Page:The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club.djvu/316

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POSTHUMOUS PAPERS OF


 * ' Yes, youi worship."

" Is Grummer down stairs ? "


 * ' Yes, your worship/'

" Send him up."

The obsequious Muzzle retired, and presently returned, introducing the elderly gentleman in the top-boots, who was chiefly remarkable for a bottle nose, a hoarse voice, a snuff-coloured surtout, and a wander- ing eye.

" Grummer," said the Magistrate.

" Your wash-up."

" Is the town quiet now ? '*

" Pretty well, your wash-up," replied Grummer. *' Pop'lar feeling has in a measure subsided, consekens o' the boys having dispersed to cricket."

said the Magistrate, in a determined manner. " If the authority of the king's officers is set at nought, we must have the riot act read. If the civil power cannot protect these windows, Grummer, the military must protect the civil power, and the windows too. I believe that is a maxim of the constitution, Mr. Jinks ? "
 * ' Nothing but vigorous measures will do, in these times, Grummer/'

" Certainly, Sir," said Jinks.

" Very good," said the Magistrate, signing the warrants. " Grummer, you will bring these persons before me, this afternoon. You will find them at the Great White Horse. You recollect the case of the Mid- dlesex Dumpling and the Suffolk Bantam, Grummer? "

Mr. Grummer intimated, by a retrospective shake of the head, that he should never forget it — as indeed it was not likely he would, so long as it continued to be cited daily.

" This is even more unconstitutional," said the Magistrate ; " this is even a greater breach of the peace, and a grosser infringement of his Majesty's prerogative. I believe duelling is one of His Majesty's most undoubted prerogatives, Mr. Jinks ? "

" Expressly stipulated in Magna Charta, Sir," said Mr. Jinks.

" One of the brightest jewels in the British crown, wrung from his Majesty by the Political Union of Barons, I believe, Mr. Jinks ? " said the Magistrate.

" Just so, Sir," replied Mr. Jinks.

" Very well," said the Magistrate, drawing himself up proudly, " it shall not be violated in this portion of his dominions. Grummer, pro- cure assistance, and execute these warrants with as little delay as possible. Muzzle."

" Yes, your worship." " Show the lady out."

Miss Witherfield retired, deeply impressed with the Magistrate's learning and research ; Mr. Nupkins retired to lunch ; Mr. Jinks retired within himself— that being the only retirement he had, except the sofa- bedstead in the small parlour which was occupied by his landlady's family in the day-time — and Mr. Grummer retired, to wash out, by his mode of discharging his present commission, the insult which had been