The Expedition of Humphry Clinker

THE EXPEDITION OF HUMPHRY CLINKER 333
take the field against the wood-cocks and snipes. In the evening
we dance and sing, or play at commerce, loo, and quadrille.
Mr. Dennison is an elegant poet, and has written some detached
pieces on the subject of his passion for Liddy, which must be very
flattering to the vanity of a young woman—Perhaps he is one of
the greatest theatrical geniuses that ever appeared. He sometimes
entertains us with reciting favourite speeches from our best plays.
We are resolved to convert the great hall into a theatre, and get up
the Beaux Stratagem without delay—I think I shall make no con-
temptible figure in the character of Scrub; and Lismahago will be
very great in Captain Gibbet—Wilson undertakes to entertain the
country people with Harlequin Skeleton, for which he has got a
jacket ready painted with his own hand.
Our society is really enchanting. Even the severity of Lismahago
relaxes, and the vinegar of Mrs. Tabby is remarkably dulcified,
ever since it was agreed that she should take precedency of her
niece in being first noosed: for, you must know, the day is fixed
for Liddy’s marriage; and the banns for both couples have been
already once published in the parish church. The Captain earnestly
begged that one trouble might serve for all, and Tabitha assented
with a vile affectation of reluctance. Her inamorato, who came
hither very slenderly equipt, has sent for his baggage to London,
which, in all probability, will not arrive in time for the wedding;
but it is of no great consequence, as every thing is to be transacted
with, the utmost privacy—Meanwhile, directions are given for
making out the contracts of marriage, which are very favourable
for both females; Liddy will be secured in a good jointure; and her
aunt will remain mistress of her own fortune, except one half of the
interest, which her husband shall have a right to enjoy for his
natural life: I think this is as little in conscience as can be done for
a man who yokes with such a partner for life.
These expectants seem to be so happy, that if Mr. Dennison had
an agreeable daughter, I believe I should be for making the third
couple in this country dance. The humour seems to be infectious;
for Clinker, alias Loyd, has a month’s mind to play the fool, in the
same fashion, with Mrs. Winifred Jenkins. He has even sounded
me on the subject; but I have given him no encouragement to
prosecute this scheme—I told him I thought he might do better,
as there was no engagement nor promise subsisting; that I did not
know what designs my uncle might have formed for his advantage;