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Smollett, Tobias George, 1721-1771

"The Expedition of Humphry Clinker"

He would have measured above six feet in height had he stood
upright; but he stooped very much; was very narrow in the
shoulders, and very thick in the calves of his legs, which were
cased in black spatterdashes -- As for his thighs, they were long
and slender, like those of a grasshopper; his face was, at least,
half a yard in length, brown and shrivelled, with projecting
cheek-bones, little grey eyes on the greenish hue, a large hook-nose,
a pointed chin, a mouth from ear to car, very ill furnished
with teeth, and a high, narrow fore-head, well furrowed with
wrinkles. His horse was exactly in the stile of its rider; a
resurrection of dry bones, which (as we afterwards learned) he
valued exceedingly, as the only present he had ever received in
his life.
Having seen this favourite steed properly accommodated in the
stable, he sent up his compliments to the ladies, begging
permission to thank them in person for the marks of concern they
had shewn at his disaster in the court yard -- As the 'squire said
they could not decently decline his visit, he was shewn up stairs
and paid his respects in the Scotch dialect, with much formality
'Leddies (said he), perhaps ye may be scandaleezed at the
appearance of my heed made, when it was uncovered by accident;
but I can assure you, the condition you saw it in, is neither the
effects of diseases, nor of drunkenness: but an honest scar
received in the service of my country.


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