the expedition of humphry clinker-第84部分
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surprised us all in the character of Pierot。 His long lank
sides； and strong marked features； were all peculiarly adapted to
his part。 He appeared with a ludicrous stare； from which he had
discharged all meaning： he adopted the impressions of fear and
amazement so naturally； that many of the audience were infected
by his looks； but when the skeleton held him in chace his horror
became most divertingly picturesque； and seemed to endow him with
such praeternatural agility as confounded all the spectators。 It
was a lively representation of Death in pursuit of Consumption；
and had such an effect upon the commonalty； that some of them
shrieked aloud； and others ran out of the hall in the utmost
consternation。
This is not the only instance in which the lieutenant has lately
excited our wonder。 His temper； which had been soured and
shrivelled by disappointment and chagrin； is now swelled out； and
smoothed like a raisin in plumb…porridge。 From being reserved and
punctilious； he is become easy and obliging。 He cracks jokes；
laughs and banters； with the most facetious familiarity； and； in
a word； enters into all our schemes of merriment and pastime The
other day his baggage arrived in the waggon from London；
contained in two large trunks and a long deal box not unlike a
coffin。 The trunks were filled with his wardrobe； which he
displayed for the entertainment of the company； and he freely
owned； that it consisted chiefly of the opima spolia taken in
battle。 What he selected for his wedding suit； was a tarnished
white cloth faced with blue velvet； embroidered with silver； but；
he valued himself most upon a tye…periwig； in which he had made
his first appearance as a lawyer above thirty years ago。 This
machine had been in buckle ever since； and now all the servants
in the family were employed to frizz it out for the occasion；
which was yesterday celebrated at the parish church。 George
Dennison and his bride were distinguished by nothing
extraordinary in their apparel。 His eyes lightened with eagerness
and joy； and she trembled with coyness and confusion。 My uncle
gave her away； and her friend Willis supported her during the
ceremony。
But my aunt and her paramour took the pas； and formed； indeed；
such a pair of originals； as； I believe all England could not
parallel。 She was dressed in the stile of 1739； and the day being
cold； put on a manteel of green velvet laced with gold： but this
was taken off by the bridegroom； who threw over her shoulders a
fur cloak of American sables； valued at fourscore guineas； a
present equally agreeable and unexpected。 Thus accoutred； she was
led up to the altar by Mr Dennison； who did the office of her
father： Lismahago advanced in the military step with his French
coat reaching no farther than the middle of his thigh； his
campaign wig that surpasses all description； and a languishing
leer upon his countenance； in which there seemed to be something
arch and ironical。 The ring； which he put upon her finger； he had
concealed till the moment it was used。 He now produced it with an
air of self…complacency。 It was a curious antique； set with rose
diamonds： he told us afterwards； it had been in the family two
hundred years and was a present from his grand…mother。 These
circumstances agreeably flattered the pride of our aunt Tabitha；
which had already found uncommon gratification in the captain's
generosity； for he had； in the morning； presented my uncle with a
fine bear's skin； and a Spanish fowling…piece； and me with a case
of pistols curiously mounted with silver。 At the same time he
gave Mrs Jenkins an Indian purse； made of silk grass； containing
twenty crown pieces。 You must know； this young lady； with the
assistance of Mr Loyd； formed the third couple who yesterday
sacrificed to Hymen。 I wrote to you in my last； that he had
recourse to my mediation； which I employed successfully with my
uncle； but Mrs Tabitha held out 'till the love…sick Jenkins had
two fits of the mother； then she relented； and those two cooing
turtles were caged for life Our aunt made an effort of
generosity in furnishing the bride with her superfluities of
clothes and linen； and her example was followed by my sister；
nor did Mr Bramble and I neglect her on this occasion。 It was；
indeed； a day of peace…offering。 Mr Dennison insisted upon
Liddy's accepting two bank notes of one hundred pounds each； as
pocket…money； and his lady gave her a diamond necklace of double
that value。 There was； besides； a mutual exchange of tokens among
the individuals of the two families thus happily united。
As George Dennison and his partner were judged improper objects
of mirth； Jack Wilson had resolved to execute some jokes on
Lismahago； and after supper began to ply him with bumpers； when
the ladies had retired； but the captain perceiving his drift；
begged for quarter； alledging that the adventure； in which he had
engaged； was a very serious matter； and that it would be more the
part of a good Christian to pray that he might be strengthened；
than to impede his endeavours to finish the adventure。 He was
spared accordingly； and permitted to ascend the nuptial couch
with all his senses about him。 There he and his consort sat in
state； like Saturn and Cybele； while the benediction posset was
drank； and a cake being broken over the head of Mrs Tabitha
Lismahago； the fragments were distributed among the bystanders；
according to the custom of the antient Britons； on the
supposition that every person who eat of this hallowed cake；
should that night have a vision of the man or woman whom Heaven
designed should be his or her wedded mate。
The weight of Wilson's waggery fell upon honest Humphry and his
spouse； who were bedded in an upper room； with the usual ceremony
of throwing the stocking。 This being performed； and the company
withdrawn； a sort of catterwauling ensued； when Jack found means
to introduce a real cat shod with walnut…shells； which galloping
along the boards； made such a dreadful noise as effectually
discomposed our lovers。 Winifred screamed aloud； and shrunk
under the bed…cloaths Mr Loyd； believing that Satan was come to
buffet him in propria persona； laid aside all carnal thoughts；
and began to pray aloud with great fervency。 At length； the poor
animal； being more afraid than either； leaped into the bed； and
meauled with the most piteous exclamation。 Loyd； thus informed
of the nature of the annoyance； rose and set the door wide open；
so that this troublesome visitant retreated with great
expedition； then securing himself； by means of a double bolt；
from a second intrusion； he was left to enjoy his good fortune
without further disturbance。
If one may judge from the looks of the parties； they are all very
well satisfied with what has passed George Dennison and his wife
are too delicate to exhibit any strong marked signs of their
mutual satisfaction； but their eyes are sufficiently expressive
Mrs Tabitha Lismahago is rather fulsome in signifying her
approbation of the captain's love； while his deportment is the
very pink of gallantry。 He sighs； and ogles； and languishes at
this amiable object； he kisses her hand； mutters ejaculations of
rapture； and sings tender airs； and； no doubt； laughs internally
at her folly in believing him sincere。 In order to shew how
little his vigour was impaired by the fatigues of the preceding
day； he this morning danced a Highland sarabrand over a naked
back…sword； and leaped so high； that I believe he would make no
contemptible figure as a vaulter at Sadler's Wells。 Mr Matthew
Loyd； when asked how he relished his bargain； throws up his eyes；
crying； 'For what we have received； Lord make us thankful：
amen。' His helpmate giggles； and holds her hand before her eyes；
affecting to be ashamed of having been in bed with a man。 Thus
all these widgeons enjoy the novelty of their situation； but；
perhaps their notes will be changed； when they are better
acquainted with the nature of the decoy。
As Mrs Willis cannot be persuaded to stay； and Liddy is engaged
by promise to accompany her daughter back to Gloucester； I fancy
there will be a general migration from hence； and that most of us
will spend the Christmas holidays at Bath； in which case； I shall
certainly find an opportunity to beat up your quarters。 By this
time； I suppose； you are sick of alma mater； and even ready to
execute that scheme of peregrination； which was last year
concerted between you and
Your affectionate
J。 MELFORD
Nov。 8。
To Dr LEWIS。
DEAR DOCTOR；
My niece Liddy is now happily settled for life； and captain
Lismahago has taken Tabby off my hands； so that I have nothing
further to do； but to comfort my friend Baynard； and provide for
my son Loyd； who is also fairly joined to Mrs Winifred Jenkins。
You are an excellent genius at hints。 Dr Arbuthnot was but a
type of Dr Lewis in that respect。 What you observe of the vestry…clerk
deserves consideration。 I make no doubt but Matthew Loyd
is well enough qualified for the office； but； at present； you
must find room for him in the house。 His incorruptible honesty
and indefatigable care will be serviceable in superintending the
oeconomy of my farm； tho' I don't mean that he shall interfere
with Barns； of whom I have no cause to complain。 I am just
returned with Baynard； from a second trip to his house； where
every thing is regulated to his satisfaction。 He could not；
however； review the apartments without tears and lamentation； so
that he is not yet in a condition to be left alone； therefore I
will not part with him till the spring； when he intends to plunge
into the avocations of husbandry； which will at once employ and
amuse his attention。 Charles Dennison has promised to stay with
him a fortnight； to set him fairly afloat in his improvements；
and Jack Wilson will see him from time to time； besides； he has a
few friends in the country； whom his new plan of life will not
exclude from his society。 In less than a year； I make no doubt；
but he will find himself perfectly at ease both in his mind and
body； for the one had dangerously affected the other； and I shall
enjoy the exquisite pleasure of seeing my friend rescued from
miser
