the expedition of humphry clinker-第100章
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other with her tears； and the good old lady pressed them both in
their turns to her breast。 The lovers were too much affected to
get rid of their embarrassment for one day； but the scene was
much enlivened by the arrival of Jack Wilson； who brought； as
usual； some game of his own killing His honest countenance was a
good letter of recommendation。 I received him like a dear friend
after a long separation； and I could not help wondering to see
him shake Jery by the hand as an old acquaintance They had；
indeed； been acquainted some days； in consequence of a diverting
incident； which I shall explain at meeting。 That same night a
consultation was held upon the concerns of the lovers； when the
match was formally agreed to； and all the marriage articles were
settled without the least dispute。 My nephew and I promised to
make Liddy's fortune five thousand pounds。 Mr Dennison declared；
he would make over one half of his estate immediately to his son；
and that his daughter…in…law should be secured in a jointure of
four hundred Tabby proposed； that； considering their youth； they
should undergo one year at least； of probation before the
indissoluble knot should be tied； but the young gentleman being
very impatient and importunate； and the scheme implying that the
young couple should live in the house； under the wings of his
parents； we resolved to make them happy without further delay。
As the law requires that the parties should be some weeks
resident in the parish； we shall stay here till the ceremony is
performed。 Mr Lismahago requests that he may take the benefit of
the same occasion； so that next Sunday the banns will be
published for all four together。 I doubt I shall not be able to
pass my Christmas with you at Brambleton…hall。 Indeed； I am so
agreeably situated in this place； that I have no desire to shift
my quarters； and I foresee； that when the day of separation
comes； there will be abundance of sorrow on all sides。 In the
mean time； we must make the most of those blessings which Heaven
bestows。 Considering how you are tethered by your profession； I
cannot hope to see you so far from home； yet the distance does
not exceed a summer…day's journey； and Charles Dennison； who
desires to be remembered to you； would be rejoiced to see his old
compotator； but as I am now stationary； I expect regular answers
to the epistles of
Yours invariably；
MATT。 BRAMBLE
Oct。 11。
To Sir WATKIN PHILLIPS； Bart。 at Oxon。
DEAR WAT；
Every day is now big with incident and discovery Young Mr
Dennison proves to be no other than that identical person whom I
have execrated so long； under the name of Wilson He had eloped
from college at Cambridge； to avoid a match that he detested； and
acted in different parts of the country as a stroller； until the
lady in question made choice of a husband for herself； then he
returned to his father； and disclosed his passion for Liddy；
which met with the approbation of his parents； though the father
little imagined that Mr Bramble was his old companion Matthew
Loyd。 The young gentleman； being impowered to make honourable
proposals to my uncle and me； had been in search of us all over
England； without effect； and he it was whom I had seen pass on
horseback by the window of the inn； where I stood with my sister；
but he little dreamed that we were in the house As for the real
Mr Wilson； whom I called forth to combat； by mistake； he is the
neighbour and intimate friend of old Mr Dennison； and this
connexion had suggested to the son the idea of taking that name
while he remained in obscurity。
You may easily conceive what pleasure I must have felt on
discovering that the honour of our family was in no danger from
the conduct of a sister whom I love with uncommon affection；
that； instead of debasing her sentiments and views to a wretched
stroller； she had really captivated the heart of a gentleman； her
equal in rank and superior in fortune； and that； as his parents
approved of his attachment； I was on the eve of acquiring a
brother…in…law so worthy of my friendship and esteem。 George
Dennison is； without all question； one of the most accomplished
young fellows in England。 His person is at once elegant and
manly； and his understanding highly cultivated。 Tho' his spirit
is lofty； his heart is kind； and his manner so engaging； as to
command veneration and love； even from malice and indifference。
When I weigh my own character with his； I am ashamed to find
myself so light in the balance； but the comparison excites no
envy I propose him as a model for imitation I have endeavoured
to recommend myself to his friendship； and hope I have already
found a place in his affection。 I am； however； mortified to
reflect what flagrant injustice we every day commit； and what
absurd judgment we form； in viewing objects through the
falsifying mediums of prejudice and passion。 Had you asked me a
few days ago； the picture of Wilson the player； I should have
drawn a portrait very unlike the real person and character of
George Dennison。 Without all doubt； the greatest advantage
acquired in travelling and perusing mankind in the original； is
that of dispelling those shameful clouds that darken the
faculties of the mind； preventing it from judging with candour
and precision。
The real Wilson is a great original； and the best tempered；
companionable man I ever knew I question if ever he was angry or
low…spirited in his life。 He makes no pretensions to letters； but
he is an adept in every thing else that can be either useful or
entertaining。 Among other qualifications； he is a complete
sportsman； and counted the best shot in the county。 He and
Dennison； and Lismahago and I； attended by Clinker； went a…shooting
yesterday； and made a great havock among the partridges
To…morrow we shall take the field against the woodcocks and
snipes。 In the evening we dance and sing； or play at commerce；
loo； and quadrille。
Mr Dennison is an elegant poet； and has written some detached
pieces on the subject of his passion for Liddy； which must be
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 encourage
