Chapter II: Preface: To the Second Volume

“AN author,” says Fielding, in his introduction to _Tom Jones_, “ought to consider himself, not as the gentleman who gives a private or eleemosynary treat, but rather as one who keeps a public ordinary, to which all persons are welcome for their money. Men who pay for what they eat, will insist on gratifying their palates, however nice and whimsical these may prove; and if everything is not agreeable to their taste, will challenge a right to censure, to abuse, and to damn their dinner without control.

“To prevent, therefore, giving offence to their customers by any such disappointment, it hath been usual with the honest and well-meaning host to provide a bill of fare, which all persons may peruse at their first entrance into the house; and having thence acquainted themselves with the entertainment which they may expect, may either stay and regale with what is provided for them, or may depart to some other ordinary better accommodated to their taste.”

In the present instance, the host or author, in opening his new establishment, provided no bill of fare. Sensible of the difficulties of such an undertaking in its infancy, he preferred that it should make its own way, silently and gradually, or make no way at all. It _has_ made its way, and is doing such a thriving business that nothing remains for him but to add, in the words of the good old civic ceremony, now that one dish has been discussed and finished, and another smokes upon the board, that he drinks to his guests in a loving-cup, and bids them a hearty welcome.

DEVONSHIRE TERRACE, LONDON, _March_, 1841.

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

PAGE MASTER HUMPHREY’S CHAMBER _George Cattermole_ 215 FRIENDLY RECOGNITIONS _Phiz_ 217 GOG AND MAGOG ,, 228 A GALLANT CAVALIER _George Cattermole_ 232 DEATH OF MASTER GRAHAM ,, 237 A CHARMING FELLOW _Phiz_ 240 THE TWO FRIENDS ,, 246 HUNTED DOWN _George Cattermole_ 254 MR. PICKWICK INTRODUCES HIMSELF TO _Phiz_ 259 MASTER HUMPHREY WILL MARKS READING THE NEWS _George Cattermole_ 266 CONCERNING WITCHES WILL MARKS TAKES UP HIS POSITION _Phiz_ 270 FOR THE NIGHT WILL MARKS ARRIVES AT THE CHURCH _George Cattermole_ 277 TONY WELLER AND HIS GRANDSON _Phiz_ 282 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CLUB „ 288 THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF ,, 292 WILLIAM BLINDER A RIVAL CLUB ,, 297 A CHIP OF THE OLD BLOCK ,, 302 MASTER HUMPHREY’S VISIONARY ,, 311 FRIENDS THE DESERTED CHAMBER _George Cattermole_ 318