The Expedition of Humphry ClinkerSmollett, T. (Tobias)
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The Expedition of Humphry Clinker
Smollett, T. (Tobias)
Epistolary fiction; Great Britain -- Fiction; Travelers -- Fiction
Mr Bramble’s eyes began to glisten, and his teeth to chatter. ‘If stated
fairly (said he, raising his voice) the question is, whether I have
spirit to shake off an intolerable yoke, by one effort of resolution,
or meanness enough to do an act of cruelty and injustice, to gratify the
rancour of a capricious woman--Heark ye, Mrs Tabitha Bramble, I will
now propose an alternative in my turn. Either discard your four-footed
favourite, or give me leave to bid you eternally adieu--For I am
determined that he and I shall live no longer under the same roof;
and to dinner with what appetite you may’--Thunderstruck at this
declaration, she sat down in a corner; and, after a pause of some
minutes, ‘Sure I don’t understand you, Matt! (said she)’ ‘And yet I
spoke in plain English’ answered the ‘squire, with a peremptory look.
‘Sir (resumed this virago, effectually humbled), it is your prerogative
to command, and my duty to obey. I can’t dispose of the dog in this
place; but if you’ll allow him to go in the coach to London, I give you
my word, he shall never trouble you again.’
Her brother, entirely disarmed by this mild reply, declared, she could
ask him nothing in reason that he would refuse; adding, ‘I hope, sister,
you have never found me deficient in natural affection.’
Mrs Tabitha immediately rose, and, throwing her arms about his neck,
kissed him on the cheek: he returned her embrace with great emotion.
Liddy sobbed, Win. Jenkins cackled, Chowder capered, and Clinker skipped
about, rubbing his hands for joy of this reconciliation.
Concord being thus restored, we finished our meal with comfort; and
in the evening arrived at London, without having met with any other
adventure. My aunt seems to be much mended by the hint she received from
her brother. She has been graciously pleased to remove her displeasure
from Clinker, who is now retained as a footman; and in a day or two
will make his appearance in a new suit of livery; but as he is little
acquainted with London, we have taken an occasional valet, whom I intend
hereafter to hire as my own servant. We lodge in Goldensquare, at the
house of one Mrs Notion, a decent sort of a woman, who takes great pains
to make us all easy. My uncle proposes to make a circuit of all the
remarkable scenes of this metropolis, for the entertainment of his
pupils; but as both you and I are already acquainted with most of those
he will visit, and with some others he little dreams of, I shall only
communicate what will be in some measure new to your observation.
Remember me to our Jesuitical friends, and believe me ever,
Dear knight, Yours affectionately, J. MELFORD LONDON, May 24.
To Dr LEWIS.
DEAR DOCTOR,
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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