uld impart a sort
of wise and owl-like stare. It was, of course, due to Chapman, the
publisher, and was another of his "happy suggestions."

This Mr. Foster, of Richmond--fortunately for himself--was not known to
be the original of "Pickwick," though many must have been struck by the
likeness, both in physique and costume, to the picture. It is not stated
that the features were copied, though, no doubt, Chapman would have
vividly described them also; and Seymour was so ready and deft with his
pencil that he must have certainly caught the likeness even from the
description. We could fancy him rapidly making trial sketches, "Is that
near it?" "No, fatter in the cheeks." "Is _that_?" "No, forehead a
little higher, more bald," and so on. I myself was at Richmond, having
just come from school, about ten years after the appearance of
Pickwick--and for aught I know may have seen this Foster promenading it
on the Hill. There was no particular interest then in Pickwick--which
was somewhat forgotten, the interest being absorbed in the newer and
brilliant works which Boz was bringing out. The society there was
thoroughly Pickwickian; there were many old-fashioned figures, including
the Mr. Jesse at whom the "Ponto" story was directed. We were gay
enough. The old Star and Garter was flourishing. There were the
Assembly Rooms at the Castle Inn, with "Almack's Balls"; barges coming
down on Regatta days, when people danced on the deck and feasted in the
cabin. There were private parties and dinners, and the old
Theatre--Kean's, with the manager's house adjoining--was still standing
on the Green, opening fitfully enough for a few nights, and then closing
as fitfully. There I saw "The Green Bushes." Such a little Bandbox as
it was! There were the two wooden staircases _outside_, of quaint
appearance. Mr. Tupman may have been then alive and walking on the
Terrace. He had retired there just twenty years before. He had probably
rooms on the Green, near Maid of Honour Row. This little sketch shows
clearly that Richmond is very nearly associated with Pickwick. But here
comes in another reminiscence of Richmond, for there rises before me,
about a dozen years after the appearance of the book, the image of a very
Pickwickian figure--bald and "circular," cozy, wearing a white tie and
glasses--a favourite gossip with all the ladies--no other indeed than
Maria Edgworth's brother. He was a florid, good-humoured personage, a
gr