The Expedition of Humphry Clinker

THE EXPEDITION OF HUMPHRY CLINKER 117
and Latin quotations, which nobody attempted to dispel—A con-
fused hum of insipid observations and comments ensued; and,
upon the whole, I never passed a duller evening in my life—Yet,
without all doubt, some of them were men of learning, wit, and in-
genuity. As they are afraid of making free with one another, they
should bring each his butt, or whet-stone, along with him, for the
entertainment of the company—My uncle says, he never desires
to meet with more than one wit at a time—One wit, like a knuckle
of ham in soup, gives a zest and flavour to the dish; but more than
one serves only to spoil the pottage—And now I’m afraid I have
given you an unconscionable mess, without any flavour at all; for
which, I suppose, you will bestow your benedictions upon
your friend,
and servant,
London, June 5. J. MELFORD
END OF VOLUME I