FREEMAN'S COURT, CORNHILL. _Bardell against Pickwick_. SIR,--Having been instructed by Mrs. Martha Bardell to commence an action against you for a breach of promise of marriage, for which the plaintiff lays her damages at fifteen hundred pounds, we beg to inform you that a writ has been issued against you in this suit in the Court of Common Pleas, and request to know, by return of post, the name of your attorney in London, who will accept service thereof. We are, Sir, Your obedient servants, DODSON AND FOGG. MR. SAMUEL PICKWICK. I am bound to say that Mr. Pickwick did not conduct himself with his usual dignity on the occasion of his interview on the subject of this letter. The two sharp practitioners had certainly commenced an action against him on grounds which, though definite, were wholly inadequate. But in this alone there was nothing to justify the very violent language of Mr. Pickwick. "Very well, gentlemen, very well," said Mr. Pickwick, rising in person and wrath at the same time; "you shall hear from my solicitor, gentlemen." "We shall be very happy to do so," said Fogg, rubbing his hands. "Very," said Dodson, opening the door. "And before I go, gentlemen," said the excited Mr. Pickwick, turning round on the landing, "permit me to say, that of all the disgraceful and rascally proceedings--" "Stay, sir, stay," interposed Dodson, with great politeness. "Mr. Jackson! Mr. Wicks!" "Sir," said the two clerks, appearing at the bottom of the stairs. "I merely want you to hear what this gentleman says," replied Dodson. "Pray go on, sir--disgraceful and rascally proceedings, I think you said?" "I did," said Mr. Pickwick, thoroughly roused. "I said, sir, that of all the disgraceful and rascally proceedings that ever were attempted this is the most so. I repeat it, sir." "You hear that, Mr. Wicks?" said Dodson. "You won't forget these expressions, Mr. Jackson?" said Fogg. "Perhaps you would like to call us swindlers, sir," said Dodson. "Pray do, sir, if you feel disposed; now pray do, sir." "I do," said Mr. Pickwick. "You _are_ swindlers." "Very good," said Dodson. "You can hear down there, I hope, Mr. Wicks?" "Oh, yes, sir," said Wicks. "You had better come up a step or two higher if you can't," added Mr. Fogg. "Go on, sir; do go on. You had better call us thieves, sir; or perhaps you would like to assault one of us. Pray do it, sir, if you would; we will not make the slightest resistance. Pray do it, sir." As Fogg put himself very temptingly within the reach of Mr. Pickwick's clenched fist there is little doubt that gentleman would have complied with his earnest entreaty but for the interposition of Sam, who, hearing the dispute, emerged from the office, mounted the stairs, and seized his master by the arm.