The Sun.
London, England, 1837-11-01 00:00:00

THE PICKWICK PAPERS.

These popular sketches are here brought to a close.
We take leave of them with regret, for they have oc-
casioned us many a hearty laugh—and a laugh is
worth something in these hard-working, business-like
times. Our friend Sam Weller, and his respected
parent, keep up their fine animal spirits to the last ;

and the former fully justifies the opinion of a lady of
rank, alluded to in the Quarterly Review, that he was
" a perfect gentleman," for nothing can be more
manly, graceful, and affecting, or show more true nobi-
lity of mind, than his declaration to Mr. Pickwick,
that he will never quit his service. Here is the scene,
and a rare one it is !

" The lady not being a widaw," said Mr. Pickwick,
smiling, " I wish to free you, Sam, from the restraint which
your present position imposes upon you : and to mark my
sense of your fidelity and many excellent qualities, by en-
abling you to marry this girl at once, and to earn an in-
dependent livelihood for yourself and family. I shall be
proud, Sam," said Mr. Pickwick, whose voice had faul-
tered a little hitherto, but now resumed its customary tone,
" proud and happy to make your future prospects in life my
grateful and peculiar care."
There was a profound silence for a short time, and then
Sam said in a low husky voice, but firmly withal—
" I'm very much obliged to you for your goodness, Sir,
as is only like yourself, but it can't be done."
" Can't be done !" ejaculated Mr. Pickwick in astonish-
ment.
" Samivel !" said Mr. Weller, with dignity.
" I say it can't be done," repeated Sam in a louder key.
" Woes to become of you, Sir ?"
" My good fellow," replied Mr. Pickwick, " the recent
changes among my friends will alter my mode of life in
future entirely ; besides I am growing older, and want re-
pose and quiet. My rambles, Sam, are over."
" How do I know that 'ere, Sir ?" argued Sam ; " you
think so now ! S'pose you wos to change your mind, rich
is not unlikely, for you've the spirit o' five-and-twenty in
you still—what 'ud become on you without me? It can't
be done, Sir, it can't be done."
" \Very good, Samivel, there's a good deal in that," said
Mr. \Yeller, encouragingly.
" I speak after long deliberation, Sam, and with the cer-
tainty that I shall keep my word," said Mr. Pickwick,
shaking his head. " New scenes have closed upon me ;
my rambles are at an end."

" Very good," rejoined Sam. " Then that's the wery
best reason wy you should alvays have somebody by you as
understands you, to keep you up and make you comfortable.
If you want a more polished sort o' feller, yell and good, have
him ; but vages or no vages, notice or no notice, board or
no board, lodgin' or no lodgin', Sam Yeller, as you took
from the old inn in the Borough, sticks by you, come what
come may ; and let cv'rythin' and ev'rybody do their wery
fiercest, nothin' shall ever perwent it."
At the close of this declaration, which Sam made with
great emotion, the elder Mr. Weller rose from his chair,
and forgetting all considerations of time, place, or pro-
priety, waved his hat aboVe his head and gave three velie•
ment cheers.
For healthy, unaffected pathos, we will back this
scene against any of the sort in the language. Even
the famous interview in Guy Mannering between