Page:The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club.djvu/435

355 THE PICKWICK CLUB. 355

mind is, that Epsom salts means oxalic acid ; and syrup of senna, lauda- num. That's all, my Lord." With this, the tall chemist composed him- self into a comfortable attitude, and, assuming- a pleasant expression of countenance, appeared to have prepared himself for the worst.

Mr. Pickwick was reg-ardinj^ the chemist with feelings of the deepest horror, when a slight sensation was perceptible in the body of the court; and immediately afterwards Mr*. Bardell, supported by Mrs. Cluppins, was led in, and placed, in a drooping- state, at the other end of the seat on which Mr. Pickwick sat. An extra sized umbrella was then handed in by Mr. Dodson, and a pair of pattens by Mr. Fogg, each of whom had prepared a most sympathising and melancholy face for the occasion. Mrs. Sanders then appeared, leading in Master Bardell. At si^-ht of her child, Mrs. Bardell started ; suddenly recollecting herself, she kissed him in a frantic manner; and then relapsing into a state of hysterical imbecility, the good lady requested to be informed where she was. In reply to this, Mrs. Cluppins and Mrs. Sanders turned their heads away and wept, while Messrs. Dodson and Fogg intreated the plaintiff to compose herself. Sergeant Buzfuz rubbed his eyes very hard with a large white handkerchief, and gave an appealing look towards the jury, while the Judge was visibly affected, and several of the beholders tried to cough down their emotions.

" Very good notion that, indeed," whispered Perker to Mr. Pickwick. " Capital fellows those Dodson and Fogg ; excellent ideas of effect, my dear Sir, excellent."

As Perker spoke, Mrs. Bardell began to recover by slow degrees, while Mrs. Cluppins, after a careful survey of Master Bardell's buttons and the button-holes to which they severally belonged, placed him on the floor of the court in front of his mother, — a commanding position in which he could not fail to awaken the full commiseration and sympathy of both Judge and jury. This was not done without considerable oppo- sition, and many tears on the part of the young gentleman himself, who had certain inward misgivings that the placing him within the full glare of the Judge's eye was only a formal prelude to his being immediately ordered away for instant execution, or for transportation beyond the seas during the whole term of his natural life, at the very least.

" Bardell and Pickwick," cried the gentleman in black, calling on the case, which stood first on the list.

" I am for the plaintiff, my Lord/' said Mr. Sergeant Buzfuz.

"Who is with you, brother Buzfuz?" said the Judge. Mr. Skim- pin bowed, to intimate that he was.


 * ' I appear for the defendant, my Lord," said Mr. Sergeant Snubbin.

'* Anybody with you, brother Snubbin ?" inquired the court.

"Mr. Phunky, my Lord," replied Sergeant Snubbin.

" Sergeant Buzfuz and Mr. Skimpin for the plaintiff," said the Judge, writing down the names in his note-book, and reading as he wrote;
 * 'for the defendant. Sergeant Snubbin and Mr. Monkey."

" Beg your Lordship's pardon, Phunky."

" Oh, very good," said the Judge ; " I never had the pleasure of hear- ing the gentleman's name before." Here Mr. Phunky bowed and

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