The Expedition of Humphry Clinker

308 TOBIAS SMOLLETT
impossible to travel such a length of way, without being exposed to
inconveniences, dangers, and disagreeable accidents, which prove
very grievous to a poor creature of weak nerves like me, and make
me pay very dear for the gratification of my curiosity.
Nature never intended me for the busy world—I long for repose
and solitude, where I can enjoy that disinterested friendship which
is not to be found among crouds, and indulge those pleasing reveries
that shun the hurry and tumult of fashionable society—Un-
experienced as I am in the commerce of life, I have seen enough
to give me a disgust to the generality of those who carry it on—
There is such malice, treachery, and dissimulation, even among
professed friends and intimate companions, as cannot fail to strike
a virtuous mind with horror; and when Vice quits the stage for a
moment, her place is immediately occupied by Folly, which is often
too serious to excite any thing but compassion—Perhaps I ought
to be silent on the foibles of my poor aunt; but with you, my dear
Willis, I have no secrets; and, truly, her weaknesses are such as
cannot be concealed. Since the first moment we arrived at Bath,
she has been employed constantly in spreading nets for the other
sex; and, at length, she has caught a superannuated lieutenant,
who is in a fair way to make her change her name—My uncle and
my brother seem to have no objection to this extraordinary match,
which, I make no doubt, will afford abundance of matter of con-
versation and mirth; for my part, I am too sensible of my own
weaknesses, to be diverted with those of other people—At present,
I have something at heart that employs my whole attention, and
keeps my mind in the utmost terror and suspence.
Yesterday in the forenoon, as I stood with my brother at the
parlour-window of an inn, where we had lodged, a person passed
a-horse back, whom (gracious Heaven!) I instantly discovered to
be Wilson! He wore a white riding-coat, with the cape buttoned up
to his chin; looked remarkably pale, and passed at a round trot,
without seeming to observe us—Indeed, he could not see us; for
there was a blind that concealed us from the view. You may guess
how I was affected at this apparition—The light forsook my eyes;
and I was seized with such a palpitation and trembling, that I
could not stand. I sat down upon a couch, and strove to compose
myself, that my brother might not perceive my agitation; but it was
impossible to escape his prying eyes—He had observed the object
that alarmed me; and, doubtless, knew him at the first glance—