ry

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

THE 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. [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
m