and uttered in a low, but distinct and emphatic tone, these

remarkable words -

You're a humbug, sir.' 'A what?' said Mr Winkle, starting.

'A humbug, Sir. I will speak plainer, if you wish it. An impostor, sir.'

With those words, Mr Pickwick turned slowly on his heel, and rejoined

his friends.

While Mr Pickwick was delivering himself of the sentiment just

recorded, Mr Weller and the fat boy, having by their joint endeavours

cut out a slide, were exercising themselves thereupon, in a very

masterly and brilliant manner. Sam Weller, in particular, was

displaying that beautiful feat of fancy-sliding which is currently

denominated 'knocking at the cobbler's door,' and which is achieved

by skimming over the ice on one foot, and occasionally giving a

postman's knock upon it with the other. It was a good long slide, and

there was something in the motion which Mr Pickwick, who was very

cold with standing still, could not help envying.

It looks a nice warm exercise that, doesn't it?' he inquired of Wardle,

when that gentleman was thoroughly out of breath, by reason of the

indefatigable manner in which he had converted his legs into a pair of

compasses, and drawn complicated problems on the ice.

'Ah, it does, indeed,' replied Wardle. 'Do you slide?'

I used to do so, on the gutters, when I was a boy,' replied Mr

Pickwick.

Try it now,' said Wardle.

Oh, do, please, Mr Pickwick!' cried all the ladies.

I should be very happy to afford you any amusement,' replied Mr

Pickwick, 'but I haven't done such a thing these thirty years.'

Pooh! pooh! Nonsense!' said Wardle, dragging off his skates with the

impetuosity which characterised all his proceedings. 'Here; I'll keep

you company; come along!' And away went the good-tempered old

fellow down the slide, with a rapidity which came very close upon Mr

Weller, and beat the fat boy all to nothing.

Mr Pickwick paused, considered, pulled off his gloves and put them in

his hat; took two or three short runs, baulked himself as often, and at

last took another run, and went slowly and gravely down the slide,

The Pickwick Papers