the first words of some song which was then a favou= rite of the author. Pag. 159, lin. 8. My uncle Toby's widow. For the story of this widow see Tristram Shandy. Ibid. lin. 9. Hussey; a term which, though in its proper sense it is a word of reproach, is frequently used especially to children without impoli= teness. lbid. lin. 28. The Spectator's mistress: see the Spectator. Pag. 160, lin. 28. Bless me even also: Genesis, chapt. 27, verse 38. Pag. 162, lin. 2. Earl of Chatham: the name of the vessel in which Eliza went to the East-Indies. END OF THE NOTES. EXTRACT of a letter from the author to his daughter. I am apprehensive the dear friend I men= tioned in my last letter is going into a decline = I was with her two days ago, and I never beheld a being so altered = she has a tender frame, and looks like a drooping lilly, for the roses are fled from her cheeks = I can never see or talk to this incomparable wo= man without bursting into tears=I have a thousand obligations to her, and I owe her more than her whole sex, if not all the world put together. = She has a delicacy in her way of thinking that few possess =our conversations are of the most interesting na= ture, and she talks to me of quitting this world with more composure than others think of living in it. = I have written an epitaph, of which I send thee a copy. 'Tis expressive of her modest worth. = But may heaven restore her! and may she live to write mine! Columns and laboured urns but vainly shew The sweet companion and the friend sincere Say all that is kind of me to thy mother, and be= lieve me, my Lydia, that I love thee most truly = So adieu = I am what I ever was, and hope ever shall be, thy Affectionate father, L. S. INSCRIPTION on a monument erected to the memory of the author in the burying ground in which he was enterred. Near to this place The reverend Laurence Sterne, A. M. Ah! molliter ossa quiescant! If a sound head, warm heart, and breast humane, Garrick, who was the intimate friend and admirer of Sterne, wrote the following epitaph for him. Shall pride a heap of sculptured marble raise, Some worthless, un-mourn'd titled fool to praise; (1) This date is erroneous; L. Sterne being dead on the 18th day of march 1768. And shall we not by one poor grave-stone learn, Where genius, wit, and humour, sleep with Sterne? The following verses to his memory were also prefixed to the collection of his letters, published by his daughter Mrs. Medalle. With wit, and genuine humour, to dispel, END. |