“Why,” replied Mr. Pickwick, slightly embarrassed by the question, “the fact is, I have been so much engaged in other ways, that I really have not had an opportunity of perusing them.”

“You should do so, Sir,” said Pott, with a severe countenance.

“I will,” said Mr. Pickwick.

“They appeared in the form of a copious review of a work on Chinese metaphysics, Sir,” said Pott.

“Oh,” observed Mr. Pickwick; “from your pen, I hope?”

“From the pen of my critic, Sir,” rejoined Pott, with dignity.