he subject in hand, had of course the
intended effect of turning all eyes to Mr. Pickwick.

We relish, too, another "common form." When the Serjeant found that his
jest as to "greasing the wheels of Mr. Pickwick's slow-coach" had
somewhat missed fire--a thing that often unaccountably happens, in the
case of the "twelve intelligent men," the Serjeant knew how to adroitly
recover himself.

He paused in this place to see whether the jury smiled at his joke;
but as nobody took it but the greengrocer, whose sensitiveness on the
subject was very probably occasioned by his having subjected a
chaise-cart to the process in question on that identical morning, the
learned Serjeant considered it advisable to undergo a slight relapse
into the dismals before he concluded.

'But enough of this, gentlemen,' said Mr. Serjeant Buzfuz, 'it is
difficult to smile with an aching heart; it is ill jesting when our
deepest sympathies are awakened. My client's hopes and prospects are
ruined, and it is no figure of speech to say that her occupation is
gone indeed. The bill is down--but there is no tenant. Eligible
single gentlemen pass and repass--but there is no invitation for them
to enquire within or without. All is gloom and silence in the house;
even the voice of the child is hushed; his infant sports are
disregarded when his mother weeps; his "alley tors" and his
"commoneys" are alike neglected; he forgets the long familiar cry of
"knuckle down," and at tip-cheese, or odd and even, his hand is out.
But Pickwick, gentlemen, Pickwick, the ruthless destroyer of this
domestic oasis in the desert of Goswell Street--Pickwick, who has
choked up the well, and thrown ashes on the sward--Pickwick, who
comes before you to-day with his heartless tomato sauce and
warming-pans--Pickwick still rears his head with unblushing
effrontery, and gazes without a sigh on the ruin he has made.
Damages, gentlemen--heavy damages is the only punishment with which
you can visit him.'

THE INCRIMINATING LETTERS.

"I shall prove to you, gentlemen, that _about a year ago Pickwick
suddenly began to absent himself from home_, during long intervals, ('on
Pickwick Tours,') _as if with the intention of breaking off from my
client_: but I shall show you also that his resolutions were not at that
time sufficiently strong, or that his better feelings conquere