Page:The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club.djvu/202

148 14H I'OSTHUAJOUS PAPERS OF

of the list, the name of Mr. Pickwick, and his brother members of the chib that derives its name from him."

" I shall be extremely happy to make the acquaintance of such a lady. Sir," replied Mr. Pickwick.

" You shall make it, Sir," said the grave man. " To-morrow morning, Sir, we give a public breakfast — a fete champetre — to a great number of those who have rendered themselves celebrated by theii works and talents. Permit Mrs. Leo Hunter, Sir, to have the gratification of seeing you at the Den."

" With great pleasure," replied Mr. Pickwick.

" Mrs. Leo Hunter has many of these breakfasts, Sir," resumed the new acquaintance — " ' Feasts of reason. Sir, and flows of soul,' as some- body who wrote a sonnet to Mrs. Leo Hunter on her breakfasts, feel- ingly and originally observed."

" Was he celebrated for his works, and talents ? " inquired Mr Pickwick.

♦* He was, Sir," replied the grave man, " all Mrs. Leo Hunter's acquaintance are ; it is her ambition, Sir, to have no other acquain- tance."

" It is a very noble ambition," said Mr. Pickwick.

" When I inform Mrs. Leo Hanter, that that remark fell from 7/our lips. Sir, she will indeed be proud," said the grave man. '* You have a gentleman in your train, who has produced some beautiful little poems, I think. Sir."

Pickwick.
 * ' My friend Mr. Snodgrass has a great taste for poetry," replied Mr.

adores it; I may say that her whole soul and mind are wound up, and entwined with it. She has produced some delightful pieces, herself, ►Sir. You may have met with her ' Ode to an expiring Frog,' Sir."
 * ' So has Mrs, Leo Hunter, Sir. She dotes on poetry. Sir. She

" I don't think I have," said Mr. Pickwick.

"You astonish me. Sir," said Mr. Leo Hunter. "It created an immense sensation. It was signed with an *L' and eight stars, and appeared originally in a Lady's Magazine. It commenced

" Can I view thee panting, lying On thy stomach, wthout sighing; Can I unmoved see thee dying

On a log, Expiring fi'og !''

" Beautiful ! " said Mr. Pickwick.

" Fine," said Mr. Leo Hunter, '' so simple."

" Very," said Mr. Pickwick.

'* The next verse is still more touching. Shall I repeat it ? "

"If you please," said Mr. Pickwick.

" It runs thus," said the grave man, still more gravely.

" Say, have fiends in shape of boys, With wild halloo, and brutal noise, Hunted thee from marshy joys,

With a dog, Expiring frog ! "