, 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.
    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
great havock among the partridges - To-morrow we shall take the field against
the wood-cocks and snipes. In the evening we dance and sing, or play at
commerce, loo, and quadrille.
    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.
    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
