Chapter I
THE PICKWICKIANS
The first ray of light which illumines the gloom, and
converts into a dazzling brilliancy that obscurity in which
the earlier history of the public career of the immortal
Pickwick would appear to be involved, is derived from the perusal
of the following entry in the Transactions of the Pickwick Club,
which the editor of these papers feels the highest pleasure in
laying before his readers, as a proof of the careful attention,
indefatigable assiduity, and nice discrimination, with which his
search among the multifarious documents confided to him has
been conducted.
‘May 12, 1827. Joseph Smiggers, Esq., P.V.P.M.P.C. [Perpetual
Vice-President—Member Pickwick Club], presiding. The following
resolutions unanimously agreed to:—
‘That this Association has heard read, with feelings of
unmingled satisfaction, and unqualified approval, the paper
communicated by Samuel Pickwick, Esq., G.C.M.P.C. [General
Chairman—Member Pickwick Club], entitled “Speculations on the
Source of the Hampstead Ponds, with some Observations on the
Theory of Tittlebats;” and that this Association does hereby return
its warmest thanks to the said Samuel Pickwick, Esq., G.C.M.P.C.,
for the same.