Page:The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club.djvu/183

131 THE I'lCKUICK CLltB. 131

the husUiig;s. TIip right was reserved for the Buff party, and the centre for tJie mayor and his officers ; one of whom — the fat crier of Eatanswill — was ring-ing an enormous bell, by way of commanding- silence, while jNIr, Horatio Fizkin, and the Honourable Samuel Slumkey, with their hands upon their hearts, were bowing- with the utmost affability to the troubled sea of heads that inundated the open space in front; and from whence arose a storm of groans, and shouts, and yells, and hootings, that would have done honour to an earthquake.

" There's Winkle," said Mr. Tupman, pulling his friend by the sleeve.

" Where ? " said Mr. Pickwick, putting on his spectacles, which he hud fortunately kept in his pocket hitherto.

" There," said Mr. Tnpraan, " on the top of that house." And there sure enough, in the leaden gutter of a tiled roof, were Mr. Winkle and Mrs. Pott, comfortably seated in a couple of chairs, waving their handkerchiefs in token of recognition — a compliment which Mr. Pick- wick returned by kissing his hand to the lady.

Thepioceedings had not yet commenced ; and as an inactive crowd is generally disposed to be jocose, this very innocent action was sufficient to awaken their facetiousness.

" Oh you wicked old rascal," cried one voice, " looking arter the girls, are you ? ''

" Oh you wenerable "sinner," cried another.

third.
 * ' Putting on his spectacles to look at a married 'ooman ! " said a

" I sec him a vinkin' at her, vith his vicked old eye," shouted a fourth.

a roar of laughter.
 * ' Look arter your wife, Pott," bellowed a fifth ; — and then there v/as

As these taunts were accompanied with invidious comparisons between Mr. Pickwick and an aged ram, and several witticisms of the like nature; and as they moreover rather tended to convey reflections upon the honour of an innocent lady, Mr. Pickwick's indignation was excessive ; but as silence was proclaimed at the moment, he contented himself by scorching the mob with a look of pity for their misguided minds, at which they laughed more boisterously than ever. " Silence," roared the mayor's attendants.

" Whiffin, proclaim silence," said the mayor, with an air of pomp befitting his lofty station. In obedience to this command the crier per- formed another concerto on the bell, whereupon a gentleman in the crowd called out "muffins ;" which occasioned another laugh.

" Gentlemen," said the Mayor, at as loud a pitch as he could possibly force his voice to, " Gentlemen. Brother electors of the Borough of Eatanswill. We are met here to-day, for the purpose of choosing a representative in the room of our late — " I Here the Mayor was interrupted by a voice in the crowd.

" Suc-cess to the Mayor ! " cried the voice, " and may he never desert the nail and sarspan business, as he got his money by."

This allusion to the professional pursuits of the orator was received

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