# Letter 520: Colonel Morden, to John Belford, Esq. explained — Clarissa

> Chapter companion for Clarissa by Samuel Richardson.

## What happens

Colonel Morden reports to Belford on the execution of Clarissa's will, noting the distribution of her jewels to Dolly Hervey and the preparations for Mrs. Norton to take up her post. He offers a detailed character analysis of Miss Howe, praising her friendship with Clarissa but criticizing her haughty treatment of Mr. Hickman, and reflects on the dynamics of power, marriage, and parental authority.

## Themes in this chapter

### Friendship and Loyalty

Colonel Morden extols the exceptional friendship between Clarissa and Miss Howe, highlighting its rarity and the qualities that made it enduring.

### Power and Manipulation

Morden critiques Miss Howe's exercise of power over Mr. Hickman, warning that women of sense are not to be trusted with unchecked authority in relationships.

### Class and Social Reputation

Morden notes the social censure Miss Howe faces for her treatment of Mr. Hickman, and the importance of reputation in marriage and public life.

## Character check-ins

### Colonel Morden

Writes to Belford about the execution of Clarissa's will and shares observations on Miss Howe's character and behavior.

### Anna Howe

Praised for her noble friendship with Clarissa but criticized for her haughty treatment of Mr. Hickman and her lack of reverence toward her mother.

### Mr. Hickman

Described as a worthy and gentle man who mourns Clarissa and is treated poorly by Miss Howe, though he remains devoted.

### Mrs. Howe

Mentioned as having weakened authority over her daughter due to her narrow-mindedness, though she praises Miss Howe's generosity.

### Dolly Hervey

Receives Clarissa's personal jewels from Colonel Morden as a token of her love for the departed.

### Mrs. Norton

Preparing to enter her office as housekeeper at The Grove, though Morden believes she will not long remain on earth.

## Key lines

> Yet once she praised her daughter to me with so much warmth for the generosity of her spirit, that had I not known the old lady’s character, I should have thought her generous herself.

Mrs. Howe spoke so highly of her daughter's generosity that, without knowing her true nature, one might have mistaken her for being generous herself.

_Morden observes that narrow-minded people often praise generosity because it benefits them._

> Strange, said she, if I, who shall mourn the heavy, the irreparable loss to the last hour of my life, should not show my concern to the world for a few months!

Miss Howe argued that it would be strange if she, who would grieve Clarissa's loss forever, did not display her mourning publicly for a few months.

_Miss Howe insists on wearing mourning despite her mother's objections, asserting her right to grieve openly._

> I oblige myself by it. And if I disoblige not you, that is all I wish.

Mr. Hickman says he wears mourning for his own sake, not to please anyone, and hopes only not to displease Miss Howe.

_Hickman's respectful gesture of mourning Clarissa impresses Miss Howe despite her initial surprise._

## Links

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