The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club, v. 2 (of 2) Read online

  CHAPTER XXIX

  _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 returningjust in time for dinner, and then wearing an air of mystery andimportance quite foreign to their natures. It was evident that verygrave and eventful proceedings were on foot; but various surmiseswere afloat, respecting their precise character. Some (among whom wasMr. Tupman) were disposed to think that Mr. Pickwick contemplateda matrimonial alliance; but this idea the ladies most strenuouslyrepudiated. Others rather inclined to the belief that he had projectedsome distant tour, and was at present occupied in effecting thepreliminary arrangements; but this again was stoutly denied by Samhimself, who had unequivocally stated when cross-examined by Mary thatno new journeys were to be undertaken. At length, when the brainsof the whole party had been racked for six long days, by unavailingspeculation, it was unanimously resolved that Mr. Pickwick should becalled upon to explain his conduct, and to state distinctly why he hadthus absented himself from the society of his admiring friends.

  With this view, Mr. Wardle invited the full circle to dinner at theAdelphi; and, the decanters having been twice sent round, opened thebusiness.

  "We are all anxious to know," said the old gentleman, "what we havedone to offend you, and to induce you to desert us and devote yourselfto these solitary walks."

  "Are you?" said Mr. Pickwick. "It is singular enough that I hadintended to volunteer a full explanation this very day; so, if you willgive 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 cheerfulsmile, proceeded:

  "All the changes that have taken place among us," said Mr. Pickwick, "Imean the marriage that _has_ taken place, and the marriage that _will_take place, with the changes they involve, rendered it necessary forme to think, soberly and at once, upon my future plans. I determinedon retiring to some quiet, pretty neighbourhood in the vicinity ofLondon; I saw a house which exactly suited my fancy; I have taken itand furnished it. It is fully prepared for my reception, and I intendentering upon it at once, trusting that I may yet live to spend manyquiet years in peaceful retirement, cheered through life by the societyof 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 alarge garden, and is situated in one of the most pleasant spots nearLondon. It has been fitted up with every attention to substantialcomfort; perhaps to a little elegance besides; but of that you shalljudge for yourselves. Sam accompanies me there. I have engaged, onPerker's representation, a housekeeper--a very old one--and such otherservants as she thinks I shall require. I propose to consecrate thislittle 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 dayI 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 aredearest 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 ourlong absence, it had suffered much from internal dissensions; and thewithdrawal of my name, coupled with this and other circumstances, hasoccasioned its dissolution. The Pickwick Club exists no longer."

  "_The happiness of young people," said Mr. Pickwick, alittle moved, "has ever been the chief pleasure of my life_"]

  "I shall never regret," said Mr. Pickwick in a low voice, "I shallnever regret having devoted the greater part of two years to mixingwith different varieties and shades of human character: frivolous asmy pursuit of novelty may have appeared to many. Nearly the wholeof my previous life having been devoted to business and the pursuitof wealth, numerous scenes of which I had no previous conceptionhave dawned upon me--I hope to the enlargement of my mind, and theimprovement of my understanding. If I have done but little good, Itrust I have done less harm, and that none of my adventures will beother than a source of amusing and pleasant recollection to me in thedecline of life. God bless you all!"

  With these words, Mr. Pickwick filled and drained a bumper with atrembling hand, and his eyes moistened as his friends rose with oneaccord and pledged him from their hearts.

  There were very few preparatory arrangements to be made for themarriage of Mr. Snodgrass. As he had neither father nor mother, andhad been in his minority a ward of Mr. Pickwick's, that gentleman wasperfectly well acquainted with his possessions and prospects. Hisaccount of both was quite satisfactory to Wardle--as almost any otheraccount would have been, for the good old gentleman was overflowingwith hilarity and kindness--and a handsome portion having been bestowedupon Emily, the marriage was fixed to take place on the fourth dayfrom that time; the suddenness of which preparations reduced threedressmakers 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 tothe old lady with characteristic impetuosity, she instantly faintedaway; but being promptly revived, ordered the brocaded silk gown to bepacked up forthwith, and proceeded to relate some circumstances of asimilar nature attending the marriage of the eldest daughter of LadyTollimglower, deceased, which occupied three hours in the recital, andwere not half finished at last.

  Mrs. Trundle had to be informed of all the mighty preparations thatwere making in London, and being in a delicate state of health wasinformed thereof through Mr. Trundle, lest the news should be too muchfor her; but it was not too much for her, inasmuch as she at oncewrote off to Muggleton, to order a new cap and a black satin gown, andmoreover 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. Trundlereplied that she felt herself quite equal to it, and that she had madeup her mind to go; upon which the doctor, who was a wise and discreetdoctor, and knew what was good for himself as well as for other people,said that perhaps if Mrs. Trundle stopped at home she might hurtherself 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 dozenof medicine, to be drunk upon the road.

  In addition to these points of distraction, Wardle was entrustedwith two small letters to two small young ladies who were to act asbridesmaids; upon the receipt of which, the two young ladies weredriven to despair by having no "things" ready for so important anoccasion, and no time to make them in--a circumstance which appearedto afford the two worthy papas of the two small young ladies rathera feeling of satisfaction than otherwise. However, old frocks weretrimmed, and new bonnets made, and the young ladies looked as well ascould possibly have been expected of them. And as they cried at thesubsequent ceremony in the proper places, and trembled at the righttimes, they acquitted themselves to the admiration of all beholders.

  How the two poor relations ever reached London--whether they walked, orgot behind coaches, or procured lifts in waggons, or carried each otherby turns--is uncertain; but there they were, before Wardle; and thevery first people that knocked at the door of Mr. Pickwick's house, onthe bridal morning, were the two poor relations, all smiles and shirtcollar.

  They were welcomed heartily though, for riches or poverty had noinfluence on Mr. Pickwick; the new servants were all alacrity andreadiness; Sam was in a most unrivalled state of high spirits andexcitement; Mary was glowing with beauty and smart ribands.

  The bridegroom, who had been staying at the house for two or threedays
previous, sallied forth gallantly to Dulwich Church to meetthe bride, attended by Mr. Pickwick, Ben Allen, Bob Sawyer, and Mr.Tupman; with Sam Weller outside, having at his button-hole a whitefavour, the gift of his lady-love, and clad in a new and gorgeous suitof livery invented for the occasion. They were met by the Wardles,and the Winkles, and the bride and bridesmaids, and the Trundles; andthe 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 proceedingspassed away; every face shone forth joyously; nothing was to be heardbut 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 oddcabinets, and queer tables, and books out of number, with a largecheerful window opening upon a pleasant lawn and commanding a prettylandscape, dotted here and there with little houses almost hidden bythe trees; and then the curtains, and the carpets, and the chairs, andthe sofas! Everything was so beautiful, so compact, so neat, and insuch exquisite taste, said everybody, that there really was no decidingwhat to admire most.

  And in the midst of all this, stood Mr. Pickwick, his countenancelighted up with smiles, which the heart of no man, woman, or child,could resist: himself the happiest of the group: shaking hands overand over again with the same people, and when his own hands were notso employed, rubbing them with pleasure; turning round in a differentdirection at every fresh expression of gratification or curiosity, andinspiring everybody with his looks of gladness and delight.

  Breakfast is announced. Mr. Pickwick leads the old lady (who has beenvery eloquent on the subject of Lady Tollimglower) to the top of along table; Wardle takes the bottom; the friends arrange themselveson either side; Sam takes his station behind his master's chair; thelaughter and talking cease; Mr. Pickwick, having said grace, pauses foran instant, and looks round him. As he does so, the tears roll down hischeeks, in the fulness of his joy.

  Let us leave our old friend in one of those moments of unmixedhappiness, of which, if we seek them, there are ever some, to cheer ourtransitory existence here. There are dark shadows on the earth, but itslights are stronger in the contrast. Some men, like bats or owls, havebetter eyes for the darkness than for the light. We, who have no suchoptical powers, are better pleased to take our last parting look at thevisionary companions of many solitary hours, when the brief sunshine ofthe world is blazing full upon them.

  * * * * *

  _The admiration of numerous elderly ladies of singlecondition._]

  It is the fate of most men who mingle with the world, and attain eventhe prime of life, to make many real friends, and lose them in thecourse of nature. It is the fate of all authors or chroniclers tocreate imaginary friends, and lose them in the course of art. Nor isthis the full extent of their misfortunes; for they are required tofurnish an account of them besides.

  In compliance with this custom--unquestionably a bad one--we subjoina few biographical words, in relation to the party at Mr. Pickwick'sassembled.

  Mr. and Mrs. Winkle, being fully received into favour by the oldgentleman, were shortly afterwards installed in a newly-built house,not half a mile from Mr. Pickwick's. Mr. Winkle, being engaged in theCity as agent or town correspondent of his father, exchanged his oldcostume for the ordinary dress of Englishmen, and presented all theexternal appearance of a civilised Christian ever afterwards.

  _Exchanged his old costume for the ordinary dress ofEnglishmen_]

  Mr. and Mrs. Snodgrass settled at Dingley Dell, where they purchasedand cultivated a small farm, more for occupation than profit. Mr.Snodgrass, being occasionally abstracted and melancholy, is to this dayreputed a great poet among his friends and acquaintance, although wedo not find that he has ever written anything to encourage the belief.There are many celebrated characters, literary, philosophical, andotherwise, who hold a high reputation on a similar tenure.

  Mr. Tupman, when his friends married, and Mr. Pickwick settled, tooklodgings at Richmond, where he has ever since resided. He walksconstantly on the terrace during the summer months, with a youthfuland jaunty air which has rendered him the admiration of the numerouselderly ladies of single condition, who reside in the vicinity. He hasnever proposed again.

  Mr. Bob Sawyer, having previously passed through the _Gazette_, passedover to Bengal, accompanied by Mr. Benjamin Allen; both gentlemenhaving received surgical appointments from the East India Company. Theyeach had the yellow fever fourteen times, and then resolved to try alittle abstinence; since which period, they have been doing well.

  Mrs. Bardell let lodgings to many conversable single gentleman, withgreat profit, but never brought any more actions for breach of promiseof marriage. Her attorneys, Messrs. Dodson and Fogg, continue inbusiness, from which they realise a large income, and in which they areuniversally considered among the sharpest of the sharp.

  Sam Weller kept his word, and remained unmarried, for two years. Theold housekeeper dying at the end of that time, Mr. Pickwick promotedMary to the situation, on condition of her marrying Mr. Weller at once,which she did without a murmur. From the circumstance of two sturdylittle 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, beingafflicted with the gout, was compelled to retire. The contents ofthe pocket-book had been so well invested for him, however, by Mr.Pickwick, that he had a handsome independence to retire on, upon whichhe still lives at an excellent public-house near Shooter's Hill, wherehe is quite reverenced as an oracle: boasting very much of his intimacywith Mr. Pickwick, and retaining a most unconquerable aversion towidows.

  Mr. Pickwick himself continued to reside in his new house, employinghis leisure hours in arranging the memoranda which he afterwardspresented to the secretary of the once famous Club, or in hearing SamWeller read aloud, with such remarks as suggested themselves to hismind, which never failed to afford Mr. Pickwick great amusement. Hewas much troubled at first, by the numerous applications made to himby Mr. Snodgrass, Mr. Winkle, and Mr. Trundle, to act as godfatherto their offspring; but he has become used to it now, and officiatesas a matter of course. He never had occasion to regret his bountyto Mr. Jingle; for both that person and Job Trotter became, intime, worthy members of society, although they have always steadilyobjected to return to the scenes of their old haunts and temptations.Mr. Pickwick is somewhat infirm now; but he retains all his formerjuvenility of spirit, and may still be frequently seen contemplatingthe pictures in the Dulwich Gallery, or enjoying a walk about thepleasant neighbourhood on a fine day. He is known by all the poorpeople about, who never fail to take their hats off, as he passes, withgreat respect. The children idolise him, and so indeed does the wholeneighbourhood. Every year he repairs to a large family merry-makingat Mr. Wardle's; on this, as on all other occasions, he is invariablyattended by the faithful Sam, between whom and his master there existsa steady and reciprocal attachment which nothing but death willterminate.

  Printed by +Ballantyne, Hanson & Co.+ Edinburgh & London

  Transcriber's note

  Text in italics was surrounded with _underscores_ and small capitalswith +signs+.

  Small errors in punctuation were corrected without note, also thefollowing 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 "re
sponsibilty" 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 "?lite" changed to "?lite" (The _?lite_ 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, includinginconsistencies in spelling, hyphenation etc.