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LXV.

TO MISS STERNE.

Naples, Feb. 3, 1766.

MY DEAR GIRL,

YOUR letter, my Lydia, has made me both laugh and cry. Sorry am I that you are both so afflicted with the ague, and by all means I wish you both to fly from Tours, because I remember it is situated between two rivers, la Loire, and le Cher which must occasion fogs, and damp unwholesome weather therefore for the same reason go not to Bourges en Bresse 'tis as vile a place for agues. I find myself infinitely better than I was and hope to have added at least ten years to my life by this journey to Italy the climate is heavenly, and I find new principles of health in me, which I have been long a stranger to

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but trust me, my Lydia, I will find you out, whereever you are, in May. Therefore I beg you to direct to me at Belloni's at Rome, that I may have some idea where you will be then. The account you give me of Mrs. C- is truly amiable, I shall ever honour her Mr. C. is a diverting companion what he said of your little French admirer was truly droll

the Mar

quis de is an impostor, and not worthy of your acquaintance he only pretended to know me to get introduced to your mother I desire you will get your mother to write to Mr. C. that I may discharge every debt, and then, my Lydia, if I live, the produce of my pen shall be yours if fate reserves me not

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the humane and good, partly for thy father's sake, partly for thy own, will never abandon thee! your mother's health will permit her to return with me to England - your summers I will render as agreeable as

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I can at Coxwould your winters at York you know my publications call me to London. If Mr. and Mrs. C. are still at Tours, thank them from me for their cordiality to my wife and daughter. I have purchased you some little trifles, which I shall give you when we meet, as proofs of affection from Your fond father,

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'Tis an age since I have heard from you as I read the London Chronicle, and find no tidings of your death, or that you are even at the point of it, I take it as I wish it, that you have got over thus much of the winter free from the damps, both of climate and spirits; and here I am, as happy as a king after all, growing fat, sleek, and well-liking - not improving in stature, but in breadth. We have a jolly carnival of

it — nothing but operas - punchinelloes festinoes and masquerades We (that is, nous autres) are all dressing out for one this night at the Princess Francavivalla, which is to be superb. The English dine with her (exclusive), and so much for small chat except that I saw a little comedy acted last week with more expression and spirit, and true character, than I shall see one hastily again. I stay here till the holy week, which I shall pass at Rome, where I occupy myself a month my plan was to have gone thence for a fortnight to Florence

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seilles directly home

and then by Leghorn to Marbut am diverted from this by

the repeated proposals of accompanying a gentleman,

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who is returning by Venice, Vienna, Saxony, Berlin, and so by the Spaw, and thence through Holland to England 'tis with Mr. E. I have known him these three years, and have been with him ever since I reach'd Rome; and as I know him to be a good-hearted young gentleman, I have no doubt of making it answer both his views and mine at least I am persuaded we shall return home together, as we set out, with friendship and good-will. Write your next letter to me at Rome, and do me the following favour if it lies in your way, which I think it does to get me a letter of recommendation to our Ambassador (Lord Stormont) at Vienna. I have not the honour to be known to his Lordship, but Lords P— or H—, or twenty you better know, would write a certificate for me, importing that I am not fallen out of the clouds. If this will cost my cousin little trouble, do inclose it in your next letter to me at Belloni's. You have left Skelton, I trow, a month, and I fear have had a most sharp winter, if one may judge of it from the severity of the weather here, and all over Italy, which exceeded any thing known, till within these three weeks, that the sun has been as hot as we could bear it. Give my kind services to my friends especially to the household of faith my dear Garland to Gilbert to the worthy Colonel to Cardinal S―, to my fellow-labourer Pantagruel dear cousin Antony, receive my kindest love and wishes.

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Yours affectionately

L. STERNE.

P. S. Upon second thoughts, direct your next to

me at Mr. W. Banker, at Venice.

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I DESIRE Mrs. Sterne may have what cash she wants if she has not received it before now: she sends me word she has been in want of cash these three weeks

be so kind as to prevent this uneasiness to her which is doubly so to me. I have made very little use of your letters of credit, having, since I left Paris, taken up no more money than about fifty louis at Turin, as much at Rome and a few ducats here and as I now travel hence to Rome, Venice, through Vienna to Berlin, &c., with a gentleman of fortune, I shall draw for little more till my return so you will have always enough to spare for my wife. The beginning of March be so kind as to let her have a hundred pounds to begin her year with.

There are a good many English here, very few in Rome, or other parts of Italy. The air of Naples agrees very well with me I shall return fat my friendship to all who honour me with theirs Adieu my dear friend I am ever yours,

LXVIII.

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L. STERNE.

TO MR. PANCHAUD, AT PARIS.

DEAR SIR,

Naples, Feb. 14, 1766.

I WROTE last week to you to desire you would let Mrs. Sterne have what money she wanted

it may happen, as that letter went inclosed in one to her at Tours, that you will receive this first

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I have made

little use of your letters of credit, as you will see by that letter, nor shall I want much (if any) till you see me, as I travel now in company with a gentleman

Sentimental Journey, clc.

17

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however, as we return by Venice, Vienna, Berlin, &c., to the Spaw, I should be glad if you will draw me a letter of credit upon some one at Venice, to the extent of fifty louis but I am persuaded I shall not want half of them however, in case of sickness or accidents, one would not go so long a rout without money in one's pocket. The bankers here are not so conscientious as my friend P.; they would make me pay twelve per cent, if I was to get a letter here. I beg your letters, &c., may be inclosed to Mr. Watson at Venice where we shall be in the Ascension. I have received much benefit from the air of Naples but quit it to be at Rome before the holy week. There are about five and twenty English here but most of them will be decamp'd in two months there are scarce a third of the number at Rome, I suppose therefore that Paris is full my warmest wishes attend you with my love to Mr. F. and compliments to all I am, dear Sir, very faithfully,

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Sir James Macdonald is in the house with me, and is just recovering a long and most cruel fit of rheumatism.

LXIX. TO J

DEAR SIR,

H-S-, ESQ.

May 25, near Dijon [1766].

My desire of seeing both my wife and girl has turned me out of my road towards a delicious Chateau of the Countess of M-, where I have been patriarching it these seven days with her ladyship, and half a dozen of very handsome and agreeable ladies - her ladyship has the best of hearts a valuable present not given to every one. To-morrow, with regret, I shall

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