Blossom fell at the age of three years, in the barracks of Dublin-She was, as I well remember, of a fine delicate frame, not made to last long-as were most of my father's babes. We embarked for Dublin, and had all been cast away by a most violent storm; but through the intercessions of my mother, the captain was prevailed upon to turn back into Wales, where we stayed a month, and at "length got into Dublin, and travelled by land to Wicklow, where my father had for some weeks given us over for lost. We lived in the barracks at Wicklow one year (1720) when Devijeher (so called after colonel Devijeher) was born. From thence we decamped to stay half a year with Mr. Fetherston, a clergyman, about seven miles from Wicklow; who being a relation of my mother's, invited us to his parsonage at Animo. It was in this parish, during our stay, that I had that wonderful escape in falling through a mill-race whilst the mill was going, and of being taken up unhurt: the story is incredible, but known for truth in all that part of Ireland, where hundreds of the common people flocked to

see me. From hence we followed the regiment to Dublin, where we lay in the barracks a year. In this year (1721) I learnt to write, &c.-The regiment ordered, in twenty-two, to Carrickfergus, in the north of Ireland. We all decamped; but got no further than Drogheda: thence ordered to Mullengar, forty miles west, where, by Providence, we stumbled upon a kind relation, a collateral descendant from archbishop Sterne, who took us all to his castle, and kindly entertained us for a year, and sent us to the regiment at Carrickfergus, loaded with kindnesses, &c. A most rueful and tedious journey had we all (in March) to Carrickfergus, where we arrived in six or seven days.-Little Devijeher here died; he was three years old-He had been left behind at nurse at a farm-house near Wicklow, but was fetched to us by my father the summer after-Another child sent to fill his place, Susan. This babe too left us behind in this weary Journey. The autumn of that year, or the spring afterwards (I forget which) my father got leave of his colonel to fix me at school-which he did near

Halifax, with an able master; with whom I stayed some time, till, by God's care of me, my cousin Sterne, of Elvington, became a father to me, and sent me to the university, &c. &c. To pursue the thread of our story, my father's regiment was the year after ordered to Londonderry, where another sister was brought forth, Catherine, still living; but most unhappily estranged from me by my uncle's wickedness and her own folly. From this station the regiment was sent to defend Gibraltar, at the siege, where my father was run through the body by captain Phillips, in a duel (the quarrel began about a goose): with much difficulty he survived, though with an impaired constitution, which was not able to withstand the hardships it was put to; for he was sent to Jamaica, where he soon fell by the country fever, which took away his senses first, and made a child of him; and then, in a month or two, walking about continually without complaining, till the moment he sat down in an arm-chair, and breathed his last, which was at Port Antonio, on the north of the island. My father was a little smart

man, active to the last degree in all exercises, most patient of fatigue and disappointments, of which it pleased God to give him full measure. He was in his temper somewhat rapid and hasty, but of a kindly, sweet disposition, void of all design, and so innocent in his own intentions, that he suspected no one; so that you might have cheated him ten times in a day, if nine had not been sufficient for your purpose. My poor father died in March 1731. I remained at Halifax till about the latter end of that year, and cannot omit mentioning this anecdote of myself and school-master-He had had the ceiling of the school-room new white-washed--the ladder remained there-I one unlucky day mounted it, and wrote with a brush, in large capital letters, LAU. STERNE, for which the usher severely whipped me. My master was very much hurt at this, and said, before me, that never should that name be effaced, for I was a boy of genius, and he was sure I should come to preferment. This expression made me forget the stripes I had received. In the year thirty-two, my cousin sent me to the university,

where I staid some time*. Twas there that I con

menced a friendship with Mr. H, which has been lasting on both sides.-I then came to York, and my uncle got me the living of Sutton: and at York I became acquainted with your mother, and courted her for two years-she owned she liked me; but thought herself not rich enough, or me too poor, to be joined together. She went to her sister's in S, and I wrote to her often.-I believe then she was partly determined to have me, but would not say so.-At her return she fell into a consumption-and one evening that I was sitting by her, with an almost broken heart to see her so ill, she said, "My dear Laurey, I can never be yours, for I verily believe I have not long to live! but I have left you every shilling of my fortune."-Upon that she showed me her will.-This generosity over

• He was admitted of Jesus College, Cambridge, on the 6th of July, 1733, under the tuition of Mr. Cannon ; matriculated March 29, 1735; ad"mmitted to the degree of B. A. in January 1736; and to that of M. A. at the commencement of 1740.

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