otes of the guard's key-bugle," when the sight of the Castle
first broke upon them.

"'Magnificent ruin!' said Mr. Augustus Snodgrass,
with all the poetic fervour that distinguished
him, when they came in sight of the fine old
Castle.

"'What a study for an antiquarian!' were the very
words which fell from Mr. Pickwick's mouth, as he
applied his telescope to his eye.

"'Ah, fine place!' said the stranger, 'glorious
pile--frowning walls--tottering arches--dark
nooks--crumbling staircases--'"

Little did poor Mr. Winkle think that within twenty-four hours _his_
feeling of admiration for Rochester Castle would be turned into
astonishment, for does not the chronicle say that "if the upper tower of
Rochester Castle had suddenly walked from its foundation and stationed
itself opposite the coffee-room window [of the Bull Hotel], Mr. Winkle's
surprise would have been as nothing compared with the perfect
astonishment with which he had heard this address" (referring of course
to the insult to Dr. Slammer, and the challenge in the matter of the
duel).

It was on the occasion of "a visit to the Castle" very soon afterwards
that Mr. Winkle confided in, and sought the good offices of, his friend
Mr. Snodgrass, in the "affair of honour" which was to take place at
"sunset, in a lonely field beyond Fort Pitt." Poor fellow! how eagerly
he tried, under a mask of the most perfect candour, and how miserably
he failed, to arouse the energies of his friend to avert the impending
catastrophe.

[Illustration: INTERIOR OF ROCHESTER CASTLE]

"'Snodgrass,' he said, stopping suddenly, 'do
_not_ let me be baulked in this matter--do _not_
give information to the local authorities--do
_not_ obtain the assistance of several peace
officers to take either me or Doctor Slammer of
the 97th Regiment, at present quartered in Chatham
Barracks, into custody, and thus prevent this
duel;--I say, do _not_.'

"Mr. Snodgrass seized his friend's hand as he
enthusiastically replied, 'Not for worlds!'

"A thrill passed over Mr. Winkle's frame, as the
conviction that he had nothing to hope from his
friend's fears, and that he was destined to become
an animated target, rushed forcibly upon him."

The state of the case