That while this Association is deeply sensible of the advantages
which must accrue to the cause of science from the production to which
they have just adverted,--no less than from the unwearied researches
of Samuel Pickwick, Esq., G.C.M.P.C., in Hornsey, Highgate, Brixton,
and Camberwell,--they cannot but entertain a lively sense of the
inestimable benefits which must inevitably result from carrying the
speculations of that learned man into a wider field, from extending his
travels, and consequently enlarging his sphere of observation, to the
advancement of knowledge, and the diffusion of learning.
"That, with the view just mentioned, this Association has taken into
its serious consideration a proposal, emanating from the aforesaid
Samuel Pickwick, Esq., G.C.M.P.C., and three other Pickwickians
hereinafter named, for forming a new branch of United Pickwickians,
under the title of The Corresponding Society of the Pickwick Club.
"That the said proposal has received the sanction and approval of this
Association.
"That the Corresponding Society of the Pickwick Club is therefore
hereby constituted; and that Samuel Pickwick, Esq., G.C.M.P.C., Tracy
Tupman, Esq., M.P.C., Augustus Snodgrass, Esq., M.P.C., and Nathaniel
Winkle, Esq., M.P.C., are hereby nominated and appointed members of
the same; and that they be requested to forward, from time to time,
authenticated accounts of their journeys and investigations, of their
observations of character and manners, and of the whole of their
adventures, together with all tales and papers to which local scenery
or associations may give rise, to the Pickwick Club, stationed in
London.
"That this Association cordially recognises the principle of every
member of the Corresponding Society defraying his own travelling
expenses; and that it sees no objection whatever to the members of
the said society pursuing their inquiries for any length of time they
please, upon the same terms.
"That the members of the aforesaid Corresponding Society be, and are,
hereby informed, that their proposal to pay the postage of their
letters, and the carriage of their parcels, has been deliberated upon
by this Association: that this Association considers such proposal
worthy of the great minds from which it emanated, and that it hereby
signifies its perfect acquiescence therein."
A casual observer, adds the Secretary, to whose notes we are indebted
for the following account--a casual observer might possibly have
remarked nothing extraordinary in the bald head, and circular
spectacles, which were intently turned towards his (the Secretary's)
face, during the reading of the above resolutions: to those who knew
that the gigantic brain of Pickwick was working beneath that forehead,
and that the beaming eyes of Pickwick were twinkling behind those
glasses, the sight was indeed an interesting one. There sat the man who
had traced to their source the mighty ponds of Hampstead, and agitated
the scientific world with his Theory of Tittlebats, as calm and unmoved
as the deep waters of the one on a frosty day, or as a solitary
specimen of the other in the inmost recesses of an earthen jar. And
how much more interesting did the spectacle become, when, starting
into full life and animation, as a simultaneous call for "Pickwick"
burst from his followers, that illustrious man slowly mounted into the
Windsor chair, on which he had been previously seated, and addressed
the club himself had founded. What a study for an artist did that
exciting scene present! The eloquent Pickwick, with one hand gracefully
concealed behind his coat tails, and the other waving in air, to assist
his glowing declamation; his elevated position revealing those tights
and gaiters, which, had they clothed an ordinary man, might have passed
without observation, but which, when Pickwick clothed them--if we may
use the expression--inspired involuntary awe and respect; surrounded
by the men who had volunteered to share the perils of his travels, and
who were destined to participate in the glories of his discoveries. On
his right hand sat Mr. Tracy Tupman--the too susceptible Tupman, who to
the wisdom and experience of maturer years superadded the enthusiasm
and ardour of a boy, in the most interesting and pardonable of human
weaknesses--love. Time and feeding had expanded that once romantic
form; the black silk waistcoat had become more and more developed; inch
by inch had the gold watch-chain beneath it disappeared from within
the range of Tupman's vision; and gradually had the capacious chin
encroached upon the borders of the white cravat: but the soul of Tupman
had known no change--admiration of the fair sex was still its ruling
passion. On the left of his great leader sat the poetic Snodgrass, and
near him again the sporting Winkle, the former poetically enveloped
in a mysterious blue cloak with a canine-skin collar, and the latter
communicating additional lustre to a new green shooting coat, plaid
neckerchief, and closely-fitted drabs.
Mr. Pickwick's oration upon this occasion, together with the debate
thereon, is entered on the Transactions of the Club. Both bear a strong
affinity to the discussions of other celebrated bodies; and, as it is
always interesting to trace a resemblance between the proceedings of
great men, we transfer the entry to these pages.
"Mr. Pickwick observed (says the Secretary) that fame was dear to the
heart of every man. Poetic fame was dear to the heart of his friend
Snodgrass; the fame of conquest was equally dear to his friend Tupman;
and the desire of earning fame in the sports of the field, the air,
and the water, was uppermost in the breast of his friend Winkle. He
(Mr. Pickwick) would not deny that he was influenced by human passions,
and human feelings (cheers)--possibly by human weaknesses--(loud
cries of 'No'); but this he would say, that if ever the fire of
self-importance broke out in his bosom, the desire to benefit the human
race in preference effectually quenched it. The praise of mankind
was his Swing; philanthropy was his insurance office. (Vehement
cheering.) He had felt some pride--he acknowledged it freely, and
let his enemies make the most of it--he had felt some pride when he
presented his Tittlebatian Theory to the world; it might be celebrated
or it might not. (A cry of 'It is,' and great cheering.) He would
take the assertion of that honourable Pickwickian whose voice he had
just heard--it was celebrated; but if the fame of that treatise were
to extend to the furthest confines of the known world, the pride with
which he should reflect on the authorship of that production would be
as nothing compared with the pride with which he looked around him,
on this, the proudest moment of his existence. (Cheers.) He was a
humble individual. ('No, no.') Still he could not but feel that they
had selected him for a service of great honour, and of some danger.
Travelling was in a troubled state, and the minds of coachmen were
unsettled. Let them look abroad, and contemplate the scenes which were
enacting around them. Stage coaches were upsetting in all directions,
horses were bolting, boats were overturning, and boilers were bursting.
(Cheers--a voice 'No.') No! (Cheers.) Let that honourable Pickwickian
who cried 'No' so loudly come forward and deny it, if he could.
(Cheers.) Who was it that cried 'No'? (Enthusiastic cheering.) Was it
some vain and disappointed man--he would not say haberdasher--(loud
cheers)--who, jealous of the praise which had been--perhaps
undeservedly--bestowed on his (Mr. Pickwick's) researches, and smarting
under the censure which had been heaped upon his own feeble attempts at
rivalry, now took this vile and calumnious mode of----
"Mr. +Blotton+ (of Aldgate) rose to order. Did the honourable
Pickwickian allude to him? (Cries of 'Order,' 'Chair,' 'Yes,' 'No,' 'Go
on,' 'Leave off,' &c.)
"Mr. +Pickwick+ would not put up to be put down by clamour. He _had_
alluded to the honourable gentleman. (Great excitement.)
"Mr. +Blotton+ would only say then, that he repelled the hon. gent.'s
false and scurrilous accusation, with profound contempt. (Great
cheering.) The hon. gent. was a humbug. (Immense confusion, and loud
cries of 'Chair' and 'Order.')
"Mr. +A. Snodgrass+ rose to order. He threw himself upon the chair.
(Hear.) He wished to know whether this disgraceful contest between two
members of that club should be allowed to continue. (Hear, hear.)
"The +Chairman+ was quite sure the hon. Pickwickian would withdraw the
expression he had just made use of.
"Mr. +Blotton+, with all possible respect for the chair, was quite sure
he would not.
"The +Chairman+ felt it his imperative duty to demand of the honourable
gentleman, whether he had used the expression which had just escaped
him in a common sense.
"Mr. +Blotton+ had no hesitation in saying that he had not--he had
used the word in its Pickwickian sense. (Hear, hear.) He was bound to
acknowledge that, personally, he entertained the highest regard and
esteem for the honourable gentleman; he had merely considered him a
humbug in a Pickwickian point of view. (Hear, hear.)
"Mr. +Pickwick+ felt much gratified by the fair, candid, and full
explanation of his honourable friend. He begged it to be at once
understood, that his own observations had been merely intended to bear
a Pickwickian construction. (Cheers.)"
Here the entry terminates, as we have no doubt the debate did also,
after arriving at such a highly satisfactory and intelligible point.
We have no official statement of the facts which the reader will find
recorded in the next chapter, but they have been carefully collated
from letters and other MS. authorities, so unquestionably genuine as to
justify their narration in a connected form.