The Pickwick Papers
By Charles Dickens (1837)
The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens (1837). Unabridged Charlotte Mason living book edition for Form III-VI Literature & Classic Fiction.
Reading The Pickwick Papers this term?
Schedule chapters into your Charlotte Mason week with one tap and read the full unabridged text in a calm, distraction-free reader with zero ads or Gutenberg formatting quirks.
Instant setup • No credit card required • Keep your pace forever
Chapter 1 Sample & Typography Preview
Distraction-Free ReaderBelow is an unabridged preview of Chapter 1 formatted in our peaceful Living Term reader typography. No ads, no sidebars, and no eye strain.
Chapter I. The Pickwickians
The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens — Chapter 2
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 multifarious documents confided to him has been conducted.
‘May 12, 1827. Joseph Smiggers, Esq., P.V.P.M.P.C. [Perpetual Vice-President—Member Pickwick Club], presiding. The following resolutions 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. [General Chairman—Member Pickwick Club], 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 the unwearied researches of Samuel Pickwick, Esq., G.C.M.P.C., in Hornsey, Highgate, Brixton, and Camberwell—they cannot but entertain a lively sense of the inestimable benefits which must inevitably result from carrying the speculations of that learned man into a wider field, from extending his travels, and, consequently, enlarging his sphere of observation, to the advancement of knowledge, and the diffusion of learning.
‘That, with the view just mentioned, this 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 hereinafter named, for forming a new branch of United Pickwickians, under the title of The Corresponding Society of the Pickwick Club.
‘That the said proposal has received the sanction and approval of this Association.
‘That the Corresponding Society of the Pickwick Club is therefore hereby constituted; and that Samuel Pickwick, Esq., G.C.M.P.C., Tracy Tupman, Esq., M.P.C., Augustus Snodgrass, Esq., M.P.C., and Nathaniel Winkle, Esq., M.P.C., are hereby nominated and appointed members of the same; and that they be requested to forward, from time to time, authenticated accounts of their journeys and investigations, of their observations of character and manners, and of the whole of their adventures, together with all tales and papers to which local scenery or associations may give rise, to the Pickwick Club, stationed in London.
‘That this Association cordially recognises the principle of every member of the Corresponding Society defraying his own travelling expenses; and that it sees no objection whatever to the members of the said society pursuing their inquiries for any length of time they please, upon the same terms.
‘That the members of the aforesaid Corresponding Society be, and are hereby informed, that their proposal to pay the postage of their letters, and the carriage of their parcels, has been deliberated upon by this Association: that this Association considers such proposal worthy of the great minds from which it emanated, and that it hereby signifies its perfect acquiescence therein.’
Keep reading The Pickwick Papers in Living Term
Get instant access to all 57 unabridged chapters, plus 350+ other Charlotte Mason living books, poetry, hymns, and a peaceful weekly schedule builder.
Table of Contents
57 ChaptersEvery chapter below is pre-indexed for oral narration and easy 1-click scheduling into your weekly Charlotte Mason lesson plan.
Chapter I. The Pickwickians
The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens — Chapter 2
Chapter Ii. The First Day's Journey, And The First Evening's Adventures; With Their Consequences
The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens — Chapter 3
Chapter Iii. A New Acquaintance—The Stroller's Tale—A Disagreeable Interruption, And An Unpleasant Encounter
The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens — Chapter 4
Chapter Iv. A Field Day And Bivouac—More New Friends—An Invitation To The Country
The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens — Chapter 5
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
The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens — Chapter 6
Chapter Vi. An Old-Fashioned Card-Party—The Clergyman's Verses—The Story Of The Convict's Return
The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens — Chapter 7
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 The Dingley Dell Expense; With Other Interesting And Instructive Matters
The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens — Chapter 8
Chapter Viii. Strongly Illustrative Of The Position, That The Course Of True Love Is Not A Railway
The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens — Chapter 9
Chapter Ix. A Discovery And A Chase
The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens — Chapter 10
Chapter X. Clearing Up All Doubts (If Any Existed) Of The Disinterestedness Of Mr. A. Jingle's Character
The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens — Chapter 11
Chapter Xi. Involving Another Journey, And An Antiquarian Discovery; Recording Mr. Pickwick's Determination To Be Present At An Election; And Containing A Manuscript Of The Old Clergyman's
The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens — Chapter 12
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
The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens — Chapter 13
Chapter Xiii. Some Account Of Eatanswill; Of The State Of Parties Therein; And Of The Election Of A Member To Serve In Parliament For That Ancient, Loyal, And Patriotic Borough
The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens — Chapter 14
Chapter Xiv. Comprising A Brief Description Of The Company At The Peacock Assembled; And A Tale Told By A Bagman
The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens — Chapter 15
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
The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens — Chapter 16
Chapter Xvi. Too Full Of Adventure To Be Briefly Described
The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens — Chapter 17
Chapter Xvii. Showing That An Attack Of Rheumatism, In Some Cases, Acts As A Quickener To Inventive Genius
The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens — Chapter 18
Chapter Xviii. Briefly Illustrative Of Two Points; First, The Power Of Hysterics, And, Secondly, The Force Of Circumstances
The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens — Chapter 19
Chapter Xix. A Pleasant Day With An Unpleasant Termination
The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens — Chapter 20
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
The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens — Chapter 21
Chapter Xxi. In Which The Old Man Launches Forth Into His Favourite Theme, And Relates A Story About A Queer Client
The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens — Chapter 22
Chapter Xxii. Mr. Pickwick Journeys To Ipswich And Meets With A Romantic Adventure With A Middle-Aged Lady In Yellow Curl-Papers
The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens — Chapter 23
Chapter Xxiii. In Which Mr. Samuel Weller Begins To Devote His Energies To The Return Match Between Himself And Mr. Trotter
The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens — Chapter 24
Chapter Xxiv. Wherein Mr. Peter Magnus Grows Jealous, And The Middle-Aged Lady Apprehensive, Which Brings The Pickwickians Within The Grasp Of The Law
The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens — Chapter 25
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
The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens — Chapter 26
Chapter Xxvi. Which Contains A Brief Account Of The Progress Of The Action Of Bardell Against Pickwick
The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens — Chapter 27
Chapter Xxvii. Samuel Weller Makes A Pilgrimage To Dorking, And Beholds His Mother-In-Law
The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens — Chapter 28
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
The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens — Chapter 29
Chapter Xxix. The Story Of The Goblins Who Stole A Sexton
The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens — Chapter 30
Chapter Xxx. How The Pickwickians Made And Cultivated The Acquaintance Of A Couple Of Nice Young Men Belonging To One Of The Liberal Professions; How They Disported Themselves On The Ice; And How Their Visit Came To A Conclusion
The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens — Chapter 31
Chapter Xxxi. Which Is All About The Law, And Sundry Great Authorities Learned Therein
The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens — Chapter 32
Chapter Xxxii. Describes, Far More Fully Than The Court Newsman Ever Did, A Bachelor's Party, Given By Mr. Bob Sawyer At His Lodgings In The Borough
The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens — Chapter 33
Chapter Xxxiii. Mr. Weller The Elder Delivers Some Critical Sentiments Respecting Literary Composition; And, Assisted By His Son Samuel, Pays A Small Instalment Of Retaliation To The Account Of The Reverend Gentleman With The Red Nose
The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens — Chapter 34
Chapter Xxxiv. Is Wholly Devoted To A Full And Faithful Report Of The Memorable Trial Of Bardell Against Pickwick
The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens — Chapter 35
Chapter Xxxv. In Which Mr. Pickwick Thinks He Had Better Go To Bath; And Goes Accordingly
The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens — Chapter 36
Chapter Xxxvi. The Chief Features Of Which Will Be Found To Be An Authentic Version Of The Legend Of Prince Bladud, And A Most Extraordinary Calamity That Befell Mr. Winkle
The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens — Chapter 37
Chapter Xxxvii. Honourably Accounts For Mr. Weller's Absence, By Describing A Soiree To Which He Was Invited And Went; Also Relates How He Was Entrusted By Mr. Pickwick With A Private Mission Of Delicacy And Importance
The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens — Chapter 38
Chapter Xxxviii. How Mr. Winkle, When He Stepped Out Of The Frying-Pan, Walked Gently And Comfortably Into The Fire
The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens — Chapter 39
Chapter Xxxix. Mr. Samuel Weller, Being Intrusted With A Mission Of Love, Proceeds To Execute It; With What Success Will Hereinafter Appear
The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens — Chapter 40
Chapter Xl. Introduces Mr. Pickwick To A New And Not Uninteresting Scene In The Great Drama Of Life
The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens — Chapter 41
Chapter Xli. What Befell Mr. Pickwick When He Got Into The Fleet; What Prisoners He Saw There, And How He Passed The Night
The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens — Chapter 42
Chapter Xlii. Illustrative, Like The Preceding One, Of The Old Proverb, That Adversity Brings A Man Acquainted With Strange Bedfellows— Likewise Containing Mr. Pickwick's Extraordinary And Startling Announcement To Mr. Samuel Weller
The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens — Chapter 43
Chapter Xliii. Showing How Mr. Samuel Weller Got Into Difficulties
The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens — Chapter 44
Chapter Xliv. Treats Of Divers Little Matters Which Occurred In The Fleet, And Of Mr. Winkle's Mysterious Behaviour; And Shows How The Poor Chancery Prisoner Obtained His Release At Last
The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens — Chapter 45
Chapter Xlv. Descriptive Of An Affecting Interview Between Mr. Samuel Weller And A Family Party. Mr. Pickwick Makes A Tour Of The Diminutive World He Inhabits, And Resolves To Mix With It, In Future, As Little As Possible
The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens — Chapter 46
CHAPTER XLVI. RECORDS A TOUCHING ACT OF DELICATE FEELING, NOT UNMIXED WITH PLEASANTRY, ACHIEVED AND PERFORMED BY Messrs. DODSON AND FOGG
The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens — Chapter 47
Chapter Xlvii. Is Chiefly Devoted To Matters Of Business, And The Temporal Advantage Of Dodson And Fogg—Mr. Winkle Reappears Under Extraordinary Circumstances—Mr. Pickwick's Benevolence Proves Stronger Than His Obstinacy
The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens — Chapter 48
Chapter Xlviii. Relates How Mr. Pickwick, With The Assistance Of Samuel Weller, Essayed To Soften The Heart Of Mr. Benjamin Allen, And To Mollify The Wrath Of Mr. Robert Sawyer
The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens — Chapter 49
Chapter Xlix. Containing The Story Of The Bagman's Uncle
The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens — Chapter 50
Chapter L. How Mr. Pickwick Sped Upon His Mission, And How He Was Reinforced In The Outset By A Most Unexpected Auxiliary
The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens — Chapter 51
Chapter Li. In Which Mr. Pickwick Encounters An Old Acquaintance—To Which Fortunate Circumstance The Reader Is Mainly Indebted For Matter Of Thrilling Interest Herein Set Down, Concerning Two Great Public Men Of Might And Power
The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens — Chapter 52
Chapter Lii. Involving A Serious Change In The Weller Family, And The Untimely Downfall Of Mr. Stiggins
The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens — Chapter 53
Chapter Liii. Comprising The Final Exit Of Mr. Jingle And Job Trotter, With A Great Morning Of Business In Gray's Inn Square—Concluding With A Double Knock At Mr. Perker's Door
The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens — Chapter 54
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
The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens — Chapter 55
Chapter Lv. Mr. Solomon Pell, Assisted By A Select Committee Of Coachmen, Arranges The Affairs Of The Elder Mr. Weller
The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens — Chapter 56
Chapter Lvi. An Important Conference Takes Place Between Mr. Pickwick And Samuel Weller, At Which His Parent Assists—An Old Gentleman In A Snuff-Coloured Suit Arrives Unexpectedly
The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens — Chapter 57
Chapter Lvii. In Which The Pickwick Club Is Finally Dissolved, And Everything Concluded To The Satisfaction Of Everybody
The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens — Chapter 58
When you assign The Pickwick Papers to your weekly schedule, Living Term advances your bookmark to the next chapter every time a lesson is completed.
Add to Weekly Schedule (Free Trial)Why Charlotte Mason Parents Read With Living Term
Living Term replaces messy PDF downloads, ad-cluttered public domain archives, and lost paper bookmarks with one peaceful morning time habit.
Click Monday on your schedule, tap the reading row, and the next chapter opens immediately in your browser or tablet.
Complete spines from H.E. Marshall, Charlotte Yonge, Arabella Buckley, Thornton Burgess, plus 109 traditional hymns and poetry.
Every chapter includes noble narration prompts and copywork excerpts ready to go, saving Mom hours of Sunday evening prep.