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PICKWICKIAN MANNERS AND CUSTOMS.

chair. On arriving at the house the chair was taken up the steps and carried bodily into the Hall—the chair men drew out their poles, lifted the head, opened the door and the dame stepped out. The operation was not without its state.

Gone too are the "carpet bags" which Mr. Pickwick carried and also Mr. Slurk—(why he brought it with him into the kitchen is not very clear).[1]

Skates were then spelt "Skaits." The "Heavy smack," transported luggage—to the Provinces by river or canal. The "Twopenny Postman" is often alluded to. "Campstools," carried about for use, excited no astonishment. Gentlemen don't go to Reviews now, as Mr. Wardle did, arrayed in "a blue coat and bright buttons, corduroy (Boz also spells it corderoy) breeches and top boots," nor ladies "in scarfs and feathers." It is curious, by the way, that Wardle talks

  1. Not long since, we noticed the general merriment at the Victoria Station on the apparition of one of these curios carried by a rural looking man.