The Christmas Books of Mr. M.A. TitmarshThackeray, William Makepeace
General
The Christmas Books of Mr. M.A. Titmarsh
Thackeray, William Makepeace
Christmas stories, English
But if, in spite of Tibbs, our "kyind friends," &c. &c. &c.--if the
little farce, which was meant to amuse Christmas (or what my classical
friend calls Exodus), is asked for, even up to Twelfth Night,--shall the
publisher stop because Tibbs is dissatisfied? Whenever that capitalist
calls to get his money back, he may see the letter from the respected
publisher, informing the author that all the copies are sold, and that
there are demands for a new edition. Up with the curtain, then! Vivat
Regina! and no money returned, except the Times "gratuity!"
M. A. TITMARSH.
January 5, 1851.
THE KICKLEBURYS ON THE RHINE.
The cabman, when he brought us to the wharf, and made his usual charge
of six times his legal fare, before the settlement of which he pretended
to refuse the privilege of an exeat regno to our luggage, glared like a
disappointed fiend when Lankin, calling up the faithful Hutchison, his
clerk, who was in attendance, said to him, "Hutchison, you will pay this
man. My name is Serjeant Lankin, my chambers are in Pump Court. My clerk
will settle with you, sir." The cabman trembled; we stepped on board;
our lightsome luggage was speedily whisked away by the crew; our berths
had been secured by the previous agency of Hutchison; and a couple of
tickets, on which were written, "Mr. Serjeant Lankin," "Mr. Titmarsh,"
(Lankin's, by the way, incomparably the best and comfortablest sleeping
place,) were pinned on to two of the curtains of the beds in a side
cabin when we descended.
Who was on board? There were Jews, with Sunday papers and fruit; there
were couriers and servants straggling about; there were those bearded
foreign visitors of England, who always seem to decline to shave or
wash themselves on the day of a voyage, and, on the eve of quitting our
country, appear inclined to carry away as much as possible of its soil
on their hands and linen: there were parties already cozily established
on deck under the awning; and steady-going travellers for'ard, smoking
already the pleasant morning cigar, and watching the phenomena of
departure.
The bell rings: they leave off bawling, "Anybody else for the shore?"
The last grape and Bell's Life merchant has scuffled over the plank: the
Johns of the departing nobility and gentry line the brink of the quay,
and touch their hats: Hutchison touches his hat to me--to ME, heaven
bless him! I turn round inexpressibly affected and delighted, and whom
do I see but Captain Hicks!
"Hallo! YOU here?" says Hicks, in a tone which seems to mean, "Confound
you, you are everywhere."
Hicks is one of those young men who seem to be everywhere a great deal
too often.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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