What Mr Pickwick had to say on this occasion, together with the debate about it, is written in the Transactions of the Pickwick Club. Both Mr Pickwick's speech and the debate afterward are very similar to those of other celebrated associations; and, because it is always interesting to see similarities in the actions of great men, we have copied the entry from the club's records to these pages.

The secretary has written: 'Mr Pickwick commented that every man would like to become famous. Poetic fame was what his friend Snodgrass wanted; conquest in love was equally dear to his friend Tupman; and the desire of earning fame in hunting deer and foxes, shooting birds, and catching fish was uppermost in thoughts of his friend Winkle. He (Mr Pickwick) would not deny that he was influenced by human passions and human feelings (cheers from the audience). Perhaps he was also influenced by by human weaknesses (loud cries of "No"). But he would say this, that if he ever felt that he was more important than he really was, then his desire to help humanity quickly made him feel differently. The praise of humanity was what he wanted; philanthropy was his objective. (More cheering.)

Vocabulary:

Debate: Here it means 'discussion' rather than an arguement
Thereon: About it
Transactions: Here it means 'Reports of events'
Entry: Here it means something written in a diary or book
Celebrated: Famous.
Commented: Said about something he had seen
Dear to: Loved by
Deny: Say something is not true
Influenced: Changed in the way he thought or behaved
Passions: Strong feelings
Desire: Wanting something very much
Humanity: All the people on earth
Philanthropy: Helping other people