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directed to Mr. F. at Paris, and tell me what I am to bring you over. How do I long to greet all my friends! few do I value more than yourself. My wife chooses to go to Montauban, rather than stay here, in which I am truly passive. If this should not find you at Bath, I hope it will be forwarded to you, as I wish to fulfil your commissions and so adieu. Accept every warm wish for your health, and believe me ever yours, L. STERNE.

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P. S. My physicians have almost poisoned me with what they call bouillons refraichissants 'tis a cock flayed alive and boiled with poppy-seeds, then pounded in a mortar, afterwards passed thro' a sieve There is to be one craw-fish in it, and I was gravely told it must be a male one a female would do me more

hurt than good.

XLVII.

TO MISS STERNE.

Paris, May 15, 1764.

MY DEAR LYDIA,

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By this time I suppose your mother and self are fixed at Montauban, and I therefore direct to your banker, to be delivered to you I acquiesced in your staying in France likewise it was your mother's wish but I must tell you both (that unless your health had not been a plea made use of) I should have wished both to return with me. I have sent you you the Spectators, and other books, particularly Metastasio; but I beg my girl to read the former, and only make the latter her amusement. I hope you have not forgot my last request, to make no friendships with

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the French women not that I think ill of them all, but sometimes women of the best principles are the most insinuating nay, I am so jealous of you that I should be miserable were I to see you had the least grain of coquetry in your composition. You have enough to do for I have also sent you a guitar and as you have no genius for drawing (though you never could be made to believe it), pray waste not your time about it Remember to write to me as to

a friend

in short, whatever comes into your little head, and then it will be natural. If your mother's rheumatism continues, and she chooses to go to Bagnieres, tell her not to be stopped for want of money, for my purse shall be as open as my heart. I have preached at the Ambassador's chapel Hezekiah* (an odd subject your mother will say) There was a concourse of all nations, and religions too. I shall leave Paris in a few days. I am lodged in the same hotel with Mr. T―; they are good and generous souls. Tell your mother that I hope she will write to me, and that when she does so I may also receive a letter from my Lydia.

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Kiss your mother from me, and believe me
Your affectionate

L. STERNE.

XLVIII.

TO MR. FOLEY.

York, August 6, 1764.

MY DEAR FOLEY,

THERE is a young lady with whom I have sent a letter to you, who will arrive at Paris in her way to

*See Sermon XVII.

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Italy her name is Miss Tuting; a lady known and loved by the whole kingdom: if you can be of any aid to her in your advice, &c, as to her journey, &c., your good-nature and politeness I am sure need no spur from me to do it. I was sorry we were like the two buckets of a well, whilst in London, for we were never able to be both resident together the month I continued in and about the environs. If I get a cough this winter which holds me three days, you will certainly see me at Paris the week following, for now I abandon every thing in this world to health, and to my friends for the last sermon that I shall ever preach was preach'd at Paris - so I am altogether an idle man, or rather a free one, which is better. I sent, last post, twenty pounds to Mrs. Sterne, which makes a hundred pounds remitted since I got here. You must pay yourself what I owe you out of it place the rest to account. Betwixt this and Ladyday next, Mrs. Sterne will draw from time to time upon you to about the amount of a hundred louis but not more (I think) I having left her a hundred in her pocket. But you shall always have money before-hand of mine, and she purposes to spend no further than five thousand livres in the year but twenty pounds this way or that makes no difference between us. Give my kindest compliments to Mr. P—. I have a thousand things to say to you, and would go half-way to Paris to tell them in your ear. The Messrs. T—, H—, &c. and many more of your friends with whom I am now, send their service Mine to all friends. Yours, dear F., most truly, L. STERNE.

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XLIX. TO J- H

Now, my dear, dear Anthony

affair

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week or ten days playing the good fellow (at this very time) at Scarborough, so abominable a thing but if a man could get there cleverly, and every soul in his house in the mind to try what could be done in furtherance thereof. I have no one to consult in this therefore as a man may do worse things, the English of all which is this, that I am going to leave a few poor sheep here in the wilderness for fourteen days and from pride and naughtiness of heart to go see what is doing at Scarborough Steadfastly meaning afterwards to lead a new life and strengthen my faith. Now some folks say there

pany there

So.

and some say not

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and I believe

there is neither the one nor the other but will be both, if the world will have but a month's patience or No, my dear H—, I did not delay sending your letter directly to the post. As there are critical times, or rather turns and revolutions in *** humours, I know not what the delay of an hour might hazard I will answer for him, he has seventy times seven forgiven you and as often wish'd you at the d—l. After many oscillations the pendulum will rest firm as

ever.

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I send all kind compliments to Sir C. D- and G-s. I love them from my soul. If G-t is with you, him also. I go on, not rapidly, but well enough, with my uncle Toby's amours. There is no sitting, and cudgelling one's brains whilst the sun shines bright 'twill be all over in six or seven weeks, and there

are dismal months enow after to endure suffocation by a brimstone fire-side. If you can get to Scarborough, makes six tons of alum a-week

do. A man who

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Lord Granby is to be there

Yours affectionately,

L. TO THE SAME.

L. STERNE.

Coxwould Thursday, [Sept. 1764.]

MY DEAR COUSIN,

I

I AM but this moment returned from Scarborough, where I have been drinking the waters ever since the races, and have received marvellous strength, had I not debilitated it as fast as I got it, by playing the good-fellow with Lord Granby and Co. too much. rejoice you have been encamp'd at Harrowgate, from which, by now, I suppose you are decamp'd-otherwise, as idle a beast as I have been, I would have sacrificed a few days to the God of laughter with you and your jolly set. I have done nothing good that I know of, since I left you, except paying off your guinea and a half to K—, in my way thro' York hither try now and do better- Go on and

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I must for a month.

prosper Your affectionate

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HAVING just had the honour of a letter from Miss Tuting, full of the acknowledgements of your attention and kind services to her, I will not believe these arose

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