There was an appendix which, probably due to my geographical difficulties, I did not fully grasp at the time. It concerned something called The Domino Theory. In this theory, it required only one Asian nation to fall into the hands of the Communists and the rest would quickly follow. This was because once you overtook a country, these insurgency operations could be easily conducted across the common border. Thus, if Vietnam was swallowed by the Red Menace, it would only be the briefest of times before expanding infiltrations caused the others to collapse—Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaya, Indonesia, New Guinea and bingo, they would be invading Darwin. I gulped.
The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club
At a meeting of the Pickwick Club in London, it is decided that four members will be a Corresponding Society, who will travel, observe and report back to the club. Mr Pickwick, Mr Tupman, Mr Snodgrass and Mr Winkle—the most pompous, silly and lovable quartet of gentlemen ever created—along with the scurrilous hitch-hiker Mr Jingle—set forth on what is mostly a tour of pubs, dancehalls and ladies chambers, and although many scenes end in brawls, arrests and general mayhem, it is all great fun and carried of classically British propriety. Thus Charles Dickens lifted English Literature to its greatest peak since Shakespeare. The chapter headings are as funny as the book and here is a selection.
Chapter V. A Short One—showing, among other matters, how Mr. Pickwick undertook to drive, and Mr. Winkle to ride; and how they both did it.
Chapter VII. How Mr. Winkle, instead of shooting at the Pigeon and killing the Crow, shot at the Crow and wounded the Pigeon; How the Dingley Dell Cricket Club played All Muggleton, and how All Muggleton dined at Dingley Dell expense; with other interesting matters.
Chapter VIII. Strongly illustrative of the position, that the Course of True Love is not a Railway.
Chapter X. Clearing up all Doubts (if any existed) of the Disinterestedness of Mr. Jingle’s Character.
Chapter XII. Descriptive of a Very Important Proceeding on the Part of Mr. Pickwick; no less an Epoch in his Life, than in this History.
Chapter XIII. Some Account of Eatanswill; of the State of the Parties therein; and of the Election of a Member to serve the Parliament for that Ancient, Loyal, and Patriotic Borough.
Chapter XV. In which is given a Faithful Portraiture of two distinguished persons; and an accurate Description of a Public Breakfast in their House and Grounds; which Public Breakfast leads to the Recognition of an old Acquaintance, and the commencement of another chapter.
Chapter XVI. Too full of Adventure to be Described.
Chapter XVII. Showing that an Attack of Rheumatism, in some cases, acts as a Quickener to Inattentive Genius.
Chapter XX. Showing how Dodson and Fogg were Men of Business, and their Clerks Men of Pleasure; and how an affecting Interview took place between Mr. Weller and his long-lost Parent; showing also what Choice Spirits assembled at the Magpie and Stump, and what a capital Chapter the next one will be.
Chapter XXIV. Wherein Mr. Peter Magnus grows jealous, and the middle-aged Lady apprehensive, which brings the Pickwickians within the grasp of the Law.
Chapter XXV. Showing, among a variety of pleasant Matters, how majestic and impartial Mr. Nupkins was; and how Mr. Weller returned Mr. Job Trotter’s Shuttlecock, as heavily as it came. With another Matter, which will be found in its place.
Chapter XXVIII. A good-humoured Christmas Chapter, containing an Account of a Wedding, and some other Sports beside: which although in their way, even as good Customs as Marriage itself, are not quite so religiously kept up, in these degenerate Times.
Chapter XXXIII. Mr. Weller the elder delivers some Critical Sentiments respecting Literary Composition; and assisted by his son Samuel, pays a small Investment of Retaliation to the account of the Reverend Gentleman with the Red Nose.
Chapter XXXVIII. How Mr. Winkle, when he stepped out of the Frying-pan, walked gently and comfortably into the Fire.
Chapter XLVI. Records a touching Act of delicate Feeling, not unmixed with Pleasantry, achieved and performed by Messrs Dodson and Fogg.
Chapter L. How Mr. Pickwick sped upon his Mission, and how he was reinforced, in the outset, by a most unexpected Auxiliary.
Chapter LI. In which Mr. Pickwick encounters an old Acquaintance. To which fortunate circumstance the Reader is mainly indebted for the matter of thrilling interest herein set down, concerning two great Public Men of might and power.
Chapter LIII. Comprising the final Exit of Mr. Jingle and Job Trotter; with a great Morning of Business in Grays Inn Square. Concluding with a Double Knock at Mr. Perker’s door.
Chapter LIV. Containing some Particulars relative to the Double Knock, and other Matters, among which certain Interesting Disclosures relative to Mr. Snodgrass and a Young Lady are by no means irrelevant to this History.
Chapter LVII. In which the Pickwick Club is finally dissolved, and everything concluded to the satisfaction of everybody.
Just a few chapter titles. If you think they’re funny, try reading the book.
To My Dear Wife,
from Boy
Xmas 1913
(a treat to be shared together)
This is the inscription on the title page of my copy of Pickwick Papers, (actually titled The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club) but it was a treat never shared, since as I read its pages I had to slice them apart with my pocketknife.
