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time to lay aside the livery of an earthly master； and for my
part； I am unworthy to have an apostle in my service' 'I hope
（said Humphry） I have not failed in my duty to your honour I
should be a vile wretch if I did； considering the misery from
which your charity and compassion relieved me but having an
inward admonition of the spirit ' 'An admonition of the devil
（cried the squire； in a passion） What admonition； you blockhead？
What right has such a fellow as you to set up for a reformer？'
'Begging your honour's pardon （replied Clinker） may not the new
light of God's grace shine upon the poor and the ignorant in
their humility； as well as upon the wealthy； and the philosopher
in all his pride of human learning？' 'What you imagine to be the
new light of grace （said his master） I take to be a deceitful
vapour； glimmering through a crack in your upper story In a
word； Mr Clinker； I will have no light in my family but what pays
the king's taxes； unless it be the light of reason； which you
don't pretend to follow。'
'Ah； sir！ （cried Humphry） the light of reason； is no more in
comparison to the light I mean； than a farthing candle to the sun
at noon' 'Very true （said uncle）； the one will serve to shew you
your way； and the other to dazzle and confound your weak brain。
Heark ye； Clinker； you are either an hypocritical knave； or a
wrong…headed enthusiast； and in either case； unfit for my service。
If you are a quack in sanctity and devotion； you will find it an
easy matter to impose upon silly women； and others of crazed
understanding； who will contribute lavishly for your support。 If
you are really seduced by the reveries of a disturbed
imagination； the sooner you lose your senses entirely； the better
for yourself and the community。 In that case； some charitable
person might provide you with a dark room and clean straw in
Bedlam； where it would not be in your power to infect others with
your fanaticism； whereas； if you have just reflection enough left
to maintain the character of a chosen vessel in the meetings of
the godly； you and your hearers will be misled by a Will…i'the…wisp；
from one error into another； till you are plunged into
religious frenzy； and then； perhaps； you will hang yourself in
despair' 'Which the Lord of his infinite mercy forbid！ （exclaimed
the affrighted Clinker） It is very possible I may be under the
temptation of the devil； who wants to wreck me on the rocks of
spiritual pride Your honour says； I am either a knave or a
madman； now； as I'll assure your honour； I am no knave； it
follows that I must be mad； therefore； I beseech your honour；
upon my knees； to take my case into consideration； that means may
be used for my recovery'
The 'squire could not help smiling at the poor fellow's
simplicity； and promised to take care of him； provided he would
mind the business of his place； without running after the new
light of methodism： but Mrs Tabitha took offence at his humility；
which she interpreted into poorness of spirit and worldly
mindedness。 She upbraided him with the want of courage to suffer
for conscience sake She observed； that if he should lose his
place for bearing testimony to the truth； Providence would not
fail to find him another； perhaps more advantageous； and；
declaring that it could not be very agreeable to live in a family
where an inquisition was established； retired to another room in
great agitation。
My uncle followed her with a significant look； then； turning to
the preacher； 'You hear what my sister says If you cannot live
with me upon such terms as I have prescribed； the vineyard of
methodism lies before you； and she seems very well disposed to
reward your labour' 'I would not willingly give offence to any
soul upon earth （answered Humphry）； her ladyship has been very
good to me； ever since we came to London； and surely she has a
heart turned for religious exercises； and both she and lady
Griskin sing psalms and hymns like two cherubims But； at the
same time； I'm bound to love and obey your honour It becometh
not such a poor ignorant fellow as me； to hold dispute with
gentlemen of rank and learning As for the matter of knowledge； I
am no more than a beast in comparison of your honour； therefore I
submit； and； with God's grace； I will follow you to the world's
end； if you don't think me too far gone to be out of confinement'。
His master promised to keep him for some time longer on trial；
then desired to know in what manner lady Griskin and Mr Barton
came to join their religious society； he told him； that her
ladyship was the person who first carried my aunt and sister to
the Tabernacle； whither he attended them； and had his devotion
kindled by Mr W's preaching： that he was confirmed in this
new way； by the preacher's sermons； which he had bought and
studied with great attention： that his discourse and prayers had
brought over Mrs Jenkins and the house…maid to the same way of
thinking； but as for Mr Barton； he had never seen him at service
before this day； when he came in company with lady Griskin。
Humphry； moreover； owned that he had been encouraged to mount the
rostrum； by the example and success of a weaver； who was much
followed as a powerful minister： that on his first trial he found
himself under such strong impulsions； as made him believe he was
certainly moved by the spirit； and that he had assisted in lady
Griskin's； and several private houses； at exercises of devotion。
Mr Bramble was no sooner informed； that her ladyship had acted as
the primum mobile of this confederacy； than he concluded she had
only made use of Clinker as a tool； subservient to the execution
of some design； to the true secret of which he was an utter
stranger He observed； that her ladyship's brain was a perfect
mill for projects； and that she and Tabby had certainly engaged
in some secret treaty； the nature of which he could not
comprehend。 I told him I thought it was no difficult matter to
perceive the drift of Mrs Tabitha； which was to ensnare the heart
of Barton； and that in all likelihood my lady Griskin acted as
her auxiliary： that this supposition would account for their
endeavours to convert him to methodism； an event which would
occasion a connexion of souls that might be easily improved into
a matrimonial union。
My uncle seemed to be much diverted by the thoughts of this
Scheme's succeeding； but I gave him to understand； that Barton
was pre…engaged： that he had the day before made a present of an
etuis to Liddy； which her aunt had obliged her to receive； with a
view； no doubt； to countenance her own accepting of a snuff…box
at the same time； that my sister having made me acquainted with
this incident； I had desired an explanation of Mr Barton； who
declared his intentions were honourable； and expressed his hope
that I would have no objections to his alliance； that I had
thanked him for the honour he intended our family； but told
him； it would be necessary to consult her uncle and aunt； who
were her guardians； and their approbation being obtained； I
could have no objection to his proposal； though I was persuaded
that no violence would be offered to my sister's inclinations； in
a transaction that so nearly interested the happiness of her
future life： that he had assured me； he should never think of
availing himself of a guardian's authority； unless he could
render his addresses agreeable to the young lady herself； and
that he would immediately demand permission of Mr and Mrs
Bramble； to make Liddy a tender of his hand and fortune。
The squire was not insensible to the advantages of such a match；
and declared he would promote it with all his influence； but when
I took notice that there seemed to be an aversion on the side of
Liddy； he said he would sound her on the subject； and if her
reluctance was such as would not be easily overcome； he would
civilly decline the proposal of Mr Barton； for he thought that；
in the choice of a husband a young woman ought not to sacrifice
the feelings of her heart for any consideration upon earth
'Liddy is not so desperate （said he） as to worship fortune at
such an expence。'
I take it for granted； this whole affair will end in smoke；
though there seems to be a storm brewing in the quarter of Mrs
Tabby； who sat with all the sullen dignity of silence at dinner；
seemingly pregnant with complaint and expostulation。 As she had
certainly marked Barton for her own prey； she cannot possibly
favour his suit to Liddy； and therefore I expect something
extraordinary will attend his declaring himself my sister's
admirer。 This declaration will certainly be made in form； as soon
as the lover can pick up resolution enough to stand the brunt of
Mrs Tabby's disappointment； for he is； without doubt； aware of
her designs upon his person The particulars of the denouement
you shall know in due season： mean while I am
Always yours；
J。 MELFORD
LONDON； June 10。
To Dr LEWIS。
DEAR LEWIS；
The deceitful calm was of short duration。 I am plunged again in a
sea of vexation； and the complaints in my stomach and bowels are
returned； so that I suppose I shall be disabled from prosecuting
the excursion I had planned What the devil ha