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very flattering to the vanity of a young woman Perhaps he is one
of the greatest theatrical geniuses that ever appeared。 He
sometimes entertains us with reciting favourite speeches from our
best plays。 We are resolved to convert the great hall into a
theatre； and get up the Beaux Stratagem without delay I think I
shall make no contemptible figure in the character of Scrub； and
Lismahago will be very great in Captain Gibbet。 Wilson undertakes
to entertain the country people with Harlequin Skeleton； for
which he has got a jacket ready painted with his own hand。
Our society is really enchanting。 Even the severity of Lismahago
relaxes； and the vinegar of Mrs Tabby is remarkably dulcified；
ever since it was agreed that she should take precedency of her
niece in being first noosed： for； you must know； the day is fixed
for Liddy's marriage； and the banns for both couples have been
already once published in the parish church。 The Captain
earnestly begged that one trouble might serve for all； and
Tabitha assented with a vile affectation of reluctance。 Her
inamorato； who came hither very slenderly equipt； has sent for
his baggage to London； which； in all probability； will not arrive
in time for the wedding； but it is of no great consequence； as
every thing is to be transacted with the utmost privacy
Meanwhile； directions are given for making out the contracts of
marriage； which are very favourable for both females； Liddy will
be secured in a good jointure； and her aunt will remain mistress
of her own fortune； except one half of the interest； which her
husband shall have a right to enjoy for his natural life： I think
this is as little in conscience as can be done for a man who
yokes with such a partner for life。
These expectants seem to be so happy； that if Mr Dennison had an
agreeable daughter； I believe I should be for making the third
couple in this country dance。 The humour seems to be infectious；
for Clinker； alias Loyd； has a month's mind to play the fool； in
the same fashion； with Mrs Winifred Jenkins。 He has even sounded
me on the subject； but I have given him no encouragement to
prosecute this scheme I told him I thought he might do better；
as there was no engagement nor promise subsisting； that I did not
know what designs my uncle might have formed for his advantage；
but I was of opinion； that he should not； at present； run the
risque of disobliging him by any premature application of this
nature Honest Humphry protested he would suffer death sooner
than do or say any thing that should give offence to the 'squire：
but he
owned he had a kindness for the young woman； and had reason to
think she looked upon him with a favourable eye； that he
considered this mutual manifestation of good will； as an
engagement understood； which ought to be binding to the
conscience of an honest man； and he hoped the 'squire and I would
be of the same opinion； when we should be at leisure to bestow
any thought about the matter I believe he is in the right； and
we shall find time to take his case into consideration You see
we are fixed for some weeks at least； and as you have had a long
respite； I hope you will begin immediately to discharge the
arrears due to
Your affectionate；
J。 MELFORD
Oct。 14。
To Miss LAETITIA WILLIS； at Gloucester。
MY DEAR； DEAR LETTY；
Never did I sit down to write in such agitation as I now feel In
the course of a few days； we have met with a number of incidents
so wonderful and interesting； that all my ideas are thrown into
confusion and perplexity You must not expect either method or
coherence in what I am going to relate my dearest Willis。 Since
my last； the aspect of affairs is totally changed！ and so
changed！ but I would fain give you a regular detail In passing a
river about eight days ago； our coach was overturned； and some of
us narrowly escaped with life My uncle had well nigh perished。 O
Heaven； I cannot reflect upon that circumstance without horror I
should have lost my best friend； my father and protector； but for
the resolution and activity of his servant Humphry Clinker； whom
Providence really seems to have placed near him for the necessity
of this occasion。 I would not be thought superstitious； but
surely he acted from a stronger impulse than common fidelity。 Was
it not the voice of nature that loudly called upon him to save
the life of his own father？ for； 0 Letty； it was discovered that
Humphry Clinker was my uncle's natural son。
Almost at the same instant； a gentleman； who came to offer us his
assistance； and invite us to his house； turned out to be a very
old friend of Mr Bramble。 His name is Mr Dennison； one of the
worthiest men living； and his lady is a perfect saint upon earth。
They have an only son who do you think is this only son？ O
Letty！ O gracious heaven！ how my heart palpitates； when I tell
you that this only son of Mr Dennison's； is that very identical
youth who； under the name of Wilson； has made such ravage in my
heart！ Yes； my dear friend！ Wilson and I are now lodged in the
same house； and converse together freely His father approves of
his sentiments in my favour； his mother loves me with all the
tenderness of a parent； my uncle； my aunt and my brother； no
longer oppose my inclinations On the contrary； they have agreed
to make us happy without delay； and in three weeks or a month； if
no unforeseen accident intervenes； your friend Lydia Melford；
will have changed her name and condition I say； if no accident
intervenes； because such a torrent of success makes me tremble！ I
wish there may not be something treacherous in this sudden
reconciliation of fortune I have no merit I have no title to
such felicity。 Far from enjoying the prospect that lies before
me； my mind is harrassed with a continued tumult； made up of
hopes and wishes； doubts and apprehensions I can neither eat nor
sleep； and my spirits are in perpetual flutter。 I more than ever
feel that vacancy in my heart； which your presence alone can
fill。 The mind； in every disquiet； seeks to repose itself on the
bosom of a friend； and this is such a trial as I really know not
how to support without your company and counsel I must；
therefore； dear Letty； put your friendship to the test I must
beg you will come and do the last offices of maidenhood to your
companion Lydia Melford。
This letter goes inclosed in one to our worthy governess； from
Mrs Dennison； entreating her to interpose with your mamma； that
you may be allowed to favour us with your company on this
occasion； and I flatter myself that no material objection can be
made to our request。 The distance from hence to Gloucester； does
not exceed one hundred miles； and the roads are good。 Mr
Clinker； alias Loyd； shall be sent over to attend your motions
If you step into the post…chaise； with your maid Betty Barker； at
seven in the morning； you will arrive by four in the afternoon at
the half…way house； where there is good accommodation。 There you
shall be met by my brother and myself； who will next day
conduct you to this place； where； I am sure； you will find
yourself perfectly at your case in the midst of an agreeable
socie