# Letter 444: Mr. Brand, to John Harlowe, Esq. explained — Clarissa

> Chapter companion for Clarissa by Samuel Richardson.

## What happens

Mr. Brand reports to John Harlowe on his investigation into Clarissa's conduct in London. He describes his inquiries through a neighbor rather than her landlady, Mrs. Smith, whom he finds too favorably disposed. Brand relays that Clarissa is in ill health but attends morning prayers, though he suggests this may be a cover for assignations. He notes the frequent visits of Mr. Belford, Lovelace's friend, and implies impropriety. Brand suggests the family consider sending Clarissa to the colonies to preserve their reputation.

## Themes in this chapter

### Deception and Appearance vs. Reality

Brand suggests that Clarissa's attendance at morning prayers may be a pretense for assignations, and that her apparent penitence may be deceptive.

### Class and Social Reputation

Brand's investigation focuses on protecting the Harlowe family's reputation, and he proposes sending Clarissa to the colonies to avoid scandal.

## Character check-ins

### Clarissa Harlowe

Reported to be in ill health, attending morning prayers, and receiving visits from Mr. Belford; Brand implies her conduct is suspicious.

### John Belford

Described as a constant visitor to Clarissa, with a profligate character as to women, and Lovelace's intimate friend.

### Mr. John Harlowe

The recipient of Brand's letter; Brand addresses him as patron and reports his findings.

### Mrs. Smith

Clarissa's landlady, described as highly prepossessed in Clarissa's favor; Brand did not rely solely on her information.

### Mr. Hickman

Mentioned as having visited Clarissa from Miss Howe, and observed with Belford.

## Key lines

> I soon found the house where the unhappy lady lodgeth. And, in the back shop, had a good deal of discourse with Mrs. Smith, (her landlady), whom I found to be so highly prepossessed in her favour, that I saw it would not answer your desires to take my informations altogether from her

Brand located Clarissa's lodging and spoke with her landlady Mrs. Smith, but found her too biased in Clarissa's favor to rely solely on her account.

_Brand explains his decision to seek information from another source._

> It seemeth, Sir, she is, notwithstanding, in a very ill state of health. In this, both gentlewomen (that is to say, Mrs. Smith, her landlady, and my friend's wife) agree. Yet she goeth often out in a chair, to prayers (as it is said). But my friend's wife told me, that nothing is more common in London, than that the frequenting of the church at morning prayers is made the pretence and cover for private assignations.

Both women agree Clarissa is very ill, though she goes out in a sedan chair to morning prayers; however, Brand's informant suggests this may be a cover for secret meetings.

_Brand casts doubt on Clarissa's piety._

> His name is Belford. He hath a paternal estate of upwards of one thousand pounds by the year; and is now in mourning for an uncle who left him very considerably besides. He beareth a very profligate character as to women, (for I inquired particularly about that), and is Mr. Lovelace's more especial privado, with whom he holdeth a regular correspondence; and hath been often seen with Miss (tête à tête) at the window —in no bad way, indeed: but my friend's wife is of opinion that all is not as it should be.

Brand identifies Belford as a wealthy but morally loose associate of Lovelace, who visits Clarissa privately; his informant suspects impropriety.

_Brand reports on Belford's character and his visits to Clarissa._

> if you could prevail upon the rest of your family to join in the scheme which you, and her virtuous sister, Miss Arabella, and the Archdeacon, and I, once talked of, (which is to persuade the unhappy young lady to go, in some creditable manner, to some one of the foreign colonies), it might not save only her own credit and reputation, but the reputation and credit of all her family, and a great deal of vexation moreover.

Brand suggests the family send Clarissa to the colonies to preserve her reputation and the family's honor.

_Brand proposes a drastic solution to the scandal._

## Links

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