-- Our aunt made a desperate attack upon Barton,
who had no other way of saving himself, but by leaving her in
possession of the field, and avowing his pretensions to Liddy, by
whom he has been rejected in his turn. -- Lady Griskin acted as his
advocate and agent on this occasion, with such zeal as embroiled
her with Mrs Tabitha, and a high scene of altercation passed
betwixt these two religionists, which might have come to action,
had not my uncle interposed. They are however reconciled, in
consequence of an event which hath involved us all in trouble and
disquiet. You must know, the poor preacher, Humphry Clinker, is
now exercising his ministry among the felons in Clerkenwell
prison -- A postilion having sworn a robbery against him, no bail
could be taken, and he was committed to jail, notwithstanding all
the remonstrances and interest my uncle could make in his behalf.
All things considered, the poor fellow cannot possibly be guilty,
and yet, I believe, he runs some risque of being hanged. Upon his
examination, he answered with such hesitation and reserve as
persuaded most of the people, who crowded the place, that he was
really a knave, and the justice's remarks confirmed their
opinion.
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