“A waverer,” said Pott solemnly, “a waverer. I should like to show you a series of eight articles, Sir, that have appeared in the Eatanswill Gazette . I think I may venture to say that you would not be long in establishing your opinions on a firm and solid blue basis, sir.”

“I dare say I should turn very blue, long before I got to the end of them,” responded Bob.

Mr. Pott looked dubiously at Bob Sawyer for some seconds, and, turning to Mr. Pickwick, said⁠—

“You have seen the literary articles which have appeared at intervals in the Eatanswill Gazette in the course of the last three months, and which have excited such general⁠—I may say such universal⁠—attention and admiration?”