 of the law, they very significantly turned up their coat
sleeves, as if knocking them down in the first instance, and taking them up
afterwards, were a mere professional act which had only to be thought of, to be
done, as a matter of course. This demonstration was not lost upon Mr. Pickwick.
He conferred a few moments with Mr. Tupman apart, and then signified his
readiness to proceed to the Mayor's residence, merely begging the parties then
and there assembled, to take notice, that it was his firm intention to resent
this monstrous invasion of his privileges as an Englishman, the instant he was
at liberty; whereat the parties then and there assembled, laughed, very
heartily, with the single exception of Mr. Grummer, who seemed to consider that
any slight cast upon the divine right of magistrates, was a species of
blasphemy, not to be tolerated.
    But when Mr. Pickwick had signified his readiness to bow to the laws of his
country; and just when the waiters, and hostlers, and chamber-maids, and
post-boys, who had anticipated a delightful commotion from his threatened
obstinacy, began to turn away, disappointed and disgusted, a difficulty arose
which had not been foreseen. With every sentiment of veneration for the
constituted authorities, Mr. Pickwick resolutely protested against making his
appearance in the public streets, surrounded and guarded by the officers of
justice, like a common criminal. Mr. Grummer, in the then disturbed state of
public feeling (for it was half-holiday, and the boys had not yet gone home), as
resolutely protested against walking on the opposite side of the way, and taking
Mr. Pickwick's parole that he would go straight to the magistrate's; and both
Mr. Pickwick and Mr. Tupman as strenuously objected to the expense of a
post-coach, which was the only respectable conveyance that could be obtained.
The dispute ran high, and the dilemma lasted long; and just as the executive
were on the point of overcoming Mr. Pickwick's objection to walking to the
magistrate's, by the trite expedient of carrying him thither, it was recollected
that there stood in the inn yard, an old sedan chair, which having been
originally built for a gouty gentleman with funded property, would hold Mr.
Pickwick and Mr. Tupman, at least as conveniently as a modern post-chaise. The
chair was hired, and brought into the hall; Mr. Pickwick and Mr. Tupman squeezed
themselves inside, and pulled down the blinds; a couple of chairmen were
speedily
