| 789 | 790 | 791 | 792 | 793 |
| 1 | 198 | 396 | 594 | 792 |
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gentlemen having received surgical appointments from the East India
Company. They each had the yellow fever fourteen times, and then
resolved to try a little abstinence; since which period, they have been
doing well. Mrs. Bardell let lodgings to many conversable single
gentlemen, with great profit, but never brought any more actions for
breach of promise of marriage. Her attorneys, Messrs. Dodson & Fogg,
continue in business, from which they realise a large income, and in
which they are universally considered among the sharpest of the
sharp.
Sam Weller kept his word, and remained unmarried, for two years.
The old housekeeper dying at the end of that time, Mr Pickwick
promoted Mary to the situation, on condition of her marrying Mr
Weller at once, which she did without a murmur. From the
circumstance of two sturdy little boys having been repeatedly seen at
the gate of the back garden, there is reason to suppose that Sam has
some family.
The elder Mr Weller drove a coach for twelve months, but being
afflicted with the gout, was compelled to retire. The contents of the
pocket-book had been so well invested for him, however, by Mr
Pickwick, that he had a handsome independence to retire on, upon
which he still lives at an excellent public-house near Shooter's Hill,
where he is quite reverenced as an oracle, boasting very much of his
intimacy with Mr Pickwick, and retaining a most unconquerable
aversion to widows.
Mr Pickwick himself continued to reside in his new house, employing
his leisure hours in arranging the memoranda which he afterwards
presented to the secretary of the once famous club, or in hearing Sam
Weller read aloud, with such remarks as suggested themselves to his
mind, which never failed to afford Mr Pickwick great amusement. He
was much troubled at first, by the numerous applications made to
him by Mr Snodgrass, Mr Winkle, and Mr Trundle, to act as godfather
to their offspring; but he has become used to it now, and officiates as
a matter of course. He never had occasion to regret his bounty to Mr
Jingle; for both that person and Job Trotter became, in time, worthy
members of society, although they have always steadily objected to
return to the scenes of their old haunts and temptations. Mr Pickwick
is somewhat infirm now; but he retains all his former juvenility of
spirit, and may still be frequently seen, contemplating the pictures in
the Dulwich Gallery, or enjoying a walk about the pleasant
neighbourhood on a fine day. He is known by all the poor people
about, who never fail to take their hats off, as he passes, with great
respect. The children idolise him, and so indeed does the whole
neighbourhood. Every year he repairs to a large family merry-making
at Mr Wardle's; on this, as on all other occasions, he is invariably
attended by the faithful Sam, between whom and his master there
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