pother about the word, they have no precise idea annexed to it And so much for that same subject called love. I must tell you how I have just treated a French gentleman of fortune in France, who took a liking to my daughter. Without any ceremony (having got my direction from my wife's banker) he wrote me word that he was in love with my daughter, and desired to know what fortune I would give her at present, and how much at my death by the bye, I think there was very little sentiment on his side. My answer was, "Sir, I shall give her ten thousand pounds on the day of marriage my calculation is as follows she is not eighteen, you are sixty-two there goes five thousand pounds - then, Sir, you at least think her not ugly she has many accomplishments, speaks Italian, French, plays upon the guitar, and as I fear you play upon no instrument whatever, I think you will be happy to take her at my terms, for here finishes the account of the ten thousand pounds." I do not suppose but he will take this as I mean, that is, a flat refusal. I have had a parsonage-house burnt down by the carelessness of my curate's wife; as soon as I can I must rebuild it, I trow, but I lack the means at preyet I am never happier than when I have not a shilling in my pocket-for when I have I can never call it my own. Adieu, my dear friend, may you enjoy better health than me, though not better spirits, for that is impossible.

sent

Yours sincerely,

My compliments to the Colonel.

L. STERNE.

LIX.

TO MR. FOLEY, AT PARIS.

MY DEAR SIR,

York, July 13, 1765.

I WROTE, Some time in spring, to beg you would favour me with my account. I believe you was set out from Paris, and that Mr. Garrick brought the letter with him — which possibly he gave you. In the hurry of your business you might forget the contents of it; and in the hurry of mine in town (though I called once) I could not get to see you. I decamp for Italy in September, and shall see your face at Paris, you may be sure but I shall see it with more pleasure when I am out of debt, which is your own fault, for Becket has had money left in his hands for that purpose. Do send Mrs. Sterne her two last volumes of Tristram; they arrived with yours in Spring, and she complains she has not got them My best services to Mr. Panchaud. -I am busy composing two volumes of Sermons they will be printed in September, though I fear not time enough to bring them with me. Your name is amongst the list of a few of my honorary subscribers who subscribe for love. If you see Baron d'Holbach, and Diderot, present my respects to them If the Baron wants any English books he will let me know, and I will bring them with me. - Adieu, I am truly yours,

L. STERNE.

London, October 7, 1765.

IT is a terrible thing to be in Paris without a perriwig on a man's head! In seven days from the date

of this, I should be in that case, unless you tell your neighbour Madame Requiere to get her bon mari de me faire un peruque à bourse, au mieux c'est-à-dire une la plus extraordinaire la plus jolie la plus gentille et la plus

tique

Mais qu'importe? j'ai l'honneur d'être grand criet bien difficile encore dans les affaires de peruques and in one word, that he gets it done in five days after notice.

I beg pardon for this liberty, my dear friend, and for the trouble of forwarding this by the very next post. If my friend Mr. F. is in Paris, my kind love to him, and respects to all others in sad haste

Yours truly,

L. STERNE.

I have paid into Mr. Becket's hands six hundred pounds, which you may draw upon at sight, according as either Mrs. Sterne or myself make it expedient.

LXI.

TO MR. PANCHAUD, AT PARIS.

DEAR SIR,

Beau Point Voisin, November 7, 1765.

I FORGOT to desire you to forward whatever letters came to your hand to your banker at Rome, to wait for me against I get there, as it is uncertain how long I may stay at Turin, &c.: at present I am held prisoner in this town by the sudden swelling of two pitiful rivulets from the snows melting on the Alps

so that we cannot either advance to them, or retire again to Lyons for how long the gentlemen who are my fellow-travellers, and myself, shall languish in this state

of vexatious captivity, heaven and earth surely know; for it rains as if they were coming together to settle the matter. I had an agreeable journey to Lyons, and a joyous time there; dining and supping every day at the commandant's Lord F. W. I left there, and about a dozen English. If you see Lord Ossory, Lord William Gordon, and my friend Mr. Crawford, remember me to them if Wilkes is at Paris yet, I

send him all kind wishes

present my compliments as

well as thanks to my good friend Miss P- and believe me, dear Sir, with all truth, yours,

L. STERNE.

LXII. TO THE SAME.

DEAR SIR,

Turin, Nov. 15, 1765.

To

AFTER many difficulties I have got here safe and sound tho' eight days in passing the mountains of Savoy. I am stopped here for ten days by the whole country betwixt here and Milan being laid under water by continual rains but I am very happy, and have found my way into a dozen houses already morrow I am to be presented to the King, and when that ceremony is over, I shall have my hands full of engagements No English here but Sir James Macdonald, who meets with much respect, and Mr. Ogilby. We are altogether, and shall depart in peace together -My kind services to all, pray forward the inclosed

Yours truly,

L. STERNE.

LXIII.

TO THE SAME.

Turin, Nov. 28, 1765.

DEAR SIR,

I AM just leaving this place with Sir James Macdonald for Milan, &c. We have spent a joyous fortnight here, and met with all kinds of honours

with regret do we both bid adieu
side and good sense on his
at Rome
out of the question

and

but health on my

say 'tis better to be

you say at Paris but you put variety I entreat you to forward the inclosed to Mrs. Sterne My compliments to all friends, more particularly to those I most value (that includes Mr. F., if he is in Paris).

I am yours most truly,

I HAVE been a month passing the plains of Lombardy -stopping in my way at Milan, Parma, Placenza, and Bologna with weather as delicious as a kindly April in England, and have been three days in crossing a part of the Appennines covered with thick snow Sad transition! I stay here three days to dine with our Plenipo Lords T-d and C-r, and in five days shall tread the Vatican, and be introduced to all the Saints in the Pantheon. I stay but fourteen days to pay these civilities, and then decamp for Naples. Pray send the inclosed to my wife, and Becket's letter to London. Yours truly,

L. STERNE.