During the whole time of the polling, the town was in a perpetual fever

of excitement. Everything was conducted on the most liberal and

delightful scale. Excisable articles were remarkably cheap at all the

public-houses; and spring vans paraded the streets for the

accommodation of voters who were seized with any temporary

dizziness in the head - an epidemic which prevailed among the

electors, during the contest, to a most alarming extent, and under the

influence of which they might frequently be seen lying on the

pavements in a state of utter insensibility. A small body of electors

remained unpolled on the very last day. They were calculating and

reflecting persons, who had not yet been convinced by the arguments

of either party, although they had frequent conferences with each.

One hour before the close of the poll, Mr Perker solicited the honour of

a private interview with these intelligent, these noble, these patriotic

men. it was granted. His arguments were brief but satisfactory. They

went in a body to the poll; and when they returned, the Honourable

Samuel Slumkey, of Slumkey Hall, was returned also.

Chapter XIV

Comprising A Brief Description Of The Company At The Peacock

Assembled; And A Tale Told By A Bagman

It is pleasant to turn from contemplating the strife and turmoil of

political existence, to the peaceful repose of private life. Although in

reality no great partisan of either side, Mr Pickwick was sufficiently

fired with Mr Pott's enthusiasm, to apply his whole time and attention

to the proceedings, of which the last chapter affords a description

compiled from his own memoranda. Nor while he was thus occupied

was Mr Winkle idle, his whole time being devoted to pleasant walks

and short country excursions with Mrs. Pott, who never failed, when

such an opportunity presented itself, to seek some relief from the

tedious monotony she so constantly complained of. The two gentlemen

being thus completely domesticated in the editor's house, Mr Tupman

and Mr Snodgrass were in a great measure cast upon their own

resources. Taking but little interest in public affairs, they beguiled

their time chiefly with such amusements as the Peacock afforded,

which were limited to a bagatelle-board in the first floor, and a

sequestered skittle-ground in the back yard. In the science and nicety

of both these recreations, which are far more abstruse than ordinary

men suppose, they were gradually initiated by Mr Weller, who

possessed

perfect knowledge of such pastimes. Thus,

notwithstanding that they were in a great measure deprived of the

comfort and advantage of Mr Pickwick's society, they were still

enabled to beguile the time, and to prevent its hanging heavily on

their hands.

The Pickwick Papers