# Showing that old friends may not only appear with new faces, but in false colours. That people are prone to bite, and that biters may sometimes be bitten. explained — Martin Chuzzlewit

> Chapter companion for Martin Chuzzlewit by Charles Dickens.

## What happens

Mr. Bailey Junior, now a cab driver for Tigg Montague, is seen driving in Pall Mall. Tigg Montague, now chairman of the Anglo-Bengalee Disinterested Loan and Life Assurance Company, meets with Jonas Chuzzlewit to persuade him to join the fraudulent scheme. Jonas, recognizing Tigg from Pecksniff's parlour, is tempted by the promise of easy money.

## Themes in this chapter

### Greed and Corruption

The Anglo-Bengalee Company is a fraudulent scheme, and Tigg Montague's lavish lifestyle is built on deception. Jonas is tempted by the promise of easy money, highlighting the corrupting influence of greed.

### Deception and Trust

The entire company is a facade, from the porter's impressive waistcoat to the false promises of perpetual bonuses. Tigg's manipulation of Jonas shows how trust is exploited for gain.

## Character check-ins

### Bailey

Now Mr. Bailey Junior, a cab driver for Tigg Montague, showing off his sporting character and driving skills in Pall Mall.

### Tigg Montague

Now chairman of the Anglo-Bengalee Disinterested Loan and Life Assurance Company, dressed in fine clothes and jewels, attempting to recruit Jonas Chuzzlewit.

### Jonas Chuzzlewit

Visits the Anglo-Bengalee office, recognizes Tigg from Pecksniff's parlour, and is tempted by Tigg's offer to join the fraudulent scheme.

### Poll Sweedlepipe

Mentioned as a friend of Bailey, to whom Bailey had hinted about his adventures.

### David Crimple

Secretary and resident Director of the Anglo-Bengalee, originally named Crimp, now a managing director accompanying Tigg.

## Key lines

> Mr. ¬ÝBailey, Junior, just tall enough to be seen by an inquiring eye, gazing indolently at society from beneath the apron of his master‚Äôs cab, drove slowly up and down Pall Mall about the hour of noon, in waiting for his ‚ÄúGovernor.‚Äù

Bailey, now a young cab driver, lazily surveyed the passersby as he drove his master's cab in Pall Mall at midday.

_Introduces Bailey's new role as a cab driver for Tigg Montague._

> The horse of distinguished family, who had Capricorn for his nephew, and Cauliflower for his brother, showed himself worthy of his high relations by champing at the bit until his chest was white with foam, and rearing like a horse in heraldry;

The horse, with fancy names for its relatives, was spirited and foamed at the mouth, rearing up impressively.

_Humorous description of the horse's lineage and behavior._

> Mr. ¬ÝBailey had a great opinion of brother to Cauliflower, and estimated his powers highly. But he never told him so. On the contrary, it was his practice, in driving that animal, to assail him with disrespectful, if not injurious, expressions, as, ‚ÄúAh! would you!‚Äù ‚ÄúDid you think it, then?‚Äù ‚ÄúWhere are you going to now?‚Äù ‚ÄúNo, you won‚Äôt, my lad!‚Äù and similar fragmentary remarks.

Bailey thought highly of the horse but never praised it, instead shouting insults and commands to assert control.

_Shows Bailey's cocky and playful attitude._

> No confidences existed between him and the Directorship; nobody knew where he had served last; no character or explanation had been given or required. No questions had been asked on either side. This mysterious being, relying solely on his figure, had applied for the situation, and had been instantly engaged on his own terms.

The porter was hired without any references or questions, solely because of his impressive physique, especially his large waistcoat.

_Satirizes the superficiality of the company's respectability._

> When he sat upon a seat erected for him in a corner of the office, with his glazed hat hanging on a peg over his head, it was impossible to doubt the respectability of the concern. It went on doubling itself with every square inch of his red waistcoat until, like the problem of the nails in the horse’s shoes, the total became enormous.

The porter's mere presence and his enormous red waistcoat made the company seem incredibly respectable, multiplying its credibility.

_Highlights the absurdity of judging a company by appearances._

> People had been known to apply to effect an insurance on their lives for a thousand pounds, and looking at him, to beg, before the form of proposal was filled up, that it might be made two.

Clients were so impressed by the porter that they doubled their insurance amounts on the spot.

_Exaggerates the porter's influence on customers._

> Rival offices had endeavoured to lure him away; Lombard Street itself had beckoned to him; rich companies had whispered “Be a Beadle!” but he still continued faithful to the Anglo-Bengalee.

Other companies tried to hire him away, even offering him a position as a beadle, but he stayed loyal to the Anglo-Bengalee.

_Shows the porter's perceived value in the financial world._

> Whether he was a deep rogue, or a stately simpleton, it was impossible to make out, but he appeared to believe in the Anglo-Bengalee.

It was unclear if the porter was cunning or naive, but he seemed to genuinely trust the company.

_Ambiguity about the porter's true nature._

> He was grave with imaginary cares of office; and having nothing whatever to do, and something less to take care of, would look as if the pressure of his numerous duties, and a sense of the treasure in the company’s strongroom, made him a solemn and a thoughtful man.

He appeared serious and burdened by responsibilities, though he had no real work, as if guarding great wealth.

_Irony of the porter's fake importance._

> As the cabriolet drove up to the door, this officer appeared bareheaded on the pavement, crying aloud “Room for the chairman, room for the chairman, if you please!” much to the admiration of the bystanders, who, it is needless to say, had their attention directed to the Anglo-Bengalee Company thenceforth, by that means.

When Tigg's cab arrived, the porter announced the chairman loudly, drawing public attention to the company.

_Shows how the company uses spectacle to attract customers._

> Mr. ¬ÝTigg leaped gracefully out, followed by the Managing Director (who was by this time very distant and respectful), and ascended the stairs, still preceded by the porter, who cried as he went, ‚ÄúBy your leave there! by your leave! The Chairman of the Board, Gentle‚ÅÝ‚Äî men !‚Äù

Tigg alighted elegantly, with the managing director deferentially following, as the porter cleared the way, announcing the chairman.

_Emphasizes Tigg's new status and the theatricality of the office._

> In like manner, but in a still more stentorian voice, he ushered the chairman through the public office, where some humble clients were transacting business, into an awful chamber, labelled Boardroom; the door of which sanctuary immediately closed, and screened the great capitalist from vulgar eyes.

The porter loudly led Tigg through the public office into the impressive boardroom, whose door shut to hide the chairman from ordinary clients.

_Creates an aura of mystery and importance around Tigg._

> The boardroom had a Turkey carpet in it, a sideboard, a portrait of Tigg Montague, Esquire, as chairman; a

The boardroom was luxuriously furnished with a Turkish carpet, sideboard, and a portrait of Tigg as chairman.

_Details the opulent setting designed to impress._

> supposing I did it here, I should do it cheap, I know, and easy, without bothering her about it; which I’d much rather not do, for it’s just in a woman’s way to take it into her head, if you talk to her about such things, that she’s going to die directly.”

Jonas thinks he could arrange something cheap and easy without involving his wife, as women get upset about death.

_Jonas's callous attitude toward his wife and life insurance._

> “So it is,” cried Tigg, kissing his hand in honour of the sex. “You’re quite right. Sweet, silly, fluttering little simpletons!”

Tigg agrees, mockingly praising women as sweet but foolish.

_Tigg's patronizing view of women._

> ‚ÄúWell,‚Äù said Jonas, ‚Äúon that account, you know, and because offence has been given me in other quarters, I wouldn‚Äôt mind patronizing this Company. But I want to know what sort of security there is for the Company‚Äôs going on. That‚Äôs the‚ÅÝ‚Äî‚Äù

Jonas says he might invest in the company, but wants to know about its security.

_Jonas shows interest but demands reassurance._

> “Not the truth?” cried Tigg, holding up his jewelled hand. “Don’t use that Sunday School expression, please!”

Tigg jokingly objects to Jonas using the word 'truth,' as if it were inappropriate.

_Highlights Tigg's dishonesty and mockery of morality._

> “The long and the short of it,” said Jonas. “The long and the short of it is, what’s the security?”

Jonas bluntly asks what guarantees the company offers.

_Jonas's pragmatic and suspicious nature._

> ‚ÄúThe paid-up capital, my dear sir,‚Äù said Tigg, referring to some papers on the table, ‚Äúis, at this present moment‚ÅÝ‚Äî‚Äù

Tigg starts to cite the paid-up capital from papers.

_Tigg attempts to provide a financial figure._

> “Oh! I understand all about paid-up capitals, you know,” said Jonas. “You do?” cried Tigg, stopping short. “I should hope so.” He turned the papers down again, and moving nearer to him, said in his ear: “I know you do. I know you do. Look at me!”

Jonas dismisses the capital talk, and Tigg, realizing Jonas is savvy, leans in and tells him to look at him.

_Tigg shifts to a more personal, conspiratorial approach._

> It was not much in Jonas’s way to look straight at anybody; but thus requested, he made shift to take a tolerable survey of the chairman’s features. The chairman fell back a little, to give him the better opportunity.

Jonas, unaccustomed to direct eye contact, reluctantly studies Tigg's face as Tigg steps back.

_Jonas's discomfort with directness._

> “You know me?” he inquired, elevating his eyebrows. “You recollect? You’ve seen me before?”

Tigg asks if Jonas remembers him.

_Tigg tries to establish a prior connection._

> “Why, I thought I remembered your face when I first came in,” said Jonas, gazing at it; “but I couldn’t call to mind where I had seen it. No. I don’t remember, even now. Was it in the street?”

Jonas says he thought he recognized Tigg but can't place him, wondering if it was on the street.

_Jonas's vague recollection._

> ‚ÄúWas it in Pecksniff‚Äôs parlour?‚Äù said Tigg. ‚ÄúIn Pecksniff‚Äôs parlour!‚Äù echoed Jonas, fetching a long breath. ‚ÄúYou don‚Äôt mean when‚ÅÝ‚Äî‚Äù

Tigg prompts Jonas about Pecksniff's parlour, and Jonas gasps, recalling the occasion.

_Jonas remembers the earlier meeting._

> “Yes,” cried Tigg, “when there was a very charming and delightful little family party, at which yourself and your respected father assisted.”

Tigg confirms it was at a family party with Jonas and his father.

_Tigg references the earlier gathering._

> “Well, never mind him ,” said Jonas. “He’s dead, and there’s no help for it.”

Jonas dismisses talk of his father, saying he's dead and that's that.

_Jonas's cold indifference to his father's death._

> “Dead, is he!” cried Tigg, “Venerable old gentleman, is he dead! You’re very like him.”

Tigg expresses surprise and says Jonas resembles his father.

_Tigg's flattery, though Jonas dislikes it._

> Jonas received this compliment with anything but a good grace, perhaps because of his own private sentiments in reference to the personal appearance of his deceased parent; perhaps because he was not best pleased to find that Montague and Tigg were one.

Jonas reacted poorly to the compliment, either because he disliked his father's looks or because he realized Tigg and Montague are the same person.

_Jonas's discomfort with the revelation._

> That gentleman perceived it, and tapping him familiarly on the sleeve, beckoned him to the window. From this moment, Mr. ¬ÝMontague‚Äôs jocularity and flow of spirits were remarkable.

Tigg noticed Jonas's reaction, tapped his sleeve, and led him to the window, becoming very cheerful.

_Tigg shifts to a more friendly, persuasive tone._

> “Do you find me at all changed since that time?” he asked. “Speak plainly.”

Tigg asks Jonas if he seems different now, urging honesty.

_Tigg invites comparison to his former self._

> Jonas looked hard at his waistcoat and jewels; and said “Rather, ecod!”

Jonas eyes Tigg's fine clothes and jewels and says he's changed a lot.

_Jonas acknowledges Tigg's transformation._

> “Was I at all seedy in those days?” asked Montague. “Precious seedy,” said Jonas.

Tigg asks if he looked shabby before, and Jonas confirms he was very shabby.

_Tigg's past poverty contrasted with current wealth._

> Mr. ¬ÝMontague pointed down into the street, where Bailey and the cab were in attendance. ‚ÄúNeat; perhaps dashing. Do you know whose it is?‚Äù ‚ÄúNo.‚Äù ‚ÄúMine. Do you like this room?‚Äù ‚ÄúIt must have cost a lot of money,‚Äù said Jonas. ‚ÄúYou‚Äôre right. Mine too. Why don‚Äôt you‚Äù‚ÅÝ‚Äîhe whispered this, and nudged him in the side with his elbow‚ÅÝ‚Äî‚Äúwhy don‚Äôt you take premiums, instead of paying ‚Äôem? That‚Äôs what a man like you should do. Join us!‚Äù

Tigg shows off his cab and office, then whispers to Jonas that he should collect premiums instead of paying them, inviting him to join the scheme.

_Tigg's direct pitch to Jonas to become part of the fraud._

> Jonas stared at him in amazement. “Is that a crowded street?” asked Montague, calling his attention to the multitude without. “Very,” said Jonas, only glancing at it, and immediately afterwards looking at him again.

Jonas is stunned, and Tigg points to the busy street, asking if it's crowded, then explains how many people will be duped.

_Tigg's cynical calculation of potential victims._

> “There are printed calculations,” said his companion, “which will tell you pretty nearly how many people will pass up and down that thoroughfare in the course of a day. I can tell you how many of ’em will come in here, merely because they find this office here; knowing no more about it than they do of the Pyramids. Ha, ha! Join us. You shall come in cheap.”

Tigg claims he can predict how many passersby will invest, knowing nothing about the company, and offers Jonas a cheap entry.

_Tigg's confidence in exploiting public ignorance._

> Jonas looked at him harder and harder. “I can tell you,” said Tigg in his ear, “how many of ’em will buy annuities, effect insurances, bring us their money in a hundred shapes and ways, force it upon us, trust us as if we were the Mint; yet know no more about us than you do of that crossing-sweeper at the corner. Not so much. Ha, ha!”

Tigg whispers that many will trust them blindly, bringing money as if to the Mint, knowing less than Jonas knows about a street sweeper.

_Tigg's contempt for the public's gullibility._

> Jonas gradually broke into a smile. “Yah!” said Montague, giving him a pleasant thrust in the breast; “you’re too deep for us, you dog, or I wouldn’t have told you. Dine with me tomorrow, in Pall Mall!”

Jonas smiles, and Tigg jokingly calls him too clever, then invites him to dinner.

_Jonas is won over, and Tigg seals the deal with a social invitation._

> “I will” said Jonas. “Done!” cried Montague. “Wait a bit. Take these papers with you and look ’em over. See,” he said, snatching some

Jonas agrees, and Tigg gives him papers to review.

_Jonas commits to joining the scheme._

## Links

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