The attorneys for the plaintiff,' said Mr Serjeant Buzfuz. 'Well! They

spoke in high praise of the honourable conduct of Messrs. Dodson

and Fogg, the attorneys for the plaintiff, did they?'

Yes,' said Sam, 'they said what a wery gen'rous thing it was o' them to

have taken up the case on spec, and to charge nothing at all for costs,

unless they got 'em out of Mr Pickwick.'

At this very unexpected reply, the spectators tittered again, and

Dodson & Fogg, turning very red, leaned over to Serjeant Buzfuz, and

in a hurried manner whispered something in his ear.

'You are quite right,' said Serjeant Buzfuz aloud, with affected

composure. 'It's perfectly useless, my Lord, attempting to get at any

evidence through the impenetrable stupidity of this witness. I will not

trouble the court by asking him any more questions. Stand down, sir.'

'Would any other gen'l'man like to ask me anythin'?' inquired Sam,

taking up his hat, and looking round most deliberately.

'Not I, Mr Weller, thank you,' said Serjeant Snubbin, laughing.

You may go down, sir,' said Serjeant Buzfuz, waving his hand

impatiently. Sam went down accordingly, after doing Messrs. Dodson

Fogg's case as much harm as he conveniently could, and saying

just as little respecting Mr Pickwick as might be, which was precisely

the object he had had in view all along.

I have no objection to admit, my Lord,' said Serjeant Snubbin, 'if it

will save the examination of another witness, that Mr Pickwick has

retired from business, and is a gentleman of considerable independent

property.'

Very well,' said Serjeant Buzfuz, putting in the two letters to be read,

then that's my case, my Lord.'

Serjeant Snubbin then addressed the jury on behalf of the defendant;

and a very long and a very emphatic address he delivered, in which he

bestowed the highest possible eulogiums on the conduct and

character of Mr Pickwick; but inasmuch as our readers are far better

able to form a correct estimate of that gentleman's merits and deserts,

than Serjeant Snubbin could possibly be, we do not feel called upon to

enter at any length into the learned gentleman's observations. He

attempted to show that the letters which had been exhibited, merely

related to Mr Pickwick's dinner, or to the preparations for receiving

him in his apartments on his return from some country excursion. It

is sufficient to add in general terms, that he did the best he could for

The Pickwick Papers