# Joseph Leman — Clarissa character guide > Joseph Leman in Clarissa by Samuel Richardson. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Joseph Leman, Joseph, honest Joseph **First appearance:** 0001-clarissa ## Snapshot A Harlowe servant who sells his master's household to Lovelace, mistaking cunning for cleverness while his own letters become evidence against him. ## Who they are Joseph Leman moves through the Harlowe house as a trusted servant while quietly passing intelligence to Lovelace, convinced of his own shrewdness and blind to how completely he is being used. Clarissa sees through him, noting that his abilities would be less esteemed if his power to do ill offices were not greater than they are. His double-dealing matters because it turns the family's own walls into a channel for the very plot they are trying to prevent, and because Clarissa's clear-eyed judgment of him marks her as a reader of people, not just of books. ## In the story ### [Letter 35: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-35-mr-lovelace-to-john-belford-esq) Lovelace's spy within the Harlowe household; he provides information and has procured keys to the garden door. ### [Letter 62: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-62-miss-clarissa-harlowe-to-miss-howe) Suspected by Clarissa of being Lovelace's spy within the family, as well as her brother's spy; she notes his obsequious behavior. ### [Letter 71: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-71-miss-clarissa-harlowe-to-miss-howe) Provided a hint to Betty about Lovelace's bad character. ### [Letter 73: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-73-miss-clarissa-harlowe-to-miss-howe) Mentioned as a treacherous servant who reported to Lovelace's disadvantage and is involved with Betty Barnes. ### [Letter 74: Miss Howe, to Miss Clarissa Harlowe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-74-miss-howe-to-miss-clarissa-harlowe) Mentioned as the traitor who spies on Clarissa; he speaks to Robin over the bank. ### [Letter 95: Mr. Lovelace, to Joseph Leman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-95-mr-lovelace-to-joseph-leman) The recipient of the letter, tasked with executing the plan and creating a diversion. ### [Letter 96: To Robert Lovelace, Esquier, His Honner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-96-to-robert-lovelace-esquier-his-honner) Writes to Lovelace, expressing both gratitude and anxiety about the commands he has received, while affirming his loyalty and honesty. ### [Letter 101: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-101-miss-clarissa-harlowe-to-miss-howe) Clarissa suspects he acted as Lovelace's vile agent in tricking her into elopement. ### [Letter 103: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-103-mr-lovelace-to-john-belford-esq) Mentioned as Lovelace's informant within the Harlowe household. ### [Letter 105: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-105-mr-lovelace-to-john-belford-esq) Mentioned as an informant; Lovelace references his instructions to him. ### [Letter 106: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-106-mr-lovelace-to-john-belford-esq) Mentioned as the agent through whom Lovelace hinted at the 'Rosebud' affair to Clarissa. ### [Letter 113: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-113-miss-clarissa-harlowe-to-miss-howe) Revealed as a double agent bribed by Lovelace to spy on the Harlowe family and facilitate Clarissa's escape. ### [Letter 114: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-114-miss-clarissa-harlowe-to-miss-howe) Lovelace says he has suffered Joseph Leman to tell him things that were not true, to make himself formidable. ### [Letter 117: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-117-mr-lovelace-to-john-belford-esq) Lovelace's agent in the Harlowe family, used to gather intelligence and secure Miss Howe's quarter. ### [Letter 119: Miss Howe, to Mis Clarissa Harlowe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-119-miss-howe-to-mis-clarissa-harlowe) Mentioned as a tool used by Lovelace in his schemes. ### [Letter 138: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-138-mr-lovelace-to-john-belford-esq) Mentioned as the source of a letter that Lovelace encloses, part of his ongoing manipulation. ### [Letter 139: To Robert Lovelace, Esq. His Honner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-139-to-robert-lovelace-esq-his-honner) Writes to Lovelace confessing his role in gathering evidence about Miss Batirton and expressing fear for Lovelace's life, while offering to prevent further mischief. ### [Letter 140: Mr. Lovelace, to Joseph Leman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-140-mr-lovelace-to-joseph-leman) Recipient of Lovelace's letter; Lovelace praises his invention and discretion, urges him to overcome qualms, and instructs him to propose a scheme involving Captain Singleton. ### [Letter 152: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-152-mr-lovelace-to-john-belford-esq) Informs Lovelace that James Harlowe has dropped the Singleton project. ### [Letter 175: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-175-mr-lovelace-to-john-belford-esq) Mentioned as Lovelace's implement; Lovelace considers punishing him after his marriage. ### [Letter 189: Mr. Belford, to Robert Lovelace, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-189-mr-belford-to-robert-lovelace-esq) Described as a vile servant who uses Lovelace's money and acts a double part. ### [Letter 208: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-208-mr-lovelace-to-john-belford-esq) Mentioned as Lovelace's agent who influenced Antony Harlowe. ### [Letter 218: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-218-mr-lovelace-to-john-belford-esq) Mentioned as the informant from the Harlowe family; Clarissa requests he not be a servant in their household. ### [Letter 223: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-223-mr-lovelace-to-john-belford-esq) Referenced in relation to the character Lovelace gave himself to him. ### [Letter 532: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-532-mr-lovelace-to-john-belford-esq) Writes to Lovelace, guilt-ridden and warning that Colonel Morden has set out to duel Lovelace. ### [Letter 533: Mr. Belford, to Robert Lovelace, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-533-mr-belford-to-robert-lovelace-esq) Mentioned as the source of unreliable reports about Morden's threats; Belford dismisses his words as those of a low-class fellow. ### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/endnotes) Described as Lovelace's corrupted agent who unknowingly helps drive the family's actions. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/characters/joseph_leman - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/characters