the expedition of humphry clinker-第3章
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as to the few letters that passed between us； they are all in my
uncle's hands； and I hope they contain nothing contrary to
innocence and honour。 I am still persuaded that he is not what
he appears to be： but time will discover mean while I will
endeavour to forget a connexion； which is so displeasing to my
family。 I have cried without ceasing； and have not tasted any
thing but tea； since I was hurried away from you； nor did I once
close my eyes for three nights running。 My aunt continues to
chide me severely when we are by ourselves； but I hope to soften
her in time； by humility and submission。 My uncle； who was so
dreadfully passionate in the beginning； has been moved by my
tears and distress； and is now all tenderness and compassion； and
my brother is reconciled to me on my promise to break off all
correspondence with that unfortunate youth； but； notwithstanding
all their indulgence； I shall have no peace of mind till I know
my dear and ever honoured governess has forgiven her poor；
disconsolate； forlorn；
Affectionate humble servant；
till death；
LYDIA MELFORD
CLIFTON； April 6。
To Miss LAETITIA WILLIS； at Gloucester。
MY DEAREST LETTY；
I am in such a fright； lest this should not come safe to hand by
the conveyance of Jarvis the carrier； that I beg you will write
me； on the receipt of it； directing to me； under cover； to Mrs
Winifred Jenkins； my aunt's maid； who is a good girl； and has
been so kind to me in my affliction； that I have made her my
confidant； as for Jarvis； he was very shy of taking charge of my
letter and the little parcel； because his sister Sally had like
to have lost her place on my account： indeed I cannot blame the
man for his caution； but I have made it worth his while。 My
dear companion and bed…fellow； it is a grievous addition to my
other misfortunes； that I am deprived of your agreeable company
and conversation； at a time when I need so much the comfort of
your good humour and good sense； but； I hope； the friendship we
contracted at boarding…school； will last for life I doubt not
but on my side it will daily increase and improve； as I gain
experience； and learn to know the value of a true friend。 O； my
dear Letty！ what shall I say about poor Mr Wilson？ I have
promised to break off all correspondence； and； if possible； to
forget him： but； alas！ I begin to perceive that will not be in my
power。 As it is by no means proper that the picture should remain
in my hands； lest it should be the occasion of more mischief； I
have sent it to you by this opportunity； begging you will either
keep it safe till better times； or return it to Mr Wilson
himself； who； I suppose； will make it his business to see you at
the usual place。 If he should be low…spirited at my sending back
his picture； you may tell him I have no occasion for a picture；
while the original continues engraved on my But no； I would not
have you tell him that neither； because there must be an end of
our correspondence I wish he may forget me； for the sake of
his own peace； and yet if he should； he must be a barbarous
But it is impossible poor Wilson cannot be false and
inconstant： I beseech him not to write to me； nor attempt to see
me for some time； for； considering the resentment and passionate
temper of my brother Jery； such an attempt might be attended with
consequences which would make us all miserable for life let us
trust to time and the chapter of accidents； or rather to that
Providence which will not fail； sooner or later； to reward those
that walk in the paths of honour and virtue。 I would offer my
love to the young ladies； but it is not fit that any of them
should know you have received this letter。 If we go to Bath； I
shall send you my simple remarks upon that famous center of
polite amusement； and every other place we may chance to visit；
and I flatter myself that my dear Miss Willis will be punctual in
answering the letters of her affectionate；
LYDIA MELFORD
CLIFTON； April 6。
To Dr LEWIS。
DEAR LEWIS；
I have followed your directions with some success； and might have
been upon my legs by this time； had the weather permitted me to
use my saddle…horse。 I rode out upon the Downs last Tuesday； in
the forenoon； when the sky； as far as the visible horizon； was
without a cloud； but before I had gone a full mile； I was
overtaken instantaneously by a storm of rain that wet me to the
skin in three minutes whence it came the devil knows； but it
has laid me up （I suppose） for one fortnight。 It makes me sick to
hear people talk of the fine air upon Clifton…downs： How can the
air be either agreeable or salutary； where the demon of vapours
descends in a perpetual drizzle？ My confinement is the more
intolerable； as I am surrounded with domestic vexations。 My niece
has had a dangerous fit of illness； occasioned by that cursed
incident at Gloucester； which I mentioned in my last。 She is a
poor good…natured simpleton； as soft as butter； and as easily
melted not that she's a
fool the girl's parts are not despicable； and her education
has not been neglected； that is to say； she can write and spell；
and speak French； and play upon the harpsichord； then she dances
finely； has a good figure； and is very well inclined； but； she's
deficient in spirit； and so susceptible and so tender
forsooth！ truly； she has got a languishing eye； and reads
romances。 Then there's her brother； 'squire Jery； a pert
jackanapes； full of college…petulance and self…conceit； proud as
a German count； and as hot and hasty as a Welch mountaineer。 As
for that fantastical animal； my sister Tabby； you are no stranger
to her qualifications I vow to God； she is sometimes so
intolerable； that I almost think she's the devil incarnate come
to torment me for my sins； and yet I am conscious of no sins that
ought to entail such family…plagues upon me why the devil
should not I shake off these torments at once？ I an't married to
Tabby； thank Heaven！ nor did I beget the other two： let them
choose another guardian： for my part I an't in a condition to
take care of myself； much less to superintend the conduct of
giddy…headed boys and girls。 You earnestly desire to know the
particulars of our adventure at Gloucester； which are briefly
these； and I hope they will go no further： Liddy had been so
long copped up in a boarding…school； which； next to a nunnery； is
the worst kind of seminary that ever was contrived for young
women； that she became as inflammable as touch…wood； and going to
a play in holiday…time； 'sdeath； I'm ashamed to tell you！ she
fell in love with one of the actors a handsome young fellow
that goes by the name of Wilson。 The rascal soon perceived the
impression he had made； and managed matters so as to see her at a
house where she went to drink tea with her governess。 This was
the beginning of a correspondence； which they kept up by means of
a jade of a milliner； who made and dressed caps for the girls at
the boarding…school。 When we arrived at Gloucester； Liddy came to
stay at lodgings with her aunt； and Wilson bribed the maid to
deliver a letter into her own hands； but it seems Jery had
already acquired so much credit with the maid （by what means he
best knows） that she carried the letter to him； and so the whole
plot was discovered。 The rash boy； without saying a word of the
matter to me； went immediately in search of Wilson； and； I
suppose； treated him with insolence enough。 The theatrical hero
was too far gone in romance to brook such usage： he replied in
blank verse； and a formal challenge ensued。 They agreed to meet
early next morning and decide the dispute with sword and pistol。
I heard nothing at all of the affair； till Mr Morley came to my
bed…side in the morning； and told me he was afraid my nephew was
going to fight； as he had been overheard talking very loud and
vehement with Wilson at the young man's lodgings the night
before； and afterwards went and bought powder and ball at a shop
in the neighbourhood。 I got up immediately； and upon inquiry
found he was just going out。 I begged Morley to knock up the
mayor； that he might interpose as a magistrate； and in the mean
time I hobbled after the squire； whom I sa
