a sincere friend and you cannot be intimate with her without her pouring some part of the milk of human kindness into your breast, which will serve to check the heat of your own temper, which you partake in a small degree of. Nor will that amiable woman

put my Lydia under the painful necessity to fly to India for protection, whilst it is in her power to grant her a more powerful one in England. But I think, my Lydia, that thy mother will survive me do not deject her spirits with thy apprehensions on my account. I have sent you a necklace, buckles, and the same to your mother. My girl cannot form a wish that is in the power of her father, that he will not gratify her in and I cannot in justice be less kind The kindness of

I wish though I had

to thy mother. I am never alone my friends is ever the same thee to nurse me; but I am denied that. Write to me twice a week, at least. God bless thee, my child, and believe me ever, ever, thy

Affectionate father,

L. S.

CXXVIII.

TO MRS. J.

Tuesday.

he has

I was

YOUR poor friend is scarce able to write been at death's door this week with a pleurisy bled three times on Thursday, and blistered on Friday The physician says I am better God knows, for

I feel myself sadly wrong, and shall, if I recover, be a long while of gaining strength. Before I have gone through half this letter, I must stop to rest my weak hand above a dozen times. Mr. J was so good to call upon me yesterday. I felt emotions not to be de

scribed at the sight of him, and he overjoyed me by talking a great deal of you. Do, dear Mrs. J—, entreat him to come to-morrow or next day, for perhaps I have not many days or hours to live I want to ask a favour of him, if I find myself worse that I shall beg of you, if in this wrestling I come off con'tis a bad omen queror my spirits are fled

the

do not weep, my dear lady your tears are too precious to shed for me bottle them and up, may cork never be drawn. Dearest, kindest, gentlest, and best of women! may health, peace, and happiness prove your handmaids! If I die, cherish the remembrance of me, and forget the follies which you so often condemn'd - which my heart, not my head, betrayed me into. Should my child, my Lydia, want a mother, may I hope you will (if she is left parentless) take her to your bosom; You are the only woman on earth I can depend upon for such a benevolent action. I wrote to her a fortnight ago, and told her what I trust she will find in you.* Mr. J will be a father to her he will protect her from every insult, for he wears a sword which he has served his country with, and which he would know how to draw out of the scabbard in defence of innocence. Commend me to as I now commend you to that Being who takes under his care the good and kind part of the world. Adieu All grateful thanks to you and

him

Mr. J.

Your

poor

affectionate friend,

L. STERNE.

From this circumstance it may be conjectured that this Letter was written on Tuesday the 8th of March, 1768, ten days before Mr. Sterne died.

Sentimental Journey, etc.

22

22

CXXIX. TO ********** ̧

I BEHELD her

petrified my fluids

tender look

her pathetic eye

the liquid dissolution drowned those once bright orbs the late sympathetic features, so pleasing in their harmony, are now blasted withered and are dead; her charms are dwindled into a melancholy which demands my pity Yes my friend our once sprightly and vivacious Harriot is that very object that must thrill your soul. How abandoned is that heart which bulges the tear of innocence, and is the cause the fatal cause of overwhelming the spotless soul, and plunging the yet-untainted mind into a sea of sorrow and repentance Though born to protect the fair, does not man act the part of a demon? — first alluring by his temptations, and then triumphing in his victory when villany gets the ascendancy, it seldom leaves the wretch till it has thoroughly polluted him - T*******, once the joyous companion of our juvenile extravagancies, by a deep-laid scheme, so far ingratiated himself into the good graces of the old man that even he, with all his penetration and experience (of which old folks generally pique themselves), could not perceive his drift, and, like the goodness of his own heart, believed him honourable: had I known his pretensions

I would have flown on the wings of friendship, of regard — of affection, and rescued the lovely innocent from the hands of the spoiler; be not alarmed at my declaration I have been long bound to her in the reciprocal bonds of affection; but it is of a more delicate stamp than the gross materials nature has planted I hope ever to retain the idea

in us for procreation

of innocence, and love her still: I would love the whole sex were they equally deserving.

taking her by the hand

the other thrown round her waist after an intimacy allowing such freedoms with a look deceitfully pleasing, the villain poured out a torrent of protestations - and though oaths are sacred swore with all the fortitude of a conscientious man the depth of his love the height of his esteem

--

the strength of his attachment;

by these, and other artful means to answer his abandoned purpose (for which you know he is but too well qualified) gained on the open inexperienced heart of the generous Harriot, and robbed her of her brightest jewel. Oh! England! where are your senators? where are your laws? Ye Heavens! where rests your deadly thunder; why are your bolts restrained from overwhelming with vengeance this vile seducer? I, my friend, I, was the minister sent

by justice to revenge her wrongs claim it to redress her wrongs.

thusiast

--

de

fliction flies I heard it, and posted to ****, where, forgetting my character this is the style of the enit most became my character I saw him in his retreat I flew out of the chaise caught him by the collar and in a tumult of passion manded sure, if anger is excusable, it must be when it is excited by a detestation of vice I demanded him to restore alas! what was not in his power to return. Vengeance! and shall these vermin these spoilers of the fair these murderers of the mind lurk and creep about in dens secure to themselves, and pillage all around them? Distracted with my rage charged him with his crime exploded his baseness

condemned his villany while coward guilt sat on his sullen brow, and, like a criminal conscious of his deed, tremblingly pronounced his fear. He hoped means might be found for a sufficient atonement offered a tender of his hand as a satisfaction, and a life devoted to her service as a recompense for his error. His humiliation struck me 'twas the only means he could have contrived to assuage my anger. I hesitated paused thought and still must think assist me I am half afraid of trusting my Harriot in the hands of a man whose character I too well know to be the antipodes of Harriot's — He all fire and dissipation; meekness and sentiment!

on so important a concern;

she all

nor can I think there is any hope of reformation: the offer proceeds more from surprise, or fear, than justice and sincerity. The world the world will exclaim, and my Harriot be a cast-off from society. Let her I had rather see her thus, than miserably linked for life to a lump of vice. She shall retire to some corner of the world, and there weep out the remainder of her days in sorrow forgetting the wretch who has abused her confidence, but ever remembering the friend who consoles her in retirement. You, my dear Charles, shall bear a part with me in the delightful task of whispering "peace to those who are in trouble, and healing the broken in spirit.” Adieu. LAURENCE STERNE.

SIR,

CXXX. TO THE SAME.

I FEEL the weight of obligation which your friendship has laid upon me, and if it should never be in my power to make you a recompense, I hope you will be