Martin Chuzzlewit 1: Chapter 1 - 10

[Paul]

Plateresca wrote: "Tigg is a close friend of somebody called Chevy Slyme, who is old Martin's nephew; Slyme soon joins them. He is no more respectable than Tigg. The two friends make it clear that they're interested in old Martin's money and that he ignores them, and that they're not happy about it;"

Seems like Dickens knew a great character trope when he created one. He certainly is getting good mileage out of the "talkative con man leech with a propensity to borrow money with no intention of ever paying it back" personality. When you read about Chevy Slyme and his full-of-blarney never-shut-up front man Tiggs, did anyone else flash back to Harold Skimpole or Wilkins Micawber?

And while MARTIN CHUZZLEWIT has yet to mention Chancery Court or a murder, there sure are a lot of similarities to the multiple contested wills idea that was front and center in BLEAK HOUSE!

[Sue]

Yes, Paul! I caught a whiff of Bleak House while reading last night myself. The gathering of the wolves was getting intense and this is just the first half of chapter four! Can’t imagine all the shenanigans Dickens has in store for the Chuzzlewit clan (and us) in coming weeks.

I do enjoy these chapters of character introductions. The new names combined with the descriptions which live up (or down) to the names are some of my favorite sections of every book. Chevy Slyme is one of my new favorites too. My first car was a Chevy though it didn’t have any slime. By the time I got rid of it, it did have a hole if the floor boarding so slime might have come:)

[Lori]

That was a discombobulated chapter! Whew! When Pecksniff talks, I wonder if even he knows what he is saying?!?! I don’t think he had a very good grasp on that meeting or on the attendees! Everyone feeling entitled and no one listening to anyone else. All quite self-centered.

I especially loved all of the physical descriptions and the one for George Chuzzlewit was my favorite :
…his eyes were strained in their sockets, as if with constant surprise; and he such an obvious disposition to pimples, that the bright spots on his cravat, the rich pattern on his waistcoat, and even his glittering trinkets, seemed to have broken out upon him, and not to have come into existence comfortably.

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Here is Sylvère Monod's page, in case like me you had not heard of this French critic before Plateresca's several mentions and evident high regard of him.

And here is wiki, as GR is a bit sparse: https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sylv%C3...

Yes, Tom Pinch immediately sprang to mind for me too, as an honourable character, Peter.

Paul and Sue - Bleak House was just a twinkle in his eye when Charles Dickens wrote Martin Chuzzlewit, as you may remember. Bleak House was to be written nine years later, and was three novels in the future.

But it's a nice comparison, as Charles Dickens was to create characters with some similar faults all his life, and also write repeatedly of particular institutions and situations, especially to do with social reform.

[Kathleen]

I agree with Lori that this was quite a discombobulated chapter! I had trouble following at times--so many new names at once. I too enjoyed comparing the description to the illustration of the gathering.

This had me laughing out loud:
"First there was Mr. Spottletoe, who was so bald and had such big whiskers, that he seemed to have stopped his hair, by the sudden application of some powerful remedy, in the very act of falling off his head, and to have fastened it irrevocably on his face.” 🤣

[Sue]

And here I was, having only read half of the chapter at my last post. Then I saw I’d misread and ch. 5 is the split reading. I just finished the chapter and enjoyed all the rest of the family meeting at the Pecksniff home. What a group. And makes for fun and interesting reading..

Jean, thanks for placing our thoughts in the Dickens timeline. It’s interesting to see how these many ideas and influences lived in his imagination and developed over years.

[Sara]

I couldn't help thinking how some things never change. I have always wondered why distant relatives feel entitled to a dying man's wealth. I recently encountered a situation in which a cousin was irate and refuse to attend a funeral because she was only left a small bequest in the will and she insisted she had been "promised" she would be included as an equal with the man's children.

Who would expect such a thing? Well, the Pecksniff's and the Spottletoe's would.

So much of this chapter was classic Dickens and made me laugh. Love the quote you used Kathleen and have also enjoyed the commentary and the illustrations!

[Shirley (stampartiste)]

Like Peter, I want to thank you Plateresca for providing a list of all the new Chuzzlewits in Chapter 4. I printed the list out along with the Phiz illustration to help me remember this Who's Who Gallery of Rogues. The greedy gene runs strong through this family!

Martin Chuzzlewit is an interesting character. Was he always this mistrustful and hateful, or did his family make him that way?

I appreciated Lori's comment concerning Martin Chuzzlewit hiring a young woman as his companion rather than a man. Surely, he knows the scorn and suspicion he is subjecting her to. A good man would not behave like this.

[Peter]

Plateresca wrote: "Connie, we will learn more about some of those relatives :)

John and Jean, as Sylvère Monod aptly puts it, 'It is only too easy to collect unfavourable, often withering, opinions about it.' [I.e.,..."

Plateresca Ah yes, Tom Pinch! Thanks for the reminder. I do like Tom very much so far. I typed too fast or remembered too little. Or both :-)

[Plateresca]

Paul, I would define Skimpole as a leech, while Slyme... I'd say Tigg is a con, and Slyme is his accomplice.

Luckily, I have not met many representatives of either type to know how much one thing leads to another, but, happily or not, we will know more of both Slyme and Tigg :)

Sue, it's very funny about the car, thank you for this :)

Lori, I loved the 'fabulous animals (pagan, I regret to say)' part :) I mean, yes, he forgot the word 'sirens', but still, sirens are not animals, and paganism has nothing at all to do with the subject of his speech. I guess he thinks that basically any word will do if pronounced imposingly enough. Which makes for amusing chapters :)

Bionic Jean wrote: "Plateresca's several mentions and evident high regard of [Sylvère Monod]."
Well, he has written a book on 'Martin Chuzzlewit' which references many other critical articles, which is very convenient. As Peter mentioned earlier, a good bibliography cannot be underestimated :)
I admit I like the way he phrases his thoughts.
That said, I'd like to clarify that I do not agree with everything he says. Rather, I think reading his observations and summaries of other critics' observations may provide interesting food for thought, — and then we can make our own conclusions.

Not a spoiler, just not 100% pertinent to the discussion: (view spoiler)[[The one I hold in high regard is Q! Love his observations on Dickens in 'Charles Dickens and Other Victorians', which I am reading right now, a book not limited to 'MC' or even to Charles Dickens. But I still disagree (even) with him on a number of points, including his opinion of the first chapter.] (hide spoiler)]

[Plateresca]

Kathleen of roses, I also had difficulties remembering who is who, hence my list. But since we're to know much more about some of these people in future chapters, and much less about some others, it will get easier right away. I'm glad you were still able to enjoy the humour of the chapter :)

Sue, indeed, Dickens did have recurring themes and types. In fact, Quiller-Couch, whom I've just mentioned, argues: 'Carefully examined, [Charles Dickens's plots] are seen to repeat themselves, under a wealth of disguise, with an almost singular poverty of invention.' (He still argues Dickens is a great author, on par with Shakespeare, though). Again, I can't say I agree 100% with this, but ye-es, I do notice some similarities between plots and character types in various Dickens novels :)

Sara, I agree 100% here. Sometimes, when reading Dickens, one wonders at the quirkiness of this or that situation. Not so when he describes families!
A story from my own experience: (view spoiler)[When I was little, my father travelled a lot, and brought me coins from various countries he visited. Once it so happened that my parents and I were moving out of a flat and my uncle, a numismatist, was moving in. So this uncle said that it would be convenient if I didn't take the coins with me right away, but left it for him to catalogue, and then he would mail them to me later, when we've settled at the new place. This happened thirty years ago, and I haven't seen the collection ever since :) (hide spoiler)]

Shirley, you're most welcome, I'm happy the list was useful not just to me.

It's an interesting question about old Martin!
Judging on the way the other Chuzzlewits mistrust each other, I'd say this also runs in the family and that Martin tended to be like that from the very beginning. But maybe this was augmented by exposure to people like Slyme & Tigg.

Old Martin didn't just hire Mary; I understand he kind of adopted her. Her position would be somewhat similar to Esther's in respect of Mr Jarndyce. But he makes it clear that she's not to expect anything from him, and I guess this makes her stress the strictly practical basis of their relationship when she's talking to other people. I mean, if she told Mrs Lupin, 'I am his adopted daughter', he would have protested that she cannot expect anything from him that a daughter might expect.
That said, Mary's position definitely is ambigous, and yes, this is because of old Martin's attitude, this way or another.

Peter, the showy bad guys obscured modest Tom for a moment, but, but... ;)

[Plateresca]

Chapter 5 is a bit longer, so we're dividing it in two parts. The first portion ends with the words 'and hurried off to get his dinner'.


Chapter 5 Summary, Part I

Tom Pinch is to drive to Salisbury in Mr Pecksniff's gig to bring back the new pupil [presumably the one mentioned in Chapter 2, good-looking, but without a premium]. Tom enjoys this mission immensely. It's a lovely winter morning. Everybody who sees Tom is happy to see him, even the tollkeeper [tollkeepers are usually surly].

Tom meets a traveller who is walking in the same direction as he drives, and it turns out to be a friend of his called Mark. Mark's ambition is to be cheerful despite circumstances, so he's in search of unpleasant circumstances. Right now, apparently, he has a nice position at the 'Dragon', and this is precisely why he is going to leave it. This news saddens Tom: he actually thought Mrs Lupin might want to marry his friend. According to Mark, that would make him the landlord of the 'Dragon', which would, of course, make it all too easy to be jolly, and he doesn't want that. He thinks of finding 'something in the grave-digging way', and considers other jobs which sound rather miserable. Equally, Mark is not wearing a waistcoat, risking catching a severe cold, so that he could be happy despite illness.

When Tom arrives at Salisbury, he leaves the horse at a tavern and goes to explore the city. It is a market day, so he sees many different people. He admires the goods on sale and even buys a pocket knife with many blades, all of which are dull. He particularly enjoys seeing the bookshops and would love to be able to buy some books. Seeing children's books makes him happy and nostalgic ('Robinson Crusoe' is mentioned as one of his favourite childhood novels! Also, Philip Quarll, Robinson's imitation).

Tom comes to the cathedral, where the organist's assistant is his friend. Tom helps him play the organ during the service, and then plays it himself, and is totally lost in the music. He goes away only because a caretaker insists on locking up the cathedral.


North-West view of Salisbury Cathedral, 1843, J. Jackson

[Plateresca]

Notes

Signposts
'The vignette title-page [the very first illustration in this thread] displays a finger-post at the centre pointing directions to characters and readers <...>. [I]n Chapter 2 [there's a] description of Pecksniff as "a direction-post, which is always telling the way to a place, and never goes there". Finger-posts direct characters and readers not only to and from Pecksniff's <...>. A visual relative to gallows and crucifix, the finger-post is but one of the many guides linking self to place under the intended epigraph, "Your homes the scene, yourselves the actors, here!" One of the actors, Tom Pinch, visits Salisbury where bookshops greet him: "And in the window were the spick-and-span new works from London, with the title-pages, and sometimes even the first page of the first chapter, laid wide open.... Here too were the dainty frontispiece and trim vignette, pointing like handposts on the outskirts of great cities". Character and reader interconnect at the window, in books, and at various signposts that point the way in the text.'
From 'Martin Chuzzlewit's Connections' by M. Greenstein

Mark Tapley's wish to be jolly under unfortunate circumstances may seem a bit strange. According to Nancy Aycock Metz, this character might have been inspired by Brother Jack in Swift's A Tale of a Tub, somebody representing the excesses of Protestant Dissenters, who walks 'always loose and unbuttoned, and clad as thin as possible', and even asks people to hit him for the sake of the perceived merit of suffering.

[Sara]

I'm a little frightened that Mark Tapley might be a relative--that was my mother's maiden name. I do know people who seem to seek out misery, although not for this reason, I can assure you.

I loved the bookshop browsing. Which of us (because we are all readers) has not enjoyed the smell of either a brand new or an old book? My favorite thing about starting school when I was very young was being issued my books and neatly adding my name to those already present on the flyleaf. "...to the bookshops, whence a pleasant smell of paper freshly pressed came issuing forth, awakening instant recollections of some new grammar had at school, long time ago..."

[Plateresca]

Sara, 'jolly'! :)
Oh, yess, yes, I so share Tom's emotions in this scene, too! I've got so used to choosing books by GR reviews and buying them online, so when I find myself in an actual bookshop, it's like... paradise :) And remember Tom lives in a small village, and I guess he doesn't go out of Pecksniff's house much, except to the church and to the coach stop, so this is really an exciting excursion for him, and although I feel that he deserves to be able to afford such trips more often, and this is not a vacation and he has an errand... I'm so happy for him on this outing :)

And here is also Charles Dickens's enthusiasm... for life, I guess; we see bits of his lively curiosity in the way Tom observes and admires everything, and also Dickens's famous love for walking in cities.

And speaking about what Tom deserves... He deserves to be able to buy books! According to John Westlock, Tom is very useful to Pecksniff... he doesn't seem to be a well-paid employee, though.

[Paul]

Plateresca wrote: "Mark Tapley's wish to be jolly under unfortunate circumstances may seem a bit strange. According to Nancy Aycock Metz, this character might have been inspired by Brother Jack in Swift's A Tale of a Tub, somebody representing the excesses of Protestant Dissenters, who walks 'always loose and unbuttoned, and clad as thin as possible', and even asks people to hit him for the sake of the perceived merit of suffering"

What other possible motivation could there be for such an odd outlook on life than a misguided Christian view of seeing godly merit in the constant donning of a hair shirt and hoping for it to be as rough, as uncomfortable, and as useless as possible in repelling of the elements? That said, my question is why Dickens would choose to portray his jolly and likeable character as espousing such a masochistic philosophy.

[Lori]

Paul, I have to kindly disagree with your remark. I see Mark’s character as a possible apostle Paul who met with hardship and suffering all during his life and who taught others (yes, Christians) to find joy in suffering because it produces endurance. If this is where Dickens is going with this character, then I think I am going to really admire him.

[Paul]

Lori wrote: "Paul, I have to kindly disagree with your remark. I see Mark’s character as a possible apostle Paul who met with hardship and suffering all during his life and who taught others (yes, Christians) t..."

Meeting with hardship and suffering is an unfortunate happenstance to be sure. But Mark is making a point of actively seeking it out not for the purpose of being joyful but for the purpose of gaining credit, although in whose eyes I'm not certain.

[Peter]

Sara wrote: "I'm a little frightened that Mark Tapley might be a relative--that was my mother's maiden name. I do know people who seem to seek out misery, although not for this reason, I can assure you.

I love..."

Sarah

Ah yes! The new school year has just begun and I too remember the thrill of getting the books, and perhaps recognizing a name who had used the book before.

The aroma of an antiquarian book store is firmly planted in my mind too. Those were the days …

[Peter]

Plateresca

At last Dickens presents a chapter of joy and upbeat emotions. We have been subjected to Pecksniff and his dingy daughters and to the hovering ghoulish Chuzzlewit clan and their cranky patriarch.

But now, Dickens gives us relief. We travel to Salisbury with Tom Pinch who gives a ride to Mark Tapley, a man who truly seeks to always look on the bright side of life. Such a refreshing change of tone within the plot. We then enjoy Tom as he plays the organ and follow him to his evening meal.

I think the illustration and mention of the signpost may be of some importance. Signposts give direction, they show the way. We have already seen one person leave Pecksniff’s establishment, an entire clan of Chuzzlewit’s appear at the Blue Dragon, and followed Tom to Salisbury. On route Dickens pointed out the importance of toll roads and Tom give Mark Tapley a ride to Salisbury. We have been told that Mark is in search of a place to be happy, a place to bring happiness. While a traditional signpost would not be able to direct Mark on his quest we do have a reference to ‘Robinson Crusoe’, a book about travel.

Seems the concept of travel in its many guises is beginning to emerge.

[Paul]

Peter wrote: " Such a refreshing change of tone within the plot. We then enjoy Tom as he plays the organ and follow him to his evening meal."

Electricity not yet being available, the air driving through an organ's pipes would obviously be mechanically produced, most often I expect by foot pedals operated by the organist while they played - which leads me to a question entirely unrelated to Charles Dickens and MARTIN CHUZZLEWIT. Obviously, bass lines played by foot pedals did not exist before electricity allowed for the installation of pedals as a supplementary "keyboard" for the bass register. But who composed the bass accompaniment for all of the organ pieces that were composed before this upgrade to church organ technology?

[Cindy]

Lori wrote: "I see Mark’s character as a possible apostle Paul who met with hardship and suffering all during his life and who taught others (yes, Christians) to find joy in suffering because it produces endurance. If this is where Dickens is going with this character, then I think I am going to really admire him...."

I have to agree with Paul on this. While maintaining serenity and even finding joy in hardship is admirable, Mark is creating "artificial" hardship on himself in what appears to be a self-serving exercise. His focus doesn't seem to be on helping others in any way, but simply in testing his own limits. Unless I missed it, he doesn't seem interested in bringing joy to others in those pursuits, but merely on seeing what circumstances will affect his innate good spirits. He does seem a likable fellow, though one with strange ideas! :)

[Cindy]

I did enjoy the comparison of Mr. Pecksniff to his horse: "He was a kind of animal who infused into the breasts of strangers a lively sense of hope, and possessed all those who knew him better with a grim despair. In what respect, having these points of character, he might be fairly likened to his master" (71). Sounds like the effects of a typical conman, which is what he sounds like he probably is, based on his interactions so far.

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

I loved that part too Cindy! Horses often seen to find their way into the text as characters, and nearly always lighten the mood.

Paul - well I do remember playing the harmonium reed organ as a child. It had one keyboard and maybe 15 stops, and 2 pedals I had to pump madly with my feet to produce any sound. Bellows filled up with air inside I think, as I could get ahead a bit (though my feet barely touched the pedals!) before it sort of collapsed with a wheezy floof unless I "pumped" the pedals up again. No electricity was involved.

This was just in our front room, but my brother played a huge pipe organ, and I remember him switching between the keyboards. The sustaining pedals and various stops keep the bass notes going where the music requires it.

[Sara]

Peter wrote: "Ah yes! The new school year has just begun and I too remember the thrill of getting the books, and perhaps recognizing a name who had used the book before."

A rather silly thing, of course, but I got really excited when the book had belonged to one of my older sisters or a cousin.

[Sara]

I am already completely in love with Tom Pinch and hoping he does not find himself "in a pinch" for trusting in Pecksniff so entirely. While Mark wants to exude joy in spite of poor circumstances, Tom actually does that...regardless of what is said to him or of him, he returns smiles and positivity.

Cindy - I also got a kick out of the horse.

[John]

I was getting a little confused by all the people descending upon the Inn and had not expected it was a matter of who would get Chuzzlewit’s money. Pecksniff seems perfectly tailored to be some sort of self-appointed executor.

[Plateresca]

Paul, Lori, and Cindy, re: the character of Mark Tapley. I suggest that at this point, we accept him as a character whose motivations we do not quite understand. NB: Tom doesn't quite understand him, either, or so it seems, though they are friends.
I think Chapters Seven and, I'm sorry to say, Forty-Eight will shed more light on Mark's character and motivation. So bear with us! :)

Also NB what Peter has said: Mark's intention is not just to be jolly, but to cheer others. Today we would say that he wants to make a difference. I think maybe we can all understand that :) This is not how Cindy has interpreted this character so far, so maybe this is not quite clear from the text, but then again, let us wait (and read) and see whether it is so...

Peter, I agree with everything you say, very pertinent and wise observations.
Indeed, 'Robinson' in the shop window seems to be a clear indication that somebody is to go travelling, as is also the word 'vagabond' in the first chapter. The critical consensus is that Dickens was probably not going to mention America in 'MC' even as he was writing these first chapters, but I wonder if this is, indeed, so. Or maybe he was keeping this as an option?..

Paul and Jean, re: organ music, under the spoiler tag because I'm not sure anybody else will be interested, (view spoiler)[I didn't know this either, but guess what, the pedals date from the 13th century!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pedal_k...#
It's like Jean says, one had to pump the bellows:
https://www.composerofthemonth.com/th...#

Jean, did your brother play organ at a church?

Is any of you a fan of organ music? (hide spoiler)]

Cindy, I agree, Mr Pecksniff's horse steals the show whenever he is mentioned :)

Sara, how true about Tom Pinch (whom I also love dearly! As, by the way, did Charles Dickens, too, and I guess we all feel that) that he is already very close to Mark's ideal :) Well noted!

John, I guess you imagined the Chuzzlewits could be concerned about the old man's health just because he's their relative? :) No, they're a bit mercenary, I'm afraid. I enjoyed the way Pecksniff regretted this, though, with his 'Mammon!' lamentation. Remember we mentioned laissez-faire and Carlyle? Carlyle coined the term the 'Gospel of Mammonism'. So, Metz notes that Pecksniff 'is a Manchester School radical where his own privileges are concerned <...>, but a critic of 'Mammonism' when ot comes to the unregulated selfishness of others'. Of course :)

[Plateresca]

Chapter 5 Summary, Part II

Tom returns to the tavern and orders a meal. He's enjoying the food, and is reading while he eats. A young man comes in and sits in front of the fireplace, thus blocking him from the warmth of the fire, but Tom doesn't seem to mind.

As they're both looking at a clock in the room, they soon realise that they are there to meet each other, i.e., the young man is Pecksniff's new apprentice. They like each other and are quite happy to make this acquaintance. The young man did not want to order punch before meeting Tom so as not to produce a bad first impression, but now he does order it and they drink it together and are enjoying themselves.

Tom was to enquire about a Mr Martin, but it turns out that Martin is the name of the young gentleman, while his surname is... Chuzzlewit. Tom is stunned, because Pecksniff specifically told him not to mention the old gentleman by this name who had stayed at the 'Dragon'.

Tom and Martin prepare to ride home. Tom offers Martin to drive, thinking it would please his new friend, but Martin refuses, saying, half jokingly, that he doesn't want to drive a bad horse [and we know that Mr Pecksniff's horse is... not quick]. He also deposits a box with his belongings in the gig, causing Tom inconvenience, of which the latter doesn't complain.


Pinch Starts Homeward with The New Pupil, by Phiz
From the Victorian Web, image scanned by Philip V. Allingham

They ride home, and Tom tells Martin many good things about Mr Pecksniff.
When they approach the church, Tom mentions that he plays the organ there. Martin is surprised, especially when he learns that Tom is not paid for this. Tom explains that it gives him pleasure, and confides to Martin how, as a result of his playing the organ, he saw a very beautiful girl who came to the church specifically to listen to the music. She is gone by now, and, of course, Tom never thought of following her, so as not to distress her. Martin is amazed at this.

They arrive at Mr Pecksniff's. We are told that Mr Pecksniff 'had clearly not expected them for hours to come', because he seems to have been working; and Mercy is working on the clothes for a neighbour's child's doll. Pecksniff calls Tom Pinch his old friend, and Tom is moved by his words. Pecksniff shows his house to Martin. He explains how he reads when he's supposed to be sleeping and thus injures his health. He also shows Martin his daughters' room, and we learn that an old sparrow 'had been borrowed expressly from the kitchen' to form part of the 'neat and airy' atmosphere. Martin is shown his future room and is told he can ask for anything he might want, and we're told that, of course, pupils often 'mentioned' their requests to Mr Pecksniff, but it seems they never got what they wanted.

Everybody sits down to a festive dinner. Pecksniff invites Tom to drink some wine, but then Charity and he himself look askance at him when he does so (though he likely doesn't notice this), and we're hinted that the wine is not very good. Martin and the miss Pecksniffs met when they were children, so they're comparing recollections and are having fun. When Pecksniff sends Tom to bring a pair of snuffers to trim the candles, he tells Martin that Tom 'wants polish', but 'means well'.

When everybody goes to bed, they all have different dreams. We'll learn about Martin's dreams later; Tom dreams of holidays and organs; and Mr Pecksniff, before going to bed, spends some hours in deep thinking.

[Plateresca]

Some Culinary Notes
Celery was trendy in Victorian times, because it was not easy to grow, and thus a rarity. It was frequently paired with cheese, and was even displayed in special vases as a high point of a dinner. What Tom was eating was probably celery stuffed with cream cheese.
More about celery in Victorian times:
Celery Was the Avocado Toast of the Victorian Era
https://tastecooking.com/celery-was-t...

Captain's biscuits were not the actual ship biscuits; they were made without sugar, but with fine flour. The narrator's note that they are 'always a moist and jovial sort of viand' is either a joke at the fact that they were very dry and not at all festive, or maybe this means that Mr Pecksniff's biscuits were so old they've grown moist with time (something they're very much not supposed to do!).

---

'<...> for securing health, riches, and wisdom; the infallibility of which has been for generations verified by the enormous fortunes constantly amassed by chimney-sweepers <...>'
'Early to bed and early to rise, Makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise' is a quote from Benjamin Franklin. Chimney sweeps rose earlier than virtually any other kind of worker, but their fees were necessarily modest ones, and the occupational hazards of their trade were well-known. This is, again, Dickens making fun of a cliché :)

[Plateresca]

This is the end of the second instalment, so tomorrow is our day to catch up and to think about what we've read so far.

What are your impressions now? :)

[Connie]

I like Phiz's illustration with Pinch being crowded by Martin's trunk. The poor man's knees are up to his chest, but he still remains happy and sociable.

[John]

I appreciate the culinary notes and was fascinated by the link about celery. I have a vague memory of a celery vase, perhaps at my grandmother’s. I never would have guessed it was a refined thing. The pairing with olives does sound Mediterranean. I have a link on my Facebook account to a page called Eating History. It simply publishes menus going back as far as 1800. I will have to look at some of the menus for celery. I was fascinated by some of the ship fare — steaming collops, boiled potatoes, and roasted apples.

[Kathleen]

Well I thoroughly enjoyed both the organ and the culinary info, Plateresca, as well as Jean's experience pumping the pedals. Fascinating--thank you both!

I too fell in love with Tom in this enjoyable chapter, and am very concerned about the way Pecksniff tells Martin he'll find him "easy to manage." So we're pulling for Tom already, as Dickens likely intended.

[Plateresca]

Connie, well noted!
And remember this is the second illustration for the February 1843 number, the other one being that of the family meeting at Pecksniff's house. Philip V. Allingham from the Victorian Web (probably after Steig? Peter might know) notes: 'The genuine friendliness of the kindly Tom Pinch towards the new architectural apprentice sharply contrasts the dark assemblage of the House of Chuzzlewit over which presides the bad eminence of Pecksniff, a black pillar of calm and complacency amidst the fractiousness of the greedy relatives of Old Martin.'

John, I personally would love to read some vintage celery recipes, if you come across them :) We all know how important food is in Dickens's novels, and probably many of us remember [culinary spoilers] (view spoiler)[the oysters in 'The Pickwick Papers', Mr Micawber's punch, and the Aged P.'s toasted sausages (hide spoiler)]. I personally love how Dickens conveys comfort through descriptions of shared meals; here, again, the friendly atmosphere of Tom and Martin's meeting is somewhat contrasted with the meal at Pecksniff's home.

Kathleen of roses, well-noted, Dickens did intend us to really like Tom! He gives this character some of his own attributes, and he also talks to this character, as in: 'Blessings on thy simple heart, Tom Pinch <...>', and further.

Unnecessary comment: (view spoiler)[But Tom is really sweet, isn't he? :)
Also, I am a fan of organ music. If there are other organ music fans here, I wonder if we've listened to the same organists, since I've been to two David Briggs concerts, for instance.
At the beginning of this thread, Kathleen said that too many people already expressed their opinions on what Dickens wrote; well, I think not enough has been said about organ music in this particular work :) (hide spoiler)]

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Pipe-organs etc. off topic (view spoiler)[Yes, Plateresca, the organ my brother practised on was at the largest Baptist church in Sheffield (one of England's largest cities) The church had 2 steeples and the organ was HUGE with pipes going way up high. He too got quite a lot of exercise like a gymnast, jumping about on the various pedals and stops😆. Our piano teacher did not like us playing these instruments though, as it ruins the touch for the piano.

Well I don't quite date from the 13th century 😂 but for some reason our family seemed to have things that were Victorian. My mother's sewing machine was a treadle - again operated by her feet! I'm not sure who got up more of a speed, her on her treadle or me on the harmonium, but it sure was good exercise! (hide spoiler)]

[Paul]

Plateresca wrote: "Is any of you a fan of organ music?"

Wow!! Who knew? Thanks for the link to all that info. (view spoiler)[I had absolutely no idea that the bass pedal keyboard was that old. Because of the necessity for manually pumping the air, I was just assuming that the bass keyboards would have been a recent addition to organ technology.

Am I a fan? Definitely NOT ... classical and sacred organ music, in general (and most notably, Bach's wildly famous Toccata and Fugue in D Minor just hurts my ears and gets on my nerves. But, oddly enough, I think the final organ movement of St Saens' mighty Symphony No 3 in C Minor is one of the finest bits of classical music in the entire repertoire. Equally oddly, I was a great fan of the use of organs and MOOG Synthesizers in rock music in the 70s and 80s and lament the fact that its use in that context seems to have gone the way of the dodo bird! (hide spoiler)]

[Peter]

Well, we seem to be attracting all sorts of Chuzzlewit’s to the Pecksniffian world. Martin junior is certainly the most friendly and accommodating. So far, he and Tom Pinch seem to enjoy each other’s company. I’m interested how Dickens introduces all the characters into the narrative. Very smoothly done. And the mystery woman that has so enamoured Tom as he was playing the organ … well, something tells me we will see her again in the novel.

Thank you Plateresca for the information and history of celery in the 19C. I was aware of the valued function of pineapples in Victorian homes, but now celery can be added!

A minor detail, but an important one in Dickens’s novels is how he places his characters when in a room with a fireplace. In the restaurant both Tom and Martin shuffle around the fireplace. Structurally, the person of dominance will be the closest person to the fireplace, and hence the warmest.

[John]

Here is another history of celery:

https://www.epicurious.com/ingredient...

And if you wish to make Celery Victoria, which sounds good to me:

http://www.dvo.com/recipe_pages/delux...

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

And a little more ...

About the organ

You'll have noticed that the frontispiece (at the beginning of this thread) shows Tom Pinch. Shortly before publication in book form Charles Dickens wrote to Hablot Knight Browne explaining his wishes, as he was always very particular about what his illustrator should portray. (Charles Dickens even once complained that a chair was too small and the wrong way round! But it was too close to the copy date for it to be changed.) I can't share much of this yet, but he stipulated that the frontispiece to the entire novel should be:

"Tom at his organ with a pensive face; and any little indications of his history rising out of it, and floating about it, that you please; Tom as interesting and amiable as possible" and referred to "the last swell of the instrument a kind of expression of Tom's heart."

So we can see from this, how central to the theme of Martin Chuzzlewit Tom Pinch is to be, however much or little he will appear. And also, that not only does Tom pour his heart into his organ music, but the organ music itself represents the noble and good essence of Tom, or his "soul", if you like.

[Paul]

Peter wrote: "And the mystery woman that has so enamoured Tom as he was playing the organ … well, something tells me we will see her again in the novel."

Well, I certainly won't be the one betting against you on that ... at any odds!!

[Luffy Sempai]

Bionic Jean wrote: "And also, that not only does Tom pour his heart into his organ music, but the organ music itself represents the noble and good essence of Tom, or his "soul", if you like."

Such a good imagery.

[Sue]

And now there is a young Martin Chuzzlewit that I had originally been expecting! Plateresca, you must have chuckled when I wrote my note of surprise at the old man Martin. Now I’m looking forward to how all of these people interact, particularly the two Martins.

I do like Tom and wonder if his eyes will eventually be opened about the Pecksniffs and what he considers their almost noble ways. He will need a lot of support if that happens, support from good people hopefully.

[Plateresca]

Jean, what fascinating memories! My grandfather had a sewing machine like that, so now I feel like a cheat with my electric pedal :)

Paul, thank you for the clarification ;) Interesting! (I love both of these composers :)).

Peter, thank you for drawing our attention to the theme of the fireplace! This is an important detail, and something which might later resurface.

John, thank you for the info and for the recipe! :)

Jean, thank you for focusing us even more on the organ :) Do you think it's possible that Robert William Buss kept that frontispiece in mind while creating 'Dickens's Dream'?

(I know it's been posted in the group before, so will delete it if you deem necessary).

Sue, I had my best poker face on :) But really, how can a reader guess that old Martin is not the protagonist of the story? I imagine many of the original readers might have thought this way, and if indeed the sales of the first numbers were below expectations, my guess is this could have something to do with the fact that it's not clear from the first instalment what to expect. This chapter makes it much clearer, doesn't it?

And I need my poker face again for the second part of your comment :) I enjoy reading this with you! :)

[Kathleen]

Peter wrote: "Well, we seem to be attracting all sorts of Chuzzlewit’s to the Pecksniffian world."

So true, and a most Dickensian sentence, Peter!

[Jodi]

I love looking at the frontispiece Jean. There may be many little spoilers “floating about” in there, that we cannot figure out yet! It might be fun to see how many we can identify during this journey?

[Sara]

I immediately thought of the Buss when I saw the frontispiece for this novel, Plateresca. I am always happy to see it reposted. I stop every time and pour over it again.

I'm unsure what I think of young Martin at this point. It's picky, but I didn't like the way he squeezed in front of Tom Pinch without so much as a by-your-leave until he knew who he was. Only then did he ask if he was blocking the fire. And, he didn't seem to have any regard for Tom's comfort when he threw his things into the conveyance. He seems a little self-centered on first acquaintance.

Of course, the ruse that the Pecksniff's are all working away is hilarious, along with the welcoming dinner. Wonder how long they think they can keep the deception up.

BTW, Jean, my aunt taught me to sew on a treadle sewing machine.

[John]

I find Tom’s name interesting. It can work both ways. It seems, based upon what we know of Tom — so far — that he is someone who could be relied upon “in a pinch.”

I sometimes think also of “penny pincher,” which was my initial reaction to someone named Pinch — a person who is careful with money.

When thinking of someone who serves as an assistant, both qualities could be a plus.

[Shirley (stampartiste)]

I love how Dickens pretty much did a side-by-side comparison of these two young men, Tom Pinch and Martin Chuzzlewit:

Martin hoarding the fireplace without any thought of Tom, and Tom readily excusing him for having been out in the cold.

Martin placing his large box on Tom's side of the carriage and forcing Tom to ride with his knees drawn up to his chest while Martin rides comfortably along protected from the wind by Tom's body. And Tom graciously going along.

And most telling of all, Tom explaining to Martin how he loves to play the organ for the church, and Martin expressing dismay when Tom tells him he is content with merely the pleasure he gets from playing for the pleasure of others.

Martin totally looks after himself, while Tom finds his happiness in service to others. This is why I was so irritated when Pecksniff instructed Martin to "make him useful to you... you will find him easy to manage." What a horrible, demeaning thing to say about Tom who would already be willing to do anything for anybody, including Martin!

Initially I thought Tom was euphemistically "simple", but this chapter reveals that he is anything but that. When he went into the bookshop in Salisbury, Dickens tells us that Tom would have given mines to have some of those books on the narrow shelf next to his bed. And anyone who can play the organ as beautifully as he does definitely exhibits a great deal of intelligence. I think the only simple thing about Tom is his outlook on life. I love Tom already!

I have really been enjoying the discussion on organs... both learning about how they work (I found the use of stops and pedals fascinating), and the personal experience of organs. Thank you to everyone who shared their stories!

[Paul]

Shirley (stampartiste) wrote: "Martin totally looks after himself, while Tom finds his happiness in service to others. "

I didn't get the impression of selfishness as I read the chapter so much as the impression of the thoughtlessness and generalized immaturity of youth. My first impression was bolstered by his (apparently) genuine and sincere comments to the elder Chuzzlewit on how famously he and Tom Pinch had got along from the very first moment of their meeting.

I'll wait and see now how Martin Chuzzlewit (the younger)'s character unfolds as the story moves along.