and winked at Oliver, while his next neighbors nudged him. Child as he was, he was desperate with hunger, and reckless with misery. He rose from the table, and advancing, basin and spoon in hand, to the master, said, somewhat alarmed at his own temerity,

"Please, sir, I want some more."

The master was a fat, healthy man; but he turned very pale. He gazed in stupefied astonishment on the small rebel for some seconds; and then clung for support to the copper. The assistants were paralyzed with wonder, and the boys with fear.

"What!" said the master at length in a faint voice.

"Please, sir,” replied Oliver “I want some more."

The master aimed a blow at Oliver's head with the ladle, pinioned him in his arms, and shrieked aloud for the beadle.

The Board were sitting in solemn conclave, when Mr. Bumble rushed into the room in great excitement, and, addressing the gentleman in the high chair, said, "Mr. Limbkins, I beg your pardon, sir! Oliver Twist has asked for more." There was a general start. Horror was depicted on every countenance.

"For more!" said Mr. Limbkins. "Compose yourself, Bumble, and answer me distinctly. Do I understand that he asked for more after he had eaten the supper allotted by the dietary?"

"He did, sir," replied Bumble.

"That boy will be hung," said the gentleman in the white waistcoat. "I know that boy will be hung."

Nobody controverted the prophetic gentleman's opinion. An animated discussion took place. Oliver was ordered into instant confinement; and a bill was next morning pasted on the outside of the gate, offering a reward of five pounds to anybody who would take Oliver Twist off the hands of the parish: in other words. five pounds and Oliver Twist were offered to any man or woman who wanted an apprentice to any trade, business, or calling.

After serving a short apprenticeship to Mr. Sowerberry, parish undertaker, and being cruelly abused, he runs off, and makes his way, under the guidance of Mr. John Dawkins (alias the "Artful Dodger") to London, where he is decoyed into the den of Fagin, an old Jew, and a receiver of stolen goods, who employs a number of young persons of both sexes to carry on a systematic trade of theft. From this haunt of vice, where he is cautiously and gradually instructed in the art of larceny, he is temporarily rescued (see FANG), but is recaptured, and watched more closely than before to prevent his escape. His assistance, however, being very necessary to the execution of a contemplated burglary, he is forced to accompany two confederates of the Jew (Sikes and flash Toby Crackit) on their house-breaking expedition. But the plan fails, as the family are alarmed; and the robbers flee, taking with them Oliver, who has been shot, and severely wounded. Being closely pursued, they drop the boy into a ditch, and dart off at full speed. On recover Ing his senses, Oliver wanders about till he comes to the very hous

he had entered. Or. being admitted, he is kindly cared for by the lady of the house, Mrs. Maylie, and her niece Rose, who, on hearing his story, save him from arrest, and educate him and love him. The detection and punishment of the Jew and his accomplices, and the identification of Oliver through the zealous efforts of his new friends (among whom he finds an aunt in Rose Maylie), bring the tale to a happy conclusion. (Ch. i-xii, xiv-xvi, xviii, xx-xxii, xxviii-xxxvi, xli, li-liii.) See BUMBLE (MR.), FAGIN, MONKS, SIKES (BILL).

PRINCIPAL INCIDENTS.

CHAPTER I. Oliver Twist is born; his mother dies.-II. He is "farmed" with Mrs. Mann; Mr. Bumble visits Mrs. Manò, explains how Oliver received his name, and takes him to the workhouse; Oliver is brought before the "Board," and assigned to picking oakum; appointed by lot among the starved boys, he asks for "more," and is duly punished for his temerity.-III. Mr. Gamfield's negotiations for Oliver. -IV. Mr. Sowerberry converses with Mr. Bumble on parish undertaking and juries; takes Oliver, who-V. Becomes acquainted with Noah Claypole; on account of his "interesting expression of melancholy," Oliver is promoted to be a "mute," and attends his first funeral. - VI. He knocks down Noah Claypole; the excitement caused by this exhibition of spirit. — VII. His punishment; he runs away. - VIII. Experiences divers hardships and ill-treatment; meets Jack Dawkins "the Artful Dodger;" goes with him to London. - IX. Hears Fagin's soliloquy over a box of stolen watches and jewelry. The "Artful Dodger" and Charley Bates report their success in pocket-picking at an execution.-X. Oliver goes out to operate with them; is arrested.-XI. His trial.-XII. His sickness at Mr. Brownow's; Mr. Brownlow visits him, and is surprised by his familiar look; reception of the Dodger and Charley Bates by Fagin, after Oliver's arrest. - XIII. Bill Sikes, with his dog, enters Fagin's room; their altercation; Nancy goes to the police-office to learn where Oliver is. - XIV. Mr. Brownlow's kindness to Oliver; his conversation with him, with Mr. Grimwig; Oliver is sent with a parcel to a bookseller. - XV. He is caught by Nancy. -XVI. Impression produced on Fagin's thieves by his return and good clothes; Oliver's grief at having Mr. Brownlow's money and the parcel of books taken from him; he at tempts to run away; Nancy protects him when retaken; her rage against Sikes and s'agiu. -XVII. Mr. Bumble visits the "porochial" nursery; Dick astounds him by desiring to have some one write a note expressing his love for Oliver, and his wish to die; Mr. Bumble sees Mr. Brownlow's advertisement for Oliver, and calls on him; tells a very anfavorable story of Oliver's parentage and character.-XVIII. The “Dodger" advises Oliver to become a "prig," to make friends with Fagin, and to steal, because, if he did n't, somebody else would; Oliver becomes acquainted with Tom Chitling, just out of the house of correction.-XIX. Sikes and Fagin plan a burglary in which Oliver must assist. -XX. Fag: tells Oliver he must go with Sikes, and gives him a book of murders to read till sent for; Nancy takes him to Sikes, who gives him his instructions.-XXI. Their journey.-XXII. Preparations for the burglary by Sikes and Toby Crackit; Oliver's grief and terror at learning their plan and that be must aid in executing it; he enters the house of Mrs. Maylie, is shot, and carried off by Sikes and Crackit. - XXIII. Mrs. Corney makes cup of tea, and has some reflections over it; Mr. Bumble calls, and discusses the obstiacy of paupers, and the great " porochial" safeguard,—to give them exactly what they don't want; takes a cup of tea with Mrs. Corney, and becomes tender. - XXIV. An old

pauper woman on her death-bed gives hints of a revelation concerning Oliver's mother. — XXV. A game of whist at Fagin's; Toby Crackit reports to Fagin the ill-success of the burglary.-XXVI. Fagin seeks intelligence of Sikes among the traders in stolen goods; at the Three Cripples; at Sikes's own room; almost betrays his own guilt to Nancy; has a conference with Monks.-XXVII. Hints of great things that might be said concerning Deadles; Mr. Bumble, having weighed and counted Mrs. Corney's silver plate while she was at Old Sally's death-bed, on her return concludes his courtship; on his way home Interrupts Noah Claypole eating oysters from Charlotte's hand.-XXVIII. Abandonment of Oliver by Sikes and Crackit after the burglary; conversation between Giles and Brittles while pursuing them; Oliver recovers consciousness, and wanders to the house he had entered the previous night; Giles's report to the other servants of the incidents of the burglary; in the midst of his narrative Oliver knocks, and, after considerable strategy, is admitted. XXIX. Rose Maylie; the doctor comes to dress Oliver's wound. — XXX. Mrs. Maylie and Rose look at Oliver sleeping, and Rose pleads for mercy toward him; he tells his story; the doctor challenges Giles and Brittles to identify Oliver as the boy who had broken into Mrs. Maylie's house. - XXXI. Blathers and Duff examine the premises, and report their opinion of the burglary; after taking some spirits they become loquacious, and tell how Conkey Chickweed robbed himself; they look at Oliver, and contemn Giles and Brittles for their contradictory testimony.-XXXII. Oliver expresses his gratitude to Rose; the doctor takes him to see Mr. Brownlow, and at Chertsey Bridge rushes into the house Oliver points out as the one from which Sikes and Crackit had gone to commit the burglary; Oliver's disappointment at finding that Mr. Brownlow had gone to the West Indies; his duties and delights in the country-house to which Mrs. Maylie moved in the spring. — XXXIII. Rose is taken sick; Oliver goes to the market-town with a letter for the doctor; encounters Monks; Rose comes out of the crisis of her fever to live. - XXXIV. Oliver, overjoyed, walks out, and meets Giles with Harry Maylie; Harry tells his mother his love for Rose: Giles's gallantry on the night of the burglary rewarded; Oliver sleeps, and dreams that Fagin and Monks are watching him; wakes, and finds it real. — XXXV. The fruitless search for them; Harry tells Rose his love; she explains why she must not become his wife.-XXXVI. The doctor and Harry Maylie leave Mrs. Maylie's. XXXVII. Mr. Bumble as master of the workhouse; discussion of prerogative between him and Mrs. (Corney) Bumble; settled decisively in her favor; Mr. Bumble, going into a public-house to regain his composure, meets Monks, and makes numerous inquiries concerning Oliver's mother and the woman who nursed her. - XXXVIII Mr. and Mrs. Bumble go to Monks's hiding-place; Mrs. Bumble, after demanding and receiving twenty pounds, relates what Old Sally told her about Oliver's mother; hands Monks a locket containing two locks of hair and a gold wedding-ring, which he drops through a trap-door, and then dismisses Mr. and Mrs. Bumble.-XXXIX. Sikes recovers from a fever; Fagin and his boys bring refreshments; Nancy goes with Fagin for some money for Sikes; she overhears a conversation between Fagin and Monks; gives an opiate to Sikes; goes to find Miss Maylie.-XL. She repeats what she heard Monks tell Fagin about Oliver; Rose pleads with her to abandon her wretched course of life. - XLI. Oliver accidentally dis Lovers Mr. Brownlow; Rose goes to his house with Oliver; Mr. Grimwig's excitement at hearing her account of Oliver; joyful surprise of Mr. Brownlow and Mrs. Bedwin at sceng Oliver; discussion of the best mode of clearing up the mystery of his parentage, and securing Monks. - XLII. Noah Claypole and Charlotte, having robbed Mr. Sowerberry, go to London; they stop at the Three Cripples; Fagin overhears their conversation: shows that he knows of their theft, and proposes that they join his gang: Noah enters beartily into his plan, and agrees to undertake stealing money from children sent on er. "ands. — XLIII. Fagin explains how Noah cannot take care of himself without having ⚫pecial regard to Fagin's interests; the "Artful Dodger" is arrested; Fagin expatiates to his other boys on the unusual glory of attaining to the dignity of transportation for life at the Dodger's" tender age; Noah (now Morris Bolter) goes to the police-office to learn the "Dodger's" fate; his examination and committal.— XLIV. Nancy tries to keep her Appointment with Rose, Sunday night, but is prevented by Sikes; Fagin observes her ⚫fforts, and resolves to learn ber secret, and so strengthen his influence over her. — XLV He sends Noah to follow her the next Sunday night.-XLVI. Noah dogs her steps to Londes Bridge, where Mr. Brownlow and Rose Maylie meet her; she tells them why she failed to

meet them before; describes Monks; is urged to forsake her vile companions, but declares she cannot.-XLVII. Fagin tells Sikes of her disclosures; Sikes, in a frenzy of rage, goes to his room, tells Nancy she was watched and overheard at London Bridge, and kills her. — XLVIII His flight; at an inn a peddler offers to take a blood-stain out of his hat; he hears the murder talked of at the mail-coach; tries to sleep, but the murdered girl's eyes and figure haunt him; helps at a fire; goes back to London. -XLIX. Mr. Brownlow causes Monks to be seized; tells him the story of his father, mother, and Oliver; convinces him that his villany, and the proofs of it, are well known; makes him promise a complete statement of facts in regard to Oliver, and full restitution of money of which he had defrauded him.-L. Jacob's Island, where Fagin's gang took refuge after his arrest; Chitling's account of Fagin's capture; Sikes's dog, which he had vainly tried to drown, reaches the Island; Sikes himself comes, fearfully haggard; Charley Bates so horrified as to attack him; his hiding-place is discovered, and a fierce crowd try to capture him; his frantic efforts to escape; accidentally hangs himself; and his dog-springing at him-falls, and dashes out his brains. LI. Oliver's sensations as he goes to his native town; he is shocked at sight of Monks; aided by Mr. Brownlow, Monks relates to Oliver's benefactors the circumstances of the death of his and Oliver's father, and describes the will and letter he left; the destruction of the will by Monks's mother; his promise to hunt down Oliver; his bribing of Fagin to insnare Oliver, and his own exposure; Mr. and Mrs. Bumble are summoned; Mrs. Bumble denies all knowledge of Monks and the locket, but two old pauper-women, who overheard Old Sally's corfession, refresh her memory; Mr. Bumble's opinion of the law, which supposes the wife acts under her husband's direction; Rose's parentage made known; Harry, having reduced his circumstances to match hers, and become a clergyman, wins her hand. LII. Fagin on trial; his sentence; his last days and nights; Mr. Brownlow and Oliver visit him; he tells Oliver where he put the paper g.ven him by Monks. — LIII. Last look at the principal surviving characters.

FULL REPORT OF THE FIRST [AND SECOND] MEETING

OF THE

Mudfog Association

FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF EVERY THING.

THESE broadly humorous reports appeared in "Bentley's Miscellany," in 1837 and 1838, while Mr. Dickens was the editor of that periodical. They were designed to satirize the proceedings of the British Association for the Advancement of Science, which had then been recently established. The first meeting is "holden in the town of Mudfog;" some of the sections sitting at the Original Pig, and others at the Pig and Tinder-box: the second meeting is at Oldcastle; and the various sections obtain accommodation at the two rival inns, - the Black Boy and Stomach-ache, and the Boot-jack and Countenance.

CHARACTERS INTRODUCED.

Bell, Mr. Knight (M. R. C. S.). A member of the association, who exhibits a wax preparation of the interior of a man, who, in early life, had swallowed a door-key. At a post mortem examination, it is found that an exact model of the key is distinctly impressed on the coating of the stomach. This coating a dissipated medical student steals, and hastens with it to a locksmith of doubtful charac ter, who makes a new key from the novel pattern. With this key the student enters the house of the deceased gentleman, and commits a burglary to a large amount, for which crime he is tried and executed. The deceased gentleman had always been much accustomed to punch, and it is supposed that the original key must have been destroyed by the acid. After the unlucky accident, he was troubled with nightmare, under the influence of which he always imagined himself a wine-cellar door.