The Expedition of Humphry Clinker

190 TOBIAS SMOLLETT
must have been refunded; and I did not choose to incumber my-
self with a debt of a thousand pounds, to be paid from an income of
ten shillings a-day.’ ‘So you have spent the best part of your life,
(cried Mr. Bramble) your youth, your blood, and your constitu-
tion, amidst the dangers, the difficulties, the horrors and hardships
of war, for the consideration of three or four shillings a-day—a
consideration—’ ‘Sir, (replied the Scot, with great warmth) you
are the man that does me injustice, if you say or think I have been
actuated by any such paltry consideration—I am a gentleman; and
entered the service as other gentlemen do, with such hopes and
sentiments as honourable ambition inspires—If I have not been
lucky in the lottery of life, so neither do I think myself unfortunate
—I owe to no man a farthing; I can always command a clean shirt,
a mutton-chop, and a truss of straw; and when I die, I shall leave
effects sufficient to defray the expence of my burial.’
My uncle assured him, he had no intention to give him the least
offence, by the observations he had made; but, on the contrary,
spoke from a sentiment of friendly regard to his interest—The
lieutenant thanked him with a stiffness of civility, which nettled our
old gentleman, who perceived that his moderation was all affected;
for, whatsoever his tongue might declare, his whole appearance
denoted dissatisfaction—In short without pretending to judge of
his military merit, I think I may affirm, that this Caledonian is a
self-conceited pedant, aukward, rude, and disputacious—He has
had the benefit of a school education, seems to have read a good
number of books, his memory is tenacious, and he pretends to
speak several different languages; but he is so addicted to wrang-
ling, that he will cavil at the clearest truths, and, in the pride of
argumentation, attempt to reconcile contradictions—Whether his
address and qualifications are really of that stamp which is agree-
able to the taste of our aunt, Mrs. Tabitha, or that indefatigable
maiden is determined to shoot at every sort of game, certain it is
she has begun to practise upon the heart of the lieutenant, who
favoured us with his company to supper.
I have many other things to say of this man of war, which I shall
communicate in a post or two; mean while, it is but reasonable that
you should be indulged with some respite from those weary
lucubrations of
Yours,
Newcastle upon Tyne, July 10. J. MELFORD