And among the many who came to witness the wedding were not only Pancks, and Maggie, the half-witted woman, but even a group of Little Dorrit's old turnkey friends from the prison--among whom was the disconsolate Chivery, who had so long solaced himself by composing epitaphs for his own tombstone, and who went home to meditate over his last inscription: _________________________________________________ | | | STRANGER! Respect the Tomb of | | JOHN CHIVERY, JUNIOR | | Who Died at an Advanced Age not Necessary to | | Mention. He Encountered His Rival and | | Felt Inclined | | _To Have a Round with Him_; | | But, for the Sake of the Loved One, Conquered | | Those Feelings of Bitterness and Became | | MAGNANIMOUS | |_________________________________________________| LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF MARTIN CHUZZLEWIT Published 1843-1844 _Scene_: London, Neighboring Towns, New York and the Mississippi Valley _Time_: 1842 CHARACTERS Martin Chuzzlewit A young gentleman Chuzzlewit His grandfather. A rich old man Mary Graham Old Chuzzlewit's nurse and secretary Jonas His grasping nephew Chuffey An aged clerk to Jonas's father Pecksniff An architect and hypocrite A distant relative of Old Chuzzlewit's Charity His daughter Mercy His daughter. Later, Jonas's wife Tom Pinch A charity pupil of Pecksniff's Ruth His sister John Westlock One of Pecksniff's former pupils Mark Tapley An assistant at a village inn Later, Martin's comrade in the United States Bevan An American Mrs. Todgers The proprietress of a London boarding-house Montague Tigg A penniless adventurer Later known as "Tigg Montague," and president of the Anglo-Bengalee Company "Sairey" Gamp A nurse "Mrs. Harris" An imaginary friend of Sairey Gamp's Nadgett A police spy MARTIN CHUZZLEWIT I HOW MARTIN LEFT ENGLAND Martin Chuzzlewit was the grandson of an old man who, from being poor, became so rich that he found not only that people bowed low and flattered him, but that many of his relatives were trying by every trick to get some of his money.