The Expedition of Humphry Clinker

THE EXPEDITION OF HUMPHRY CLINKER 33
formed some design upon the heart of Sir Ulic Mackilligut, which
she feared might be frustrated by our abrupt departure from these
lodgings. Her brother, eyeing her askance, ‘Pardon me, sister,
(said he) I should be a savage, indeed, were I insensible of my own
felicity, in having such a mild, complaisant, good-humoured, and
considerate companion and house-keeper; but as I have got a weak
head, and my sense of hearing is painfully acute, before I have
recourse to plugs of wooll and cotton, I’ll try whether I can’t find
another lodging, where I shall have more quiet and less musick.’
He accordingly dispatched his man upon this service; and next
day he found a small house in Milsham-street, which he hires by
the week. Here, at least, we enjoy convenience and quiet within
doors, as much as Tabby’s temper will allow; but the ’squire still
complains of flying pains in the stomach and head, for which he
bathes and drinks the waters. He is not so bad, however, but that he
goes in person to the pump, the rooms, and the coffee-houses;
where he picks up continual food for ridicule and satire. If I can
glean any thing for your amusement, either from his observation
or my own, you shall have it freely, though I am afraid it will poorly
compensate the trouble of reading these tedious insipid letters of,
Dear Phillips,
yours always,
J. MELFORD
To Dr. LEWIS
Bath, April 23
DEAR DOCTOR,
IF I did not know that the exercise of your profession has
habituated you to the hearing of complaints, I should make a conscience
of troubling you with my correspondence, which may be
truly called the lamentations of Matthew Bramble. Yet I cannot help
thinking, I have some right to discharge the overflowings of my
spleen upon you, whose province it is to remove those disorders
that occasioned it; and let me tell you, it is no small alleviation of
my grievances, that I have a sensible friend, to whom I can communicate
my crusty humours, which, by retention, would grow
intolerably acrimonious.