Winkle.
    »Well, then, draw that little table into this window, and let me get out of
hearing of those prosy politics.«
    »Jane,« said Mr. Pott, to the servant who brought in candles, »go down into
the office, and bring me up the file of the Gazette for Eighteen Hundred and
Twenty Eight. I'll read you -« added the editor, turning to Mr. Pickwick, »I'll
just read you a few of the leaders I wrote at that time upon the Buff job of
appointing a new tollman to the turnpike here; I rather think they'll amuse
you.«
    »I should like to hear them very much, indeed,« said Mr. Pickwick.
    Up came the file, and down sat the editor, with Mr. Pickwick at his side.
    We have in vain pored over the leaves of Mr. Pickwick's note-book, in the
hope of meeting with a general summary of these beautiful compositions. We have
every reason to believe that he was perfectly enraptured with the vigour and
freshness of the style; indeed Mr. Winkle has recorded the fact that his eyes
were closed, as if with excess of pleasure, during the whole time of their
perusal.
    The announcement of supper put a stop to the game at ecarté, and the
recapitulation of the beauties of the Eatanswill Gazette. Mrs. Pott was in the
highest spirits and the most agreeable humour. Mr. Winkle had already made
considerable progress in her good opinion, and she did not hesitate to inform
him, confidentially, that Mr. Pickwick was »a delightful old dear.« These terms
convey a familiarity of expression, in which few of those who were intimately
acquainted with that colossal-minded man, would have presumed to indulge. We
have preserved them, nevertheless, as affording at once a touching and a
convincing proof of the estimation in which he was held by every class of
society, and the ease with which he made his way to their hearts and feelings.
    It was a late hour of the night - long after Mr. Tupman and Mr. Snodgrass
had fallen asleep in the inmost recesses of the Peacock - when the two friends
retired to rest. Slumber soon fell upon the senses of Mr. Winkle, but his
feelings had been excited, and his admiration roused; and for many hours after
sleep had rendered him insensible to earthly objects, the face and figure of the
agreeable Mrs. Pott presented themselves again and again to his wandering
imagination.
    The noise and bustle which ushered in the morning, were sufficient