ury, Rochester, Maidstone, &c. To this circuit also
belonged "Dismal Jemmy," who was "no actor," yet did the "heavy
business." It does not appear that he, also, was engaged for the
officers' performance. We often wonder whether Jingle _did_ perform on
the night in question; or did Dr. Payne and Lieutenant Tappleton tell the
story of his behaviour to their brethren: of his passing himself off as a
gentleman, his wearing another gentleman's clothes, and his insults to
Dr. Slammer. Tappleton scornfully recommended Mr. Pickwick to be more
nice in the selection of his companions. No doubt Jingle was suggested
to the officers by the manager: "knew a really smart chap who will just
do for the part." On the whole, I think they must have had his services,
as it was too late to get a substitute. Jingle, as we know, was played
successfully by Sir Henry Irving in the early 'seventies, _tempore_
Bateman. His extraordinary likeness to the Phiz portrait struck every
one, and it was marked, not only in face, but in figure, manner, &c. The
adaptation of "Pickwick," however, was very roughly done by the late
James Albery, who merely _tacked_ together the Jingle scenes. Those,
where there is much genial comedy, such as the Ball scene at Rochester,
were left out. It is likely that the boy, Boz, noticed Dismal Jemmy
among the strollers, and possibly may have seen a Jingle himself. But
the characters of Jingle and his confederate, Job, were certainly
suggested by Robert Macaire and Jacques Strop, which, a little before the
appearance of Pickwick, were being played in London--in "_L'Auberge des
Adrets_."

Mr. Pickwick had discovered in the morning that Jingle was "connected
with the Theatre in that place, _though he is not desirous to have it
generally known_."

Now considering generally the different "games" he was pursuing, his
passing himself off as an officer, an amateur of cricket, &c., it was not
altogether desirable to have his profession known. Knowing also that Mr.
Pickwick intended staying at Rochester, and that the gay Tupman or
Snodgrass would find out his engagement and witness his performance, he
likely enough confided his secret to Mr. Pickwick. "Dismal Jemmy," the
odd being who appears at Rochester for a short time, had promised Mr.
Pickwick a tale which he never gave him. At the end of the story, _Boz_,
having forgotten the engagement, is driven to supply a far-fetched
reason. He was Job's brother, and went t