Who is Mr. Hickman from Clarissa and what is their importance?

Mr. Hickman is interested in courting Miss Howe with the full approval of her mother. He is described as an upstanding, serious man.... Miss Howe describes him as boring. Over the course of the novel, Hickman serves as a good friend to Clarissa. Eventually, Miss Howe marries him..... making him a fortunate and happy man.