| 497 | 498 | 499 | 500 | 501 |
| 1 | 198 | 396 | 594 | 792 |
|
Chapter XXXVI
The Chief Features Of Which Will Be Found To Be An Authentic
Version Of The Legend Of Prince Bladud, And
A
Most
Extraordinary Calamity That Befell Mr Winkle
As Mr Pickwick contemplated a stay of at least two months in Bath, he
deemed it advisable to take private lodgings for himself and friends for
that period; and as a favourable opportunity offered for their securing,
on moderate terms, the upper portion of a house in the Royal
Crescent, which was larger than they required, Mr and Mrs. Dowler
offered to relieve them of a bedroom and sitting-room. This proposition
was at once accepted, and in three days' time they were all located in
their new abode, when Mr Pickwick began to drink the waters with the
utmost assiduity. Mr Pickwick took them systematically. He drank a
quarter of a pint before breakfast, and then walked up a hill; and
another quarter of a pint after breakfast, and then walked down a hill;
and, after every fresh quarter of a pint, Mr Pickwick declared, in the
most solemn and emphatic terms, that he felt a great deal better;
whereat his friends were very much delighted, though they had not
been previously aware that there was anything the matter with him.
The Great Pump Room is a spacious saloon, ornamented with
Corinthian pillars, and a music-gallery, and a Tompion clock, and a
statue of Nash, and a golden inscription, to which all the water-
drinkers should attend, for it appeals to them in the cause of a
deserving charity. There is a large bar with a marble vase, out of
which the pumper gets the water; and there are a number of yellow-
looking tumblers, out of which the company get it; and it is a most
edifying and satisfactory sight to behold the perseverance and gravity
with which they swallow it. There are baths near at hand, in which a
part of the company wash themselves; and a band plays afterwards, to
congratulate the remainder on their having done so. There is another
pump room, into which infirm ladies and gentlemen are wheeled, in
such an astonishing variety of chairs and chaises, that any
adventurous individual who goes in with the regular number of toes,
is in imminent danger of coming out without them; and there is a
third, into which the quiet people go, for it is less noisy than either.
There is an immensity of promenading, on crutches and off, with
sticks and without, and a great deal of conversation, and liveliness,
and pleasantry.
Every morning, the regular water-drinkers, Mr Pickwick among the
number, met each other in the pump room, took their quarter of a
pint, and walked constitutionally. At the afternoon's promenade, Lord
Mutanhed, and the Honourable Mr Crushton, the Dowager Lady
Snuphanuph, Mrs. Colonel Wugsby, and all the great people, and all
the morning water-drinkers, met in grand assemblage. After this, they
Page
Quick Jump
|