can, by a shifting of places, run away from ourselves, what think you of a jaunt there, before we finally pay a visit to the vale of Jehosaphat? As ill a fame as we have, I trust I shall one day or other see you face to face so tell the two colonels, if they love good company, to live righteously and soberly, as you do, and then they will have no doubts or dangers within or without them present my best and warmest wishes to them, and advise the eldest to prop up his spirits, and get a rich dowager before the conclusion of the peace why will not the advice suit both, par nobile fratrum? To-morrow morning (if Heaven permit) I begin the fifth volume of Shandy -- - I care not a curse for the critics I'll load my vehicle with what goods he sends me, and they may take 'em off my hands, or let them alone and 'tis in proI am very valorous portion as we retire from the world, and see it in its true dimensions, that we despise it no bad rant! God above bless you! You know I am Your affectionate cousin, LAURENCE STERNE. and What few remain of the Demoniacs, greet write me a letter, if you are able, as foolish as this. I RETURN to my new habitation, fully determined to write as hard as can be, and thank you most cordially, my dear lady, for your letter of congratulation * Alluding to the first edition. -- upon my Lord Fauconberg's having presented me with the curacy of this place though your congratulation comes somewhat of the latest, as I have been possessed of it some time. I hope I have been of some service to his Lordship, and he has sufficiently requited me. "Tis seventy guineas a-year in my pocket, though worth a hundred but it obliges me to have a curate to officiate at Sutton and Stillington. 'Tis within a mile of his Lordship's seat and park. 'Tis a very agreeable ride out in the chaise I purchased for my wife. Lyd has a poney which she delights in. Whilst they take these diversions, I am scribbling away at my Tristram. These two volumes are, I think, the best. I shall write as long as I live, 'tis, in fact, my hobby-horse; and so much am I delighted with my uncle Toby's imaginary character, that I am become an enthusiast. My Lydia helps to copy for me and my wife knits, and listens as I read her chapters. The coronation of his Majesty (whom God preserve!) has cost me the value of an ox, which is to be roasted whole in the middle of the town, and my parishioners will, I suppose, be very merry upon the occasion. You will then be in town and feast your eyes with a sight, which 'tis to be hoped will not be in either of our powers to see again for in point of age we have about twenty years the start of his Majesty. And now, my dear friend, I must finish this and, with every wish for your happiness, conclude myself your most sincere well-wisher and friend, L. STERNE. as THINK not, because I have been a fortnight in this metropolis without writing to you, that therefore I have not had you and Mrs. Garrick a hundred times in my head and heart heart! yes, yes, say you but I must not waste paper in badinage this post, whatever I do the next. Well! here I am, my friend, much improved in my health, for the time, as ever your friendship could wish, or at least your faith give credit to by the bye, I am somewhat worse in my intellectuals, for my head is turned round with what I see, and the unexpected honours I have met with here. Tristram was almost as much known here as in London, at least among your men of condition and learning, and has got me introduced into so many circles ('tis comme à Londres). I have just now a fortnight's dinners and suppers upon my hands. My application to the Count de Choiseul goes on swimmingly, for not only M. Pelletiere (who, by the bye, sends ten thousand civilities to you and Mrs. Garrick) has undertaken my affair, but the Count de Limbourg the Baron d'Holbach, has offered any security for the inoffensiveness of my behaviour in France more, you rogue! than you will do. This Baron is one of the most learned noblemen here, the great protector of wits, and the Sçavans who are no wits keeps open house three days a week now, as yours was to me, my own expense. "Twas an odd incident -- 'tis his house is he lives at great when I was intro duced to the Count de Bissie, which I was at his Sentimental Journey, etc. 13 desire I found him reading Tristram this grandee does me great honours, and gives me leave to go a private way through his apartments into the Palais Royal, to view the Duke of Orleans's collections, every day I have time. I have been at the doctors of Sorbonne. I hope in a fortnight to break through, or rather from the delights of this place, which, in the sçavoir vivre, exceeds all the places, I believe, in this section of the globe. I am going, when this letter is wrote, with Mr. Fox and Mr. Maccartny, to Versailles - the next morning I wait upon Mons. Titon, in company with Mr. Maccartny, who is known to him, to deliver your commands. I have bought you the pamphlet upon theatrical, or rather tragical, declamation; I have bought another in verse worth reading, and you will receive them, with what I can pick up this week, by a servant of Mr. Hodges, whom he is sending back to England. what a powers in the much. Ah! I was last night with Mr. Fox to see Mademoiselle Clairon, in Iphigéne - she is extremely greatwould to God you had one or two like her luxury, to see you with one of such same interesting scene but 'tis too Preville! thou art Mercury himself. By virtue of taking a couple of boxes, we have bespoke this week, The Frenchman in London, in which Preville is to send us home to supper, all happy I mean about fifteen or sixteen English of distinction, who are now here, and live well with each other. w I am under great obligations to Mr. Pitt, who has behaved in every respect to me like a man of goodbreeding, and good-nature. In a post or two, I will write again. Foley is an honest soul. I could write six volumes of what has past comically in this great scene, since these last fourteen days but more of E this hereafter. We are all going into mourning; neither you, nor Mrs. Garrick, would know me if you I met me in my remise. Bless you both! Service to Mrs. Denis. Adieu, adieu; L. S. London, Feb. 1, 1762. YOUR Ladyship's kind enquiries after my health are indeed kind, and of a-piece with the rest of your character. Indeed I am very ill, having broke a vessel in my lungs - hard writing in the summer, together with preaching, which I have not strength for, is ever fatal to me but I cannot avoid the latter yet, and the former is too pleasurable to be given up I believe I shall try if the south of France will not be of service to me his G. of Y. has most humanely given me the permission for a year or two I shall set off with great hopes of its efficacy, and shall write to my wife. and daughter to come and join me at Paris, else my stay could not be so long. "Le Fevre's story has beguiled your ladyship of your tears," and the thought of the accusing spirit flying up to heaven's chancery with the oath, you are kind enough to say is sublime my friend, Mr. Garrick, thinks so too, and I am most vain of his approbation - your Ladyship's opinion adds not a little to my vanity. I wish I had time to take a little excursion to Bath, were it only to thank you for all the obliging things * This Letter, though dated from London, was evidently written at Paris. |