The Expedition of Humphry Clinker

THE EXPEDITION OF HUMPHRY CLINKER 161
concur in any step he might take in favour of his solicitation. We
mutually resolved to deliberate upon the subject, and, in the mean
time, proceeded on our journey. The roads having been broke up
by the heavy rains in the spring, were so rough, that although we
travelled very slowly, the jolting occasioned such pain to my uncle,
that he was become exceedingly peevish when we arrived at this
place, which lies about eight miles from the post-road, between
Wetherby and Boroughbridge.
Harrigate-water, so celebrated for its efficacy in the scurvy and
other distempers, is supplied from a copious spring, in the hollow
of a wild common, round which, a good many houses have been
built for the convenience of the drinkers, though few of them are
inhabited. Most of the company lodge at some distance, in five
separate inns, situated in different parts of the common, from
whence they go every morning to the well, in their own carriages.
The lodgers of each inn form a distinct society, that eat together;
and there is a commodious public room, where they breakfast in
dishabille, at separate tables, from eight o’clock till eleven, as they
chance or chuse to come in—Here also they drink tea in the after-
noon, and play at cards or dance in the evening. One custom, how-
ever, prevails, which I look upon as a solecism in politeness—The
ladies treat with tea in their turns; and even girls of sixteen are not
exempted from this shameful imposition—There is a public ball
by subscription every night at one of the houses, to which all the
company from the others are admitted by tickets; and, indeed,
Harrigate treads upon the heels of Bath, in the articles of gaiety
and dissipation—with this difference, however, that here we are
more sociable and familiar. One of the inns is already full up to the
very garrets, having no less than fifty lodgers, and as many servants.
Our family does not exceed thirty-six; and I should be sorry to see
the number augmented, as our accommodations won’t admit of
much increase.
At present, the company is more agreeable than one could expect
from an accidental assemblage of persons, who are utter strangers
to one another—There seems to be a general disposition among
us to maintain good-fellowship, and promote the purposes of
humanity, in favour of those who come hither on the score of
health. I see several faces which we left at Bath, although the
majority are of the Northern counties, and many come from Scot-
land for the benefit of these waters—In such a variety, there must