but for this last instance of their humanity and politeness to me, I must ever be their debtor street -- -- I never can thank you enough, my dear friends, and yet I thank you from my soul and for the single day's happiness your goodness would have sent me, I wish I could send you back thousands I cannot, but they will come of themselves and so GOD bless you. I have had twenty times my pen in my hand since I came down, to write a letter to you both in Gerrardbut I am a shy kind of a soul at the bottom, and have a jealousy about troubling my friends, especially about myself I am now got perfectly well, but was, a month after my arrival in the country, in but a poor state my body has got the start, and is at present more at ease than my mind but this world is a school of trials, and so Heaven's will be done! I hope you have both enjoyed all that I have wanted and, to complete your joy, that your little lady flourishes like a vine at your table, to which I hope to see her preferred by next winter. I am now beginning to be truly busy at my Sentimental Journey the pains and sorrows of this life having retarded its progress but I shall make up my lee-way, and overtake every body in a very short time. What can I send you that Yorkshire produces? tell I want to be of use to you, for I am, my dear friends, with the truest value and esteem, me BE so kind as to forward what letters are arrived from Mrs. Sterne at your office by to-day's post, or the Sentimental Journey, etc. 20 next, and she will receive them before she quits Avignon, for England she wants to lay out a little money in an annuity for her daughter count. advise her to get her own life insured in London, lest my Lydia should die before her. If there are any packets, send them with the ninth volume* of Shandy, which she has failed of getting she says she has drawn for fifty louis when she leaves Paris send by her my acHave you got me any French subscriptions, or subscriptions in France? Present my kindest service to Miss P. I know her politeness and good-nature will incline her to give Mrs. J. her advice about what she may venture to bring over. I hope every thing goes on well, though never half so well as I wish God prosper you, my dear friend me most warmly Yours Believe L. STERNE. The sooner you send me the gold snuff-box, the 'tis a present from my best friend. better My dear friends Mr. and Mrs. J are infinitely kind to me, in sending now and then a letter to inquire after me and to acquaint me how they are. You cannot conceive, my dear lady, how truly I bear a part in your illness. I wish Mr. J - would carry you to the South of France in pursuit of health; but why need I wish it, when I know his affection will make him do that and ten times as much to prevent a return of those symptoms which alarmed him so much * Alluding to the first edition. in the spring but you --- I must get well and your little dear girl must be of the party, with her parents and friends, to give it a relish I am sure you shew no partiality but what is natural and praise-worthy, in behalf of your daughter, but I wonder my friends will not find her a play-fellow; and I both hope and advise them not to venture along through this warfare of life without two strings at least to their bow. I had letters from France by last night's post, by which (by some fatality) I find not one of my letters has reached Mrs. Sterne. This gives me concern, as it wears the aspect of unkindness, which she by no means merits from me. My wife and dear girl are coming to pay me a visit for a few months; wish I may prevail with them to tarry longer. must permit me, dear Mrs. J., to make my Lydia known to you, if I can prevail with my wife to come and spend a little time in London, as she returns to France. I expect a small parcel may I trouble you, before you write next, to send to my lodgings to ask if there is any thing directed to me that you can inclose under cover? I have but one excuse for this freedom, which I am prompted to use, from a persuasion that it is doing you pleasure to give you an opportunity of doing an obliging thing and as to myself, I rest satisfied, for 'tis only scoring up another debt of thanks to the millions I owe you both already You Receive a thousand and a thousand thanks, yes, and with them ten thousand friendly wishes for all you wish in this world May my friend Mr. J. continue blessed with good health, and may his good lady get 00 SECHI P. S. In Eliza's last letter, dated from St. Jago, she tells me, as she does you, that she is extremely ill -God protect her! By this time surely she has set foot upon dry land at Madras I heartily wish her well, and if Yorick was with her he would tell her but he is cut off from this, by bodily absence I am present with her in spirit, however but what is that? you will say. CIV. TO JH-S ESQ. Coxwould, Aug. 11, 1767. MY DEAR H., - I AM glad all has passed with so much amity inter te & filium Marcum tuum, and that Madame has found grace in thy sight All is well that ends well and so much for moralizing upon it. I wish you could, or would, take up your parable, and prophesy as much good concerning me and my affairs. Not one of my letters has got to Mrs. Sterne since the notification of her intentions, which has a pitiful air on my side, though I have wrote her six or seven I imagine she will be here the latter end of September; though I have no date for it, but her impatience, which, having suffered by my supposed silence, I am persuaded will make her fear the worst If that is the case, she will fly to England a most natural conclusion. You did well to discontinue all commerce with James's powders as you are so well, rejoice therefore, and let your heart be merry - mine ought upon the same score for I never have been so well since I left college and should be a marvellous happy man, but for some reflections which bow down my spirits but if I live but even three or four years, I will acquit myself with honour and no matter! we will talk this over when we meet. If all ends as temperately as with you, and that I find grace, &c. &c., I will come and sing Te Deum, or drink poculum elevatum, or do any thing in the world. I should depend upon G's critique upon my head, as much as Moliere's old woman upon his comedies you do not want her society, let it be carried into your bed-chamber to flay her, or clap it upon her bum and give her my blessing as you do it. to when My postillion has set me a-ground for a week, by one of my pistols bursting in his hand, which he taking for granted to be quite shot off he instantly fell upon his knees and said (Our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name), at which, like a good Christian, he stopped, not remembering any more of it the affair was not so bad as he at first thought, for it has only bursten two of his fingers (he says). I long to return to you, but I sit here alone as solitary and sad as a tom-cat, which by the bye is all the company I keep he follows me from the parlour to the kitchen, into the garden, and every place I wish I had a dog my daughter will bring me one and so God be about you, and strengthen your faith I am affectionately, dear cousin, yours, L. STERNE. My service to the C, though they are from home, and to Panty. |