The Expedition of Humphry Clinker

THE EXPEDITION OF HUMPHRY CLINKER 157
Dick is become a mighty mouser. Pray order every thing for the
best, and be frugal, and keep the maids to their labour.—If I had
a private opportunity, I would send them some hymns to sing
instead of profane ballads; but, as I can’t, they and you must be
contented with the prayers of
Your assured friend,
London, June 14. T. BRAMBLE
To Sir WATKIN PHILLIPS, Bart. of Jesus college, Oxon.
DEAR PHILLIPS,
THE very day after I wrote my last, Clinker was set at liberty—As
Martin had foretold, the accuser was himself committed for a rob-
bery, upon unquestionable evidence. He had been for some time
in the snares of the thief-taking society; who, resenting his pre-
sumption in attempting to incroach upon their monopoly of im-
peachment, had him taken up and committed to Newgate, on the
deposition of an accomplice, who has been admitted as evidence for
the king. The postillion being upon record as an old offender, the
chief Justice made no scruple of admitting Clinker to bail, when
he perused the affidavit of Mr. Mead, importing that the said
Clinker was not the person that robbed him on Blackheath; and
honest Humphry was discharged—When he came home, he
expressed great eagerness to pay his respects to his master, and
here his elocution failed him, but his silence was pathetic; he fell
down at his feet, and embraced his knees, shedding a flood of tears,
which my uncle did not see without emotion—He took snuff in
some confusion; and, putting his hand in his pocket, gave him his
blessing in something more substantial than words—‘Clinker,
(said he) I am so well convinced, both of your honesty and courage,
that I am resolved to make you my life-guard-man on the high-
way.’
He was accordingly provided with a case of pistols, and a carbine
to be slung a-cross his shoulders; and every other preparation
being made, we set out last Thursday, at seven in the morning;
my uncle, with the three women in the coach; Humphry, well
mounted on a black gelding bought for his use; myself a-horseback,
attended by my new valet, Mr. Dutton, an exceeding coxcomb,