got a jacket ready painted with his own hand. TO MISS LETITIA 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, O Letty, it was discovered that Humphry Clinker was my uncle's natural son. 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 the 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 errive 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 Almost at the same instant, a gentleman, couple in this country dance. The humour who came to offer us his assistance, and inseems to be infectious; for Clinker, alias vite us to his house, turned out to be a very Lloyd, has a month's mind to play the fool old friend of Mr Bramble. His name is Mr in the same fashion with Mrs Winifred Jen- Dennison, one of the worthiest men living; kins. He has even sounded me on the sub- and his lady is a perfect saint upon earth. ject; but I have given him no encouragement They have an only son. Who do you think to prosecute this scheme. I told him I is this only son?-O Letty!-O gracious thought he might do better, as there was no heaven! how my heart palpitates, when I engagement nor promise subsisting; that I tell you, that this only son of Mr Dennison did not know what designs my uncle might is that very identical youth, who, under the have formed for his advantage; but I was of name of Wilson, has made such ravage in opinion, that he should not at present run my heart!-Yes, my dear friend! Wilson the risk of disobliging him by any premature and I are now lodged in the same house, and application of this nature. Honest Humphry converse together freely. His father approtested he would suffer death sooner than proves of his sentiments in my favour; his say or do any thing that should give offence mother loves me with all the tenderness of a to the squire; but he owned he had a kind-parent: my uncle, my aunt, and my brother, ness for the young woman, and had reason no longer oppose my inclinations. On the to think she looked upon him with a favourable éye; 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 October 14. J. MELFORD. contrary, they have agreed to make us happy without delay; and, in three weeks or a month, if no unforseen 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 harassed with a continued tumult, made up of hopes and wishes, doubts and apprehensions. I can neither eat nor sleep, and my spirits are in a 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. nerves and strong apprehensions; and how much the presence of a friend and confidant would encourage and support me on this occasion. You know that, of all the young ladies, Miss Willis was she that possessed the greatest share of my confidence and affection; and, therefore, I fervently wish to have the happiness of her company at this interesting crisis. Mrs Dennison, who is the object of uni written to you on this subject, and I now This letter goes inclosed in one to our worthy governess, from Mrs Dennison, en-versal love and esteem, has, at my request, treating 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 Lloyd, 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 ease in the midst of an agreeable society. Dear Letty, I will take no refusal-if you have any friendship--any humanity-you will come. I desire that immediate application may be made to your mamma; and that the moment her permiss- To MRS MARY JONES, AT BRAMBLETONion is obtained, you will apprise your ever faithful October 14. LYDIA MELFORD. October 14. HALL. O MARY JONES! MARY JONES!-I have met with so many axidents, surprisals and terrifications, that I am in a perfect fantigo, TO MRS JERMYN, at her House IN GLOU- and believe I shall never be my own self CESTER. DEAR MADAM,-Though I was not so fortunate as to be favoured with an answer to the letter with which I troubled you in the spring, I still flatter myself that you retain some regard for me and my concerns. I am sure the care and tenderness with which I was treated under your roof and tuition, demand the warmest returns of gratitude and affection on my part; and these sentiments, I hope, I shall cherish to my dying day. At present I think it my duty to make you acquainted with the happy issue of that indiscretion by which I incurred your displeasure!—Ah! madam, the slighted Wilson is metamorphosed into George Dennison, only son and heir of a gentleman, whose character is second to none in England, as you may understand upon inquiry. My guardians, my brother, and I, are now in his house; and an immediate union of the two families is to take place in the persons of the young gentleman and your poor Lydia Melford. You will easily conceive how embarrassing this situation must be to a young inexperienced creature like me, of weak again. Last week I was dragged out of a river like a drowned rat, and lost a bran-new nightcap with a sulfer stay-hook, that cost me a good half a crown, and an odd shoe of green gallow-monkey; besides wetting my clothes, and taring my smuck, and an ugly gash made in the back part of my thy, by the stump of a tree. To be sure, Mr Clinker tuck me out of the cox; but he left me on my back in the water, to go to the squire, and I mought have had a watry grave, if a millar had not brought me to the dry land. But, O what choppings and changes, girl! The player-man that came after Miss Liddy, and frightened me with a beard at Bristol well, is now matthewmurphy'd into a fine young gentleman, son and hare of Squire Dollison. We are altogether in the same house, and all parties have agreed to the match, and in a fornite the surrymony will be performed. But this is not the only wedding we are to have. Mistress is resolved to have the same frolick, in the naam of God! Last Sunday, in the parish crutch, if my own ars may be trusted, the clerk called the banes of marridge betwixt Opaniah Lashmeyhago and Ta bitha Brample, spinster; he mought as well have called her incle-weaver, for she never spun an hank of yarn in her life. Young Squire Dollison and Miss Liddy make the second kipple; and there might have been a turd, but times are changed with Mr Clinker. O Molly! what do'st think? Mr Clinker is found to be a pye-blow of our own squire, and his right name is Mr Mattew Loyd (thof God he knose how that can be); and he is now out of livery, and wears ruffles; but I knew him when he was out at elbows, and had not a rag to kiver his pistereroes; so he need not hold his head so high. He is for sartin very umble and compleasant, and purtests as how he has the same regard as before; but that he is no longer his own master, and cannot portend to marry without the squire's consent. He says we must wait with patience, and trust to Providence, and such nonsense. But if so be as how his regard be the same, why stand shilly-shally? Why not strike while the iron is hot, and speak to the squire without losing time? What subjection can the squire make to our coming together? Thof my father wan't a gentleman, my mother was an honest woman. I didn't come on the wrong side of the blanket, girl. My parents were married according to the rights of holy mother crutch, in the face of men and angels-mark that, Mary Jones! TO DR LEWIS. DEAR DICK,-You cannot imagine what pleasure I have in seeing your hand-writing, after such a long cessation on your side of our correspondence: yet, heaven knows, I have often seen your hand-writing with disgust; I mean when it appeared in abbreviations of apothecary's Latin. I like your hint of making interest for the reversion of the collector's place for Lismahago, who is much pleased with the scheme, and presents you with his compliments and best thanks for thinking so kindly of his concerns. The man seems to mend upon further acquaintance. That harsh reserve, which formed a disagreeable husk about his character, begins to peel off in the course of our communication. I have great hopes that he and Tabby will be as happily paired as any two draught animals in the kingdom; and I make no doubt but that he will prove a valuable acquisition to our little society, in the article of conversation by the fire-side in winter. too cautious. We should sometimes increase the motion of the machine, to unclog the wheels of life; and now and then take a plunge amidst the waves of excess, in order to case-harden the constitution. I have even found a change of company as necessary as a change of air, to promote a vigorous circulation of the spirits, which is the very essence and criterion of good health. Your objection to my passing this season of the year at such a distance from home, would have more weight if I did not find myself perfectly at my ease where I am; and my health so much improved, that I am disposed to bid defiance to the gout and rheuMr Clinker (Loyd I would say) had best matism. I begin to think I have put myself look to his tackle. There be other chaps in on the superannuated list too soon, and abthe market, as the saying is. What would surdly sought for health in the retreats of he say if I should except the soot and sar- laziness. I am persuaded, that all valetudivice of the young squire's valley? Mr Mac-narians are too sedentary, too regular, and happy is a gentlenian born, and has been abroad in the wars. He has a world of buck learning, and speaks French and Ditch and Scotch, and all manner of outlandish lingos: to be sure he's a little the worse for the ware, and is much given to drink; but then he's good-tempered in his liquor, and a prudent woman mought wind him about her finger. But I have no thoughts of him, I'll assure you. I scorn for to do, or to say, or to think any thing that might give umbreech to Mr Loyd, without furder occasion. But then I have such vapours, Molly: I sit and cry by myself, and take ass of etida, and smill to burnt fathers and kindal-snuffs; and I pray constantly for grease, that I may have a glimpse of the new light, to show me the way through this wretched veil of tares. And yet, I want for nothing in this family of love, where every sole is so kind and so courteous, that one would think they are so many saints in haven. Dear Molly, I recommend myself to your prayers, being, with my service to Saul, your ever loving, and discounselled friend, October 14. WIN. JENKINS. Since my last, I have been performing the duties of friendship, that required a great deal of exercise, from which I hope to derive some benefit. Understanding, by the greatest accident in the world, that Mr Baynard's wife was dangerously ill of a pleuritic fever, I borrowed Dennison's post-chaise, and went across the country to his habitation, attended only by Lloyd (quondam Clinker) on horseback. As the distance is not above thirty miles, I arrived about four in the afternoon, and, meeting the physician at the door, was informed that his patient had just expired. I was instantly seized with a violent emotion; but it was not grief. The family being in confusion, I ran up stairs into the chamber, where, indeed, they were all assembled. The aunt stood wringing her hands, in a state of stupefaction of sorrow; but my friend acted all the extravagancies of affliction. He held the body in his arms, and poured forth such a lamentation, that one would have thought he had lost the most amiable consert and valuable companion upon earth. into an habitual aversion, I resolved, if possible, to attach him more than ever to his household goods. I gave directions for the funeral to be as private as was consistent with decency; I wrote to London, that an inventory and estimate might be made of the furniture and effects in his town-house, and gave notice to the landlord that Mr Baynard should quit the premises at Lady-day; I set a person at work to take an account of every Next day he was in a condition to talk of business, and vested me with full authority over his household, which I began to exercise without loss of time, though not before he knew and approved of the scheme I had projected for his advantage. He would have Affection may certainly exist, independent quitted the house immediately; but this reof esteem; nay, the same object may be treat I opposed. Far from encouraging a lovely in one respect, and detestable in ano-temporary disgust, which might degenerate ther. The mind has a surprising faculty of accommodating, and even attaching itself, in such a manner, by dint of use, to things that are in their own nature disagreeable, and even pernicious, that it cannot bear to be delivered from them without reluctance and regret. Baynard was so absorbed in his delirium, that he did not perceive me when I entered, and desired one of the women to conduct the aunt into her own chamber. At the same time, I begged the tutor to with-thing in the country-house, including horses, draw the boy, who stood gaping in a corner, very little affected with the distress of the scene. These steps being taken, I waited till the first violence of my friend's transport was abated, then disengaged him gently from the melancholy object, and led him by the hand into another apartment; though he struggled so hard, that I was obliged to have recourse to the assistance of his valet-dechambre. In a few minutes, however, he recollected himself, and folding me in his arms,-"This," cried he, "is a friendly office, indeed!-I know not how you came hither, but I think heaven sent you to prevent my going distracted. O Matthew! I have lost my dear Harriet !—my poor, gentle, tender creature, that loved me with such warmth and purity of affection-my constant companion of twenty years!-She's goneshe's gone for ever! Heaven and earth, where is she? Death shall not part us!" carriages and harness; I settled the young gentleman at a boarding-school, kept by a clergyman in the neighbourhood, and thither he went without reluctance, as soon as he knew that he was to be troubled no more with his tutor, whom we dismissed. The aunt continued very sullen, and never appeared at table, though Mr Baynard paid his respects to her every day in her own chamber: there also she held conferences with the waitingwomen and other servants of the family; but the moment her niece was interred, she went away in a post-chaise prepared for that purpose; she did not leave the house, however, without giving Mr Baynard to understand, that the wardrobe of her neice was the perquisite of her woman; accordingly, that worthless drab received all the clothes, laces and linen of her deceased mistress, to the value of five hundred pounds, at a moderate computation. So saying, he started up, and could hardly The next step I took was to disband that be withheld from returning to the scene we legion of supernumerary domestics, who had had quitted. You will perceive it would preyed so long upon the vitals of my friend; have been very absurd for me to argue with a parcel of idle drones, so intolerably insolent, a man that talked so madly. On all such that they even treated their own master with occasions, the first torrent of passion must the most contemptuous neglect. They had be allowed to subside gradually. I endea- been generally hired by his wife, according voured to beguile his attention by starting to the recommendation of her woman, and little hints, and insinuating other objects of these were the only patrons to whom they discourse imperceptibly; and being exceed- paid the least deference. I had therefore ingly pleased in my mind at this event, I uncommon satisfaction in clearing the house exerted myself with such an extraordinary of those vermin. The woman of the deceasflow of spirits as was attended with success. ed, and a chambermaid, a valet-de-chambre, In a few hours he was calm enough to hear a butler, a French cook, a master-gardener, reason, and even to own that heaven could two footmen, and a coachman, I paid off, and not have interposed more effectually to res-turned out of the house immediately, paying cue him from disgrace and ruin. That he to each a month's wages in lieu of warning. might not, however, relapse into weaknesses Those whom I retained, consisted of a female for want of company, I passed the night in cook, who had been assistant to the Frenchhis chamber, in a little tent-bed brought man, a house-maid, an old lacquey, a postilthither on purpose; and well it was that Iion and under-gardener. Thus I removed took this precaution, for he started up in bed several times, and would have played the fool, if I had not been present. at once a huge mountain of expense and care from the shoulders of my friend, who could hardly believe the evidence of his own senses, when he found himself so suddenly and so effectually relieved. His heart, however, was still subject to vibrations of tenderness, which returned at certain intervals, extorting sighs, and tears, and exclamations of grief and impatience; but these fits grew every day less violent and less frequent, till at length his reason obtained a complete victory over the infirmities of his nature. Upon an accurate inquiry into the state of his affairs, I find his debts amount to twenty thousand pounds, for eighteen thousand pounds of which sum his estate is mortgaged; and as he pays five per cent interest, and some of his farms are unoccupied, he does not receive above two hundred pounds a-year clear from his lands, over and above the interest of his wife's fortune, which produced eight hundred pounds annually. For lightening this heavy burden, I devised the following expedient. His wife's jewels, together with his superfluous plate and furniture in both houses, his horses and carriages, which are already advertised to be sold by auction, will, according to the estimate, produce two thousand five hundred pounds in ready money, with which the debt will be immediately reduced to eighteen thousand pounds. I have undertaken to find him ten thousand pounds at four per cent, by which means he will save one hundred a-year in the article of interest, and perhaps we shall be able to borrow the other eight thousand on the same terms. According to his own scheme of a country life, he says he can live comfortably for three hundred pounds a-year; but, as he has a son to educate, we will allow him five hundred; then there will be an accumulating fund of seven hundred a-year, principal and interest, to pay off the encumbrance; and, I think, we may modestly add three hundred on the presumption of new-leasing and improving the vacant farms; so that, in a couple of years, I suppose, there will be above a thousand a-year appropriated to liquidate a debt of sixteen thousand. We forthwith began to class and set apart the articles designed for sale, under the direction of an upholder from London; and, that nobody in the house might be idle, commenced our reformation without doors, as well as within. With Baynard's good leave, I ordered the gardener to turn the rivulet into its own channel, to refresh the fainting Naiads, who had so long languished among mouldering roots, withered leaves and dry pebbles. The shrubbery is condemned to extirpation; and the pleasure-ground will be restored to its original use of corn-field and pasture. Orders are given for rebuilding the walls of the garden at the back of the house, and for planting clumps of firs, intermingled with beech and chesnut, at the east end, which is now quite exposed to the surly blasts that come from that quarter. All these works being actually begun, and the house and auction left to the care and management of a reputable attorney, I brought Baynard along with me in the chaise, and made him acquainted with Dennison, whose goodness of heart would not fail to engage his esteem and affection. He is indeed charmed with our society in general, and declares that he never saw the theory of true pleasure reduced to practice before. I really believe it would not be an easy task to find such a number of individuals assembled under one roof more happy than we are at present. I must tell you, however, in confidence, I suspect Tabby of tergiversation. I have been so long accustomed to that original, that I know all the caprices of her heart, and can often perceive her designs, while they are yet in embryo. She attached herself to Lismahago for no other reason but that she despaired of making a more agreeable conquest. At present, if I am not much mistaken in my observation, she would gladly convert the widowhood of Baynard to her own advantage. Since he arrived, she has behaved very coldly to the captain, and strove to fasten on the other's heart with the hooks of overstrained civility. These must be the instinctive efforts of her constitution, rather that the effects of any deliberate design; for matters are carried to such a length with the lieutenant, that she could not retract with any regard to conscience or reputation. Besides, she will meet with nothing but indifference or aversion on the side of Baynard, who has too much sense to think of such a partner at any time, and too much delicacy to admit a thought of any such connexion at the present juncture. Meanwhile I have prevailed upon her to let him have four thousand pounds at four per cent towards paying off his mortgage. Young Dennison has agreed that Liddy's fortune shall be appropriated to the same purpose, on the same terms; his father will sell out three thousand pounds stock for his accommodation: farmer Bland has, at the desire of Wilson, undertaken for two thousand; and I must make an effort to advance what farther will be required to take my friend out of the hands of the Philistines. He is so pleased with the improvements made on this estate, which is all cultivated like a garden, that he has entered himself as a pupil in farming to Mr Dennison, and resolved to attach himself wholly to the practice of husbandry. Every thing is now prepared for our double wedding. The marriage articles for both couples are drawn and executed; and the ceremony only waits until the parties shall have been resident in the parish the term prescribed by law. Young Dennison betrays some symptoms of impatience; but Lismahago bears this necessary delay with the temper of a philosopher. You must know, |