Mr. Pecksniff Renounces the Deceiver
Phiz (Hablot K. Browne)
May 1843
Etching
"With difficulty, Tom Pinch (left of centre) restrains the indignant young Martin from continuing his assault of the arch-deceiver, architect, plagiarist, and general hypocrite Seth Pecksniff (left). This moment in Chapter 12 signals an important shift in the story-line since Martin will now have to leave to make his way in the world: "Pinch caught Martin in his arms, and Mr. Pecksniff tumbled over a chair, and fell in a sitting posture on the ground." — Chapter 12
Dickens's Martin Chuzzlewit
Scanned image and text by Philip V. Allingham.
