# Letter 495: Mr. Belford, to Robert Lovelace, Esq. explained — Clarissa

> Chapter companion for Clarissa by Samuel Richardson.

## What happens

Mr. Belford describes the final arrangements for Clarissa's funeral, including the cutting of her hair for memorial rings, the preparation of her corpse with flowers and herbs, and the departure of the hearse. Mrs. Norton is ill and attended to, while Colonel Morden accompanies the procession.

## Themes in this chapter

### Suffering and Redemption

Clarissa's death and the reverent handling of her remains reflect her redemption from suffering.

### Friendship and Loyalty

Belford and Colonel Morden show loyalty by overseeing the funeral and honoring Clarissa's memory.

## Character check-ins

### John Belford

Oversees the funeral preparations and locks Clarissa's chamber after the hearse departs.

### Clarissa Harlowe

Her corpse is prepared for burial and placed in the hearse.

### Mrs. Judith Norton

Cuts ringlets of Clarissa's hair before the coffin is closed; is extremely ill and attended to by Mrs. Smith's maid.

### Colonel Morden

Takes a ringlet for a locket to wear next his heart; rides within view of the hearse and will enforce Belford's orders.

## Key lines

> As she has directed rings by her will to several persons, with her hair to be set in crystal, the afflicted Mrs. Norton cut off, before the coffin was closed four charming ringlets; one of which the Colonel took for a locket, which, he says, he will cause to be made, and wear next his heart in memory of his beloved cousin.

Following Clarissa's will, Mrs. Norton cut four ringlets of her hair for memorial rings; Colonel Morden kept one for a locket to wear close to his heart.

_Highlights the sentimental and memorial practices of the era._

> Between four and five in the morning, the corpse was put into the hearse; the coffin before being filled, as intended, with flowers and aromatic herbs, and proper care taken to prevent the corpse suffering (to the eye) from the jolting of the hearse.

At dawn, the body was placed in the hearse, with the coffin filled with flowers and herbs to preserve its appearance during the journey.

_Describes practical funeral arrangements to maintain dignity in death._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-495-mr-belford-to-robert-lovelace-esq
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/clarissa_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/clarissa_se/chapters