The Expedition of Humphry Clinker

124 TOBIAS SMOLLETT
To Sir WATKIN PHILLIPS, Bart., of Jesus college, Oxon.
DEAR PHILLIPS,
IN my last, I mentioned my having spent an evening with a society
of authors, who seemed to be jealous and afraid of one another. My
uncle was not at all surprised to hear me say I was disappointed in
their conversation. ‘A man may be very entertaining and instruc-
tive upon paper, (said he) and exceedingly dull in common dis-
course. I have observed, that those who shine most in private
company, are but secondary stars in the constellation of genius—
A small stock of ideas is more easily managed, and sooner displayed,
than a great quantity crowded together. There is very seldom any
thing extraordinary in the appearance and address of a good
writer; whereas a dull author generally distinguishes himself by
some oddity or extravagance. For this reason, I fancy, that an
assembly of Grubs must be very diverting.’
My curiosity being excited by this hint, I consulted my friend
Dick Ivy, who undertook to gratify it the very next day, which was
Sunday last.—He carried me to dine with S——, whom you and
I have long known by his writings.—He lives in the skirts of the
town, and every Sunday his house is open to all unfortunate
brothers of the quill, whom he treats with beef, pudding, and
potatoes, port, punch, and Calvert’s entire butt beer.—He has
fixed upon the first day of the week for the exercise of his hospitality,
because some of his guests could not enjoy it on any other, for
reasons that I need not explain. I was civilly received in a plain,
yet decent habitation, which opened backwards into a very
pleasant garden, kept in excellent order; and, indeed, I saw none
of the outward signs of authorship, either in the house or the land-
lord, who is one of those few writers of the age that stand upon their
own foundation, without patronage, and above dependence. If
there was nothing characteristic in the entertainer, the company
made ample amends for his want of singularity.
At two in the afternoon, I found myself one of ten mess-mates
seated at table; and, I question, if the whole kingdom could produce
such another assemblage of originals. Among their peculiarities,
I do not mention those of dress, which may be purely accidental.
What struck me were oddities originally produced by affectation,
and afterwards confirmed by habit. One of them wore spectacles