sion of three weeks medies and operas again ished more

this

'Tis

and possibly half a translation of it. The Natural Son, or the Triumph of Virtue, in five acts It has too much sentiment in it (at least for me), the speeches too long, and savour too much of preaching may be a second reason it is not to my taste all love, love, love, throughout, without much separation in the character; so I fear it would not do for your stage, and perhaps for the very reasons which recommend it to a French one. After a vile suspenwe are beginning with our coyours I hear never flourhere the comic actors were never so low the tragedians hold up their heads in all senses. I have known one little man support the theatrical world, like a David Atlas, upon his shoulders, but Preville can't do half as much here, though Mademoiselle Clairon stands by him, and sets her back to his she is very great, however, and highly improved since you saw her she also supports her dignity at table, and has her public day every Thursday, when she gives to eat (as they say here) to all that are hungry and dry.

-

You are much talked of here, and much expected as soon as the peace will let you these two last days you have happened to engross the whole conversation at two great houses where I was at dinner "Tis the greatest problem in nature, in this meridian, that one and the same man should possess such tragic and comic powers, and in such an equilibrio, as to divide the world for which of the two Nature intended him.

Crebillon has made a convention with me, which, if he is not too lazy, will be no bad persiflage soon as I get to Toulouse, he has agreed to write me

as

an expostulatory letter upon the indecorums of T. Shandy which is to be answered by recrimination upon the liberties in his own works these are to be printed together Crebillon against Sterne Sterne against Crebillon- the copy to be sold, and the money equally divided This is good Swiss-policy.

I am recovered greatly, and if I could spend one whole winter at Toulouse, I should be fortified, in my inner man, beyond all danger of relapsing. A sad asthma my daughter has been martyr'd with these three winters, but mostly this last, makes it, I fear, necessary she should try the last remedy of a warmer and softer air, so I am going this week to Versailles, to wait upon Count Choiseul to solicit passports for them If this system takes place, they join me here and after a month's stay we all decamp for the south of France · if not, I shall see you in June next. Mr. Fox, and Mr. Maccartny, having left Paris, I live altogether in French families - I laugh till I cry, and in the same tender moments cry till I laugh. I Shandy it more than ever, and verily do believe that, by mere Shandeism, sublimated by a laughter-loving people, I fence as much against infirmities as I do by the benefit of air and climate. Adieu, dear Garrick! present ten thousand of my best respects and wishes to and for my friend Mrs. Garrick had she been last night upon the Tuilleries, she would have annihilated a thousand French goddesses, in one single turn. I am, most truly, My dear friend,

L. STERNE.

XXIV.

MY DEAR,

TO MRS. STERNE, YORK.

Paris, May 16th, 1762.

IT is a thousand to one that this reaches you before you have set out However, I take the chance you will receive one wrote last night, the moment you get to Mr. E. and to wish you joy of your arrival in town, to that letter which you will find in town, I have nothing to add that I can think on for I have almost drain'd my brains dry upon the subject. For God sake rise early and gallop away in the cool and always see that you have not forgot your baggage in changing post-chaises You will find good tea on the road from York to Dover only bring a

little to carry you from Calais to Paris give the Custom-House Officers what I told you; at Calais give more, if have much Scotch snuff you but as tobacco is good here, you had best bring a Scotch mill and make it yourself, that is, order your valet to manufacture it 'twill keep him out of mischief. I would advise you to take three days in coming up, for fear of heating yourselves - See that they do not give you a bad vehicle, when a better is in the yard, but you will look sharp drink small Rhenish to keep you cool (that is if you like it). Live well, and deny yourselves nothing your hearts wish. So God in heaven prosper and go along with you kiss my Lydia, and believe me both affectionately,

Yours,

L. STERNE.

THERE have no mails arrived here till this morning, for three posts, so I expected with great impatience a letter from you and Lydia and lo! it is arrived. You are as busy as Thorp's wife, and by the time you receive this, you will be busier still I have exhausted all my ideas about your journey

and what

is needful for you to do before and during it so I write only to tell you I am well Mr. Colebrooks, the minister of Swisserland's secretary, I got this morning to write a letter for you to the governor of the Custom-House Office at Calais it shall be sent you next post. You must be cautious about Scotch snuff - take half-a-pound in your pocket, and make Lyd do the same. "Tis well I bought you a chaise there is no getting one in Paris now, but at an enormous price for they are all sent to the army, and such a one as yours we have not been able to match for forty guineas, for a friend of mine who is going hence to Italy the weather was never known to set in so hot, as it has done the latter end of this month, so he and his party are to get into his chaise by four in the morning, and travel till nine- and not stir out again till six; but I hope this severe heat will abate by the time you come here - however, I beg of you once more to take special care of heating your blood in travelling, and come tout doucement, when you find the heat too much I shall look impatiently for intelligence from you, and hope to hear all goes well; that you conquer all difficulties, that you have re

ceived your passport, my picture, &c. Write and tell me something of everything. I long to see you both, you may be assured, my dear wife and child, after so long a separation and write me a line directly, that I may have all the notice you can give me, that I may have apartments ready and fit for you when you arrive. For my own part I shall continue writing to you a fortnight longer present my respects to all friends you have bid Mr. C. get my visitations at P. done for me, &c. &c. If any offers are made about the inclosure at Rascal, they must be inclosed to me nothing that is fairly proposed shall stand still on my score. Do all for the best, as He who guides all things will I hope do for us

believe me

so heaven preserve you both

Your affectionate

L. STERNE.

Love to my Lydia I have bought her a gold watch to present to her when she comes.

XXVI. TO THE SAME.

MY DEAR,

Paris, June 7, 1762.

I KEEP my promise and write to you again I am sorry the bureau must be opened for the deeds but you will see it done I imagine you are convinced of the necessity of bringing three hundred pounds in your pocket if you consider Lydia must have two slight negligées. you will want a new gown or as for painted linens, buy them in town, they will be more admired because English than French

two