Clarissa · Chapter
Letter 496: Mr. Mowbray, to John Belford, Esq. explained
Mr.
What happens
Mr. Mowbray writes to John Belford about Lovelace's distraught state following Clarissa's death. Lovelace had intended to have her body opened and embalmed, but was prevented. Mowbray defends Lovelace's actions, blaming Clarissa's virtue and her family, and urges Belford to coax Lovelace and hasten the burial.
Themes in this chapter
Friendship and Loyalty
Mowbray's letter shows a skewed sense of loyalty to Lovelace, defending his actions and urging Belford to support him despite his destructive behavior.
Suffering and Redemption
Lovelace's intense grief and distraction after Clarissa's death reflect his personal suffering, though Mowbray dismisses it as excessive.
Characters to notice
- Robert Lovelace
In a distracted state, mourning deeply, threatening Colonel Morden and Belford, and having ordered deep mourning for himself and his servants.
- John Belford
Recipient of the letter; Mowbray criticizes his 'cursed reflections' and asks him to coax Lovelace and continue writing to Lord M.
- Richard Mowbray
The letter's author; he defends Lovelace, expresses frustration with the situation, and complains about his own boredom and dislike of reading.
- Lord M.
Afflicted at Clarissa's death; he has been brought to Lovelace and desires Belford to continue his accounts.
- Colonel Morden
Threatened by Lovelace in his current rage.
- James Tourville
Mentioned as one of the group with Mowbray and Lovelace.
Key passages
“He was actually setting out with a surgeon of this place, to have the lady opened and embalmed.”
Lovelace was about to leave with a local surgeon to perform an autopsy and embalm Clarissa's body.
Mowbray reports Lovelace's extreme plan to preserve Clarissa's body, which was prevented by the group.
“We have taken a pailful of black bull's blood from him; and this has lowered him a little.”
We have drawn a bucket of black bull's blood from him, which has somewhat calmed him down.
A reference to the practice of bloodletting, believed to reduce agitation or 'hot blood' in the 18th century.
“She was a vixen in her virtue. What a pretty fellow she has ruined—Hey, Jack!—and her relations are ten times more to blame than he.”
She was fiercely stubborn in her virtue. What a fine man she has destroyed—and her family is far more at fault than Lovelace.
Mowbray's dismissive and misogynistic view of Clarissa's moral steadfastness, blaming her and her family for Lovelace's downfall.