# Letter 366: Mr. Belford, to Robert Lovelace, Esq. explained — Clarissa

> Chapter companion for Clarissa by Samuel Richardson.

## What happens

Belford reports visiting Clarissa with Mr. Hickman, who presses her to accept Miss Howe's offer of a farmhouse retreat. Clarissa remains determined not to marry Lovelace and refuses money. Mr. Goddard prescribes a regimen for her health. Hickman describes Lovelace's behavior at the ball and his own parting with Clarissa, who blesses him and Miss Howe. Belford reflects on the value of friendship and the folly of libertinism.

## Themes in this chapter

### Friendship and Loyalty

Miss Howe's refusal to marry until Clarissa is happy and Hickman's deep concern for Clarissa exemplify the power of female friendship and loyalty.

### Suffering and Redemption

Clarissa's physical decline and emotional suffering are evident; her blessing of Hickman and Miss Howe suggests a redemptive turn toward spiritual peace.

### Deception and Appearance vs. Reality

Belford contrasts Lovelace's charming exterior with his corrupt inner character, critiquing the deceptive nature of libertinism.

## Character check-ins

### Clarissa Harlowe

Determined not to marry Lovelace; refuses money from Miss Howe; follows a health regimen; blesses Hickman and Miss Howe at parting.

### John Belford

Visits Clarissa at breakfast; reports on Hickman's visit and Clarissa's condition; reflects on the superiority of friendship over libertinism.

### Mr. Hickman

Presses Clarissa to accept Miss Howe's offer; describes Lovelace's behavior at the ball; deeply moved at parting with Clarissa.

### Anna Howe

Offers Clarissa a farmhouse retreat and money; delays marriage to Hickman due to concern for Clarissa.

### Robert Lovelace

Criticized by Belford for his libertine character and treatment of Hickman; subject of Clarissa's refusal to marry.

### Mr. Goddard

Clarissa's apothecary; prescribes a regimen of rest and simple diet to improve her health.

## Key lines

> The lady, said he, will do very well, if she will resolve upon it herself.

Mr. Goddard says Clarissa would recover if she chose to.

_Emphasizes Clarissa's agency in her own health._

> I have engaged, Sir, (to Mr. Goddard), I have engaged, Sir, (to me), to Miss Howe, to avoid all wilful neglects.

Clarissa promises both Mr. Goddard and Belford that she will not deliberately neglect her health.

_Shows Clarissa's commitment to her promise to Miss Howe._

> Pr’ythee tell me, thou vile Lovelace, if thou hast not a notion, even from these jejune descriptions of mine, that there must be a more exalted pleasure in intellectual friendship, than ever thou couldst taste in the gross fumes of sensuality?

Belford asks Lovelace if he can see that intellectual friendship offers a higher pleasure than sensual indulgence.

_Belford's moral reflection on the value of friendship over libertinism._

## Links

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