Martin Chuzzlewit 3: Chapter 21 -

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Tension is building around Jonas and his marriage to Merry. Though her intentions were to make Jonas do her bidding, it seems likely that the opposite is happening. Should it worry us that Jonas has repeatedly made vague threats about his marriage, culminating in this chapter where he goes to buy life insurance for her at a company that usually sees its insured customers conveniently die shortly after being insured? This does not bode well for Merry’s situation.

It isn’t yet clear, however, if this was Jonas’s intention all along in getting married, or if it is partly a result of the way his relationship with Merry has turned out.

Many hints are dropped about Mr. Tigg’s newest business venture not being legitimate and in his frank admission to Jonas of the fraud. We are given to understand the nature of the business from phrases like “the imaginative List of Directors”, plus the facts that the porter is unusually highly paid, and that nobody knows his background.

David, the managing director, also talks with Mr. Tigg about property in Bengal, with heavy hints that this is fictitious. Mr. Jobling, the medical officer, indirectly refers people to the business - but makes a point not to connect himself with it too closely. We are also told that Jobling passes all applicants for insurance, regardless of their maladies. This makes him an accomplice of sorts.

By the end of his meeting with Mr. Tigg, it looks as if Jonas is no longer in control of himself. Perhaps he is getting in deeper than he expected, and “biting off more than he can chew”, just as Merry seems to have done by marrying Jonas out of spite.

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

My Favourite quotation

This comes when the smart Bullamy presents a card to Mr. Jobling, the Medical Officer.

“‘Talk of the what’s his name—’ observed the doctor rising.
‘And he’s sure to appear, eh?’ said Tigg.“

It made me laugh out loud, as the saying goes “Talk of the Devil and he will appear” - but here the doctor is nonplussed as he is referring to Jonas Chuzzlewit! Neat.

I do also like Fred Barnard's title for his illustration ... but who is the "spider" and who the "fly"? Who is really catching the other in their web?

(I need to catch the one bus a day here (!) but will be back later to respond to comments on the long chapter.)

[Plateresca]

Sara, I'm thrilled that your grandmother called you Sairey!
Sylvère Monod noticed that some critics, when writing about Mrs Gamp, tend to call her Sairey, instead of Sara Gamp or Mrs Gamp, as she is most often called in the book. For him, this is proof of the deep impression she makes on readers :)


Peter, I hope you enjoyed your Thanksgiving! Cheers! :)


Jean, thank you for your kind words :) And for everything else, of course.


'Surely not the David of the—how shall it be phrased?—the triumvirate of golden balls? Not David, tapster at the Lombards’ Arms? Yes. The very man.'
So you see, this is the same pawnbroker whom Martin sold his watch to when he came to London. Tigg presumed he got Martin a good deal for the watch, but in reality, as the pawnbroker was his friend, it was probably the other way round. Which we did suspect at the time, but now we know this for sure :)

[Sara]

They should rename the firm: Association of Dangerous Scalawags. I have real fears for Merry now and even more suspicion of Anthony's death. Jonas is looking for a new place to take out insurance because he has had recent dealings with another insurance firm and was not satisfied. Questions, questions.

Bailey is particularly well-positioned to observe what goes on here. I am watching to see if he overhears things and how he handles them; who he tells.

Thank you, Plateresca, for pointing out that David is the pawnbroker we saw earlier. I missed that entirely! Dickens is so clever at tying characters together!

[Lori]

This entire chapter did not give me good vibes at all. I am most concerned for Merry at this point. Whether Jonas had in mind to destroy his marriage, it certainly seems he’s thinking about it now with the insurance policy. Can there be two men who are so alike that they never need to be in business together? Tigg and Jonas will make a horrifying pair. I can only imagine what the two of them could come up with to swindle people. Which one is the worst? They’re both pretty terrible!

[Katy]

I did pick up on the fact that Jonas was taking out insurance on Merry, and this did not bode well for her. But I got lost during most of Tigg's explanation of the business, even though I caught enough of it to figure out that it was not on the up and up. Thank you, Jean, for explaining it in more detail.

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Chris - Ah, apologies for my English sense of humour! I did not really expect Nancy Aycock Metz to be a footballer, but was amused by the random way a google search came up with 2 definitions for Virginia Tech.

Ah yes, the supreme irony of “Disinterested” in the title! Anything to lend a professional air to the scam. Montague Tigg is a supreme conman, isn’t he? I wouldn’t be surprised if all the grand furnishings etc. were initially on credit, and then as soon as gullible investors gave them money (as we’ve been told they do), it went to that.

Sara - “I thought about how easily Tigg made off with Tom Pinch’s money.” Yes, he’s a good example of an “unsuspecting dupe”.

Jodi - I’m really happy to see your comment and know you’re enjoying it. Please do add anything that strikes you, at any time.

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Peter -“The Anglo-Bengalee consortium is the British equivalent to the development of Eden group.”

Yes! Great observation. And isn’t this inspired of Dickens? It’s proof that he wasn’t “picking” on Americans as scammers (or ‘entrepreneurs’ LOL), but saying that there are fraudsters of this ilk anywhere! Sue - I love your description “Snake oil salesmen” - I hadn’t heard that one before!

Plateresca - Credit where credit is due 🙂👏

And good point about the pawnbroker. It’s easy to miss details like that.

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Shirley - great comments!

“I have wondered at the passage of time. Dickens has not really made clear how much time is passing by.”- Ah, it’s all in Dickens’s mind. He knows what we’re thinking, and if we just stay patient a little while longer it will become clear.

We discussed before that usually in Victorian fiction, when a protagonist goes abroad from England, we go with them. Dickens is doing something different here.

Apart from anything else, as well as this being a “hero’s journey” about the young Martin, the end of the full title refers to “The whole forming a complete key to the House of Chuzzlewit.”

So Dickens has not stipulated which Martin it is about, Young Martin or Old Martin. To consider the youthful one as who he wants us to focus on, is just our assumption. We have a huge cast of characters here, referred to in the title as “His relatives, friends, and enemies”. And by the end of the title he wants us to concentrate of all the Chuzzlewits, as a sort of species family!

We have switched from America to follow other characters in England, in a “meanwhile back at home” sense. So I have confidence that he will return to America shortly to catch up on what is happening there, with one of the Chuzzlewits.

That is a salutary excerpt from The House of Seven Gables (I really need to read this novel!) Other Victorian travellers who wrote accounts of their experiences, also commented on “Americans’ relentless pursuit of money” when they were published back in England. But yes, surely there must also have been Americans who deplored the tendency too!

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Sara, Lori and Katy - I think we all have fears for Merry now. Jonas's insurance plan is beginning to sound positively Hitchcockian! But would he keep it a secret from his accomplice? As you say Lori: "Tigg and Jonas will make a horrifying pair."

[John]

As Shirley mentioned, I have been wondering about the passage of time and when we will see Martin and Mark again. The scams in each country seem to be Dickens way of showing it exists everywhere. Interestingly enough, if we think of the United States in the 1840s, land would be the likeliest avenue of a scam, just as perhaps on the other side of ocean it would be more of a banking or insurance thing. I’m just speculating.

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

John - we may have cross-posted - please see my post 159.

Great point about land in America being a likely target for a scam at that time. English people would not know anything much about where different areas were.

[Sue]

Snake oil salesman is an “American-ism” for all the quacks who sold (and some who still sell) miracle cures, pain relief aids and substances. Arthritis cures were the major thing in the 19th century. Then they usually left town quick to sell in another place. The same idea as the miracle cures we see in print, on billboards, on tv, and online today.

When Jonas entered the office, I wondered briefly if he might be a mark for Tiggs, but Tiggs recognized a fellow con artist. I loved the process of Tigg taking him through how different events would be dealt with…all the way to “get out of here.” Jonas certainly seems very interested.

I was thinking that Jonas may have wanted a different insurance company for Merry’s policy as two deaths from one insurer if too close together might actually be looked into

[Kathleen]

Chris wrote: "Just to clarify for those living outside of the U.S.; Virginia Polytechnical Institute (VPI) more commonly known as Virginia Tech is a large university that is in Blacksburg, VA."

Thanks, Chris, for making the clarification. One of my grandsons is a graduate of VT's engineering program..

[Chris]

Tiggs definitely saw the con artist in Jonas, and was confident enough in being able to reel him in to join them that he was pretty honest about the goal Why should I disguise what you know so well, but the crowd never dream of? We companies are all birds of prey.

I too fear for Mercy. If I was being generous, I'd say, a husband realizes that many women die as a result of childbirth & he is just being practical and taking advantage of a chance to obtain some money. But the Jonas we are seeing is cunning, and it would not be surprising if he was planning on something heinous.

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Sue - thanks for the info on “snake oil salesmen”. I’m definitely going to add that to my vocabulary - it’s fabulous! And people will think I’m American 😄

Chris - that quotation is great, and sends a chill down my spine. In fact we need to hold on to our hats today. Take a deep breath as we plunge in …

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Chapter 28: Mr. Montague at Home. And Mr. Jonas Chuzzlewit at Home

Jonas is tempted by Mr. Tigg’s proposal:

“Firstly, there was money to be made by it. Secondly, the money had the peculiar charm of being sagaciously obtained at other people’s cost. Thirdly, it involved much outward show of homage and distinction”

and decides to accept.



“The Spider and the Fly” - Fred Barnard - Household Edition - 1872

He goes to visit Mr. Tigg and finds him having dinner with Mr. Jobling, the managing director, and two other gentlemen who are introduced as “Mr. Wolf” and “Mr. Pip.” As they dine, Jonas admires the expensive dishes. Mr. Tigg mentions that he always dines like this. It isn’t anything out of the normal way of his life. Jonas is impressed. He eats and drinks liberally, and Bailey takes him home drunk at the end of the night.



“Jonas Suddenly Recognises Bailey from Todgers’s -
“Times is changed, ain’t they? I say, how you’ve growed!” - Jonas Chuzzlewit and Bailey Junior - Fred Barnard - Household Edition - 1872

After Jonas leaves, Mr. Tigg and the others confer, and reveal their plan to con Jonas. They don’t talk about specific details, but they agree that they have “hooked” him.

Jonas is now very drunk, so Bailey takes him home. He finds Merry there, looking like a pale shadow of herself. He is concerned for Merry, but she tells him to go, once they have got Jonas upstairs. Bailey stands at the bottom of the stairs and hears Jonas make a veiled threat to kill Merry, while she weeps and tries to win him over. She tries to put her arms around Jonas, and he beats her. All this is witnessed by the eavesdropping Bailey, who is horrified.

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Oh my gosh, we certainly see Jonas’s true character in this chapter. In the opening of Chapter 28 the narrator tells us that he is drawn to Mr. Tigg’s scheme because “Firstly, there was money to be made by it. Secondly, the money had the peculiar charm of being sagaciously obtained at other people’s cost. Thirdly, it involved much outward show of homage and distinction.”

These three reasons pretty well sum up the whole of Jonas’s character. He is weak, driven by money, and even more motivated by money that is got by hurting or tricking others.

Meanwhile, Mr. Tigg is playing Jonas, and knows just which buttons to press, inflating Jonas’s ego. Examples of this are strewn throughout their interactions, such as when Mr. Tigg tells Jonas:

“It was of no use having anything uncommon for you. You’d have seen through it.”

Mr. Tigg is flattering Jonas, saying that he knows how clever Jonas is, and wouldn’t try to dupe him. However we see that Jonas is nowhere near as clever as he thinks he is. He gets drunk, when he should be alert and watchful, and he trusts those who inflate his ego

There is a lot of vivid description, full of imagery, of Jonas’s true situation.*

But even worse is to come. Jonas seems to have married Mercy with the intention of torturing her, although oddly, he doesn’t seem to have realised the consequences of the marriage. Now he is more miserable than he expected, despite the fact that Mercy is far more miserable and abused. Jonas likens her to a weight he has to carry, saying in her hearing:

“I hate myself, for having been fool enough to strap a pack upon my back for the pleasure of treading on it whenever I choose.”

At the end of the evening, Jonas openly threatens to kill Mercy. He pointedly asks if the book she is reading is about a man killing his wife. Then he says that the book lies, because his story will be a true one soon enough. And these words, clearly describing domestic abuse or “wife-beating” are unforgettable:

“[Merry] went up to him, as it seemed, and spoke lovingly; saying that she would defer to him in everything and would consult his wishes and obey them, and they might be very happy if he would be gentle with her. He answered with an imprecation, and—
Not with a blow? Yes. Stern truth against the base-souled villain; with a blow.“

We weep for Merry’s situation. Old Martin Chuzzlewit tried to warn her, but she could not see it.

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

And a little more …

About a man beating his wife

Although it is clear how much the narrator despises this, there is little that Merry could do in practice.

Domestic abuse was endemic in the Victorian era. A husband legally had the right to physically “chastise” his wife, and it was commonly believed that it was acceptable as long as the stick was “no thicker than his thumb” although this was not enshrined in law.

Allegedly in 1782, the English judge Sir Francis Buller was ridiculed for stating that wife beating was permissible as long as the husband used a stick no thicker than a man’s thumb, but this could be apocryphal. In the 1700s, one English jurist wrote that “by an old law, a husband was justified in using moderate correction against his wife but barred from serious violence”. The word “thumb” was never used in law.

Nevertheless violence was common behind closed doors, and the only legal restriction for wife-beating was a 1895 City of London by-law that prohibited noise-making in the act between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. This was because it was likely to disturb the neighbours, rather than because the beating itself was wrong!

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

My favourite quotation from this chapter is about Jonas:

*“And thus while the blundering cheat—gull that he was, for all his cunning—thought himself rolled up hedgehog fashion, with his sharpest points towards them, he was, in fact, betraying all his vulnerable parts to their unwinking watchfulness.”

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

And a little more …

Here’s a nice thematic trivia link, to ease the horror and tension. A hairstyle called a “Merry Pecksniffian crop” describes a hairstyle from a passage in Louisa May Alcott's 1876 novel Rose in Bloom. Of course we know Seth Pecksniff embodies hypocritical and sanctimonious behaviour, and “merry“ indicates the hairstyle is cheerful, perhaps with a youthful or carefree quality. This odd combination suggests a youthful, perhaps a bit mischievous or overly cheerful, haircut, with the ”Pecksniffian” adding a touch of irony.

I thought this frontispiece to “Rose in Bloom” fits. The young woman’s eyes certainly seem to reflect the sadness Merry must now feel.



What are your thoughts about this chapter?

[Jodi]

Bionic Jean wrote: "And a little more …

Here’s a nice thematic trivia link, to ease the horror and tension. A hairstyle called a “Merry Pecksniffian crop” describes a hairstyle from a passage in [author:Louisa May Al..."

Bionic Jean wrote: "Chapter 28: Mr. Montague at Home. And Mr. Jonas Chuzzlewit at Home

Jonas is tempted by Mr. Tigg’s proposal:

“Firstly, there was money to be made by it. Secondly, the money had the peculiar charm ..."

This truly is horrifying, perfect description. Hopefully Bailey can be a witness against Jonas in the future......my question: What is the significance of Wolf and Pip? Dickens love of the theater thrown in? some levity before the storm? Dickens never just throws in, right?

[Shirley (stampartiste)]

Jonas is such a despicable human being and *knows* he is! "...conscious that there was nothing in his person, conduct, character, or accomplishments, to command respect, he was greedy of power, and was, in his heart, as much a tyrant as any laureled conqueror on record.

Poor Merry... she is ill equipped to live with an abusive man and too naive to understand that she cannot change him. I'm praying Bailey will report back to someone who can rescue Merry before she is killed!

Jean, thank you for the reference to Rose in Bloom. It sounds like such a great book to read over the Christmas holidays. Thank you! I'm adding it to my reading list. It is so funny that Louisa May Alcott would have referenced Pecksniff as a woman's playful hairstyle (although I would have expected the hair to stand straight up. LOL)

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Jodi wrote: "What is the significance of Wolf and Pip? ..."

After they have been introduced to Jonas, Mr. Jobling whispers confidentially:

"Men of the world, my dear sir—men of the world. Hem! Mr Wolf—literary character—you needn’t mention it—remarkably clever weekly paper—oh, remarkably clever! Mr Pip—theatrical man—capital man to know—oh, capital man!"

So from this we know that are associates of Montague Tigg, and must be party to his fraudulent endeavours, and deceitful schemes. Their names are interesting aren't they? Almost like fairytale characters. And yes, I'm sure you're right that they have been carefully chosen.

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Shirley - I'd love to know what Rose in Bloom is like! Apparently it's a sequel, so you may like to look for the first one Eight Cousins?

Haha yes, Pecksniff is enough to make one's hair stand on end. And isn't it odd how Charles Dickens makes sticking up hair part of his characters? There's Pancks in Little Dorrit, Tommy Traddles in David Copperfield off the top of my head, and I'm sure there are more 😆

[Sara]

I had a suspicion that Bailey would be in a position to overhear and see things, and be pretty much ignored because of his station in life and the fact that he is a boy. I did not anticipate that this is what he would see and hear.

As low as we know Jonas to be, this overt callousness is still hard to take. Poor Merry is probably thinking back to pulling grass in the graveyard, wishing she had listened, and worrying that she might be occupying a grave much sooner than she expected.

I am glad the group has targeted Jonas, who deserves anything he gets, instead of some innocent. What a fool Jonas is. He cannot recognize that he is playing with fire and he is out of his depth.

[Lori]

Jean, I noted the exact same quote as you did. I can just see Jonas believing he has an edge over Tigg but he can’t seem to figure out that he is being swindled and stroking his ego with flattery. Sadly I think Tigg is more of a con man but not vicious like Jonas is. I’m wondering how this is going to work out for Jonas. If Jonas ever figures out he’s being duped, he’s liable to do something drastic. So now I’m thinking Jonas is the true villain in this novel because of his evil nature.

[Sue]

Lori, I agree at least in that Jonas appears to be the most vicious though we don’t know much of Tiggs’ past crimes-whether they ever involved injury or death (other than by driving someone to insolvency of course). But I do feel Jonas would physically hurt and probably has already hurt Merry. Now will he hurt a man who is not weak and elderly like his father? Or is he a coward who only attacks those who he sees as weaker than himself?

He is despicable, and I do think Marry is in danger, but I wonder if he would see through Tiggs and, if he did, would he have the nerve to form a plan to attack. Or would he just lash out uselessly.

[Sara]

I tend to agree with Sue that Jonas is a bully who will pick on someone smaller or old and helpless, but would cringe before someone who was equal in strength. He was not so bold when he found out Tom Pinch would fight back.

[Bridget]

Sara wrote: "I am glad the group has targeted Jonas, who deserves anything he gets, instead of some innocent. What a fool Jonas is. He cannot recognize that he is playing with fire and he is out of his depth".

I totally agree with this sentiment, Sara! It's funny to me how quickly my feelings are changing with regard to Tigg & Co. Reading Chapter 27, I was appalled by their behavior, taking money from so many innocent people. But today, I'm thrilled to have them "hooking" Jonas as their new sucker soon to be separated from his money.

[Shirley (stampartiste)]

Bionic Jean wrote: "Shirley - I'd love to know what Rose in Bloom is like! Apparently it's a sequel, so you may like to look for the first one Eight Cousins?"

I'll definitely let you know, Jean. I just checked my local library, and they have both books on the shelf as well as ebooks. I'll start with Eight Cousins first, as you recommend.

[Sara]

I read all the Alcott novels when I was a child, including these two, and absolutely loved them, Shirley. I suspect they might not read as well for an adult, but I'm betting they will still be charming.

[Chris]

I also really enjoyed Eight Cousins and then Rose in Bloom when I was a preteen.

Jonas is greedy and a beast and I will not be unhappy when he gets his comeuppance. I just hope it's before he completely destroys Merry.

[John]

I think that’s great that Alcott referenced a Merry Pecksniffian crop. I have never read Alcott, but must do so eventually. In the Apple TV series Dickinson, Alcott was played by the actress Zosia Mamet as a tough minded writer who understood the business aspects of publishing. Dickens was also mentioned in the series.

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Thanks to those who have read and commented about Rose in Bloom. I haven’t so can’t really recommend anything, Shirley, but did notice that it’s a sequel.

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Lori, Sara, Sue and Bridget - Your comments about Jonas are all absolutely spot-on.

And what we are left with is, as Bridget says, the “thrill [of] them ”hooking“ Jonas as their new sucker soon to be separated from his money” but also a fear, as we know he is a bully, and as Sue suggests he might be “a coward who only attacks those who he sees as weaker than himself”. Good point about backing off from Tom Pinch, Sara. And I tend to agree with you right now, Lori that “I’m thinking Jonas is the true villain in this novel because of his evil nature”. Montague Tigg is a wily conman, but we dread what Jonas might do. Along with Bailey, we heard him beating Merry behind closed doors:

“Not with a blow? Yes. Stern truth against the base-souled villain; with a blow.”

Will Bailey tell anyone? He seem a nice lad, so we hope he will. Sara you will be pleased with today’s chapter, which features the young rascal centre stage, and is a hoot to boot!

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Chapter 29: In Which Some People Are Precocious, Others Professional, and Others Mysterious; All in Their Several Ways

Bailey is bothered by what he had overheard happening at Jonas’s house, and goes to visit his friend Poll Sweedlepipe. Bailey asks Poll to give him a shave, much to Poll’s confusion, as Bailey is too young and smooth-skinned (except for his pimples) to have a beard.



“Easy-Shaving” - Hablot Knight Browne (Phiz) - November 1843

Mrs. Gamp arrives and begins to ramble, only semi-intelligibly, about her friend Mrs. Harris, whom we never seem to see. She also tells Poll and Bailey that the young man to whom she is a night nurse is being moved to the country, and that she is going part of the way with him. Bailey tells Poll and Mrs. Gamp that his master had dinner with Jonas the previous night, and that he saw Jonas home. He is tempted to tell them the truth, but remembers his master’s warnings of confidentiality. So when Mrs. Gamp asks if Jonas and his wife are getting along well, Bailey lies and says that they are.

Mrs. Gamp goes to meet her patient at the Bull, the inn where he was staying. She and the day nurse, her friend Mrs. Prig, make an attempt to dress him, evidently not caring how smart he looks, and saying that he complains all the time, whereas he should be grateful for their careful attentions.

John Westlock appears and calls the patient “Mr. Lewsome”. Mr. Lewsome is feverish and weak, and tells John that he has something terrible and important that he needs to get off his chest, but he wants to talk about it later. John Westlock thinks Mr. Lewsome is addled from the fever, and doesn’t give much weight to what he says.

Mrs. Gamp gets into the coach, and Mr. and Mrs. Mould happen to pass by at that moment. They wish her a good journey.

Nadgett is also at the Bull, waiting for someone who has not yet appeared.

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

What a lot of questions we are left with at the end of this installment! We can see that for the first half of the his serial novel Charles Dickens was writing a picaresque piece, with only loosely connected episodes. Sometimes they involved the “hero”, the somewhat unlikeable and self-centred young Martin Chuzzlewit, but as often as not each chapter would introduce some new characters and situations.

Now though the focus has changed, and in fact Martin Chuzzlewit was to be the last one of his picaresque-type novels. Sales of the serial were poorer than anticipated, and Charles Dickens had to introduce something which would tempt in more of his readers. We find now that the mystery element is emphasised far more, and are left with many questions we want to know the answers to.

One classic suspense literary device is when Mr. Lewsome tells John Westlock that he has something of ultimate importance to tell him. It is something terrible … but then he puts it off and says he will tell him later. So not only do we not yet know who “Mr. Lewsome” is, but we assume that his some information will be key to the story. Why would he put off telling anyone? Might he die before he can divulge his information? The hints seem broad.

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

As well as all the mystery, I did enjoy the comic episode with Bailey wanting a shave! I am beginning to enjoy the scenes where he appears. He seems a minor character but reminds me a little of Sam Weller in the The Pickwick Papers. Charles Dickens often seems to include one of these cheeky young men, who comes from nowhere, improves himself and his situation; is a bit of a rogue, but quick to assess situations, and good at heart. Jack Dawkins (the artful dodger in Oliver Twist) might be another template.

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

My favourite quotation

This put such a hilarious image in my mind!

“‘Deuce take the man!’ cried Mrs Gamp, drawing it forth. ‘If he ain’t been and got my night-bottle here. I made a little cupboard of his coat when it hung behind the door, and quite forgot it, Betsey. You’ll find a ingun or two, and a little tea and sugar in his t’other pocket, my dear, if you’ll just be good enough to take ‘em out.’”

“night-bottle” - her supply of spirits for the night
“ingun” - onion

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

What thoughts and questions are you left with at the end of this chapter?

This is the end of installment 11. We now have a free day. Installment 12 will begin with chapter 30 on Friday 17th October.

[Kathleen]

I like the turn from picaresque to mystery, and so appreciate your explanation of this change Dickens is making, Jean. Thank you for that, and also for the thoughts about Bailey-types in Dickens' writing.

I too am enjoying Bailey, and Sairey Gamp is growing on me in this chapter. I found the bloody mess of Bailey's poor pimpled face pretty funny.

Back to Rose in Bloom for a minute and Louisa May Alcott, it didn't surprise me that Pecksniff was mentioned in her story. Little Women had a whole chapter if I remember right of how the sisters played "The Pickwick Club." Dickens awareness was sort of assumed in her writing, and I remember feeling I had to catch up on all that I was missing. (I still haven't read The Pickwick Papers!)

[Shirley (stampartiste)]

Thank you, Sara and Chris, for your thoughts on these other two Alcott books. They sound like they were written for an even younger audience than Little Women, but I'm ready to try them. I've read many children's books the past few years that I had missed reading as a child. I found them to be very comforting, and knowing Alcott, I'm sure these two novels will strike me the same way. I'll let you know. ☺️😉

[Shirley (stampartiste)]

Before adding my comments on this chapter, Jean, I want to thank you for interpreting it for us. LOL. Thanks to Mrs. Gamp's rounassion (ruination - LOL) of the English language, most of her dialogue went completely over my head! I never could figure out what "ingun" was nor this "You may take your slime drafts till you flies into the air with efferwescence..." Ah, Mrs. Gamp!

I wonder what Dickens' contemporary audience felt about Mrs. Gamp's personal dialect.

[Bionic Jean, "Dickens Duchess"]

Shirley (stampartiste) Mrs. Gamp is a caution, isn't she? (Dialect for very funny!)

However "You may take your slime drafts till you flies into the air with efferwescence..."

is not as creatively Mrs. Gampian as it may seem! "Effervescence" is easy, as she has just transposed the 'v' for a Cockney fashionable pronunciation of the letter v at the time (just a couple of decades in fact) 'w'.

As for "slime drafts/draughts", this is archaic. A "draught" was a single-dose presentation of some form of medication: most commonly purgative ("black draught") or sometimes pain relief (usually opium in some form). Other medications of the time could also be presented in draughts, but now they are not used, because it takes a long time to prepare. It has to be done freshly each time, and is probably far too tedious for our Sairey to do well ...

Slime draughts refers to those thicker than average, made so with starch paste, acacia mucilage, other plant extracts or even seaweed to give the sliminess. The thinking behind this was probably that this "slime" formulation would hold the medication in contact with the mouth and throat, increasing its effectiveness.

There was no standardisation of medication and each practitioner used their own recipe to make such formulations. I'm not sure whether Mrs. Gamp would be very "partik'lr" about her patient's comfort, but they could be been given hot (or warmed up) to become more palatable. I love the idea that she makes it fizzy enough for her patients to fly up into the air though LOL!

Perhaps the closest to a slime draught now could be something called “Slippery Elm Bark” native to North America. It’s classified as a mucilage, good for sore throats.

One Sairey-ism I liked was "St. Polge's" which refers to St. Paul's Cathedral

[Peter]

Ah Sarah. You are a delight. That said, may I never need your services — or Mrs Harris’ either.

Our last chapters have contained much chicanery on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. This chapter gives us a much deserved reprieve. From Bailey’s shave to Mrs Prig, to the cameo appearance of the Mould’s, this chapter gives us much needed comic relief.

Even within the humour, however, the mechanics of the plot move us forward. Once again we cross paths with John Westlake and we are still unaware of how Mr Lewsome will fit into the narrative, although I suspect he will.

The Browne illustration is delightful. So many birdcages, so many styles and sizes. One of the delights of seeing the illustrations is we get a sense of how people dressed, what the interior and exterior of shops and stores looked like, how the streets appeared, and what the roads and modes of transportation were like. Before the coming of the camera, we must rely on artists and illustrators to give us a visual idea of the Victorian world.

My favourite comment comes from Mr Mould who comments, after looking at Lewsome ‘ He’s coming our way, perhaps, after all.’

[Chris]

Peter wrote: My favorite comment comes from Mr Mould who comments, after looking at Lewsome ‘ He’s coming our way, perhaps, after all.’ I had to LOL when I read that. What we hope no funeral director is every thinking as he/she looks upon a sick loved one when out in public. However, funeral businesses are just that a business & any business that needs clients is always on hunt for ways to get them in the door whether they walk in or in Mr. Mould's business are wheeled in!!

An enjoyable chapter to read overall. I also echo a thanks to Jean for the backstory behind Dickens' change of style of story plot.

[Bridget]

Since we are sharing favorite moments, one of my favorite lines was this:

"His [Mr. Lewsome] bony hands and haggard face impressed Poll wonderfully; and he informed Mr. Bailey, in confidence, that he wouldn't have missed seeing him for a pound."

What great humor that Mr. Poll - who observes birds and people's faces with great attention - found joy in this rather diseased man. But the next line, was an even better joke:

"Mr. Bailey, who was of a different constitution, remarked, that he would have staid away for five shillings"

At which point I startled my husband by laughing aloud.

[John]

I found myself chuckling over some graveyard humor — for lack of a better phrase — that Mrs. Gamp is “the remains” of a fine woman, as per Bailey.

[Sue]

Bailey really gave us some good laughs in this chapter, beginning with his jump onto the barber’s chair. Poor Poll. Dickens wrote that scene beautifully.