MELFORD
Oct. 14.
To Miss LAETITIA WILLIS, at Gloucester.
MY DEAR, DEAR LETTY,
Never did I sit down to write in such agitation as I now feel -- In
the course of a few days, we have met with a number of incidents
so wonderful and interesting, that all my ideas are thrown into
confusion and perplexity -- You must not expect either method or
coherence in what I am going to relate -- my dearest Willis. Since
my last, the aspect of affairs is totally changed! -- and so
changed! but I would fain give you a regular detail -- In passing a
river about eight days ago, our coach was overturned, and some of
us narrowly escaped with life -- My uncle had well nigh perished. O
Heaven, I cannot reflect upon that circumstance without horror -- I
should have lost my best friend, my father and protector, but for
the resolution and activity of his servant Humphry Clinker, whom
Providence really seems to have placed near him for the necessity
of this occasion. -- I would not be thought superstitious; but
surely he acted from a stronger impulse than common fidelity. Was
it not the voice of nature that loudly called upon him to save
the life of his own father? for, 0 Letty, it was discovered that
Humphry Clinker was my uncle's natural son.
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