Cluppins, Mr. Perker, and Bob Sawyer) as silent spectators,
seems to me almost as inconsistent with the spirit of the tale as his
other proposal to kidnap Mr. Justice Stareleigh in the boot of Mr.
Weller's coach, and substitute for his lordship the Chancery prisoner
in an iron mask. I trust, madam, that these few suggestions will,
without setting any appreciable constraint on your fancy, enable you
to catch something more of the spirit of my poor narrative than I
have been able to detect in some of the chapters submitted; and I am,
with every assurance of esteem,
Your obliged servant,
Boz."

"P.S.--The difference between Anjou wine and the milk punch about
which you inquire does not seem to me to necessitate any serious
alteration of the chapter in question. M. D--'s expressed intention
of making Master Bardell in later life the executioner of King
Charles I. of England must stand over for some future occasion.
The present work will hardly yield him the required opportunity for
dragging in King Charles' head."

(2)

"MADAME,--Puisque M. Boz se mefie des propositions lui faites sans but
quelconque que de concilier les gens d'esprit, j'ai l'honneur de vous
annnoncer nettement que je me retire d'une besogne aussi rude que
malentendue. Il dit que j'ai concu son _Pickwick_ tout autrement que
lui. Soit! Je l'ecrirai, ce _Pickwick_, selon mon propre gout.
Que M. Boz redoute mes _Trois Pickwickistes!_ Agreez, Madame, etc.,
etc.,
Alexandre (le Grand)."

I am told that literary aspirants in these days do not read books, or read
them only for purposes of review-writing. Yet these pages may happen to
fall in the way of some literary aspirant faint on a false scent, yet
pursuing; and to him, before telling of another discovery, I will address
one earnest word of caution. Let him receive it as from an elder brother
who wishes him well.

My caution is--Avoid irony as you would the plague.

Years ago I was used to receive this warning (on an average) once a week
from my old and dear friend Sir Wemyss Reid; and once a week I would set
myself, assailing his good nature, to cajole him into printing some piece
of youthful extravagance which he well knew--and I knew--and he knew that
I knew--would infuria