BRAMBLE
LONDON, June 14.
To Sir WATKIN PHILLIPS, Bart. of Jesus college, Oxon.
DEAR PHILLIPS,
The very day after I wrote my last, Clinker was set at liberty. As
Martin had foretold, the accuser was himself committed for a
robbery, upon unquestionable evidence. He had been for some time
in the snares of the thief-taking society; who, resenting his
presumption in attempting to incroach upon their monopoly of
impeachment, had him taken up and committed to Newgate, on the
deposition of an accomplice, who has been admitted as evidence
for the king. The postilion being upon record as an old offender,
the chief justice made no scruple of admitting Clinker to bail,
when he perused the affidavit of Mr Mead, importing that the said
Clinker was not the person that robbed him on Blackheath; and
honest Humphry was discharged. When he came home, he expressed
great eagerness to pay his respects to his master, and here his
elocution failed him, but his silence was pathetic; he fell down
at his feet and embraced his knees, shedding a flood of tears,
which my uncle did not see without emotion. He took snuff in some
confusion; and, putting his hand in his pocket, gave him his
blessing in something more substantial than words -- 'Clinker (said
he), I am so well convinced, both of your honesty and courage,
that I am resolved to make you my life-guardman on the highway.
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