other laugh,
for Mr. Pickwick had just been dismissing Messrs. Dodson and Fogg with
some strong language indeed.

"Not exactly," said Mr. Pickwick, drawing out his pocket-book, and
shaking the little man heartily by the hand; "I only mean a pecuniary
settlement. You have done me many acts of kindness that I can never
repay, and have no wish to repay, for I prefer continuing the
obligation."

With this preface the two friends dived into some very complicated
accounts and vouchers, which, having been duly displayed and gone
through by Perker, were at once discharged by Mr. Pickwick with many
professions of esteem and friendship.

Never was bill of costs so pleasantly discharged, though I know many
lawyers who have won the friendship and esteem of their clients.

The next type is that of Messrs. Dodson and Fogg, of Freeman's Court,
Cornhill. The character of the genial partner is best described by one
of his clerks in a conversation overheard by Mr. Pickwick and Sam Weller
while waiting for an interview with this celebrated firm.

"There was such a game with Fogg here this morning," said the man in
the brown coat, "while Jack was upstairs sorting the papers, and you
two were gone to the stamp-office. Fogg was down here opening the
letters when that chap as we issued the writ against at Camberwell,
you know, came in--what's his name again?"

"Ramsey," said the clerk who had spoken to Mr. Pickwick.

"Ah, Ramsey--a precious seedy-looking customer. 'Well, sir,' says old
Fogg, looking at him very fierce--you know his way--'well, sir, have
you come to settle?' 'Yes, I have, sir,' said Ramsey, putting his
hand in his pocket and bringing out the money; 'the debt's two pound
ten, and the costs three pound five, and here it is, sir,' and he
sighed like bricks as he lugged out the money, done up in a bit of
blotting-paper. Old Fogg looked first at the money, and then at him,
and then he coughed in his rum way, so that I knew something was
coming. 'You don't know there's a declaration filed, which increases
the costs materially, I suppose?' said Fogg. 'You don't say that,
sir,' said Ramsey, starting back; 'the time was only out last night,
sir.' 'I do say it, though,' said Fogg; 'my clerk's just gone to file
it. Hasn't Mr. Jackson gone to file that declaration in Bullman and
Ramsey, Mr. Wicks?' Of course I said yes, and then