Mr Pickwick's oration upon this occasion, together with the debate thereon, is entered on the Transactions of the Club. Both bear a strong affinity to the discussions of other celebrated associations; and, because it is always interesting to trace a resemblance between the proceedings of great men, we transfer the entry from the club's records to these pages.

'Mr Pickwick observed (says the secretary) that fame was dear to the heart of every man. Poetic fame was dear to the heart of his friend Snodgrass; the fame of conquest in love was equally dear to his friend Tupman; and the desire of earning fame in the sports of the field, the air, and the water was uppermost in the breast of his friend Winkle. He (Mr Pickwick) would not deny that he was influenced by human passions and human feelings (cheers from the audience) - possibly by human weaknesses (loud cries of "No"); but this he would say, that if ever the fire of self-importance broke out in his bosom, the desire to benefit the human race in preference effectively quenched that fire. The praise of mankind was what he wanted; philanthropy was his aim. (Vehement cheering.)

Vocabulary:

Oration: Speech
Thereon: About it
Transactions: Here it means 'Reports of events'
Affinity: Resemblance
Celebrated: Famous.
Observed: Noticed and said
Breast: Here it means 'heart' (literally chest).
Bosom: Synonym for breast.
Quenched:Put out, usually with water.
Philanthropy: Helping other people
Vehement: With strong emotion.