The Expedition of Humphry Clinker

350 TOBIAS SMOLLETT
As Mrs. Willis cannot be persuaded to stay, and Liddy is
engaged by promise to accompany her daughter back to Gloucester,
I fancy there will be a general migration from hence, and that most
of us will spend the Christmas holidays at Bath; in which case, I
shall certainly find an opportunity to beat up your quarters.—By
this time, I suppose, you are sick of alma mater, and even ready to
execute that scheme of peregrination, which was last year con-
certed between you and
Your affectionate
Nov. 8. J. MELFORD
To Dr. LEWIS
DEAR DOCTOR,
MY niece Liddy is now happily settled for life; and captain
Lismahago has taken Tabby off my hands; so that I have nothing
further to do, but to comfort my friend Baynard, and provide for
my son Loyd, who is also fairly joined to Mrs. Winifred Jenkins.—
You are an excellent genius at hints.—Dr. Arbuthnot was but a
type of Dr. Lewis in that respect.—What you observe of the vestry-
clerk deserves consideration.—I make no doubt but Matthew
Loyd is well enough qualified for the office; but, at present, you
must find room for him in the house.—His incorruptible honesty
and indefatigable care will be serviceable in superintending the
œconomy of my farm; tho’ I don’t mean that he shall interfere with
Barns, of whom I have no cause to complain.—I am just returned
with Baynard, from a second trip to his house, where every thing
is regulated to his satisfaction.—He could not, however, review
the apartments without tears and lamentation, so that he is not yet
in a condition to be left alone; therefore I will not part with him
till the spring, when he intends to plunge into the avocations of
husbandry, which will at once employ and amuse his attention.—
Charles Dennison had promised to stay with him a fortnight, to set
him fairly afloat in his improvements; and Jack Wilson will see
him from time to time; besides, he has a few friends in the country,
whom his new plan of life will not exclude from his society.—In
less than a year, I make no doubt, but he will find himself perfectly
at ease both in his mind and body, for the one had dangerously