The Expedition of Humphry Clinker

“We servints should see all and say nothing.”

Winifred makes this comment in her first letter. The comment is ironic in that she will continue to write to Mary Jones, sharing updates on events occurring within the Bramble-Melford family, and ultimately will supply the letter that closes the novel. The comment reveals the significance of social position within the novel; Winifred is keenly aware of how she is expected to behave due to her role as a servant. The comment shows Winifred’s awareness of both her constraints and her power: As a household servant, she has access to intimate information about her employers.

“He affects misanthropy, in order to conceal the sensibility of a heart, which is tender, even to a degree of weakness.”

Jeremy makes this comment while describing Matthew. The comment is significant because it sheds light on Matthew’s character, reveals Jeremy’s astute powers of observation, and shows the affection between the two men. While Matthew can be grumpy and cantankerous, he is easily touched by human goodness, and repeatedly shows sympathy and generosity, especially to individuals encountering obstacles. The comment is also significant in the context of 18th-century culture, where “sensibility” (the ability to feel strong emotions and be easily moved to sentiment) was often celebrated and seen as an indication of good character.

“He goes in person to the pump, the rooms, and the coffee-houses; where he picks up continual food for ridicule and satire.”

Jeremy makes this comment while describing his uncle’s behavior in Bath. The comment reveals how, even though he complains about socializing, Matthew spends a great deal of time in social situations and is not actually isolated. The comment also uses a metaphor comparing observations and anecdotes to “food” that nourishes the satire that Jeremy and Matthew both enjoy. The comment shows that Jeremy and Matthew both enjoy their role of observing and poking fun at other people; if they did not, they could avoid society all together.

“Knowing no other criterion of greatness, but the ostentation of wealth, they discharge their affluence without taste or conduct, through every channel of the most absurd extravagance.”

Matthew makes this comment while complaining about the vain and superficial people he encounters at Bath. Bath was a fashionable “resort town” frequented by wealthy people who wanted to see and be seen. Matthew is grumpy and annoyed by displays of wealth; however, there is also some irony since his own wealth and elevated social status allow him to travel freely and stay in expensive locales like Bath while living in comfort.

“Bath is to me a new world—All is gayety, good-humor, and diversion.”

Lydia’s perspective provides strong juxtaposition Matthew’s impressions: Unlike her uncle, she enjoys the vibrant and engaging atmosphere of Bath. By moving between multiple narrators, the text shows that different characters have completely different impressions of the same experiences.

“Humphry Clinker, who had metamorphosed himself in this manner, by relieving from pawn part of his own clothes, with the money he had received from Mr. Bramble.”

Jeremy describes Humphry shortly after the impoverished young man first meets the Bramble-Melford family. Initially, Humphry is dressed in such shabby clothing that parts of his body are exposed, but he quickly buys more elegant clothes, suitable for a servant working for a fashionable family. Jeremy notes that Humphry is completely transformed by putting on better clothes, hinting that class and social position are not as fixed as they may seem. This early “metamorphosis” foreshadows how Humphry’s social position will later rise even further when he is discovered to be Matthew’s biological son.

“She has parted with Chowder; and does nothing but smile, like Malvolio in the play.”

Matthew makes this comment as he starts to become suspicious of Tabitha during the family’s time in London. On the surface, Tabitha seems to be behaving much more amicably, but Matthew suspects that she may be deceiving him. To express his distrust, Matthew alludes to Malvolio, a character in Shakespeare’s play Twelfth Night; Malvolio is a sinister and unpleasant character, who at one point is tricked into feigning smiles. Matthew implies that Tabitha, like Malvolio, is unlikely to be smiling without an ulterior motive.

“Shall I state the difference between my town grievances, and my country comforts?”

Matthew makes this comment during his stay in London (the largest city he visits during his travels). Matthew has many complaints about London, which he finds unhealthy and unpleasant. He uses this comment to introduce a contrast between the metropolis and the simple lifestyle he enjoys on his country estate, developing a persistent tension between country and city life that remains present throughout the novel.

“I have dwelt so long upon authors, that you will perhaps suspect I intend to enroll myself among the fraternity; but if I were actually qualified for the profession, it is at best but a desperate resource against starving.”

Jeremy spends much of his time in London socializing with a group of writers and literary critics. He uses this comment to poke fun at the profession by stating that it is difficult for anyone to make money as a writer. The comment slyly alludes to Smollett’s own experiences as a professional author, and the complicated rivalries, feuds, and loyalties between many authors in the 18th century.

“He thought that, in the choice of a husband, a young woman ought not to sacrifice the feelings of her heart for any consideration upon earth.”

Jeremy reports Matthew’s sentiments when Mr. Barton is courting Lydia. Matthew thinks Barton would be a good match for Lydia, but he is unwilling to pressure her to marry someone she does not love. While the comment reveals Matthew’s empathy and affection for Lydia, it is also ironic because the idea of giving Lydia agency only extends to relationships with men of a certain class. While Matthew and Jeremy won’t force her to marry a man she does not love, they forbid her from marrying a man she does love.

“If there was any thing like affectation or hypocrisy in this excess of religion, I would not keep him in my service; but, so far as I can observe, the fellow’s character is downright simplicity, warmed with a kind of enthusiasm.”

Over the course of the novel, Humphry becomes increasingly enthusiastic about religion, and he converts others, including Tabitha and Winifred, to Methodism by preaching and praying with them. Matthew makes this comment as he observes Humphry’s ardent religious faith; the comment shows that he is skeptical but also that he trusts in Humphry’s sincerity. The comment provides insight into class dynamics, revealing that members of the gentry could be cautious and even cynical about the possibility that servants were being manipulative, or angling to gain more power.

“I find that my spirits and my health affect each other reciprocally—that is to say, every thing that discomposes my mind produces a correspondent disorder in my body; and my bodily complaints are remarkably mitigated by those considerations that dissipate the clouds of mental chagrin.”

Matthew makes this comment midway through the journey, when he is preparing to leave London. The comment is revealing because Matthew spends much of his time pursuing cures for his physical ailments and complaining about discomfort. When he admits that his mental state seems to be the biggest determinant of his physical health, he reveals that seeking for physiological cures may be futile: A changed perspective and attitude is what will restore his sense of wellbeing.

“In consequence of these innovations, the works of our best poets, such as Chaucer, Spenser, and even Shakespeare, were become, in many parts, unintelligible to the natives of South-Britain, whereas the Scots, who retain the antient [sic] language, understand them without help of a glossary.”

Lismahago makes this comment, and Jeremy describes it in one of his letters. As soon as they begin spending time together, Jeremy and Lismahago get into a regular routine of debating and arguing, particularly on topics related to England and Scotland. While England and Scotland had been united into a single country in 1707, strong cultural tensions remained. In this quotation, Lismahago defends the Scottish dialect (often represented as less sophisticated than standard English) by arguing that it is more similar to the language used by some of the most venerated English writers. Since Smollett was himself a Scottish author, it was important for him to establish the intellectual merits of Scotland.

“Mrs. Jenkins was all bespattered with dirt, as well as insulted with the opprobrious name of painted Jezebel, so that her fright and mortification threw her into a hysteric fit the moment she came home.”

In this quotation, Jeremy describes an incident that takes place while Winifred is being courted by his servant, Dutton. Dutton gives Winifred expensive and lavish clothing, which she proudly wears when she goes out with him, but local townspeople (who know that Winifred is a working-class woman) accuse her of dressing inappropriately and immodestly and perhaps even engaging in sex work. The allusion to Jezebel refers to a Biblical figure, and also a long cultural tradition of shaming women for being overly assertive or flagrant in their sexuality. The quotation shows some of the limits of class mobility, especially when it intersects with gender; while male characters may be able to assume different class positions, female characters are likely to be attacked as soon as they try to do so.

“What, between want of curiosity, and traditional sarcasm, the effect of ancient animosity, the people at the other end of the island know as little of Scotland as of Japan.”

Jeremy includes this remark in a letter that he sends shortly after the group of travelers crosses the border into Scotland; he observes that the average English person knows very little about Scotland or relies entirely on exaggerations and stereotypes. The comment reveals the complex and often tense relationship between the English and the Scots in the 1700s; it also sets the stage for the detailed descriptions of Scottish culture and geography that will appear in the novel. Smollett works to counter stereotypes and prejudices against Scotland by portraying his native land in a very positive light.

“I know, by experience, how easily an Englishman is influenced by the ear, and how apt he is to laugh, when he hears his own language spoken with a foreign or provincial accent.”

Matthew includes this comment in a letter he sends while visiting Scotland. Matthew marvels at the intellectual and artistic culture that he observes in the Scottish capital of Edinburgh, and admits that many English people might be surprised due to negative stereotypes about Scottish people. Matthew attributes these misperceptions to the Scottish accent; his comment is somewhat comical and ironic, as the letters reveal that Tabitha and Winifred both use highly non-standard spelling. While Matthew creates a false dichotomy, he fails to account for how many English people actually communicate.

“This country is justly styled the Arcadia of Scotland; and I don’t doubt but it may vie with Arcadia in every thing but climate.”

Matthew makes this comment while extolling a beautiful estate in the Scottish countryside. He compares the area to Arcadia, a place from Classical mythology that is often considered the model of an idyllic country domain. Matthew’s comment reveals both his admiration for Scotland (the only stop on his travels that he truly seems to enjoy) and his preference for rural versus urban spaces.

“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.”

Matthew makes this comment while describing how Humphry sometimes becomes disturbed during their travels in Scotland, imagining that he is encountering supernatural beings who are lurking around them. This fear of supernatural presences in Scotland further develops the idea that many people (especially individuals like Humphry, who are not well-educated or well-travelled) rely on stereotypes and clichés about Scotland and see it as a more primitive and even dangerous place.

“Thus blasted in all his prospects, he could not fail to be overwhelmed with melancholy and chagrin, which have preyed upon his spirits in such a manner, that he is now threatened with a consumption.”

Matthew makes this comment while narrating information about his unfortunate friend, Mr. Baynard. Baynard (the “he” in the quotation) is trapped in an unhappy marriage with a belligerent wife who spends all of his money. The quotation provides a melodramatic account of Baynard’s unhappiness, but since the description is provided by Matthew, it might also reflect his own psychological state. As a bachelor, Matthew would hate to be made unhappy by domestic problems, and he takes Baynard’s problems strongly to heart.

“If I thought her capable of carrying on any clandestine correspondence with such a fellow, I should at once discard all tenderness, and forget that she was connected with me by the ties of blood.”

Jeremy makes this comment while wondering if Lydia could be carrying on a clandestine relationship with Wilson. While Jeremy is often a jovial and pleasant character, he reveals a much colder and more sinister aspect of his personality by openly admitting that he would cut all ties with his sister if she were sneaking around with a man from a different class position. The quotation reveals that women’s sexual and romantic choices in this period often carried high stakes.

“Then, laying his hand on Clinker’s head, he added, ‘Stand forth, Matthew Lloyd—You see, gentleman, how the sins of my youth rise in judgement against me.”

Jeremy narrates this incident, in which he describes how Matthew reacted to learning that Humphry is his biological son. Matthew “christens” Humphry with a new name—the name Humphry was born with—and the name solidifies the family tie between himself and Matthew. The bestowing of a new name also reflects the change in Humphry’s social status now that he is confirmed to be the son of a gentleman.

“You may easily conceive what pleasure I must have felt on discovering that the honor 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.”

Jeremy makes this comment, reflecting happily upon the discovery that Wilson is not actually an impoverished actor (a “stroller”), but comes from a good family and will inherit significant wealth. Jeremy is pleased and refers to his affection for his sister, but his comments also reveal his strong class prejudice.

“My health [is] so much improved that I am disposed to bid defiance to gout and rheumatism. ---I begin to think I have put myself on the superannuated list too soon, and absurdly sought for health in the retreats of laziness.”

Matthew makes this comment as he reflects on how he has achieved the goal that first motivated him to set off traveling: He has improved his health, and no longer experiences painful physical symptoms. Matthew shrewdly realizes that he did not experience any relief by seeking out the places and activities traditionally associated with those suffering from ill health. Instead, he felt better when he became interested in his surroundings and reconnected with friends he cared about. Matthew is “cured” by the end of his trip because he no longer has the same stresses and pressures weighing on his mind, and he is no longer so preoccupied with himself.