The Expedition of Humphry Clinker

THE EXPEDITION OF HUMPHRY CLINKER 147
my uncle interposed. They are however reconciled, in conse-
quence of an event which hath involved us all in trouble and dis-
quiet. You must know, the poor preacher, Humphry Clinker, is
now exercising his ministry among the felons in Clerkenwell
prison.—A postilion having sworn a robbery against him, no bail
could be taken, and he was committed to jail, notwithstanding all
the remonstrances and interest my uncle could make in his behalf.
All things considered, the poor fellow cannot possibly be guilty,
and yet, I believe, he runs some risque of being hanged.—Upon
his examination, he answered with such hesitation and reserve, as
persuaded most of the people, who crowded the place, that he was
really a knave, and the justice’s remarks confirmed their opinion.
Exclusive of my uncle and myself, there was only one person who
seemed inclined to favour the culprit.—He was a young man, well
dressed, and, from the manner in which he cross-examined the
evidence, we took it for granted, that he was a student in one of the
inns of court.—He freely checked the justice for some uncharitable
inferences he made to the prejudice of the prisoner, and even
ventured to dispute with his worship on certain points of law.
My uncle, provoked at the unconnected and dubious answers
of Clinker, who seemed in danger of falling a sacrifice to his own
simplicity, exclaimed, ‘In the name of God, if you are innocent,
say so.’ ‘No, (cried he) God forbid, that I should call myself inno-
cent, while my conscience is burthened with sin.’ ‘What then, you
did commit this robbery?’ resumed his master. ‘No, sure, (said he)
blessed be the Lord, I’m free of that guilt.’
Here the justice interposed, observing, that the man seemed
inclined to make a discovery by turning king’s evidence, and
desired the clerk to take his confession; upon which Humphry
declared, that he looked upon confession to be a popish fraud,
invented by the whore of Babylon. The templar affirmed, that the
poor fellow was non compos; and exhorted the justice to discharge
him as a lunatic—‘You know very well, (added he) that the robbery
in question was not committed by the prisoner.’
The thief-takers grinned at one another; and Mr. Justice Buz-
zard replied with great emotion, ‘Mr. Martin, I desire you will
mind your own business; I shall convince you one of these days
that I understand mine.’ In short, there was no remedy; the
mittimus was made out, and poor Clinker sent to prison in a
hackney-coach, guarded by the constable, and accompanied by