IN WHICH THE PICKWICK CLUB IS FINALLYDISSOLVED, AND EVERYTHING CONCLUDEDTO THE SATISFACTION OF EVERYBODYor a whole week after the happy arrival of Mr. Winklefrom Birmingham, Mr. Pickwick and Sam Weller werefrom home all day long, only returning just in time fordinner, and then wearing an air of mystery and importance quiteforeign to their natures. It was evident that very grave andeventful proceedings1 were on foot; but various surmises2 wereafloat, respecting their precise character. Some (among whom wasMr. Tupman) were disposed to think that Mr. Pickwickcontemplated a matrimonial alliance; but this idea the ladies moststrenuously repudiated3. Others rather inclined to the belief that hehad projected some distant tour, and was at present occupied ineffecting the preliminary arrangements; but this again was stoutlydenied by Sam himself, who had unequivocally stated, when cross-examined by Mary, that no new journeys were to be undertaken.
At length, when the brains of the whole party had been racked forsix long days, by unavailing speculation4, it was unanimouslyresolved that Mr. Pickwick should be called upon to explain hisconduct, and to state distinctly why he had thus absented himselffrom the society of his admiring friends.
With this view, Mr. Wardle invited the full circle to dinner at theAdelphi; and the decanters having been thrice sent round, openedthe business.
‘We are all anxious to know,’ said the old gentleman, ‘what wehave done to offend you, and to induce you to desert us and devoteyourself to these solitary6 walks.’
‘Are you?’ said Mr. Pickwick. ‘It is singular enough that I hadintended to volunteer a full explanation this very day; so, if youwill give me another glass of wine, I will satisfy your curiosity.’
The decanters passed from hand to hand with unwontedbriskness, and Mr. Pickwick, looking round on the faces of hisfriends with a cheerful smile, proceeded:
‘All the changes that have taken place among us,’ said Mr.
Pickwick, ‘I mean the marriage that has taken place, and themarriage that will take place, with the changes they involve,rendered it necessary for me to think, soberly and at once, uponmy future plans. I determined7 on retiring to some quiet, prettyneighbourhood in the vicinity of London; I saw a house whichexactly suited my fancy; I have taken it and furnished it. It is fullyprepared for my reception, and I intend entering upon it at once,trusting that I may yet live to spend many quiet years in peacefulretirement, cheered through life by the society of my friends, andfollowed in death by their affectionate remembrance.’
Here Mr. Pickwick paused, and a low murmur9 ran round thetable.
‘The house I have taken,’ said Mr. Pickwick, ‘is at Dulwich. Ithas a large garden, and is situated10 in one of the most pleasantspots near London. It has been fitted up with every attention tosubstantial comfort; perhaps to a little elegance11 besides; but ofthat you shall judge for yourselves. Sam accompanies me there. Ihave engaged, on Perker’s representation, a housekeeper12―a veryold one―and such other servants as she thinks I shall require. Ipropose to consecrate13 this little retreat, by having a ceremony inwhich I take a great interest, performed there. I wish, if my friendWardle entertains no objection, that his daughter should bemarried from my new house, on the day I take possession of it.
The happiness of young people,’ said Mr. Pickwick, a little moved,‘has ever been the chief pleasure of my life. It will warm my heartto witness the happiness of those friends who are dearest to me,beneath my own roof.’
Mr. Pickwick paused again: Emily and Arabella sobbed14 audibly.
‘I have communicated, both personally and by letter, with theclub,’ resumed Mr. Pickwick, ‘acquainting them with my intention.
During our long absence, it has suffered much from internaldissentions; and the withdrawal15 of my name, coupled with thisand other circumstances, has occasioned its dissolution. ThePickwick Club exists no longer.
‘I shall never regret,’ said Mr. Pickwick in a low voice, ‘I shallnever regret having devoted16 the greater part of two years tomixing with different varieties and shades of human character,frivolous as my pursuit of novelty may have appeared to many.
Nearly the whole of my previous life having been devoted tobusiness and the pursuit of wealth, numerous scenes of which Ihad no previous conception have dawned upon me―I hope to theenlargement of my mind, and the improvement of myunderstanding. If I have done but little good, I trust I have doneless harm, and that none of my adventures will be other than asource of amusing and pleasant recollection to me in the decline oflife. God bless you all!’
With these words, Mr. Pickwick filled and drained a bumperwith a trembling hand; and his eyes moistened as his friends rosewith one accord, and pledged him from their hearts.
There were few preparatory arrangements to be made for themarriage of Mr. Snodgrass. As he had neither father nor mother,and had been in his minority a ward5 of Mr. Pickwick’s, thatgentleman was perfectly17 well acquainted with his possessions andprospects. His account of both was quite satisfactory to Wardle―as almost any other account would have been, for the good oldgentleman was overflowing18 with Hilarity19 and kindness―and ahandsome portion having been bestowed20 upon Emily, themarriage was fixed21 to take place on the fourth day from thattime―the suddenness of which preparations reduced threedressmakers and a tailor to the extreme verge22 of insanity23.
Getting post-horses to the carriage, old Wardle started off, nextday, to bring his mother back to town. Communicating hisintelligence to the old lady with characteristic impetuosity, sheinstantly fainted away; but being promptly24 revived, ordered thebrocaded silk gown to be packed up forthwith, and proceeded torelate some circumstances of a similar nature attending themarriage of the eldest26 daughter of Lady Tollimglower, deceased,which occupied three hours in the recital27, and were not halffinished at last.
Mrs. Trundle had to be informed of all the mighty28 preparationsthat were making in London; and, being in a delicate state ofhealth, was informed thereof through Mr. Trundle, lest the newsshould be too much for her; but it was not too much for her,inasmuch as she at once wrote off to Muggleton, to order a newcap and a black satin gown, and moreover avowed29 herdetermination of being present at the ceremony. Hereupon, Mr.
Trundle called in the doctor, and the doctor said Mrs. Trundleought to know best how she felt herself, to which Mrs. Trundlereplied that she felt herself quite equal to it, and that she hadmade up her mind to go; upon which the doctor, who was a wiseand discreet30 doctor, and knew what was good for himself, as wellas for other people, said that perhaps if Mrs. Trundle stopped athome, she might hurt herself more by fretting31, than by going, soperhaps she had better go. And she did go; the doctor with greatattention sending in half a dozen of medicine, to be drunk uponthe road.
In addition to these points of distraction32, Wardle was intrustedwith two small letters to two small young ladies who were to act asbridesmaids; upon the receipt of which, the two young ladies weredriven to despair by having no ‘things’ ready for so important anoccasion, and no time to make them in―a circumstance whichappeared to afford the two worthy33 papas of the two small youngladies rather a feeling of satisfaction than otherwise. However, oldfrocks were trimmed, and new bonnets34 made, and the youngladies looked as well as could possibly have been expected ofthem. And as they cried at the subsequent ceremony in the properplaces, and trembled at the right times, they acquitted35 themselvesto the admiration36 of all beholders. How the two poor relations everreached London―whether they walked, or got behind coaches, orprocured lifts in wagons37, or carried each other by turns―isuncertain; but there they were, before Wardle; and the very firstpeople that knocked at the door of Mr. Pickwick’s house, on thebridal morning, were the two poor relations, all smiles and shirtcollar.
They were welcomed heartily38 though, for riches or poverty hadno influence on Mr. Pickwick; the new servants were all alacrityand readiness; Sam was in a most unrivalled state of high spiritsand excitement; Mary was glowing with beauty and smart ribands.
The bridegroom, who had been staying at the house for two orthree days previous, sallied forth25 gallantly39 to Dulwich Church tomeet the bride, attended by Mr. Pickwick, Ben Allen, Bob Sawyer,and Mr. Tupman; with Sam Weller outside, having at his button-hole a white favour, the gift of his lady-love, and clad in a new andgorgeous suit of livery invented for the occasion. They were metby the Wardles, and the Winkles, and the bride and bridesmaids,and the Trundles; and the ceremony having been performed, thecoaches rattled40 back to Mr. Pickwick’s to breakfast, where littleMr. Perker already awaited them.
Here, all the light clouds of the more solemn part of theproceedings passed away; every face shone forth joyously41; andnothing was to be heard but congratulations and commendations.
Everything was so beautiful! The lawn in front, the garden behind,the miniature conservatory42, the dining-room, the drawing-room,the bedrooms, the smoking-room, and, above all, the study, withits pictures and easy-chairs, and odd cabinets, and queer tables,and books out of number, with a large cheerful window openingupon a pleasant lawn and commanding a pretty landscape, dottedhere and there with little houses almost hidden by the trees; andthen the curtains, and the carpets, and the chairs, and the sofas!
Everything was so beautiful, so compact, so neat, and in suchexquisite taste, said everybody, that there really was no decidingwhat to admire most.
And in the midst of all this, stood Mr. Pickwick, hiscountenance lighted up with smiles, which the heart of no man,woman, or child, could resist: himself the happiest of the group:
shaking hands, over and over again, with the same people, andwhen his own hands were not so employed, rubbing them withpleasure: turning round in a different direction at every freshexpression of gratification or curiosity, and inspiring everybodywith his looks of gladness and delight.
Breakfast is announced. Mr. Pickwick leads the old lady (whohas been very eloquent43 on the subject of Lady Tollimglower) tothe top of a long table; Wardle takes the bottom; the friendsarrange themselves on either side; Sam takes his station behindhis master’s chair; the laughter and talking cease; Mr. Pickwick,having said grace, pauses for an instant and looks round him. Ashe does so, the tears roll down his cheeks, in the fullness of his joy.
Let us leave our old friend in one of those moments of unmixedhappiness, of which, if we seek them, there are ever some, to cheerour transitory existence here. There are dark shadows on theearth, but its lights are stronger in the contrast. Some men, likebats or owls44, have better eyes for the darkness than for the light.
We, who have no such optical powers, are better pleased to takeour last parting look at the visionary companions of many solitaryhours, when the brief sunshine of the world is blazing full uponthem.
It is the fate of most men who mingle45 with the world, and attaineven the prime of life, to make many real friends, and lose them inthe course of nature. It is the fate of all authors or chroniclers tocreate imaginary friends, and lose them in the course of art. Nor isthis the full extent of their misfortunes; for they are required tofurnish an account of them besides.
In compliance46 with this custom―unquestionably a bad one―we subjoin a few biographical words, in relation to the party at Mr.
Pickwick’s assembled.
Mr. and Mrs. Winkle, being fully8 received into favour by the oldgentleman, were shortly afterwards installed in a newly-builthouse, not half a mile from Mr. Pickwick’s. Mr. Winkle, beingengaged in the city as agent or town correspondent of his father,exchanged his old costume for the ordinary dress of Englishmen,and presented all the external appearance of a civilised Christianever afterwards.
Mr. and Mrs. Snodgrass settled at Dingley Dell, where theypurchased and cultivated a small farm, more for occupation thanprofit. Mr. Snodgrass, being occasionally abstracted andmelancholy, is to this day reputed a great poet among his friendsand acquaintance, although we do not find that he has everwritten anything to encourage the belief. There are manycelebrated characters, literary, philosophical47, and otherwise, whohold a high reputation on a similar tenure48.
Mr. Tupman, when his friends married, and Mr. Pickwicksettled, took lodgings49 at Richmond, where he has ever sinceresided. He walks constantly on the terrace during the summermonths, with a youthful and jaunty50 air, which has rendered himthe admiration of the numerous elderly ladies of single condition,who reside in the vicinity. He has never proposed again.
Mr. Bob Sawyer, having previously51 passed through the Gazette,passed over to Bengal, accompanied by Mr. Benjamin Allen; bothgentlemen having received surgical52 appointments from the EastIndia Company. They each had the yellow fever fourteen times,and then resolved to try a little abstinence; since which period,they have been doing well. Mrs. Bardell let lodgings to manyconversable single gentlemen, with great profit, but never broughtany more actions for breach53 of promise of marriage. Her attorneys,Messrs. Dodson & Fogg, continue in business, from which theyrealise a large income, and in which they are universallyconsidered among the sharpest of the sharp.
Sam Weller kept his word, and remained unmarried, for twoyears. The old housekeeper dying at the end of that time, Mr.
Pickwick promoted Mary to the situation, on condition of hermarrying Mr. Weller at once, which she did without a murmur.
From the circumstance of two sturdy little boys having beenrepeatedly seen at the gate of the back garden, there is reason tosuppose that Sam has some family.
The elder Mr. Weller drove a coach for twelve months, butbeing afflicted54 with the gout, was compelled to retire. The contentsof the pocket-book had been so well invested for him, however, byMr. Pickwick, that he had a handsome independence to retire on,upon which he still lives at an excellent public-house nearShooter’s Hill, where he is quite reverenced55 as an oracle56, boastingvery much of his intimacy57 with Mr. Pickwick, and retaining a mostunconquerable aversion to widows.
Mr. Pickwick himself continued to reside in his new house,employing his leisure hours in arranging the memoranda58 which heafterwards presented to the secretary of the once famous club, orin hearing Sam Weller read aloud, with such remarks as suggestedthemselves to his mind, which never failed to afford Mr. Pickwickgreat amusement. He was much troubled at first, by the numerousapplications made to him by Mr. Snodgrass, Mr. Winkle, and Mr.
Trundle, to act as godfather to their offspring; but he has becomeused to it now, and officiates as a matter of course. He never hadoccasion to regret his bounty59 to Mr. Jingle60; for both that personand Job Trotter became, in time, worthy members of society,although they have always steadily61 objected to return to the scenesof their old haunts and temptations. Mr. Pickwick is somewhatinfirm now; but he retains all his former juvenility62 of spirit, andmay still be frequently seen, contemplating63 the pictures in theDulwich Gallery, or enjoying a walk about the pleasantneighbourhood on a fine day. He is known by all the poor peopleabout, who never fail to take their hats off, as he passes, with greatrespect. The children idolise him, and so indeed does the wholeneighbourhood. Every year he repairs to a large family merry-making at Mr. Wardle’s; on this, as on all other occasions, he isinvariably attended by the faithful Sam, between whom and hismaster there exists a steady and reciprocal attachment64 whichnothing but death will terminate.
The End
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proceedings
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| n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报 | |
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surmises
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| v.臆测，推断( surmise的第三人称单数 )；揣测；猜想 | |
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repudiated
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| v.（正式地）否认( repudiate的过去式和过去分词 )；拒绝接受；拒绝与…往来；拒不履行（法律义务） | |
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speculation
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| n.思索，沉思；猜测；投机 | |
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ward
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| n.守卫，监护，病房，行政区，由监护人或法院保护的人（尤指儿童）；vt.守护，躲开 | |
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solitary
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| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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murmur
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| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
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situated
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| adj.坐落在...的，处于某种境地的 | |
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elegance
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| n.优雅；优美，雅致；精致，巧妙 | |
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housekeeper
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| n.管理家务的主妇，女管家 | |
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consecrate
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| v.使圣化，奉…为神圣；尊崇；奉献 | |
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sobbed
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| 哭泣，啜泣( sob的过去式和过去分词 )； 哭诉，呜咽地说 | |
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withdrawal
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| n.取回，提款；撤退，撤军；收回，撤销 | |
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devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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overflowing
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| n. 溢出物,溢流 adj. 充沛的，充满的 动词overflow的现在分词形式 | |
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hilarity
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| n.欢乐；热闹 | |
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bestowed
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| 赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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verge
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| n.边，边缘；v.接近，濒临 | |
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insanity
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| n.疯狂，精神错乱；极端的愚蠢，荒唐 | |
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promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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eldest
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| adj.最年长的，最年老的 | |
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recital
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| n.朗诵，独奏会，独唱会 | |
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mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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avowed
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| adj.公开声明的，承认的v.公开声明，承认( avow的过去式和过去分词) | |
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discreet
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| adj.(言行)谨慎的；慎重的；有判断力的 | |
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fretting
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| n. 微振磨损 adj. 烦躁的, 焦虑的 | |
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distraction
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| n.精神涣散，精神不集中，消遣，娱乐 | |
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worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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bonnets
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| n.童帽( bonnet的名词复数 )；（烟囱等的）覆盖物；（苏格兰男子的）无边呢帽；（女子戴的）任何一种帽子 | |
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acquitted
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| 宣判…无罪( acquit的过去式和过去分词 )； 使（自己）作出某种表现 | |
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admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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wagons
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| n.四轮的运货马车( wagon的名词复数 )；铁路货车；小手推车 | |
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heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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gallantly
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| adv. 漂亮地，勇敢地，献殷勤地 | |
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rattled
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| 慌乱的，恼火的 | |
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joyously
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| ad.快乐地, 高兴地 | |
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conservatory
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| n.温室，音乐学院；adj.保存性的，有保存力的 | |
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eloquent
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| adj.雄辩的，口才流利的；明白显示出的 | |
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owls
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| n.猫头鹰( owl的名词复数 ) | |
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mingle
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| vt.使混合，使相混；vi.混合起来；相交往 | |
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compliance
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| n.顺从；服从；附和；屈从 | |
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philosophical
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| adj.哲学家的，哲学上的，达观的 | |
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tenure
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| n.终身职位；任期；(土地)保有权，保有期 | |
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lodgings
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| n. 出租的房舍, 寄宿舍 | |
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jaunty
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| adj．愉快的，满足的；adv.心满意足地，洋洋得意地；n.心满意足；洋洋得意 | |
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previously
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| adv.以前，先前（地） | |
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surgical
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| adj.外科的，外科医生的，手术上的 | |
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breach
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| n.违反，不履行；破裂；vt.冲破，攻破 | |
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afflicted
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| 使受痛苦，折磨( afflict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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reverenced
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| v.尊敬，崇敬( reverence的过去式和过去分词 )；敬礼 | |
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oracle
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| n.神谕，神谕处，预言 | |
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intimacy
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| n.熟悉，亲密，密切关系，亲昵的言行 | |
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memoranda
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| n. 备忘录, 便条 名词memorandum的复数形式 | |
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bounty
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| n.慷慨的赠予物，奖金；慷慨，大方；施与 | |
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jingle
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| n.叮当声，韵律简单的诗句；v.使叮当作响，叮当响，押韵 | |
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steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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juvenility
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| n.年轻，不成熟 | |
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contemplating
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| 深思，细想，仔细考虑( contemplate的现在分词 )； 注视，凝视； 考虑接受（发生某事的可能性）； 深思熟虑，沉思，苦思冥想 | |
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attachment
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| n.附属物，附件；依恋；依附 | |
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