[Illustration]
_In which the Pickwick Club is finally Dissolved and Everything
Concluded to the Satisfaction of Everybody_
For a whole week after the happy arrival of Mr. Winkle from Birmingham,
Mr. Pickwick and Sam Weller were from home all day long, only returning
just in time for dinner, and then wearing an air of mystery and
importance quite foreign to their natures. It was evident that very
grave and eventful proceedings were on foot; but various surmises
were afloat, respecting their precise character. Some (among whom was
Mr. Tupman) were disposed to think that Mr. Pickwick contemplated
a matrimonial alliance; but this idea the ladies most strenuously
repudiated. Others rather inclined to the belief that he had projected
some distant tour, and was at present occupied in effecting the
preliminary arrangements; but this again was stoutly denied by Sam
himself, who had unequivocally stated when cross-examined by Mary that
no new journeys were to be undertaken. At length, when the brains
of the whole party had been racked for six long days, by unavailing
speculation, it was unanimously resolved that Mr. Pickwick should be
called upon to explain his conduct, and to state distinctly why he had
thus absented himself from the society of his admiring friends.
With this view, Mr. Wardle invited the full circle to dinner at the
Adelphi; and, the decanters having been twice sent round, opened the
business.
"We are all anxious to know," said the old gentleman, "what we have
done to offend you, and to induce you to desert us and devote yourself
to these solitary walks."
"Are you?" said Mr. Pickwick. "It is singular enough that I had
intended to volunteer a full explanation this very day; so, if you will
give me another glass of wine, I will satisfy your curiosity."
The decanters passed from hand to hand with unwonted briskness, and Mr.
Pickwick, looking round on the faces of his friends with a cheerful
smile, proceeded:
"All the changes that have taken place among us," said Mr. Pickwick, "I
mean the marriage that _has_ taken place, and the marriage that _will_
take place, with the changes they involve, rendered it necessary for
me to think, soberly and at once, upon my future plans. I determined
on retiring to some quiet, pretty neighbourhood in the vicinity of
London; I saw a house which exactly suited my fancy; I have taken it
and furnished it. It is fully prepared for my reception, and I intend
entering upon it at once, trusting that I may yet live to spend many
quiet years in peaceful retirement, cheered through life by the society
of my friends, and followed in death by their affectionate remembrance."
Here Mr. Pickwick paused, and a low murmur ran round the table.
"The house I have taken," said Mr. Pickwick, "is at Dulwich. It has a
large garden, and is situated in one of the most pleasant spots near
London. It has been fitted up with every attention to substantial
comfort; perhaps to a little elegance besides; but of that you shall
judge for yourselves. Sam accompanies me there. I have engaged, on
Perker's representation, a housekeeper--a very old one--and such other
servants as she thinks I shall require. I propose to consecrate this
little retreat by having a ceremony, in which I take a great interest,
performed there. I wish, if my friend Wardle entertains no objection,
that his daughter should be married from my new house, on the day
I take possession of it. The happiness of young people," said Mr.
Pickwick, a little moved, "has ever been the chief pleasure of my life.
It will warm my heart to witness the happiness of those friends who are
dearest to me, beneath my own roof."
Mr. Pickwick paused again: Emily and Arabella sobbed audibly.
"I have communicated, both personally and by letter, with the Club,"
resumed Mr. Pickwick, "acquainting them with my intention. During our
long absence, it had suffered much from internal dissensions; and the
withdrawal of my name, coupled with this and other circumstances, has
occasioned its dissolution. The Pickwick Club exists no longer."
[Illustration: "_The happiness of young people," said Mr. Pickwick, a
little moved, "has ever been the chief pleasure of my life_"]
"I shall never regret," said Mr. Pickwick in a low voice, "I shall
never regret having devoted the greater part of two years to mixing
with different varieties and shades of human character: frivolous as
my pursuit of novelty may have appeared to many. Nearly the whole
of my previous life having been devoted to business and the pursuit
of wealth, numerous scenes of which I had no previous conception
have dawned upon me--I hope to the enlargement of my mind, and the
improvement of my understanding. If I have done but little good, I
trust I have done less harm, and that none of my adventures will be
other than a source of amusing and pleasant recollection to me in the
decline of life. God bless you all!"
With these words, Mr. Pickwick filled and drained a bumper with a
trembling hand, and his eyes moistened as his friends rose with one
accord and pledged him from their hearts.
There were very few preparatory arrangements to be made for the
marriage of Mr. Snodgrass. As he had neither father nor mother, and
had been in his minority a ward of Mr. Pickwick's, that gentleman was
perfectly well acquainted with his possessions and prospects. His
account of both was quite satisfactory to Wardle--as almost any other
account would have been, for the good old gentleman was overflowing
with hilarity and kindness--and a handsome portion having been bestowed
upon Emily, the marriage was fixed to take place on the fourth day
from that time; the suddenness of which preparations reduced three
dressmakers and a tailor to the extreme verge of insanity.
Getting post-horses to the carriage, old Wardle started off next day,
to bring his mother up to town. Communicating his intelligence to
the old lady with characteristic impetuosity, she instantly fainted
away; but being promptly revived, ordered the brocaded silk gown to be
packed up forthwith, and proceeded to relate some circumstances of a
similar nature attending the marriage of the eldest daughter of Lady
Tollimglower, deceased, which occupied three hours in the recital, and
were not half finished at last.
Mrs. Trundle had to be informed of all the mighty preparations that
were making in London, and being in a delicate state of health was
informed thereof through Mr. Trundle, lest the news should be too much
for her; but it was not too much for her, inasmuch as she at once
wrote off to Muggleton, to order a new cap and a black satin gown, and
moreover avowed her determination of being present at the ceremony.
Hereupon Mr. Trundle called in the doctor, and the doctor said Mrs.
Trundle ought to know best how she felt herself, to which Mrs. Trundle
replied that she felt herself quite equal to it, and that she had made
up her mind to go; upon which the doctor, who was a wise and discreet
doctor, and knew what was good for himself as well as for other people,
said that perhaps if Mrs. Trundle stopped at home she might hurt
herself more by fretting, than by going, so perhaps she had better go.
And she did go; the doctor with great attention sending in half a dozen
of medicine, to be drunk upon the road.
In addition to these points of distraction, Wardle was entrusted
with two small letters to two small young ladies who were to act as
bridesmaids; upon the receipt of which, the two young ladies were
driven to despair by having no "things" ready for so important an
occasion, and no time to make them in--a circumstance which appeared
to afford the two worthy papas of the two small young ladies rather
a feeling of satisfaction than otherwise. However, old frocks were
trimmed, and new bonnets made, and the young ladies looked as well as
could possibly have been expected of them. And as they cried at the
subsequent ceremony in the proper places, and trembled at the right
times, they acquitted themselves to the admiration of all beholders.
How the two poor relations ever reached London--whether they walked, or
got behind coaches, or procured lifts in waggons, or carried each other
by turns--is uncertain; but there they were, before Wardle; and the
very first people that knocked at the door of Mr. Pickwick's house, on
the bridal morning, were the two poor relations, all smiles and shirt
collar.
They were welcomed heartily though, for riches or poverty had no
influence on Mr. Pickwick; the new servants were all alacrity and
readiness; Sam was in a most unrivalled state of high spirits and
excitement; Mary was glowing with beauty and smart ribands.
The bridegroom, who had been staying at the house for two or three
days previous, sallied forth gallantly to Dulwich Church to meet
the bride, attended by Mr. Pickwick, Ben Allen, Bob Sawyer, and Mr.
Tupman; with Sam Weller outside, having at his button-hole a white
favour, the gift of his lady-love, and clad in a new and gorgeous suit
of livery invented for the occasion. They were met by the Wardles,
and the Winkles, and the bride and bridesmaids, and the Trundles; and
the ceremony having been performed, the coaches rattled back to Mr.
Pickwick's to breakfast, where little Mr. Perker already awaited them.
Here, all the light clouds of the more solemn part of the proceedings
passed away; every face shone forth joyously; nothing was to be heard
but congratulations and commendations. Everything was so beautiful!
The lawn in front, the garden behind, the miniature conservatory,
the dining-room, the drawing-room, the bedrooms, the smoking-room,
and above all the study, with its pictures and easy chairs, and odd
cabinets, and queer tables, and books out of number, with a large
cheerful window opening upon a pleasant lawn and commanding a pretty
landscape, dotted here and there with little houses almost hidden by
the trees; and then the curtains, and the carpets, and the chairs, and
the sofas! Everything was so beautiful, so compact, so neat, and in
such exquisite taste, said everybody, that there really was no deciding
what to admire most.
And in the midst of all this, stood Mr. Pickwick, his countenance
lighted up with smiles, which the heart of no man, woman, or child,
could resist: himself the happiest of the group: shaking hands over
and over again with the same people, and when his own hands were not
so employed, rubbing them with pleasure; turning round in a different
direction at every fresh expression of gratification or curiosity, and
inspiring everybody with his looks of gladness and delight.
Breakfast is announced. Mr. Pickwick leads the old lady (who has been
very eloquent on the subject of Lady Tollimglower) to the top of a
long table; Wardle takes the bottom; the friends arrange themselves
on either side; Sam takes his station behind his master's chair; the
laughter and talking cease; Mr. Pickwick, having said grace, pauses for
an instant, and looks round him. As he does so, the tears roll down his
cheeks, in the fulness of his joy.
Let us leave our old friend in one of those moments of unmixed
happiness, of which, if we seek them, there are ever some, to cheer our
transitory existence here. There are dark shadows on the earth, but its
lights are stronger in the contrast. Some men, like bats or owls, have
better eyes for the darkness than for the light. We, who have no such
optical powers, are better pleased to take our last parting look at the
visionary companions of many solitary hours, when the brief sunshine of
the world is blazing full upon them.
* * * * *
[Illustration: _The admiration of numerous elderly ladies of single
condition._]
It is the fate of most men who mingle with the world, and attain even
the prime of life, to make many real friends, and lose them in the
course of nature. It is the fate of all authors or chroniclers to
create imaginary friends, and lose them in the course of art. Nor is
this the full extent of their misfortunes; for they are required to
furnish an account of them besides.
In compliance with this custom--unquestionably a bad one--we subjoin
a few biographical words, in relation to the party at Mr. Pickwick's
assembled.
Mr. and Mrs. Winkle, being fully received into favour by the old
gentleman, were shortly afterwards installed in a newly-built house,
not half a mile from Mr. Pickwick's. Mr. Winkle, being engaged in the
City as agent or town correspondent of his father, exchanged his old
costume for the ordinary dress of Englishmen, and presented all the
external appearance of a civilised Christian ever afterwards.
[Illustration: _Exchanged his old costume for the ordinary dress of
Englishmen_]
Mr. and Mrs. Snodgrass settled at Dingley Dell, where they purchased
and cultivated a small farm, more for occupation than profit. Mr.
Snodgrass, being occasionally abstracted and melancholy, is to this day
reputed a great poet among his friends and acquaintance, although we
do not find that he has ever written anything to encourage the belief.
There are many celebrated characters, literary, philosophical, and
otherwise, who hold a high reputation on a similar tenure.
Mr. Tupman, when his friends married, and Mr. Pickwick settled, took
lodgings at Richmond, where he has ever since resided. He walks
constantly on the terrace during the summer months, with a youthful
and jaunty air which has rendered him the admiration of the numerous
elderly ladies of single condition, who reside in the vicinity. He has
never proposed again.
Mr. Bob Sawyer, having previously passed through the _Gazette_, passed
over to Bengal, accompanied by Mr. Benjamin Allen; both gentlemen
having received surgical appointments from the East India Company. They
each had the yellow fever fourteen times, and then resolved to try a
little abstinence; since which period, they have been doing well.
Mrs. Bardell let lodgings to many conversable single gentleman, with
great profit, but never brought any more actions for breach of promise
of marriage. Her attorneys, Messrs. Dodson and Fogg, continue in
business, from which they realise a large income, and in which they are
universally considered among the sharpest of the sharp.
Sam Weller kept his word, and remained unmarried, for two years. The
old housekeeper dying at the end of that time, Mr. Pickwick promoted
Mary to the situation, on condition of her marrying Mr. Weller at once,
which she did without a murmur. From the circumstance of two sturdy
little boys having been repeatedly seen at the gate of the back garden,
there is reason to suppose that Sam has some family.
The elder Mr. Weller drove a coach for twelve months, but, being
afflicted with the gout, was compelled to retire. The contents of
the pocket-book had been so well invested for him, however, by Mr.
Pickwick, that he had a handsome independence to retire on, upon which
he still lives at an excellent public-house near Shooter's Hill, where
he is quite reverenced as an oracle: boasting very much of his intimacy
with Mr. Pickwick, and retaining a most unconquerable aversion to
widows.
Mr. Pickwick himself continued to reside in his new house, employing
his leisure hours in arranging the memoranda which he afterwards
presented to the secretary of the once famous Club, or in hearing Sam
Weller read aloud, with such remarks as suggested themselves to his
mind, which never failed to afford Mr. Pickwick great amusement. He
was much troubled at first, by the numerous applications made to him
by Mr. Snodgrass, Mr. Winkle, and Mr. Trundle, to act as godfather
to their offspring; but he has become used to it now, and officiates
as a matter of course. He never had occasion to regret his bounty
to Mr. Jingle; for both that person and Job Trotter became, in
time, worthy members of society, although they have always steadily
objected to return to the scenes of their old haunts and temptations.
Mr. Pickwick is somewhat infirm now; but he retains all his former
juvenility of spirit, and may still be frequently seen contemplating
the pictures in the Dulwich Gallery, or enjoying a walk about the
pleasant neighbourhood on a fine day. He is known by all the poor
people about, who never fail to take their hats off, as he passes, with
great respect. The children idolise him, and so indeed does the whole
neighbourhood. Every year he repairs to a large family merry-making
at Mr. Wardle's; on this, as on all other occasions, he is invariably
attended by the faithful Sam, between whom and his master there exists
a steady and reciprocal attachment which nothing but death will
terminate.
[Illustration]
Printed by +Ballantyne, Hanson & Co.+
Edinburgh & London
Transcriber's note
Text in italics was surrounded with _underscores_ and small capitals
with +signs+.
Small errors in punctuation were corrected without note, also the
following changes were made, on page
11 "hd" changed to "had" (who had distinctly seen him)
11 "ther" changed to "their" (touched their foreheads)
27 "returing" changed to "returning" (Instead of returning to the
office)
41 "though" changed to "thought" ("Ah, I thought not," said the
Serjeant)
41 "Phunkey" changed to "Phunky" (the pleasure of seeing you
before, Mr. Phunky,)
45 "Sob" changed to "Bob" (replied Bob Sawyer)
70 "Mr. Mr." changed to "Mr." (the straight-walking Mr. Anthony
Humm)
84 "expeience" changed to "experience" (his professional experience)
84 "responsibilty" changed to "responsibility" (a responsibility,
he would say)
88 "Drawng" changed to "Drawing" (Drawing forth two very small
scraps)
95 "straghtforward" changed to "straightforward" (service to
honest, straightforward men)
102 "Mesrs" changed to "Mssrs" (after doing Messrs. Dodson and
Fogg's case)
102 "tha" changed to "the" (eulogiums on the conduct)
106 "cherfulness" changed to "cheerfulness" (with perfect
cheerfulness and content of heart)
111 "perpared" changed to "prepared" (Mr. Pickwick prepared to
ensconce himself inside)
119 "êlite" changed to "élite" (The _élite_ of Ba--ath.)
155 "tosssing" changed to "tossing" (tossing off, as he spoke)
160 "cabaliscit" changed to "cabalistic" (inscribed with a variety
of cabalistic characters)
173 "litttle" changed to "little" (and divers little love passages
had passed)
194 "impossibilty" changed to "impossibility" (it being a moral
impossibility to swear)
215 "loking" changed to "looking" (looking lazily out from under)
220 "expreessd" changed to "expressed" (the one expressed his
opinion)
222 "furnitur" changed to "furniture" (You'll want some furniture.)
230 "situate" changed to "situated" (situated in Portugal Street)
301 "mustta ke" changed to "must take" (You must take the matter in
hand for them)
302 "be" changed to "he" (he became particularly restless)
363 "interupted" changed to "interrupted" (interrupted Pott,
drawing back)
378 "inpuired" changed to "inquired" (inquired Sam, drawing his
chair)
398 "wih" changed to "with" (have been honoured with the confidence)
416 "pantomine" changed to "pantomime" (ever seen out of a
Christmas pantomime.)
437 "contuinued" changed to "continued" (makes it," continued Sam)
450 "cherful" changed to "cheerful" (with a cheerful smile).
Otherwise the original of this edition was preserved, including
inconsistencies in spelling, hyphenation etc.