But to return from one humorist to another-you must know I have received benefit both from the chalybeate and the sea, and would have used them longer, had not a most ridiculous adventure, by making me the town talk, obliged me to leave the place; for I can't bear the thoughts of affording a spectacle to the multitude. Yesterday morning, at six o'clock, I went down to the bathing-place, attended by my servant Clinker, who waited on the beach as usual. The wind blowing from the north, and the weather being hazy, the water proved so chill, that, when I rose from my first plunge, I could not help sobbing and bawling out from the effects of the cold. Clinker, who heard me cry, and saw me indistinctly a good way without the guide, buffeting the waves, took it for granted I was drowning; and rushing into the sea, clothes and all, overturned the guide in his hurry to save his master. I had swum out a few strokes, when, hearing a noise, I turned about, and saw Clinker, already up to his neck, advancing towards me with all the wildness of terror in his aspect. Afraid he would get out of his depth, I made haste to meet him, when, all of a sudden, he seized me by one ear, and dragged me, bellowing with pain, on the dry beach, to the astonishment of all the people, men, women, and children, there assembled. I was so exasperated by the pain of my ear, and the disgrace of being exposed in such an attitude, that, in the first transport, I struck him down; then, running back into the sea, took shelter in the machine where my clothes had been deposited. I soon recollected myself so far as to do justice to the poor fellow, who, in great simplicity of heart, had acted from motives of fidelity and affection. Opening the doors of the machine, which was immediately drawn on shore, I saw him standing by the wheel, dropping like a waterwork, and trembling from head to foot, partly from cold, and partly from the dread of having offended his master. I music. On the third day of his fast he found himself entirely freed of his complaint, but refused taking sustenance. He said the most disagreeable part of the voyage was past, and he should be a cursed fool indeed to put about ship when he was just entering the harbour. In these sentiments he persisted, without any marks of affectation, and thus finished his course, with such ease and serenity as would have done honour to the firmest stoic of antiquity. made my acknowledgments for the blow he had received, assured him I was not angry, and insisted on his going home immediately to shift his clothes; a command which he could hardly find in his heart to execute, so well disposed was he to furnish the mob with farther entertainment at my expense. Clinker's intention was laudable, without all doubt; but, nevertheless, I am a sufferer by his simplicity. I have had a burning heat and a strange buzzing noise in that ear, ever since it was so roughly treated; and I cannot walk the street without being pointed at as the monster that was hauled naked ashore on the beach. Well, I affirm that folly is often more provoking than knavery, ay, and more mischievous too; and whether a man had not better choose a sensible rogue than an honest simpleton for his servant, is no matter of doubt with yours, Scarborough, July 4. MATT. BRAMBLE. TO SIR WATKIN PHILLIPS, OF JESUS COLLEGE, OXON. DEAR WAT, We made a precipitate retreat from Scarborough, owing to the excessive delicacy of our squire, who cannot bear the thoughts of being prætereuntium digito mon stratus. One morning, while he was bathing in the sea, his man Clinker took it in his head that his master was in danger of drowning; and, in this conceit, plunging into the water, he lugged him out naked on the beach, and almost pulled off his ear in the operation. You may guess how this achievement was relished by Mr. Bramble, who is impatient, irascible, and has the most extravagant ideas of decency and decorum in the economy of his own person. In the first ebullition of his choler, he knocked Clinker down with his fist; but he afterward made him amends for this outrage; and, in order to avoid the further notice of the people, among whom this incident had made him remarkable, he resolved to leave Scarborough next day. We set out accordingly over the moors by the way of Whitby, and began our journey betimes, in hopes of reaching Stockton that night; but in this hope we were disappointed. In the afternoon, crossing a deep gutter, |