The Pickwick Papers

This is an annotated version of the book1.contains an updated biography of the author at the end of the book for a better understanding of the text.2.This book has been checked and corrected for spelling errorsThe first ray of light which illumines the gloom, and converts into adazzling brilliancy that obscurity in which the earlier history of thepublic career of the immortal Pickwick would appear to be involved, isderived from the perusal of the following entry in the Transactions ofthe Pickwick Club, which the editor of these papers feels the highestpleasure in laying before his readers, as a proof of the carefulattention, indefatigable assiduity, and nice discrimination, with whichhis search among the multifarious documents confided to him has beenconducted.'May 12, 1827. Joseph Smiggers, Esq., P.V.P.M.P.C. [Perpetual Vice-President--Member Pickwick Club], presiding. The following resolutionsunanimously agreed to:--'That this Association has heard read, with feelings of unmingledsatisfaction, and unqualified approval, the paper communicated by SamuelPickwick, Esq., G.C.M.P.C. [General Chairman--Member Pickwick Club],entitled "Speculations on the Source of the Hampstead Ponds, with someObservations on the Theory of Tittlebats;" and that this Associationdoes hereby return its warmest thanks to the said Samuel Pickwick, Esq.,G.C.M.P.C., for the same.'That while this Association is deeply sensible of the advantages whichmust accrue to the cause of science, from the production to which theyhave just adverted--no less than from the unwearied researches of SamuelPickwick, Esq., G.C.M.P.C., in Hornsey, Highgate, Brixton, andCamberwell--they cannot but entertain a lively sense of the inestimablebenefits which must inevitably result from carrying the speculations ofthat learned man into a wider field, from extending his travels, and,consequently, enlarging his sphere of observation, to the advancement ofknowledge, and the diffusion of learning.'That, with the view just mentioned, this Association has taken into itsserious consideration a proposal, emanating from the aforesaid, SamuelPickwick, Esq., G.C.M.P.C., and three other Pickwickians hereinafternamed, for forming a new branch of United Pickwickians, under the titleof The Corresponding Society of the Pickwick Club.'That the said proposal has received the sanction and approval of thisAssociation.'That the Corresponding Society of the Pickwick Club is therefore herebyconstituted; and that Samuel Pickwick, Esq., G.C.M.P.C., Tracy Tupman,Esq., M.P.C., Augustus Snodgrass, Esq., M.P.C., and Nathaniel Winkle,Esq., M.P.C., are hereby nominated and appointed members of the same;and that they be requested to forward, from time to time, authenticatedaccounts of their journeys and investigations, of their observations ofcharacter and manners, and of the whole of their adventures, togetherwith all tales and papers to which local scenery or associations maygive rise, to the Pickwick Club, stationed in London.'That this Association cordially recognises the principle of everymember of the Corresponding Society defraying his own travellingexpenses; and that it sees no objection whatever to the members of thesaid society pursuing their inquiries for any length of time theyplease, upon the same terms.'That the members of the aforesaid Corresponding Society be, and arehereby informed, that their proposal to pay the postage of theirletters, and the carriage of their parcels, has been deliberated upon bythis Association: that this Association considers such proposal worthyof the great minds from which it emanated, and that it hereby signifiesits perfect acquiescence therein.'