Clarissa Harlowe; or the history of a young lady — Volume 9
Samuel Richardson
Produced by Julie C. Sparks
CLARISSA HARLOWE
or the
HISTORY OF A YOUNG LADY
Nine VolumesVolume IX.
CONTENTS OF VOLUME IX
LETTER I. Belford to Lovelace.--Her silent devotion. Strong symptoms of her approaching dissolution.Comforts her cousin and him. Wishes she had her parents' last blessing:but God, she says, would not let her depend for comfort on any butHimself. Repeats her request to the Colonel, that he will not seek toavenge her wrongs; and to Belford, that he will endeavour to heal allbreaches.
LETTER II. From the same.--The Colonel writes to Mr. John Harlowe that they may now spare themselvesthe trouble of debating about a reconciliation. The lady takes from herbosom a miniature picture of Miss Howe, to be given to Mr. Hickman afterher decease. Her affecting address to it, on parting with it.
LETTER III. Belford to Mowbray.--Desires him and Tourville to throw themselves in the way of Lovelace, inorder to prevent him doing either mischief to himself or others, on thereceipt of the fatal news which he shall probably send him in an hour ortwo.
LETTER IV. Lovelace to Belford.--A letter filled with rage, curses, and alternate despair and hope.
LETTER V. Belford to Lovelace.--With the fatal hint, that he may take a tour to Paris, or wherever elsehis destiny shall lead him.
LETTER VI. Mowbray to Belford.--With the particulars, in his libertine manner, of Lovelace's behaviouron his receiving the fatal breviate, and of the distracted way he is in.
LETTER VII. Belford to Lovelace.--Particulars of Clarissa's truly christian behaviour in her last hours. Ashort sketch of her character.
LETTER VIII. From the same.--The three next following letters brought by a servant in livery, directedto the departed lady, viz.
LETTER IX. From Mrs. Norton.--With the news of a general reconciliation upon her own conditions.
LETTER X. From Miss Arabella.--In which she assures her of all their returning love and favour.
LETTER XI. From Mr. John Harlowe.--Regretting that things have been carried so far; and desiring her toexcuse his part in what had passed.
LETTER XII. Belford to Lovelace.--His executorial proceedings. Eleven posthumous letters of the lady.Copy of one of them written to himself. Tells Lovelace of one written tohim, in pursuance of her promise in her allegorical letter. (See LetterXVIII. of Vol. VIII.) Other executorial proceedings. The Colonel'sletter to James Harlowe, signifying Clarissa's request to be buried atthe feet of her grandfather.
LETTER XIII. From the same.--Mrs. Norton arrives. Her surprise and grief to find her beloved younglady departed. The posthumous letters calculated to give comfort, andnot to reproach.
LETTER XIV. XV. XVI. XVII. XVIII.Copies of Clarissa's posthumous letters to her father, mother, brother,sister, and uncle.
Substance of her letter to her aunt Hervey, concluding with advice to hercousin Dolly.
Substance of her letter to Miss Howe, with advice in favour of Mr.Hickman.
LETTER XIX. Belford to Lovelace.--The wretched Sinclair breaks her leg, and dispatches Sally Martin to bega visit from him, and that he will procure for her theforgiveness. Sally's remorse for the treatment she gave her atRowland's. Acknowledges the lady's ruin to be in a great measure owingto their instigations.
LETTER XX. From the same.--Miss Howe's distress on receiving the fatal news, and the posthumousletters directed to her. Copy of James Harlowe's answer to ColonelMorden's letter, in which he relates the unspeakable distress of thefamily; endeavours to exculpate himself; desires the body may be sentdown to Harlowe-place; and that the Colonel will favour them with hiscompany.
LETTER XXI. Belford to Lovelace.--The corpse sent down, attended by the Colonel and Mrs. Norton.
LETTER XXII. Mowbray to Belford.--An account of Lovelace's delirious unmanageableness, and extravagantdesign, had they not all interposed. They have got Lord M. to him. Heendeavours to justify Lovelace by rakish principles, and by a true storyof a villany which he thinks greater than that of Lovelace by Clarissa.
LETTER XXIII. Lovelace to Belford.--Written in the height of his delirium. The whole world, he says, is butone great Bedlam. Every one in it mad but himself.
LETTER XXIV. Belford to Mowbray.--Desires that Lovelace, on his recovery, may be prevailed upon to goabroad; and why. Exhorts him and Tourville to reform, as he is resolvedto do.
LETTER XXV. Belford to Lovelace.--Describing the terrible impatience, despondency, and death of thewretched Sinclair.
[As the bad house is often mentioned in this work, without any otherstigma than what arises from the wicked principles and actionsoccasionally given of the wretches who inhabit it; Mr. Belford hereenters into the secret retirements of those creatures, and exposes themin the appearances they are supposed to make, before they are tricked outto ensnare weak and inconsiderate minds.]
LETTER XXVI. Colonel Morden to Mr. Belford.--With an account of his arrival at Harlowe-place before the body. Thedreadful distress of the whole family in expectation of its coming. Thedeep remorse of James and Arabella Harlowe. Mutual recriminations onrecollecting the numerous instances of their inexorable cruelty. Mrs.Norton so ill he was forced to leave her at St. Alban's. He dates againto give a farther account of their distress on the arrival of the hearse.Solemn respect paid to her memory by crowds of people.
LETTER XXVII. From the same.--Farther interesting accounts of what passed among the Harlowes. MissHowe expected to see, for the last time, her beloved friend.
LETTER XXVIII. From the same.--Miss Howe arrives. The Colonel receives her. Her tender woe; andcharacteristic behaviour.
LETTER XXIX. Colonel Morden to Mr. Belford.--Mrs. Norton arrives. Amended in spirits. To what owing. Fartherrecriminations of the unhappy parents. They attempt to see the corpse;but cannot. Could ever wilful hard-heartedness, the Colonel asks, bemore severely punished? Substance of the lady's posthumous letter toMrs. Norton.
LETTER XXX. From the same.--Account of the funeral solemnity. Heads of the eulogium. The universaljustice done to the lady's great and good qualities. Other affectingparticulars.
LETTER XXXI. Belford to Colonel Morden.--Compliments him on his pathetic narratives. Farther account of hisexecutorial proceedings.
LETTER XXXII. James Harlowe to Belford.
LETTER XXXIII. Mr. Belford. In answer.
The lady's LAST WILL. In the preamble to which, as well as in the bodyof it, she gives several instructive hints; and displays, in an exemplarymanner, her forgiving spirit, her piety, her charity, her gratitude, andother christian and heroic virtues.
LETTER XXXIV. Colonel Morden to Mr. Belford.--The will read. What passed on the occasion.
LETTER XXXV. Belford to Lord M.--Apprehends a vindictive resentment from the Colonel.--Desires that Mr.Lovelace may be prevailed upon to take a tour.
LETTER XXXVI. Miss Montague. In answer.
Summary account of proceedings relating to the execution of the lady'swill, and other matters. Substance of a letter from Mr. Belford to Mr.Hickman; of Mr. Hickman's answer; and of a letter from Miss Howe to Mr.Belford.
LETTER XXXVII. Lovelace to Belford.--Describing his delirium as dawning into sense and recollection. All isconscience and horror with him, he says. A description of his misery atits height.
LETTER XXXVIII. From the same.--Revokes his last letter, as ashamed of it. Yet breaks into fits andstarts, and is ready to go back again. Why, he asks, did his motherbring him up to know no controul? His heart sickens at the recollectionof what he was. Dreads the return of
his malady. Makes an effort toforget all.
LETTER XXXIX. Lovelace to Belford.--Is preparing to leave the kingdom. His route. Seasonable warnings,though delivered in a ludicrous manner, on Belford's resolution toreform. Complains that he has been strangely kept in the dark of late.Demands a copy of the lady's will.
LETTER XL. Belford to Lovelace.--Justice likely to overtake his instrument Tomlinson. On what occasion.The wretched man's remorse on the lady's account. Belford urges Lovelaceto go abroad for his health. Answers very seriously to the warnings hegives him. Amiable scheme for the conduct of his future life.
LETTER XLI. Lovelace to Belford.--Pities Tomlinson. Finds that he is dead in prison. Happy that he livednot to be hanged. Why. No discomfort so great but some comfort may bedrawn from it. Endeavours to defend himself by a whimsical case whichhe puts between A. a miser, and B. a thief.
LETTER XLII. From the same.--Ridicules him on the scheme of life he has drawn out for himself. In hismanner gives Belford some farther cautions and warnings. Reproaches himfor not saving the lady. A breach of confidence in some cases is moreexcusable than to keep a secret. Rallies him on his person and air, onhis cousin Charlotte, and the widow Lovick.
LETTER XLIII. Mr. Belford to Colonel Morden.--On a declaration he had made, of taking vengeance of Mr. Lovelace. Hisarguments with him on that subject, from various topics.
LETTER XLIV. The Lady's posthumous letter to her cousin Morden.--Containing arguments against DUELLING, as well as with regard to herparticular case, as in general. See also Letter XVI. to her brother, onthe same subject.
LETTER XLV. Colonel Morden to Mr. Belford.--In answer to his pleas against avenging his cousin. He paints in verystrong colours the grief and distress of the whole family, on the loss ofa child, whose character and excellencies rise upon them to theirtorment.
LETTER XLVI. Colonel Morden to Mr. Belford.--Farther particulars relating to the execution of the lady's will. Giveshis thoughts of women's friendships in general; of that of Miss Howe andhis cousin, in particular. An early habit of familiar letter-writing,how improving. Censures Miss Howe for her behaviour to Mr. Hickman. Mr.Hickman's good character. Caution to parents who desire to preservetheir children's veneration for them. Mr. Hickman, unknown to Miss Howe,puts himself and equipage in mourning for Clarissa. Her lively turn uponhim on that occasion. What he, the Colonel, expects from the generosityof Miss Howe, in relation to Mr. Hickman. Weakness of such as are afraidof making their last wills.
LETTER XLVII. Belford to Miss Howe.--With copies of Clarissa's posthumous letters; and respectfully, as fromColonel Morden and himself, reminding her of her performing her part ofher dear friend's last desires, in making one of the most deserving menin England happy. Informs her of the delirium of Lovelace, in order tomove her compassion for him, and of the dreadful death of Sinclair andTomlinson.
LETTER XLVIII. Miss Howe to Mr. Belford.--Observations on the letters and subjects he communicates to her. Shepromises another letter, in answer to his and Colonel Morden's call uponher in Mr. Hickman's favour. Applauds the Colonel for purchasing herbeloved friend's jewels, in order to present them to Miss Dolly Hervey.
LETTER XLIX. From the same.--She accounts for, though not defends, her treatment of Mr. Hickman. Sheowns that he is a man worthy of a better choice; that she values no manmore than him: and assures Mr. Belford and the Colonel that herendeavours shall not be wanting to make him happy.
LETTER L. Mr. Belford to Miss Howe.--A letter full of grateful acknowledgements for the favour of her's.
LETTER LI. Lord M. to Mr. Belford.--Acquainting him with his kinsman's setting out for London, in order toembark. Wishes him to prevent a meeting between him and Mr. Morden.
LETTER LII. Mr. Belford to Lord M.--Has had a visit from Mr. Lovelace. What passed between them on theoccasion. Has an interview with Colonel Morden.
LETTER LIII. Mr. Belford to Lord M.--Just returned from attending Mr. Lovelace part of his way towards Dover.Their solemn parting.
LETTER LIV. From the same.--An account of what passed between himself and Colonel Morden at theirnext meeting. Their affectionate parting.
LETTER LV. Miss Howe to Mr. Belford.--Gives, at his request, the character of her beloved friend at large; andan account of the particular distribution of her time in the twenty-fourhours of the natural day.
LETTER LVI. Lovelace to Belford, from Paris.--Conscience the conqueror of souls. He cannot run away from hisreflections. He desires a particular account of all that has passedsince he left England.
LETTER LVII. Belford to Lovelace.--Answers him as to all the particulars he writes about.
LETTER LVIII. Lovelace to Belford.--Has received a letter from Joseph Leman (who, he says, isconscience-ridden) to inform him that Colonel Morden resolves to have hiswill of him. He cannot bear to be threatened. He will write to theColonel to know his purpose. He cannot get off his regrets on account ofthe dear lady for the blood of him.
LETTER LIX. Belford to Lovelace.--It would be matter of serious reflection to him, he says, if that veryLeman, who had been his machine, should be the instrument of his fall.
LETTER LX. Lovelace to Belford.--Has written to the Colonel to know his intention: but yet in such amanner that he may handsomely avoid taking it as a challenge; though, inthe like case, he owns that he himself should not. Copy of his letter tothe Colonel.
LETTER LXI. From the same.--He is now in his way to Trent, in order to meet Colonel Morden. He issure of victory: but will not, if he can help it, out of regard toClarissa, kill the Colonel.
LETTER LXII. From the same.--Interview with Colonel Morden. To-morrow, says he, is the day that will,in all probability, send either one or two ghosts to attend the manes ofmy Clarissa. He doubts not to give the Colonel his life, or his death;and to be able, by next morning eleven, to write all the particulars.
LETTER LXIV. THE ISSUE OF THE DUEL.
CONCLUSION
POSTSCRIPT
THE HISTORY
OF
CLARISSA HARLOWE
