The Expedition of Humphry Clinker

THE EXPEDITION OF HUMPHRY CLINKER 281
least thing you can do, by way of atonement for your former
cruelty to that poor love-sick maiden, who has been so long a thorn
in the side of
Yours,
Sept. 20. MATT. BRAMBLE
We have been at Buxton; but, as I did not much relish either the
company or the accommodations, and had no occasion for the
water, we stayed but two nights in the place.
To Sir WATKIN PHILLIPS, Bart. at Oxon.
DEAR WAT,
ADVENTURES begin to thicken as we advance to the southward.—
Lismahago has now professed himself the admirer of our aunt, and
carries on his addresses under the sanction of her brother’s appro-
bation; so that we shall certainly have a wedding by Christmas.
I should be glad you was present at the nuptials, to help me to
throw the stocking, and perform other ceremonies peculiar to that
occasion—I am sure it will be productive of some diversion; and,
truly, it would be worth your while to come across the country on
purpose to see two such original figures in bed together, with their
laced night-caps; he, the emblem of good chear, and she, the picture
of good nature. All this agreeable prospect was clouded, and had
well nigh vanished entirely, in consequence of a late misunder-
standing between the future brothers-in-law, which, however, is
now happily removed.
A few days ago, my uncle and I, going to visit a relation, met
with lord Oxmington at his house, who asked us to dine with him
next day, and we accepted the invitation.—Accordingly, leaving
our women under the care of captain Lismahago, at the inn where
we had lodged the preceding night, in a little town, about a mile
from his lordship’s dwelling, we went at the hour appointed, and
had a fashionable meal served up with much ostentation to a com-
pany of about a dozen persons, none of whom we had ever seen
before.—His lordship is much more remarkable for his pride and
caprice, than for his hospitality and understanding; and, indeed, it
appeared, that he considered his guests merely as objects to shine