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The Expedition of Humphry Clinker by Tobias George Smollett
page 56 of 505 (11%)
and I'm afraid he will leave it off -- The first day we came to
Bath, he fell into a violent passion; beat two black-a-moors, and
I was afraid he would have fought with their master; but the
stranger proved a peaceable man. To be sure, the gout had got
into his head, as my aunt observed; but, I believe, his passion
drove it away; for he has been remarkably well ever since. It is
a thousand pities he should ever be troubled with that ugly
distemper; for, when he is free from pain, he is the best
tempered man upon earth; so gentle, so generous, so charitable,
that every body loves him; and so good to me, in particular, that
I shall never be able to shew the deep sense I have of his
tenderness and affection.

Hard by the Pump-room, is a coffee-house for the ladies; but my
aunt says, young girls are not admitted, insomuch as the
conversation turns upon politics, scandal, philosophy, and other
subjects above our capacity; but we are allowed to accompany them
to the booksellers' shops, which are charming places of resort;
where we read novels, plays, pamphlets, and newspapers, for so
small a subscription as a crown a quarter; and in these offices
of intelligence (as my brother calls them) all the reports of the
day, and all the private transactions of the Bath, are first
entered and discussed. From the bookseller's shop, we make a tour
through the milliners and toymen; and commonly stop at Mr Gill's,
the pastry-cook, to take a jelly, a tart, or a small bason of
vermicelli. There is, moreover, another place of entertainment on
the other side of the water, opposite to the Grove, to which the
company cross over in a boat -- It is called Spring-garden; a
sweet retreat, laid out in walks and ponds, and parterres of
flowers; and there is a long-room for breakfasting and dancing.
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