The Expedition of Humphry Clinker

THE EXPEDITION OF HUMPHRY CLINKER 321
with a consort, whose disposition is suited to his own in all respects;
tender, generous, and benevolent—She, moreover, possesses an
uncommon share of understanding, fortitude, and discretion, and
is admirably qualified to be his companion, confidant, counsellor,
and coadjutrix. These excellent persons have an only son, about
nineteen years of age, just such a youth as they could have wished
that Heaven would bestow to fill up the measure of their enjoy-
ment—In a word, they know no other allay to their happiness, but
their apprehension and anxiety about the life and concerns of this
beloved object.
Our old friend, who had the misfortune to be a second brother,
was bred to the law, and even called to the bar; but he did not find
himself qualified to shine in that province, and had very little
inclination for his profession—He disobliged his father, by marry-
ing for love, without any consideration of fortune; so that he had
little or nothing to depend upon for some years but his practice,
which afforded him a bare subsistence; and the prospect of an
increasing family, began to give him disturbance and disquiet. In
the mean time, his father dying, was succeeded by his elder
brother, a fox-hunter and a sot, who neglected his affairs, insulted
and oppressed his servants, and in a few years had well nigh ruined
the estate, when he was happily carried off by a fever, the immediate
consequence of a debauch. Charles, with the approbation of his
wife, immediately determined to quit business, and retire into the
country, although this resolution was strenuously and zealously
opposed by every individual, whom he consulted on the subject.
Those who had tried the experiment, assured him that he could not
pretend to breathe in the country for less than the double of what
his estate produced; that, in order to be upon the footing of a gentle-
man, he would be obliged to keep horses, hounds, carriages, with
a suitable number of servants, and maintain an elegant table for the
entertainment of his neighbours; that farming was a mystery,
known only to those who had been bred up to it from the cradle,
the success of it depending not only upon skill and industry, but
also upon such attention and œconomy as no gentleman could be
supposed to give or practise; accordingly, every attempt made by
gentlemen miscarried, and not a few had been ruined by their
prosecution of agriculture—Nay, they affirmed that he would
find it cheaper to buy hay and oats for his cattle, and to go to market
for poultry, eggs, kitchen herbs, and roots, and every the most