By Charles Dickens

CONTENTS THE POSTHUMOUS PAPERS OF THE PICKWICK CLUB CHAPTER I. THE PICKWICKIANS CHAPTER II. THE FIRST DAY’S JOURNEY, AND THE FIRST EVENING’S ADVENTURES; WITH THEIR CONSEQUENCES CHAPTER III. A NEW ACQUAINTANCE—THE STROLLER’S TALE; A DISAGREEABLE INTERRUPTION, AND AN UNPLEASANT ENCOUNTER CHAPTER IV. A FIELD DAY AND BIVOUAC—MORE NEW FRIENDS CHAPTER V. A SHORT ONE—SHOWING, AMONG OTHER MATTERS CHAPTER VI. AN OLD-FASHIONED CARD-PARTY—THE CLERGYMAN’S VERSES CHAPTER VII. HOW MR. WINKLE, INSTEAD OF SHOOTING AT THE PIGEON CHAPTER VIII. STRONGLY ILLUSTRATIVE OF THE POSITION CHAPTER IX. A DISCOVERY AND A CHASE CHAPTER X. CLEARING UP ALL DOUBTS (IF ANY EXISTED) CHAPTER XI. INVOLVING ANOTHER JOURNEY, AND AN ANTIQUARIAN DISCOVERY CHAPTER XII. DESCRIPTIVE OF A VERY IMPORTANT PROCEEDING CHAPTER XIII. SOME ACCOUNT OF EATANSWILL; OF THE STATE OF PARTIES CHAPTER XIV. COMPRISING A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE COMPANY CHAPTER XV. IN WHICH IS GIVEN A FAITHFUL PORTRAITURE CHAPTER XVI. TOO FULL OF ADVENTURE TO BE BRIEFLY DESCRIBED CHAPTER XVII. SHOWING THAT AN ATTACK OF RHEUMATISM

CHAPTER XVIII. BRIEFLY ILLUSTRATIVE OF TWO POINTS CHAPTER XIX. A PLEASANT DAY WITH AN UNPLEASANT TERMINATION CHAPTER XX. SHOWING HOW DODSON AND FOGG WERE MEN OF BUSINESS CHAPTER XXI. IN WHICH THE OLD MAN LAUNCHES FORTH CHAPTER XXII. MR. PICKWICK JOURNEYS TO IPSWICH AND MEETS WITH A ROMANTIC CHAPTER XXIII. IN WHICH MR. SAMUEL WELLER BEGINS TO DEVOTE HIS ENERGIES CHAPTER XXIV. WHEREIN MR. PETER MAGNUS GROWS JEALOUS CHAPTER XXV. SHOWING, AMONG A VARIETY OF PLEASANT MATTERS, HOW MAJESTIC CHAPTER XXVI. WHICH CONTAINS A BRIEF ACCOUNT OF THE PROGRESS CHAPTER XXVII. SAMUEL WELLER MAKES A PILGRIMAGE TO DORKING CHAPTER XXVIII. A GOOD-HUMOURED CHRISTMAS CHAPTER CHAPTER XXIX. THE STORY OF THE GOBLINS WHO STOLE A SEXTON CHAPTER XXX. HOW THE PICKWICKIANS MADE AND CULTIVATED THE ACQUAINTANCE CHAPTER XXXI. WHICH IS ALL ABOUT THE LAW, AND SUNDRY GREAT AUTHORITIES CHAPTER XXXII. DESCRIBES, FAR MORE FULLY THAN THE COURT NEWSMAN EVER CHAPTER XXXIII. MR. WELLER THE ELDER DELIVERS SOME CRITICAL SENTIMENTS CHAPTER XXXIV. IS WHOLLY DEVOTED TO A FULL AND FAITHFUL REPORT

CHAPTER XXXV. IN WHICH MR. PICKWICK THINKS HE HAD BETTER GO TO BATH CHAPTER XXXVI. THE CHIEF FEATURES OF WHICH WILL BE FOUND CHAPTER XXXVII. HONOURABLY ACCOUNTS FOR MR. WELLER’S ABSENCE CHAPTER XXXVIII. HOW MR. WINKLE, WHEN HE STEPPED OUT OF THE FRYING-PAN CHAPTER XXXIX. MR. SAMUEL WELLER, BEING INTRUSTED WITH A MISSION CHAPTER XL. INTRODUCES MR. PICKWICK TO A NEW AND NOT UNINTERESTING SCENE CHAPTER XLI. WHAT BEFELL MR. PICKWICK WHEN HE GOT INTO THE FLEET CHAPTER XLII. ILLUSTRATIVE, LIKE THE PRECEDING ONE, OF THE OLD PROVERB CHAPTER XLIII. SHOWING HOW Mr. SAMUEL WELLER GOT INTO DIFFICULTIES CHAPTER XLIV. TREATS OF DIVERS LITTLE MATTERS WHICH OCCURRED CHAPTER XLV. DESCRIPTIVE OF AN AFFECTING INTERVIEW CHAPTER XLVI. RECORDS A TOUCHING ACT OF DELICATE FEELING CHAPTER XLVII. IS CHIEFLY DEVOTED TO MATTERS OF BUSINESS CHAPTER XLVIII. RELATES HOW MR. PICKWICK, WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF SAMUEL CHAPTER XLIX. CONTAINING THE STORY OF THE BAGMAN’S UNCLE CHAPTER L. HOW MR. PICKWICK SPED UPON HIS MISSION CHAPTER LI. IN WHICH MR. PICKWICK ENCOUNTERS AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE

CHAPTER LII. INVOLVING A SERIOUS CHANGE IN THE WELLER FAMILY CHAPTER LIII. COMPRISING THE FINAL EXIT OF MR. JINGLE AND JOB TROTTER CHAPTER LIV. CONTAINING SOME PARTICULARS RELATIVE TO THE DOUBLE KNOCK CHAPTER LV. MR. SOLOMON PELL, ASSISTED BY A SELECT COMMITTEE CHAPTER LVI. AN IMPORTANT CONFERENCE TAKES PLACE CHAPTER LVII. IN WHICH THE PICKWICK CLUB IS FINALLY DISSOLVED

DETAILED CONTENTS

1. The Pickwickians 2. The first Day’s Journey, and the first Evening’s Adventures; with their Consequences 3. A new Acquaintance—The Stroller’s Tale—A disagreeable Interruption, and an unpleasant Encounter 4. A Field Day and Bivouac—More new Friends—An Invitation to the Country 5. A short one—Showing, among other Matters, how Mr. Pickwick undertook to drive, and Mr. Winkle to ride, and how they both did it 6. An old-fashioned Card-party—The Clergyman’s verses—The Story of the Convict’s Return 7. 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 8. Strongly illustrative of the Position, that the Course of True Love is not a Railway 9. A Discovery and a Chase 10. Clearing up all Doubts (if any existed) of the Disinterestedness of Mr. A. Jingle’s Character 11. 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 12. Descriptive of a very important Proceeding on the Part of Mr. Pickwick; no less an Epoch in his Life, than in this History 13. 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 14. Comprising a brief Description of the Company at the Peacock assembled; and a Tale told by a Bagman 15. 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 anothe r Chapter 16. Too full of Adventure to be briefly described 17. Showing that an Attack of Rheumatism, in some Cases, acts as a Quickener to inventive Genius 18. Briefly illustrative of two Points; first, the Power of Hysterics, and, secondly, the Force of Circumstances 19. A

pleasant Day with an unpleasant Termination 20. 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 C apital Chapter the next one will be 21. In which the old Man launches forth into his favourite Theme, and relates a Story about a queer Client 22. Mr. Pickwick journeys to Ipswich and meets with a romantic Adventure with a middle-aged Lady in yellow Curl-papers 23. In which Mr. Samuel Weller begins to devote his Energies to the Return Match between himself and Mr. Trotter 24. Wherein Mr. Peter Magnus grows jealous, and the middle-aged Lady apprehensive, which brings the Pickwickians within the Grasp of the Law 25. 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 26. Which contains a brief Account of the

Progress of the Action of Bardell against Pickwick 27. Samuel Weller makes a Pilgrimage to Dorking, and beholds his Mother-in-law 28. 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 29. The Story of the Goblins who stole a Sexton 30. How the Pickwickians made and cultivated the Acquaintance of a Couple of nice young Men belonging to one of the liberal Professions; how they disported themselves on the Ice; and how their Visit came to a Conclusion 31. Which is all about the Law, and sundry Great Authorities learned therein 32. Describes, far more fully than the Court Newsman ever did, a Bachelor’s Party, given by Mr. Bob Sawyer at his Lodgings in the Borough 33. Mr. Weller the elder delivers some Critical Sentiments respecting Literary Composition; and, assisted by his Son Samuel, pays a small Instalment of Retaliation to the Account of the Reverend Gentleman with the Red Nose 34. Is

wholly devoted to a full and faithful Report of the memorable Trial of Bardell against Pickwick 35. In which Mr. Pickwick thinks he had better go to Bath; and goes accordingly 36. The chief Features of which will be found to be an authentic Version of the Legend of Prince Bladud, and a most extraordinary Calamity that befell Mr. Winkle 37. Honourably accounts for Mr. Weller’s Absence, by describing a Soiree to which he was invited and went; also relates how he was intrusted by Mr. Pickwick with a Private Mission of Delicacy and Importance 38. How Mr. Winkle, when he stepped out of the Frying-pan, walked gently and comfortably into the Fire 39. Mr. Samuel Weller, being intrusted with a Mission of Love, proceeds to execute it; with what Success will hereinafter appear 40. Introduces Mr. Pickwick to a new and not uninteresting Scene in the great Drama of Life 41. What befell Mr. Pickwick when he got into the Fleet; what Prisoners he saw there; and how he passed the Night 42. Illustrative, like the preceding one, of the old Proverb, that Adversity brings a Man acquainted with strange

Bedfellows—Likewise containing Mr. Pickwick’s extraordinary and startling Announcement to Mr. Samuel Weller 43. Showing how Mr. Samuel Weller got into Difficulties 44. Treats of divers little Matters which occurred in the Fleet, and of Mr. Winkle’s mysterious Behaviour; and shows how the poor Chancery Prisoner obtained his Release at last 45. Descriptive of an affecting Interview between Mr. Samuel Weller and a Family Party. Mr. Pickwick makes a Tour of the diminutive World he inhabits, and resolves to mix with it, in Future, as little as possible 46. Records a touching Act of delicate Feeling not unmixed with Pleasantry, achieved and performed by Messrs. Dodson and Fogg 47. Is chiefly devoted to Matters of Business, and the temporal Advantage of Dodson and Fogg—Mr. Winkle reappears under extraordinary Circumstances—Mr. Pickwick’s Benevolence proves stronger than his Obstinacy 48. Relates how Mr. Pickwick, with the Assistance of Samuel Weller, essayed to soften the Heart of Mr. Benjamin Allen, and to mollify the Wrath of Mr. Robert Sawyer 49.

Containing the Story of the Bagman’s Uncle 50. How Mr. Pickwick sped upon his Mission, and how he was reinforced in the Outset by a most unexpected Auxiliary 51. In which Mr. Pickwick encounters an old Acquaintance—To which fortunate Circumstance the Reader is mainly indebted for Matter of thrilling Interest herein set down, concerning two great Public Men of Might and Power 52. Involving a serious Change in the Weller Family, and the untimely Downfall of Mr. Stiggins 53. Comprising the final Exit of Mr. Jingle and Job Trotter, with a great Morning of business in Gray’s Inn Square—Concluding with a Double Knock at Mr. Perker’s Door 54. Containing some Particulars relative to the Double Knock, and other Matters: among which certain interesting Disclosures relative to Mr. Snodgrass and a Young Lady are by no Means irrelevant to this History 55. Mr. Solomon Pell, assisted by a Select Committee of Coachmen, arranges the affairs of the elder Mr. Weller 56. An important Conference takes place between Mr. Pickwick and Samuel Weller, at which his Parent assists—An old

Gentleman in a snuff-coloured Suit arrives unexpectedly 57. In which the Pickwick Club is finally dissolved, and everything concluded to the Satisfaction of Everybody

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. [Perpetual Vice-President—Member Pickwick Club], presiding. The following resolutions unanimously agreed to:—

‘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. [General Chairman—Member Pickwick Club], 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.

‘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 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