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Smollett, Tobias George, 1721-1771

"The Expedition of Humphry Clinker"

It
was a lively representation of Death in pursuit of Consumption,
and had such an effect upon the commonalty, that some of them
shrieked aloud, and others ran out of the hall in the utmost
consternation.
This is not the only instance in which the lieutenant has lately
excited our wonder. His temper, which had been soured and
shrivelled by disappointment and chagrin, is now swelled out, and
smoothed like a raisin in plumb-porridge. From being reserved and
punctilious, he is become easy and obliging. He cracks jokes,
laughs and banters, with the most facetious familiarity; and, in
a word, enters into all our schemes of merriment and pastime -- The
other day his baggage arrived in the waggon from London,
contained in two large trunks and a long deal box not unlike a
coffin. The trunks were filled with his wardrobe, which he
displayed for the entertainment of the company, and he freely
owned, that it consisted chiefly of the opima spolia taken in
battle. What he selected for his wedding suit, was a tarnished
white cloth faced with blue velvet, embroidered with silver; but,
he valued himself most upon a tye-periwig, in which he had made
his first appearance as a lawyer above thirty years ago.


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