The Expedition of Humphry Clinker

THE EXPEDITION OF HUMPHRY CLINKER 187
circumstances; but that all the departments he had mentioned in
his letter, were filled up by persons of whose conduct he had no
reason to complain; of consequence he could not, without in-
justice, deprive any one of them of his bread—Nevertheless, he
declared himself ready to assist him in any feasible project, either
with his purse or credit.
Martin seemed deeply touched at this declaration—The tear
started in his eye, while he said, in a faultering accent—‘Worthy
sir—your generosity oppresses me—I never dreamed of troubling
you for any pecuniary assistance—indeed I have no occasion—I
have been so lucky at billiards and betting in different places, at
Buxton, Harrigate, Scarborough, and Newcastle races, that my
stock in ready-money amounts to three hundred pounds, which I
would willingly employ in prosecuting some honest scheme of life;
but my friend, justice Buzzard, has set so many springs for my life,
that I am under the necessity of either retiring immediately to a
remote part of the country, where I can enjoy the protection of some
generous patron, or of quitting the kingdom altogether—It is
upon this alternative that I now beg leave to ask your advice—
I have had information of all your route, since I had the honour to
see you at Stevenage; and, supposing you would come this way
from Scarborough, I came hither last night from Darlington, to
pay you my respects.’
‘It would be no difficult matter to provide you with an asylum
in the country (replied my uncle); but a life of indolence and
obscurity would not suit with your active and enterprizing dis-
position—I would therefore advise you to try your fortune in the
East Indies—I will give you a letter to a friend in London, who
will recommend you to the direction, for a commission in the
company’s service; and if that cannot be obtained, you will at least
be received as a volunteer—in which case, you may pay for your
passage, and I shall undertake to procure you such credentials,
that you will not be long without a commission.’
Martin embraced the proposal with great eagerness; it was there-
fore resolved, that he should sell his horse, and take a passage by
sea for London, to execute the project without delay—In the mean
time he accompanied us to Durham, where we took up our quarters
for the night—Here, being furnished with letters from my uncle,
he took his leave of us, with strong symptoms of gratitude and
attachment, and set out for Sunderland, in order to embark in the