The Expedition of Humphrey Clinker - Tobias George Smollett

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1846 edition. Excerpt: ... at Bristol Well, is now matthewmnrphy'd into a fine young gentleman, son and hare of Squire Dollison. We are all together in the same house, and all parties have agreed to the match, and, ia a fortnite, the surrymony will be preformed. But this is not the only wedding we are to have. Mistriss is resolved to have the same frolick, in the naam of God! Last Sanday, in the parish crutch, if my own ars may be trusted, the clerk called the hanes of marridge betwixt Opaniah Lashmeheygo, and Tapitha Bramble, spinster: he monght as well have called her inkle-weaver, for she never spun and hank of yarn in her life. Young Squire Dollison and Miss Liddy made the second kipple; and there might have been a turd, but times are changed with Mr. Clinker. O Molly! what do'st think! Mr. Clinker is found to be a pye-blow of our own squire, and his rite naam is Mr. Mattew Loyd (thof God he nose how that can be!) and he is now out of livery, and wares ruffles; but I new him when he was out at elbows, and had not a rag to kiver his pistereroes; so he need not hold his head so high. He is for sartain very umble and cornpleasant, and purtests as how he has the same regard as before; but that he is no longer his own master, and cannot portend to marry without the squire's consent. He says we must wait with patience, and trust to Providence, and such nonsense. But, if so be as how his regard be the same, why stand shilly-shally? Why not strike while the iron is hot, and speak to the squire without loss of time? What subjection can the squire make to our coming together? Thof my father wa'n't a gentleman, my mother was an honest woman. I didn't come on the wrong side of the blanket, girl: my parents were married according to the rights of holy mother crutch, in the...