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with her bounty。
While she and Mrs Tabby returned in the coach with the two
maidservants； I waited on Mr Mead to the house of justice
Buzzard； who； having heard his declaration； said his oath could
be of no use at present； but that he would be a material evidence
for the prisoner at his trial； so that there seems to be no
remedy but patience for poor Clinker； and； indeed； the same
virtue； or medicine； will be necessary for us all； the squire in
particular； who had set his heart upon his excursion to the
northward。
While we were visiting honest Humphry in Clerkenwell prison； my
uncle received a much more extraordinary visit at his own
lodgings。 Mr Martin； of whom I have made such honourable mention；
desired permission to pay him his respects； and was admitted
accordingly。 He told him； that having observed him； at Mr
Buzzard's； a good deal disturbed by what had happened to his
servant； he had come to assure him he had nothing to apprehend
for Clinker's life； for； if it was possible that any jury could
find him guilty upon such evidence； he； Martin himself； would
produce in court a person； whose deposition would bring him off
clear as the sun at noon。 Sure； the fellow would not be so
romantic as to take the robbery upon himself！ He said； the
postilion was an infamous fellow； who had been a dabbler in the
same profession； and saved his life at the Old Bailey by
impeaching his companions； that being now reduced to great
poverty； he had made this desperate push； to swear away the life
of an innocent man； in hopes of having the reward upon his
conviction； but that he would find himself miserably
disappointed； for the justice and his myrmidons were determined
to admit of no interloper in this branch of business； and that he
did not at all doubt but that they would find matter enough to
shop the evidence himself before the next gaol…delivery。 He
affirmed； that all these circumstances were well known to the
justice； and that his severity to Clinker was no other than a
hint to his master to make him a present in private； as an
acknowledgment of his candour and humanity。
This hint； however； was so unpalatable to Mr Bramble； that he
declared； with great warmth； he would rather confine himself for
life to London； which he detested； than be at liberty to leave it
tomorrow； in consequence of encouraging corruption in a
magistrate。 Hearing； however； how favourable Mr Mead's report had
been for the prisoner； he is resolved to take the advice of
counsel in what manner to proceed for his immediate enlargement。
I make no doubt； but that in a day or two this troublesome
business may be discussed； and in this hope we are preparing for
our journey。 If our endeavours do not miscarry； we shall have
taken the field before you hear again from
Yours；
J。 MELFORD
LONDON； June 11
To Dr LEWIS。
Thank Heaven！ dear Lewis； the clouds are dispersed； and I have
now the clearest prospect of my summer campaign； which； I hope； I
shall be able to begin to…morrow。 I took the advice of counsel
with respect to the case of Clinker； in whose favour a lucky
incident has intervened。 The fellow who accused him； has had his
own battery turned upon himself。 Two days ago he was apprehended
for a robbery on the highway； and committed； on the evidence of
an accomplice。 Clinker； having moved for a writ of habeas corpus；
was brought before the lord chief justice； who； in consequence of
an affidavit of the gentleman who had been robbed； importing that
the said Clinker was not the person who stopped him on the
highway； as well as in consideration of the postilion's character
and present circumstances； was pleased to order； that my servant
should be admitted to bail； and he has been discharged
accordingly； to the unspeakable satisfaction of our whole family；
to which he has recommended himself in an extraordinary manner；
not only by his obliging deportment； but by his talents of
preaching； praying； and singing psalms； which he has exercised
with such effect； that even Tabby respects him as a chosen
vessel。 If there was any thing like affectation or hypocrisy in
this excess of religion； I would not keep him in my service； but；
so far as I can observe； the fellow's character is downright
simplicity； warmed with a kind of enthusiasm； which renders him
very susceptible of gratitude and attachment to his benefactors。
As he is an excellent horseman； and understands farriery； I have
bought a stout gelding for his use； that he may attend us on the
road； and have an eye to our cattle； in case the coachman should
not mind his business。 My nephew； who is to ride his own saddle…horse；
has taken； upon trial； a servant just come from abroad
with his former master； Sir William Strollop； who vouches for his
honesty。 The fellow； whose name is Dutton； seems to be a petit
maitre。 He has got a smattering of French； bows； and grins； and
shrugs； and takes snuff a la mode de France； but values himself
chiefly upon his skill and dexterity in hair…dressing。 If I am
not much deceived by appearance； he is； in all respects； the very
contrast of Humphry Clinker。
My sister has made up matters with lady Griskin； though； I must
own； I should not have been sorry to see that connexion entirely
destroyed： but Tabby is not of a disposition to forgive Barton；
who； I understand； is gone to his seat in Berkshire for the
summer season。 I cannot help suspecting； that in the treaty of
peace； which has been lately ratified betwixt those two females；
it is stipulated； that her ladyship shall use her best endeavours
to provide an agreeable help…mate for our sister Tabitha； who
seems to be quite desperate in her matrimonial designs。 Perhaps；
the match…maker is to have a valuable consideration in the way of
brokerage； which she will most certainly deserve； if she can find
any man in his senses； who will yoke with Mrs Bramble from
motives of affection or interest。
I find my spirits and my health affect each other reciprocally
that is to say； every thing that discomposes my mind； produces a
correspondent disorder in my body； and my bodily complaints are
remarkably mitigated by those considerations that dissipate the
clouds of mental chagrin。 The imprisonment of Clinker brought on
those symptoms which I mentioned in my last； and now they are
vanished at his discharge。 It must be owned； indeed； I took some
of the tincture of ginseng； prepared according to your
prescription； and found it exceedingly grateful to the stomach；
but the pain and sickness continued to return； after short
intervals； till the anxiety of my mind was entirely removed； and
then I found myself perfectly at case。 We have had fair weather
these ten days； to the astonishment of the Londoners； who think
it portentous。 If you enjoy the same indulgence in Wales； I hope
Barns has got my hay made； and safe cocked by this time。 As we
shall be in motion for some weeks； I cannot expect to hear from
you as usual； but I shall continue to write from every place at
which we make any halt； that you may know our track； in case it
should be necessary to communicate any thing to
Your assured friend；
MATT。 BRAMBLE
LONDON； June 14。
To