grass, at a little distance, and do good execution upon a decent

proportion of the viands. An old oak afforded a pleasant shelter to the

group, and a rich prospect of arable and meadow land, intersected

with luxuriant hedges, and richly ornamented with wood, lay spread

out before them.

This is delightful - thoroughly delightful!' said Mr Pickwick; the skin

of whose expressive countenance was rapidly peeling off, with

exposure to the sun.

So it is - so it is, old fellow,' replied Wardle. 'Come; a glass of punch!'

With great pleasure,' said Mr Pickwick; the satisfaction of whose

countenance, after drinking it, bore testimony to the sincerity of the

reply.

Good,' said Mr Pickwick, smacking his lips. 'Very good. I'll take

another. Cool; very cool. Come, gentlemen,' continued Mr Pickwick,

still retaining his hold upon the jar, 'a toast. Our friends at Dingley

Dell.'

The toast was drunk with loud acclamations.

I'll tell you what I shall do, to get up my shooting again,' said Mr

Winkle, who was eating bread and ham with a pocket-knife. 'I'll put a

stuffed partridge on the top of a post, and practise at it, beginning at a

short distance, and lengthening it by degrees. I understand it's capital

practice.'

I know a gen'l'man, Sir,' said Mr Weller, 'as did that, and begun at

two yards; but he never tried it on agin; for he blowed the bird right

clean away at the first fire, and nobody ever seed a feather on him

arterwards.'

Sam,' said Mr Pickwick.

Sir,' replied Mr Weller.

Have the goodness to reserve your anecdotes till they are called for.'

Cert'nly, sir.'

Here Mr Weller winked the eye which was not concealed by the beer-

can he was raising to his lips, with such exquisite facetiousness, that

the two boys went into spontaneous convulsions, and even the long

man condescended to smile.

The Pickwick Papers