Yes, your Worship.'

Is Grummer downstairs?'

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 wandering 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.'

'Nothing but vigorous measures will do in these times, Grummer,' said

the magistrate, in a determined manner. 'if the authority of the king's

officers is set at naught, 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?' '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 Middlesex

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 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, procure

The Pickwick Papers