The Expedition of Humphry Clinker

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Inclosed I send you the copy of a little ode to this river, by Dr
Smollett, who was born on the banks of it, within two miles of
the place where I am now writing. -- It is at least picturesque and
accurately descriptive, if it has no other merit. -- There is an
idea of truth in an agreeable landscape taken from nature, which
pleases me more than the gayest fiction which the most luxuriant
fancy can display.

I have other remarks to make; but as my paper is full, I must
reserve them till the next occasion. I shall only observe at
present, that I am determined to penetrate at least forty miles
into the Highlands, which now appear like a vast fantastic vision
in the clouds, inviting the approach of

Yours always,
MATT. BRAMBLE
CAMERON, Aug. 28.

ODE TO LEVEN-WATER

On Leven's banks, while free to rove,
And tune the rural pipe to love;
I envied not the happiest swain
That ever trod th' Arcadian plain.

Pure stream! in whose transparent wave
My youthful limbs I wont to lave;
No torrents stain thy limpid source;
No rocks impede thy dimpling course,
That sweetly warbles o'er its bed,
With white, round, polish'd pebbles spread;
While, lightly pois'd, the scaly brood
In myriads cleave thy crystal flood;
The springing trout in speckled pride;
The salmon, monarch of the tide;
The ruthless pike, intent on war;
The silver eel, and motled par.*

Devolving from thy parent lake,
A charming maze thy waters make,
By bow'rs of birch, and groves of pine,
And hedges flow'r'd with eglantine.

Still on thy banks so gayly green,
May num'rous herds and flocks be seen,
And lasses chanting o'er the pail,
And shepherds piping in the dale,
And ancient faith that knows no guile,
And industry imbrown'd with toil,
And hearts resolv'd, and hands prepar'd,
The blessings they enjoy to guard.

* The par is a small fish, not unlike the smelt, which it rivals
in delicacy and flavour.

To Dr LEWIS.

DEAR DOCTOR,

If I was disposed to be critical, I should say this house of
Cameron is too near the lake, which approaches, on one side, to
within six or seven yards of the window. It might have been
placed in a higher site, which would have afforded a more
extensive prospect and a drier atmosphere; but this imperfection
is not chargeable on the present proprietor, who purchased it
ready built, rather than be at the trouble of repairing his own
family-house of Bonhill, which stands two miles from hence on the
Leven, so surrounded with plantation, that it used to be known by
the name of the Mavis (or thrush) Nest. Above that house is a
romantic glen or clift of a mountain, covered with hanging woods
having at bottom a stream of fine water that forms a number of
cascades in its descent to join the Leven; so that the scene is
quite enchanting. A captain of a man of war, who had made the
circuit of the globe with Mr Anson, being conducted to this glen,
exclaimed, 'Juan Fernandez, by God!'

Indeed, this country would be a perfect paradise, if it was not,
like Wales, cursed with a weeping climate, owing to the same
cause in both, the neighbourhood of high mountains, and a
westerly situation, exposed to the vapours of the Atlantic ocean.
This air, however, notwithstanding its humidity, is so healthy,
that the natives are scarce ever visited by any other disease
than the smallpox, and certain cutaneous evils, which are the
effects of dirty living, the great and general reproach of the
commonalty of this kingdom. Here are a great many living
monuments of longaevity; and among the rest a person, whom I
treat with singular respect, as a venerable druid, who has lived
near ninety years, without pain or sickness, among oaks of his
own planting. -- He was once proprietor of these lands; but being
of a projecting spirit, some of his schemes miscarried, and he
was obliged to part with his possession, which hath shifted hands
two or three times since that period; but every succeeding
proprietor hath done every thing in his power, to make his old
age easy and comfortable. He has a sufficiency to procure the
necessaries of life; and he and his old woman reside in a small
convenient farm-house, having a little garden which he cultivates
with his own hands. This ancient couple live in great health,
peace, and harmony, and, knowing no wants, enjoy the perfection
of content. Mr Smollet calls him the admiral, because he insists
upon steering his pleasure-boat upon the lake; and he spends most
of his time in ranging through the woods, which he declares he
enjoys as much as if they were still his own property -- I asked
him the other day, if he was never sick, and he answered, Yes;
he had a slight fever the year before the union. If he was not
deaf, I should take much pleasure in his conversation; for he is
very intelligent, and his memory is surprisingly retentive -- These
are the happy effects of temperance, exercise, and good nature --
Notwithstanding all his innocence, however, he was the cause of
great perturbation to my man Clinker, whose natural superstition
has been much injured, by the histories of witches, fairies,
ghosts, and goblins, which he has heard in this country -- On the
evening after our arrival, Humphry strolled into the wood, in the
course of his meditation, and all at once the admiral stood
before him, under the shadow of a spreading oak. Though the
fellow is far from being timorous in cases that are not supposed
preternatural, he could not stand the sight of this apparition,
but ran into the kitchen, with his hair standing on end, staring
wildly, and deprived of utterance. Mrs Jenkins, seeing him in
this condition, screamed aloud, 'Lord have mercy upon us, he has
seen something!' Mrs Tabitha was alarmed, and the whole house in
confusion. When he was recruited with a dram, I desired him to
explain the meaning of all this agitation; and, with some
reluctance, he owned he had seen a spirit, in the shape of an old
man with a white beard, a black cap, and a plaid night-gown. He
was undeceived by the admiral in person, who, coming in at this
juncture, appeared to be a creature of real flesh and blood.

Do you know how we fare in this Scottish paradise? We make free
with our landlord's mutton, which is excellent, his poultry-yard,
his garden, his dairy, and his cellar, which are all well stored.
We have delicious salmon, pike, trout, perch, par, &c. at the
door, for the taking. The Frith of Clyde, on the other side of
the hill, supplies us with mullet, red and grey, cod, mackarel,
whiting, and a variety of sea-fish, including the finest fresh
herrings I ever tasted. We have sweet, juicy beef, and tolerable
veal, with delicate bread
from the little town of Dunbritton; and plenty of partridge,
growse, heath cock, and other game in presents.

We have been visited by all the gentlemen in the neighbourhood,
and they have entertained us at their houses, not barely with
hospitality, but with such marks of cordial affection, as one
would wish to find among near relations, after an absence of many
years.

I told you, in my last, I had projected an excursion to the
Highlands, which project I have now happily executed, under the
auspices of Sir George Colquhoun, a colonel in the Dutch service,
who offered himself as our conductor on this occasion. Leaving
our women at Cameron, to the care and inspection of Lady H-- C--,
we set out on horseback for Inverary, the county town of Argyle,
and dined on the road with the Laird of Macfarlane, the greatest
genealogist I ever knew in any country, and perfectly acquainted
with all the antiquities of Scotland.

The Duke of Argyle has an old castle in Inverary, where he
resides when he is in Scotland; and hard by is the shell of a
noble Gothic palace, built by the last duke, which, when
finished, will be a great ornament to this part of the Highlands.
As for Inverary, it is a place of very little importance.

This country is amazingly wild, especially towards the mountains,
which are heaped upon the backs of one another, making a most
stupendous appearance of savage nature, with hardly any signs of
cultivation, or even of population. All is sublimity, silence,
and solitude. The people live together in glens or bottoms, where
they are sheltered from the cold and storms of winter: but there
is a margin of plain ground spread along the sea side, which is
well inhabited and improved by the arts of husbandry; and this I
take to be one of the most agreeable tracts of the whole island;
the sea not only keeps it warm, and supplies it with fish, but
affords one of the most ravishing prospects in the whole world; I
mean the appearance of the Hebrides, or Western Islands to the
number of three hundred, scattered as far as the eye can reach,
in the most agreeable confusion. As the soil and climate of the
Highlands are but ill adapted to the cultivation of corn, the
people apply themselves chiefly to the breeding and feeding of
black cattle, which turn to good account. Those animals run wild
all the winter, without any shelter or subsistence, but what they
can find among the heath. When the snow lies so deep and hard,
that they cannot penetrate to the roots of the grass, they make a
diurnal progress, guided by a sure instinct, to the seaside at
low water, where they feed on the alga marina, and other plants
that grow upon the beach.

Perhaps this branch of husbandry, which required very little
attendance and labour, is one of the principal causes of that
idleness and want of industry, which distinguishes these
mountaineers in their own country. When they come forth into the
world, they become as diligent and alert as any people upon
earth. They are undoubtedly a very distinct species from their
fellow subjects of the Lowlands, against whom they indulge an
ancient spirit of animosity; and this difference is very
discernible even among persons of family and education. The
Lowlanders are generally cool and circumspect, the Highlanders
fiery and ferocious:' but this violence of their passions serves
only to inflame the zeal of their devotion to strangers, which is
truly enthusiastic.

We proceeded about twenty miles beyond Inverary, to the house of
a gentleman, a friend of our conductor, where we stayed a few
days, and were feasted in such a manner, that I began to dread
the consequence to my constitution.

Notwithstanding the solitude that prevails among these mountains,
there is no want of people in the Highlands. I am credibly
informed that the duke of Argyle can assemble five thousand men
in arms, of his own clan and surname, which is Campbell; and
there is besides a tribe of the same appellation, whose chief' is
the Earl of Breadalbine. The Macdonalds are as numerous, and
remarkably warlike: the Camerons, M'Leods, Frasers, Grants,
M'Kenzies, M'Kays, M'Phersons, M'Intoshes, are powerful clans; so
that if all the Highlanders, including the inhabitants of the
Isles, were united, they could bring into the field an army of
forty thousand fighting men, capable of undertaking the most
dangerous enterprize. We have lived to see four thousand of them,
without discipline, throw the whole kingdom of Great Britain into
confusion. They attacked and defeated two armies of regular
troops accustomed to service. They penetrated into the centre of
England; and afterwards marched back with deliberation, in the
face of two other armies, through an enemy's country, where every
precaution was taken to cut off their retreat. I know not any
other people in Europe, who, without the use or knowledge of
arms, will attack regular forces sword in hand, if their chief
will head them in battle. When disciplined, they cannot fail of
being excellent soldiers. They do not walk like the generality of
mankind, but trot and bounce like deer, as if they moved upon
springs. They greatly excel the Lowlanders in all the exercises
that require agility; they are incredibly abstemious, and patient
of hunger and fatigue, -- so steeled against the weather, that in
travelling, even when the ground is covered with snow, they never
look for a house, or any other shelter but their plaid, in which
they wrap themselves up, and go to sleep under the cope of
heaven. Such people, in quality of soldiers, must be invincible,
when the business is to perform quick marches in a difficult
country, to strike sudden strokes, beat up the enemy's quarters,
harrass their cavalry, and perform expeditions without the
formality of magazines, baggage, forage, and artillery. The
chieftainship of the Highlanders is a very dangerous influence
operating at the extremity of the island, where the eyes and
hands of government cannot be supposed to see [and] act with
precision and vigour. In order to break the force of clanship,
administration has always practised the political maxim, Divide
et impera. The legislature hath not only disarmed these
mountaineers, but also deprived them of their antient garb, which
contributed in a great measure to keep up their military spirit;
and their slavish tenures are all dissolved by act of parliament;
so that they are at present as free and independent of their
chiefs, as the law can make them: but the original attachment
still remains, and is founded on something prior to the feudal
system, about which the writers of this age have made such a
pother, as if it was a new discovery, like the Copernican system.
Every peculiarity of policy, custom, and even temperament, is
affectedly traced to this origin, as if the feudal constitution
had not been common to almost all the natives of Europe. For my
part, I expect to see the use of trunk-hose and buttered ale
ascribed to the influence of the feudal system. The connection
between the clans and their chiefs is, without all doubt,
patriarchal. It is founded on hereditary regard and affection,
cherished through a long succession of ages. The clan consider
the chief as their father, they bear his name, they believe
themselves descended from his family, and they obey him as their
lord, with all the ardour of filial love and veneration; while
he, on his part, exerts a paternal authority, commanding,
chastising, rewarding, protecting, and maintaining them as his
own children. If the legislature would entirely destroy this
connection, it must compel the Highlanders to change their
habitation and their names. Even this experiment has been
formerly tried without success -- In the reign of James VI a battle
was fought within a few short miles of this place, between two
clans, the M'Gregors and the Colquhouns, in which the latter were
defeated: the Laird of M'Gregor made such a barbarous use of his
victory, that he was forfeited and outlawed by act of parliament:
his lands were given to the family of Montrose, and his clan were
obliged to change their name. They obeyed so far, as to call
themselves severally Campbell, Graham, or Drummond, the surnames
of the families of Argyle, Montrose, and Perth, that they might
enjoy the protection of those houses; but they still added
M'Gregor to their new appellation; and as their chief was
deprived of his estate, they robbed and plundered for his
subsistence. -- Mr Cameron of Lochiel, the chief of that clan,
whose father was attainted for having been concerned in the last
rebellion, returning from France in obedience to a proclamation
and act of parliament, passed at the beginning of the late war,
payed a visit to his own country, and hired a farm in the
neighbourhood of his father's house, which had been burnt to the
ground. The clan, though ruined and scattered, no sooner heard of
his arrival than they flocked to him from all quarters, to
welcome his return, and in a few days stocked his farm with seven
hundred black cattle, which they had saved in the general wreck
of their affairs: but their beloved chief, who was a promising
youth, did not live to enjoy the fruits of their fidelity and
attachment.

The most effectual method I know to weaken, and at length destroy
this influence, is to employ the commonalty in such a manner as
to give them a taste of property and independence. In vain the
government grants them advantageous leases on the forfeited
estates, if they have no property to prosecute the means of
improvement -- The sea is an inexhaustible fund of riches; but the
fishery cannot be carried on without vessels, casks, salt, lines,
nets, and other tackle. I conversed with a sensible man of this
country, who, from a real spirit of patriotism had set up a
fishery on the coast, and a manufacture of coarse linen, for the
employment of the poor Highlanders. Cod is here in such plenty,
that he told me he had seen several hundred taken on one line, at
one hawl -- It must be observed, however, that the line was of
immense length, and had two thousand hooks, baited with muscles;
but the fish was so superior to the cod caught on the banks of
Newfoundland, that his correspondent at Lisbon sold them
immediately at his own price, although Lent was just over when
they arrived, and the people might be supposed quite cloyed with
this kind of diet -- His linen manufacture was likewise in a
prosperous way, when the late war intervening, all his best hands
were pressed into the service.

It cannot be expected, that the gentlemen of this country should
execute commercial schemes to render their vassals independent;
nor, indeed, are such schemes suited to their way of life and
inclination; but a company of merchants might, with proper
management, turn to good account a fishery established in this
part of Scotland -- Our people have a strange itch to colonize
America, when the uncultivated parts of our own island might be
settled to greater advantage.

After having rambled through the mountains and glens of Argyle,
we visited the adjacent islands of Ila, Jura, Mull, and Icomkill.
In the first, we saw the remains of a castle, built in a lake,
where Macdonald, lord or king of the isles, formerly resided.
Jura is famous for having given birth to one Mackcrain, who lived
one hundred and eighty years in one house, and died in the reign
of Charles the Second. Mull affords several bays, where there is
safe anchorage: in one of which, the Florida, a ship of the
Spanish armada, was blown up by one of Mr Smollett's ancestors --
About forty years ago, John duke of Argyle is said to have
consulted the Spanish registers, by which it appeared, that this
ship had the military chest on board -- He employed experienced
divers to examine the wreck; and they found the hull of the
vessel still entire, but so covered with sand, that they could
not make their way between decks; however, they picked up several
pieces of plate, that were scattered about in the bay, and a
couple of fine brass cannon.

Icolmkill, or Iona, is a small island which St Columba chose for
his habitation -- It was respected for its sanctity, and college or
seminary of ecclesiastics -- Part of its church is still standing,
with the tombs of several Scottish, Irish, and Danish sovereigns,
who were here interred -- These islanders are very bold and
dexterous watermen, consequently the better adapted to the
fishery: in their manners they are less savage and impetuous than
their countrymen on the continent; and they speak the Erse or
Gaelick in its greatest purity.

Having sent round our horses by land, we embarked in the distinct
of Cowal, for Greenock, which is a neat little town, on the other
side of the Frith, with a curious harbour formed by three stone
jetties, carried out a good way into the sea -- Newport-Glasgow is
such another place, about two miles higher up. Both have a face of
business and plenty, and are supported entirely by the shipping
of Glasgow, of which I counted sixty large vessels in these
harbours -- Taking boat again at Newport, we were in less than an
hour landed on the other side, within two short miles of our
head-quarters, where we found our women in good health and
spirits. They had been two days before joined by Mr. Smollett and
his lady, to whom we have such obligations as I cannot mention,
even to you, without blushing.

To-morrow we shall bid adieu to the Scotch Arcadia, and begin our
progress to the southward, taking our way by Lanerk and
Nithsdale, to the west borders of England. I have received so
much advantage and satisfaction from this tour, that if my health
suffers no revolution in the winter, I believe I shall be tempted
to undertake another expedition to the Northern extremity of
Caithness, unencumbered by those impediments which now clog the
heels of,

Yours,
MATT. BRAMBLE
CAMERON, Sept. 6.

To Miss LAETITIA WILLIS, at Gloucester.

MY DEAREST LETTY,

Never did poor prisoner long for deliverance, more than I have
longed for an opportunity to disburthen my cares into your
friendly bosom; and the occasion which now presents itself, is
little less than miraculous -- Honest Saunders Macawly, the
travelling Scotchman, who goes every year to Wales, is now at
Glasgow, buying goods, and coming to pay his respects to our
family, has undertaken to deliver this letter into your own hand --
We have been six weeks in Scotland, and seen the principal towns
of the kingdom, where we have been treated with great civility --
The people are very courteous; and the country being exceedingly
romantic, suits my turn and inclinations -- I contracted some
friendships at Edinburgh, which is a large and lofty city, full
of gay company; and, in particular, commenced an intimate
correspondence with one miss R--t--n, an amiable young lady of my
own age, whose charms seemed to soften, and even to subdue the
stubborn heart of my brother Jery; but he no sooner left the
place than he relapsed into his former insensibility -- I feel,
however, that this indifference is not the family constitution -- I
never admitted but one idea of love, and that has taken such root
in my heart, as to be equally proof against all the pulls of
discretion, and the frosts of neglect.

Dear Letty! I had an alarming adventure at the hunters ball in
Edinburgh -- While I sat discoursing with a friend in a corner, all
at once the very image of Wilson stood before me, dressed exactly
as he was in the character of Aimwell! It was one Mr Gordon, whom
I had not seen before -- Shocked at the sudden apparition, I
fainted away, and threw the whole assembly in confusion -- However,
the cause of my disorder remained a secret to every body but my
brother, who was likewise struck with the resemblance, and
scolded after we came home -- I am very sensible of Jery's
affection, and know he spoke as well with a view to my own
interest and happiness, as in regard to the honour of the family;
but I cannot bear to have my wounds probed severely -- I was not so
much affected by the censure he passed upon my own indiscretion,
as with the reflection he made on the conduct of Wilson. He
observed, that if he was really the gentleman he pretended to be,
and harboured nothing but honourable designs, he would have
vindicated his pretensions in the face of day -- This remark made a
deep impression upon my mind -- I endeavoured to conceal my
thoughts; and this endeavour had a bad effect upon my health and
spirits; so it was thought necessary that I should go to the
Highlands, and drink the goat-milk-whey.

We went accordingly to Lough Lomond, one of the most enchanting
spots in the whole world; and what with this remedy, which I had
every morning fresh from the mountains, and the pure air, and
chearful company, I have recovered my flesh and appetite; though
there is something still at bottom, which it is not in the power
of air, exercise, company, or medicine to remove -- These incidents
would not touch me so nearly, if I had a sensible confidant to
sympathize with my affliction, and comfort me with wholesome
advice -- I have nothing of this kind, except Win Jenkins, who is
really a good body in the main, but very ill qualified for such
an office -- The poor creature is weak in her nerves, as well as in
her understanding; otherwise I might have known the true name and
character of that unfortunate youth -- But why do I call him
unfortunate? perhaps the epithet is more applicable to me for
having listened to the false professions of -- But, hold! I have as
yet no right, and sure I have no inclination to believe any thing
to the prejudice of his honour -- In that reflection I shall still
exert my patience. As for Mrs Jenkins, she herself is really an
object of compassion -- Between vanity, methodism, and love, her
head is almost turned. I should have more regard for her,
however, if she had been more constant in the object of her
affection; but, truly, she aimed at conquest, and flirted at the
same time with my uncle's footman, Humphrey Clinker, who is
really a deserving young man, and one Dutton, my brother's valet
de chambre, a debauched fellow; who, leaving Win in the lurch,
ran away with another man's bride at Berwick.

My dear Willis, I am truly ashamed of my own sex -- We complain of
advantages which the men take of our youth, inexperience,
insensibility, and all that; but I have seen enough to believe,
that our sex in general make it their business to ensnare the
other; and for this purpose, employ arts which are by no means to
be justified -- In point of constancy, they certainly have nothing
to reproach the male part of the creation -- My poor aunt, without
any regard to her years and imperfections, has gone to market
with her charms in every place where she thought she had the
least chance to dispose of her person, which, however, hangs
still heavy on her hands -- I am afraid she has used even religion
as a decoy, though it has not answered her expectation -- She has
been praying, preaching, and catechising among the methodists,
with whom this country abounds; and pretends to have such
manifestations and revelations, as even Clinker himself can
hardly believe, though the poor fellow is half crazy with
enthusiasm. As for Jenkins, she affects to take all her
mistress's reveries for gospel. She has also her heart-heavings
and motions of the spirit; and God forgive me if I think
uncharitably, but all this seems to me to be downright hypocrisy
and deceit -- Perhaps, indeed, the poor girl imposes on herself --
She is generally in a flutter, and is much subject to vapours --
Since we came to Scotland, she has seen apparitions, and pretends
to prophesy -- If I could put faith in all these supernatural
visitations, I should think myself abandoned of grace; for I have
neither seen, heard, nor felt anything of this nature, although I
endeavour to discharge the duties of religion with all the
sincerity, zeal, and devotion, that is in the power of,

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