here all the rank and
fashion of Bath used to make its way of Assembly nights. Many years ago,
there was here given a morning concert to which I found my way, mainly
for the purpose of calling up ghostly memories of the Thrales, and Doctor
Johnson, and Miss Burney, and, above all, of Mr. Pickwick. Though the
music was the immortal "Passion" of Bach, my eyes were travelling all the
while from one piece of faded _rococo_ work and decoration. Boz never
fails to secure the _tone_ of any strange place he is describing. We
all, for instance, have that pleased, elated feeling on the first morning
after our arrival over night at a new place--the general brightness,
surprise, and air of novelty. We are willing to be pleased with
everything, and pass from object to object with enjoyment. Now all this
is difficult to seize or to describe. Boz does not do the latter, but he
conveys it perfectly. We see the new arrivals seated at breakfast, and
the entrance of the Dowlers with the M.C., and the party setting off to
see the "Lions," the securing tickets for the Assembly, the writing down
their names in "the book," Sam sent specially up to Queen's Square, and
so on. All which is very exhilarating, and reveals one's own feeling on
such an occasion. The "Pump-room books" are formally mentioned in the
regulations. We can see the interior of the Assembly Rooms in Phiz's
plate, with its huge and elaborately framed oval mirrors and
chandeliers--the dancing-room set round with raised benches. After the
pattern of Ridotto rooms abroad, there were the card-rooms and tea-rooms,
where Mr. Pickwick played whist with Miss Bolo. We note the sort of Adam
or Chippendale chair on which the whist Dowager is sitting with her back
to us.

Considering that the rules of dress were so strict, pumps and silk
stockings being of necessity, we may wonder how it was that the President
of the Pickwick Club was admitted in his morning dress, his kerseymere
tights, white waistcoat, and black gaiters. It is clear that he never
changed his dress for evening parties, save on one occasion. Mr.
Pickwick's costume was certainly in defiance of all rules and
regulations. It is _laid_ in the regulations of Mr. Tyson, M.C., who
directed that "no gentleman in boots or half-boots be admitted into the
rooms on ball nights or card nights." Half-boots might certainly cover
Mr. Pickwick's gaiters. So accurate is the picture that speculation
arises whether Phiz w