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CHAPTER I The Pickwickians
The first ray of light which illumines the gloom, and converts into a dazzling brilliancy that obscurity in which the earlier history of the public career of the immortal Pickwick would appear to be involved, is derived from the perusal of the following entry in the Transactions of the Pickwick Club, which the editor of these papers feels the highest pleasure in laying before his readers, as a proof of the careful attention, indefatigable assiduity, and nice discrimination, with which his search among the mxiltifarious documents confided to him has been conducted.
'May 12, 1827. Joseph Smiggers, Esq., P.V.P.M.P.C.,* presiding. The following resulutions unanimously agreed to: -
That this Association has heard read, with feelings of unmingled '
satisfaction, and unqualified approval, the paper communicated by Samuel Pickwick, Esq., G.C.M.P.C.,1^ entitled "Speculations on the Source of the Hampstead Ponds, with some Observations on the Theory of Tittlebats;" and that this Association does 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 which must accrue to the cause of science from the production to ;
which they have just adverted, - no less than from die unwearied i
researches of Samuel Pickwick, Esq., G.C.M.P.C., in Homsey, Highgate, ^' Brixton, and Camberwell, - they cannot but entertain a lively sense of I'
the inestimable benefits wfiich must inevitably result from carrying the §
speculations of that learned man into a wider field, from extending his travels, and consequendy enlarging his sphere of observation, to the advancement of knowledge, and the diffusion of learning.
Tliat, with the view just mentioned, tfiis Association has taken into its serious consideration a proposal, emanating from the aforesaid Samuel Pickwick, Esq., G.C.M.P.C., and three other Pickwickians I;
hereinafter named, for forming a new branch of United Pickwickians, under the tide of The Corresponding Society of the Pickwick Club. | i ^
That the said proposal has received the sanction and approval of this Association.
* Perpetual Vice-President - Member Pickwidc Club, t General Chairman - Member Pickwick Club.
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