eleven o'clock, and a period "late in the afternoon"--say
five o'clock. At a later visit came the memorable five-and-twenty-mile
walk to get an appetite for dinner. The truth was, such stretches were
as nothing to Boz himself. Walking was his grand pastime and one
absolute necessity. He tramped on with an amazing energy and vigour,
which, as I know from experience, it was impossible to match. Sometimes
he walked the streets for nearly the whole night. This personal element
helps to explain many things in "Pickwick" which contains the early life
of Boz.

CHAPTER VII. GOSWELL STREET

A question that has often exercised ingenious folk is, why did Mr.
Pickwick choose to live in Goswell Street? rather, why did Boz select
such a quarter for him? Of course, at that time, it was really a
"genteel" neighbourhood, as anyone can see who walks along the desolate
streets and terraces, the forlorn squares and enclosures that are close
by, and where the New River runs. Nothing is more depressing than the
aspect of these fallen places; but, in Mr. Pickwick's time, they had not
been very long erected. Indeed, this offers yet another department which
his wonderful Book suggests: that it is the best record of all the
changes that have taken place in London. This Goswell Street tenancy
shows clearly that the neighbourhood was a desirable one for residents of
position. Mr. Pickwick was a City man, and his club met in Huggin Lane,
in the City. He generally put up, or, as Bob Sawyer had it, "hung out,"
at the "George and Vulture," also in the City. One side of Goswell
Street, in those days--a road ascending to the old Angel Inn--faced, near
the top, a number of the pretentious squares and terraces I have been
describing. That interesting old theatre, Sadler's Wells, was in the
rear, and the New River passed beneath it or beside it, and, quite
uncovered in those days, rippled along on its course from the country.

All the houses were private houses. Some enthusiasts have actually
identified Mrs. Bardell's apartments--but without a particle of evidence.
Now it has become a busy thoroughfare, with a noisy tramway: nearly all
the houses have been turned into shops, and Mr. Pickwick could scarcely
recognize his old quarters. The whole region bears a faded air.
Amateurs, who love exploring their London, will find entertainment in
wandering about Islington and the adjoining districts, experiencing quite
a new sensation an