the expedition of humphry clinker-第3部分
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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 saw at a distance walking
at a great pace towards the city gate in spite of all my
efforts； I could not come up till our two combatants had taken
their ground； and were priming their pistols。 An old house
luckily screened me from their view； so that I rushed upon them
at once； before I was perceived。 They were both confounded； and
attempted to make their escape different ways； but Morley coming
up with constables； at that instant； took Wilson into custody；
and Jery followed him quietly to the mayor's house。 All this time
I was ignorant of what had passed the preceding day； and neither
of the parties would discover a tittle of the matter。 The mayor
observed that it was great presumption in Wilson； who was a
stroller； to proceed to such extremities with a gentleman of
family and fortune； and threatened to commit him on the vagrant
act。 The young fellow bustled up with great spirit； declaring
he was a gentleman； and would be treated as such； but he refused
to explain himself further。 The master of the company being sent
for； and examined； touching the said Wilson； said the young man
had engaged with him at Birmingham about six months ago； but
never would take his salary； that he had behaved so well in his
private character； as to acquire the respect and good…will of all
his acquaintance； and that the public owned his merit as an actor
was altogether extraordinary。 After all； I fancy； he will turn
out to be a run…away prentice from London。 The manager offered
to bail him for any sum； provided he would give his word and
honour that he would keep the peace； but the young gentleman was
on his high ropes； and would by no means lay himself under any
restrictions： on the other hand； Hopeful was equally
obstinate； till at length the mayor declared； that if they both
refused to be bound over； he would immediately commit Wilson as a
vagrant to hard labour。 I own I was much pleased with Jery's
behaviour on this occasion： he said； that rather than Mr Wilson
should be treated in such an ignominious manner； he would give
his word and honour to prosecute the affair no further while they
remained at Gloucester Wilson thanked him for his generous
manner of proceeding； and was discharged。 On our return to our
lodgings； my nephew explained the whole mystery； and I own I was
exceedingly incensed Liddy being questioned on the subject；
and very severely reproached by that wildcat my sister Tabby；
first swooned away； then dissolving in a flood of tears；
confessed all the particulars of the correspondence； at the same
time giving up three letters； which was all she had received from
her admirer。 The last； which Jery intercepted； I send you
inclosed； and when you have read it； I dare say you won't wonder
at the progress the writer had made in the heart of a simple
girl； utterly unacquainted with the characters of mankind。
Thinking it was high time to remove her from such a dangerous
connexion； I carried her off the very next day to Bristol； but
the poor creature was so frightened and fluttered； by our threats
and expostulations； that she fell sick the fourth day after our
arrival at Clifton； and continued so ill for a whole week； that
her life was despaired of。 It was not till yesterday that Dr
Rigge declared her out of danger。 You cannot imagine what I have
suffered； partly from the indiscretion of this poor child； but
much more from the fear of losing her entirely。 This air is
intolerably cold； and the place quite solitary I never go down
to the Well without returning low…spirited； for there I meet with
half a dozen poor emaciated creatures； with ghostly looks； in the
last stage of a consumption； who have made shift to linger
through the winter like so many exotic plants languishing in a
hot…house； but in all appearance； will drop into their graves
before the sun has warmth enough to mitigate the rigour of this
ungenial spring。 If you think the Bath…water will be of any
service to me； I will go thither so soon as my niece can bear the
motion of the coach。 Tell Barns I am obliged to him for his
advice； but don't choose to follow it。 If Davis voluntarily
offers to give up the farm； the other shall have it； but I will
not begin at this time of day to distress my tenants； because
they are unfortunate； and cannot make regular payments： I wonder
that Barns should think me capable of such oppression As for
Higgins； the fellow is a notorious poacher； to be sure； and an
impudent rascal to set his snares in my own paddock； but； I
suppose； he thought he had some right （especially in my absence）
to partake of what nature seems to have intended for common use
you may threaten him in my name； as much as you please； and if he
repeats the offence； let me know it before you have recourse to
justice。 I know you are a great sportsman； and oblige many of
your friends： I need not tell you to make use of my grounds； but
it may be necessary to hint； that I am more afraid of my fowling…piece
than of my game。 When you can spare two or three brace of
partridges； send them over by the stagecoach； and tell Gwyllim
that she forgot to pack up my flannel and wide shoes in the
trunk…mail I shall trouble you as usual； from time to time；
till at last I suppose you will be tired of corresponding with
Your assured friend；
M。 BRAMBLE
CLIFTON； April 17。
To Miss LYDIA MELFORD。
Miss Willis has pronounced my doom you are going away； dear
Miss Melford！ you are going to be removed； I know not whither！
what shall I do？ which way shall I turn for consolation？ I know
not what I say all night long have I been tossed in a sea of
doubts and fears； uncertainty and distraction； without being able
to connect my thoughts； much less to form any consistent plan of
conduct I was even tempted to wish that I had never seen you；
or that you had been less amiable； or less compassionate to your
poor Wilson； and yet it would be detestable ingratitude in me to
form such a wish； considering how much I am indebted to your
goodness； and the ineffable pleasure I have der
