failed him； that his address was genteel； and his behaviour void
of all cruelty and insolence； that he never encumbered himself
with watches or trinkets； nor even with bank…notes； but always
dealt for ready money； and that in the current coin of the
kingdom； and that he could disguise himself and his horse in such
a manner； that； after the action； it was impossible to recognize
either the one or the other 'This great man （said he） has
reigned paramount in all the roads within fifty miles of London
above fifteen months； and has done more business in that time；
than all the rest of the profession put together； for those who
pass through his hands are so delicately dealt with； that they
have no desire to give him the least disturbance； but for all
that； his race is almost run he is now fluttering about justice；
like a moth about a candle there are so many lime…twigs laid in
his way； that I'll bet a cool hundred； he swings before
Christmas。'
Shall I own to you； that this portrait； drawn by a ruffian；
heightened by what I myself had observed in his deportment； has
interested me warmly in the fate of poor Martin； whom nature
seems to have intended for a useful and honourable member of that
community upon which he now preys for subsistence？ It seems； he
lived some time as a clerk to a timber…merchant； whose daughter
Martin having privately married； was discarded； and his wife
turned out of doors。 She did not long survive her marriage； and
Martin； turning fortune…hunter； could not supply his occasions
any other way； than by taking to the road； in which he has
travelled hitherto with uncommon success。 He pays his respects
regularly to Mr Justice Buzzard； the thief…catcher…general of
this metropolis； and sometimes they smoke a pipe together very
lovingly； when the conversation generally turns upon the nature
of evidence。 The justice has given him fair warning to take care
of himself； and he has received his caution in good part。
Hitherto he has baffled all the vigilance； art； and activity of
Buzzard and his emissaries； with such conduct as would have done
honour to the genius of a Caesar or a Turenne； but he has one
weakness； which has proved fatal to all the heroes of his tribe；
namely； an indiscreet devotion to the fair sex； and in all
probability； he will be attacked on this defenceless quarter。
Be that as it may； I saw the body of poor Clinker consigned to
the gaoler of Clerkenwell； to whose indulgence I recommended him
so effectually； that he received him in the most hospitable
manner； though there was a necessity for equipping him with a
suit of irons； in which he made a very rueful appearance。 The
poor creature seemed as much affected by my uncle's kindness； as
by his own misfortune。 When I assured him； that nothing should be
left undone for procuring his enlargement； and making his
confinement easy in the mean time； he fell down on his knees； and
kissing my hand； which he bathed with his tears； '0 'squire！
（cried he； sobbing） what shall I say？ I can't no； I can't
speak my poor heart is bursting with gratitude to you and my
dear dear generous noble benefactor。'
I protest； the scene became so pathetic； that I was fain to force
myself away； and returned to my uncle； who sent me in the
afternoon with a compliment to one Mr Mead； the person who had
been robbed on Black…heath。 As I did not find him at home； I left
a message； in consequence of which he called at our lodgings this
morning； and very humanely agreed to visit the prisoner。 By this
time； lady Griskin had come to make her formal compliments of
condolance to Mrs Tabitha； on this domestic calamity； and that
prudent maiden； whose passion was now cooled； thought proper to
receive her ladyship so civilly； that a reconciliation
immediately ensued。 These two ladies resolved to comfort the poor
prisoner in their own persons； and Mr Mead and I 'squired them to
Clerkenwell； my uncle being detained at home by some slight
complaints in his stomach and bowels。
The turnkey； who received us at Clerkenwell； looked remarkably
sullen； and when we enquired for Clinker； 'I don't care； if the
devil had him （said he）； here has been nothing but canting and
praying since the fellow entered the place。 Rabbit him！ the tap
will be ruined we han't sold a cask of beer； nor a dozen of
wine； since he paid his garnish the gentlemen get drunk with
nothing but your damned religion。 For my part； I believe as how
your man deals with the devil。 Two or three as bold hearts as
ever took the air upon Hounslow have been blubbering all night；
and if the fellow an't speedily removed by Habeas Corpus； or
otherwise； I'll be damn'd if there's a grain of true spirit left
within these walls we shan't have a soul to do credit to the
place； or make his exit like a true born Englishman damn my
eyes！ there will be nothing but snivelling in the cart we shall
all die like so many psalm…singing weavers。'
In short； we found that Humphry was； at that very instant；
haranguing the felons in the chapel； and that the gaoler's wife
and daughter； together with my aunt's woman； Win Jenkins； and
our house…maid； were among the audience； which we immediately
joined。 I never saw any thing so strongly picturesque as this
congregation of felons clanking their chains； in the midst of
whom stood orator Clinker； expatiating in a transport of fervor；
on the torments of hell； denounced in scripture against evil…doers；
comprehending murderers； robbers； thieves； and whore
mongers。 The variety of attention exhibited in the faces of those
ragamuffins； formed a groupe that would not have disgraced the
pencil of a Raphael。 In one； it denoted admiration； in another；
doubt； in a third； disdain； in a fourth； contempt； in a fifth；
terror； in a sixth； derision； and in a seventh； indignation。 As
for Mrs Winifred Jenkins； she was in tears； overwhelmed with
sorrow； but whether for her own sins； or the misfortune of
Clinker； I cannot pretend to say。 The other females seemed to
listen with a mixture of wonder and devotion。 The gaoler's wife
declared he was a saint in trouble； saying； she wished from her
heart there was such another good soul； like him； in every gaol
in England。
Mr Mead； having earnestly surveyed the preacher； declared his
appearance was so different from that of the person who robbed
him on Black…heath； that he could freely make oath he was not the
man： but Humphry himself was by this time pretty well rid of all
apprehensions of being hanged； for he had been the night before
solemnly tried and acquitted by his fellow prisoners； some of
whom he had already converted to methodism。 He now made proper
acknowledgments for the honour of our visit； and was permitted to
kiss the hands of the ladies； who assured him； he might depend
upon their friendship and protection。 Lady Griskin； in her great
zeal； exhorted his fellow…prisoners to profit by the precious
opportunity of having such a saint in bonds among them； and turn
over a new leaf for the benefit of their poor souls； and； that
her admonition might have the greater effect； she reinforced it
with her bounty。
While she and Mrs Tabby returned in the coach with the two
maidservants； I waited on Mr Mead to the house of justice
Buzzard； who； having heard his declaration； said his oath could
be of no use at present； but that he would be a material evidence
for the prisoner at his trial； so that there seems to be no
remedy but patience for poor Clinker； and； indeed； the same
virtue； or medicine； will be necessary for us all； the squire in
particular； who had set his heart upon his excursion to the
northward。
While we were visiting honest Humphry in Clerkenwell prison； my
uncle received a much more extraordinary visit at his own
lodgings。 Mr Martin； of whom I have made such honourable mention；
desired permission to pay him his respects； and was admitted
accordingly。 He told him； that having observed him； at Mr
Buzzard's； a good deal disturbed by what had happened to his
servant； he had come to assure him he had nothing to apprehend
for Clinker's life； for； if it was possible that any jury could
find him guilty upon such evidence； he； Martin himself； would
produce in court a person； whose deposition would bring him off
clear as the sun at noon。 Sure； the fellow would not be so
romantic as to take the robbery upon himself！ He said； the
postilion was an infamous fellow； who had been a dabbler in the
same profession； and saved his life at the Old Bailey by
impeaching his companions； that being now reduced to great
poverty； he had made this desperate push； to swear away the life
of an innocent man； in hopes of having the reward upon his
conviction； but that he would find himself miserably
disappointed； for the justice and his myrmidons were determined
to admit of no interloper in this branch of business； and that he
did not at all doubt but that they would find matter enough to
shop the evidence himself before the next gaol…delivery。 He
affirmed； that all these circumstances were well known to the
justice； and that his severity to Clinker was no other than a
hint to his master to make him a present in private； as an
acknowledgment of his candour and humanity。
This hint； however； was so unpalatable to Mr Bramble； that he
declared； with great warmth； he would rather confine himself for
life to London； which he detested； than be at liberty to leave it
tomorrow； in consequence of encouraging corruption in a
magistrate。 Hearing； however； how favourable Mr Mead's report had
been for the prisoner； he is resolved to take the advice of
counsel in what manner to proceed for his immediate enlargement。
I make no doubt； but that in a day or two this troublesome
business may be discussed； and in this hope we are preparing for
our journey。 If our endeavours do not miscarry； we shall have
taken the field before you hear again from
Yours；
J。 MELFORD
LONDON； June 11
To Dr LEWIS。
Thank Heaven！ dear Lewis； the clouds are dispersed； and I have
now the clearest prospect of my summer campaign； which； I hope； I
shall be able to begin to…morrow。 I took the advice of counsel
with respect to the case of Clinker； in whose favour a lucky
incide