The Expedition of Humphry Clinker

THE EXPEDITION OF HUMPHRY CLINKER 155
To Mrs. MARY JONES, at Brambleton-hall, &c.
DEAR MARY,
HAVING the occasion of my cousin Jenkins, of Aberga’ny, I send
you, as a token, a turkey-shell comb, a kiple of yards of green
ribbon, and a sarment upon the nothingness of good works, which
was preached in the Tabernacle; and you will also receive a horn-
buck for Saul, whereby she may learn her letters; for I’m much
consarned about the state of her poor sole—and what are all the
pursuits of this life to the consarns of that immortal part?—What
is life but a veil of affliction? O Mary! the whole family have been
in such a constipation!—Mr. Clinker has been in trouble, but the
gates of hell have not been able to prevail against him.—His virtue
is like poor gould, seven times tried in the fire. He was tuck up for
a robbery, and had before gustass Busshard, who made his mitta-
mouse; and the pore youth was sent to prison upon the false oaf
of a willian, that wanted to sware his life away for the looker of
cain.
The ’squire did all in his power, but could not prevent his being
put in chains, and confined among common manufactors, where he
stud like an innocent sheep in the midst of wolves and tygers.—
Lord knows, what mought have happened to this pyehouse young
man, if master had not applied to Apias Korkus, who lives with the
ould bailiff, and is, they say, five hundred years ould, (God bless
us!) and a congeror; but, if he be, sure I am he don’t deal with the
devil, otherwise he wouldn’t have sought out Mr. Clinker, as he
did, in spite of stone walls, iron bolts, and double locks, that flew
open at his command; for Ould Scratch has not a greater enemy
upon hearth than Mr. Clinker, who is, indeed, a very powerfull
labourer in the Lord’s vineyard. I do no more than yuse the words
of my good lady, who has got the infectual calling; and, I trust,
that even myself, though unworthy, shall find grease to be excepted.
—Miss Liddy has been touch’d to the quick, but is a little timor-
some: howsomever, I make no doubt, but she, and all of us, will
be brought, by the endeavours of Mr. Clinker, to produce blessed
fruit of generation and repentance.—As for master and the young
’squire, they have as yet had narro glimpse of the new light.—I
doubt as how their harts are hardened by worldly wisdom, which,
as the pyebill saith, is foolishness in the sight of God.