1903 The Flowing Bowl by Edward Spencer

THE DRINKS OF DICKENS 225 breakfast—seems at the first glance an impossi bility ; but many of those who know for certain the effects of undue indulgence are the most careless in indulging, and Bob Sawyer and his still more rascally friend and fellow-student Ben Allen are reckless types of a reckless profession. The same meal—oysters cum brandy—is partaken of, la^r on, by Solomon Pell and the coachman ; and Dickens probably knew that lawyers and stage-drivers, like sailors, can digest anything. The most drunken man in the book, " the Shepherd," is an alleged teetotaller ; and the abstaining division will assuredly never forgive Dickens for his word-paintinp; of Stigeins, whose "vanity" was pine-apple rum with hot water and plenty of sugar. The Wellers, p}re et jih^ were not conservative in their potations ; and whether "the inwariable" is Wellerese for brandy hot, or rum hot, I am still uncertain, although many correspondents have sought to enlighten me on the subject; said correspondents being any thing but unanimous. One of the most favoured beverages mentioned in the work is "cold punch," by which I understand milk-punch, a very " more-ish" draught indeed. I have prolonged this chapter perhaps unduly. But the subject of the Drinks of Dickens is too important a one to slur over. The man who cannot appreciate Pickwick has never yet come my way. There is a peculiar charm about the book, a broad hospitality, an unbounded love of the good things of this life which must endear it to the hearts of true sons of Britannia, who will revel, on occasion, no matter what obstacles may

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