<p><SPAN name="link2H_4_0077" id="link2H_4_0077"></SPAN></p>
<h2> To Sir WATKIN PHILLIPS, Bart. at Oxon. </h2>
<h3> DEAR WAT, </h3>
<p>Every day is now big with incident and discovery—Young Mr Dennison
proves to be no other than that identical person whom I have execrated so
long, under the name of Wilson—He had eloped from college at
Cambridge, to avoid a match that he detested, and acted in different parts
of the country as a stroller, until the lady in question made choice of a
husband for herself; then he returned to his father, and disclosed his
passion for Liddy, which met with the approbation of his parents, though
the father little imagined that Mr Bramble was his old companion Matthew
Loyd. The young gentleman, being impowered to make honourable proposals to
my uncle and me, had been in search of us all over England, without
effect; and he it was whom I had seen pass on horseback by the window of
the inn, where I stood with my sister, but he little dreamed that we were
in the house—As for the real Mr Wilson, whom I called forth to
combat, by mistake, he is the neighbour and intimate friend of old Mr
Dennison, and this connexion had suggested to the son the idea of taking
that name while he remained in obscurity.</p>
<p>You may easily conceive what pleasure I must have felt on discovering that
the honour of our family was in no danger from the conduct of a sister
whom I love with uncommon affection; that, instead of debasing her
sentiments and views to a wretched stroller, she had really captivated the
heart of a gentleman, her equal in rank and superior in fortune; and that,
as his parents approved of his attachment, I was on the eve of acquiring a
brother-in-law so worthy of my friendship and esteem. George Dennison is,
without all question, one of the most accomplished young fellows in
England. His person is at once elegant and manly, and his understanding
highly cultivated. Tho' his spirit is lofty, his heart is kind; and his
manner so engaging, as to command veneration and love, even from malice
and indifference. When I weigh my own character with his, I am ashamed to
find myself so light in the balance; but the comparison excites no envy—I
propose him as a model for imitation—I have endeavoured to recommend
myself to his friendship, and hope I have already found a place in his
affection. I am, however, mortified to reflect what flagrant injustice we
every day commit, and what absurd judgment we form, in viewing objects
through the falsifying mediums of prejudice and passion. Had you asked me
a few days ago, the picture of Wilson the player, I should have drawn a
portrait very unlike the real person and character of George Dennison.
Without all doubt, the greatest advantage acquired in travelling and
perusing mankind in the original, is that of dispelling those shameful
clouds that darken the faculties of the mind, preventing it from judging
with candour and precision.</p>
<p>The real Wilson is a great original, and the best tempered, companionable
man I ever knew—I question if ever he was angry or low-spirited in
his life. He makes no pretensions to letters; but he is an adept in every
thing else that can be either useful or entertaining. Among other
qualifications, he is a complete sportsman, and counted the best shot in
the county. He and Dennison, and Lismahago and I, attended by Clinker,
went a-shooting yesterday, and made a great havock among the partridges—To-morrow
we shall take the field against the woodcocks and snipes. In the evening
we dance and sing, or play at commerce, loo, and quadrille.</p>
<p>Mr Dennison is an elegant poet, and has written some detached pieces on
the subject of his passion for Liddy, which must be very flattering to the
vanity of a young woman—Perhaps he is one of the greatest theatrical
geniuses that ever appeared. He sometimes entertains us with reciting
favourite speeches from our best plays. We are resolved to convert the
great hall into a theatre, and get up the Beaux Stratagem without delay—I
think I shall make no contemptible figure in the character of Scrub; and
Lismahago will be very great in Captain Gibbet. Wilson undertakes to
entertain the country people with Harlequin Skeleton, for which he has got
a jacket ready painted with his own hand.</p>
<p>Our society is really enchanting. Even the severity of Lismahago relaxes,
and the vinegar of Mrs Tabby is remarkably dulcified, ever since it was
agreed that she should take precedency of her niece in being first noosed:
for, you must know, the day is fixed for Liddy's marriage; and the banns
for both couples have been already once published in the parish church.
The Captain earnestly begged that one trouble might serve for all, and
Tabitha assented with a vile affectation of reluctance. Her inamorato, who
came hither very slenderly equipt, has sent for his baggage to London,
which, in all probability, will not arrive in time for the wedding; but it
is of no great consequence, as every thing is to be transacted with the
utmost privacy—Meanwhile, directions are given for making out the
contracts of marriage, which are very favourable for both females; Liddy
will be secured in a good jointure; and her aunt will remain mistress of
her own fortune, except one half of the interest, which her husband shall
have a right to enjoy for his natural life: I think this is as little in
conscience as can be done for a man who yokes with such a partner for
life.</p>
<p>These expectants seem to be so happy, that if Mr Dennison had an agreeable
daughter, I believe I should be for making the third couple in this
country dance. The humour seems to be infectious; for Clinker, alias Loyd,
has a month's mind to play the fool, in the same fashion, with Mrs
Winifred Jenkins. He has even sounded me on the subject; but I have given
him no encouragement to prosecute this scheme—I told him I thought
he might do better, as there was no engagement nor promise subsisting;
that I did not know what designs my uncle might have formed for his
advantage; but I was of opinion, that he should not, at present, run the
risque of disobliging him by any premature application of this nature—Honest
Humphry protested he would suffer death sooner than do or say any thing
that should give offence to the 'squire: but he owned he had a kindness
for the young woman, and had reason to think she looked upon him with a
favourable eye; that he considered this mutual manifestation of good will,
as an engagement understood, which ought to be binding to the conscience
of an honest man; and he hoped the 'squire and I would be of the same
opinion, when we should be at leisure to bestow any thought about the
matter—I believe he is in the right; and we shall find time to take
his case into consideration—You see we are fixed for some weeks at
least, and as you have had a long respite, I hope you will begin
immediately to discharge the arrears due to</p>
<p>Your affectionate, J. MELFORD Oct. 14.</p>
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