 is well known, on the authority of all the books which treat of such matters,
that every one of these phenomena, but especially that of the chiselling, are
invariably peculiar to, and only make themselves apparent in, persons of the
very best condition.
    This history, having, to its own perfect satisfaction, (and, consequently,
to the full contentment of all its readers,) proved the Chuzzlewits to have had
an origin, and to have been at one time or other of an importance which cannot
fail to render them highly improving and acceptable acquaintance to all
right-minded individuals, may now proceed in earnest with its task. And having
shown that they must have had, by reason of their ancient birth, a pretty large
share in the foundation and increase of the human family, it will one day become
its province to submit, that such of its members as shall be introduced in these
pages, have still many counterparts and prototypes in the Great World about us.
At present it contents itself with remarking, in a general way, on this head:
Firstly, that it may be safely asserted and yet without implying any direct
participation in the Monboddo doctrine touching the probability of the human
race having once been monkeys, that men do play very strange and extraordinary
tricks. Secondly, and yet without trenching on the Blumenbach theory as to the
descendants of Adam having a vast number of qualities which belong more
particularly to swine than to any other class of animals in the creation, that
some men certainly are remarkable for taking uncommon good care of themselves.
 

                                   Chapter II

  Wherein Certain Persons Are Presented to the Reader, with Whom He May, if He
                       Please, Become Better Acquainted.

It was pretty late in the autumn of the year, when the declining sun, struggling
through the mist which had obscured it all day, looked brightly down upon a
little Wiltshire village, within an easy journey of the fair old town of
Salisbury.
    Like a sudden flash of memory or spirit kindling up the mind of an old man,
it shed a glory upon the scene, in which its departed youth and freshness seemed
to live again. The wet grass sparkled in the light; the scanty patches of
verdure in the hedges - where a few green twigs yet stood together bravely,
resisting to the last the tyranny of nipping winds and early frosts - took heart
and brightened up; the stream which had been dull and sullen all day long, broke
out into a cheerful smile; the birds began to chirp and twitter on the naked
boughs, as though the hopeful creatures half believed that winter had gone by,
