LXVI.-TO J— H— S-, Esq. NAPLES, Feb. 5, 1766. LXVII. TO MR. FOLEY, AT PARIS. NAPLES, Feb. 8, 1766. DEAR SIR,-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, etc., 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, L. STERNE. NAPLES, Feb. 14, 1766. MY DEAR H.,-"Tis an agé since I have heard from you; but 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, and then by Leghorn to Marseilles directly home; but am diverted from this by the repeated proposals of accompanying a gentleman who is returning by Venice, LXVIII.-TO MR. PANCHAUD, AT PARIS. 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 goodhearted 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 goodwill. 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 Por 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 anything 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. Yours affectionately, DEAR SIR,-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. 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. However, as we return by Venice, Vienna, Berlin, etc., 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, etc. 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 yours, L. STERNE. Sir James Macdonald is in the house with me, P.S.-Upon second thoughts, direct your next and is just recovering a long and most cruel fit L. STERNE. LXIX. TO J— H— S-, Esq. May 25, NEAR DIJON [1766]. DEAR SIR,-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 quit this agreeable circle, and post it night and day to Paris, where I shall arrive in two days, and just wind myself up, when I am there, enough to roll on to Calais; so I hope to sup with you the king's birth-day, according to a plan of sixteen days' standing. Never man has been such a wildgoose chase after a wife as I have been; after having sought her in five or six different towns, I found her at last in Franche Compte. Poor woman! she was very cordial, etc., and begs to stay another year or so. My Lydia pleases me much; I found her greatly improved in everything I wished her. I am most unaccountably well, and most unaccountably nonsensical: 'tis at least a proof of good spirits, which is a sign and token given me, in these latter days, that I must take up again the pen. In faith, I think I shall die with it in my hand; but I shall live these ten years, my Antony, notwithstanding the fears of my wife, whom I left most melancholy on that account. This is a delicious part of the world; most celestial weather; and we lie all day, without damps, upon the grass; and that is the whole of it, except the inner man (for her ladyship is not stingy of her wine) is inspired twice a day with the best Burgundy that grows upon the mountains which terminate our lands here. Surely you will not have decamped to Crazy Castle before I reach town. The summer here is set in in good earnest; 'tis more than we can say for Yorkshire. I hope to hear a good tale of your alum-works-have you no other works in hand? I do not expect to hear from you; so God prosper you, and all your undertakings. I am, my dear cousin, most affectionately yours, L. STERNE. Remember me to Mr. G-, Cardinal S-, the Colonel, etc. etc. etc. LXX.-TO MR. PANCHAUD, AT PARIS. YORK, June 28, 1766. DEAR SIR,-I wrote last week to Mr. Becket to discharge the balance due to you, and I have received a letter from him telling me that, if you will draw upon him for one hundred and sixty pounds, he will punctually pay it to your order; so send the draughts when you please. Mrs. Sterne writes me word she wants fifty pounds, which I desire you will let her have. I will take care to remit it to your correspondent. I have such an entire confidence in my wife, that she spends as little as she can, though she is confined to no particular sum-her expenses will not exceed three hundred pounds a year, unless by ill health or a journey, and I am very willing she should have it; and you may rely, in case it ever happens that she should draw for fifty or a hundred pounds extraordinary, that it and every demand shall be punctually paid, and with proper thanks; and for this the whole Shandean family are ready to stand security. "Tis impossible to tell you how sorry I was that my affairs hurried me so quick through Paris as to deprive me of seeing my old friend Mr. Foley, and of the pleasure I proposed in being made known to his better half; but I have a probability of seeing him this winter. Adieu, dear sir, and believe me most cordially yours, L. STERNE P.S.--Mrs. Sterne is going to Chalons, but your letter will find her, I believe, at Avignon She is very poorly, and my daughter writes to me, with sad grief of heart, that she is worse. LXXI. TO MR. S-. COXWOULD, July 23, 1766. DEAR SIR,-One might be led to think that there is a fatality regarding us: we make appointments to meet, and for these two years have not seen each other's face but twice. We must try and do better for the future. Having sought you with more zeal than C- sought the Lord, in order to deliver you the books you bade me purchase for you at Paris, I was forced to pay carriage for them from London down to York; but as I shall neither charge you the books nor the carriage, 'tis not worth talking about. Never nian, my dear sir, has had a more agreeable tour than your Yorick; and at present I am in my peaceful retreat, writing the ninth volume of Tristram. I shall publish but one this year, and the next I shall begin a new work of four volumes, which, when finished, I shall continue Tristram with fresh spirit. What a difference of scene here! But, with a disposition to be happy, 'tis neither this place nor t'other that renders us the reverse. In short, each man's happiness depends upon himself: he is a fool if he does not enjoy it. What are you about, dear S-? Give me some account of your pleasures. You had better come to me for a fortnight, and I will show, or give you (if needful), a practical dose of my philosophy. But I hope you do not want it; if you did, 'twould be the office of a friend to give it. Will not even our races tempt you? You see I use all arguments. Believe me yours most truly, LAURENCE STERNE. LXXII. TO MR. PANCHAUD, AT PARIS. COXWOULD, Sept. 21, 1766. MY DEAR FRIEND,-If Mrs. Sterne should draw upon you for fifty louis d'ors, be so kind as to remit her the money; and pray be so good as not to draw upon Mr. Becket for it (as he owes me nothing), but favour me with the draft, which I will pay to Mr. Selwin. A young nobleman is now negotiating a jaunt with me for six weeks, about Christmas, to the Fauxbourg de St. Germain. I should like much to be with you for so long; and if my wife should grow worse (having had a very poor account of her in my daughter's last), I cannot think of her being without meand, however expensive the journey would be, I would fly to Avignon to administer consolation to both her and my poor girl. Wherever I am, believe me, dear sir, yours, L. STERNE. My kind compliments to Mr. Foley. Though I have not the honour of knowing his rib, I see no reason why I may not present all due respects to the better half of so old a friend, which I do by these presents; with my friendliest wishes to Miss P LXXIII.-TO MR. FOLEY, AT PARIS. COXWOULD, Oct. 25, 1766. MY DEAR FOLEY,-I desired you would be so good as to remit to Mrs. Sterne fifty louis a month ago. I dare say you have done it, but her illness must have cost her a good deal; therefore, having paid the last fifty pounds into Mr. Selwin's hands, I beg you to send her thirty guineas more, for which I send a bank bill to Mr. Becket by this post; but surely, had I not done so, you would not stick at it; for be assured, my dear Foley, that the First Lord of the Treasury is neither more able or more willing (nor perhaps half so punctual) in repaying with honour all I ever can be in your books. My daughter says her mother is very ill, and I fear going fast down, by all accounts. "Tis melancholy, in her situation, to want any aid that is in my power to give. Do write to her, and believe me, with all compliments to your hotel, yours very truly, L. STERNE. LXXIV.-TO MR. PANCHAUD. YORK, Nov. 25, 1766. DEAR SIR,-I just received yours, and am glad that the balance of accounts is now paid to you. Thus far all goes well. I have received a letter from my daughter, with the pleasing tidings that she thinks her mother out of danger, and that the air of the country is delightful (except ing the winds). But the description of the chateau my wife has hired is really pretty: on the side of the Fountain of Vaucluse, with seven rooms of a floor, half furnished with tapestry, half with blue taffety; the permission to fish, and to have game, so many partridges a week, etc.; and the price-guess! sixteen guineas a year. There's for you, P. About the latter end of next month my wife will have occasion for a hundred guineas, and pray be so good, my dear sir, as to give orders that she may not be disappointed. She is going to spend the Carnival at Marseilles at Christmas. I shall be in London by Christmas week, and then shall balance this remittance to Mrs. S. with Mr. S-. I am going to lie-in of another child of the Shandaick procreation, in town; I hope you wish me a safe delivery. I fear my friend Mr. F- will have left town before I get there. Adieu, dear sir. I wish you everything in this world which will do you good; for I am, with unfeigned truth, yours, L. STERNE. Make my compliments acceptable to the good and worthy Baron d'Holbach, Miss P―, etc. etc. LXXV.-FROM IGNATIUS SANCHO TO MR. STERNE. [1766.] REVEREND SIR,-It would be an insult on your humanity (or perhaps look like it) to apologize for the liberty I am taking. I am one of those people whom the vulgar and illiberal call negroes. The first part of my life was rather unlucky, as I was placed in a family who judged ignorance the best and only security for obedience. A little reading and writing I got by unwearied application. The latter part of my life has been, through God's blessing, truly fortunate, having spent it in the service of one of the best and greatest families in the kingdom. My chief pleasure has been books. Philanthropy I adore. How very much, good sir, am I (amongst millions) indebted to you for the character of your amiable uncle Toby! I declare I would walk ten miles in the dog-days to shake hands with the honest Corporal. Your Sermons have touched me to the heart, and I hope have amended it; which brings me to the point. In your tenth discourse is this very affecting passage:-'Consider how great a part of our species, in all ages down to this, have been trod under the feet of cruel and capricious tyrants, who would neither hear their cries nor pity their distresses. Consider slavery -what it is-how bitter a draught-and how many millions are made to drink of it.'. Of all my favourite authors, not one has drawn a tear in favour of my miserable black brethren, excepting yourself and the humane author of Sir Geo. Ellison. I think you will forgive me; I am sure you will applaud me for beseeching you to give one half hour's attention to slavery as it is this day practised in our West Indies. That subject, handled in your striking manner, would ease the yoke (perhaps) of many; but if only of one-gracious God! what a feast to a benevolent heart! and sure I am, you are an epicurean in acts of charity. You who are universally read, and as universally admired-you could not fail. Dear sir, think in me you behold the uplifted hands of thousands of my brother Moors. Grief (you pathetically observe) is eloquent: figure to yourself their attitudes-hear their supplicating addresses!-alas! you cannot refuse. Humanity must comply; in which hope I beg permission to subscribe myself, reverend sir, etc., I. S. LXXVI.-FROM MR. STERNE TO IGNATIUS SANCHO. COXWOULD, July 27, 1766. THERE is a strange coincidence, Sancho, in the little events (as well as in the great ones) of this world; for I had been writing a tender tale of the sorrows of a friendless, poor negro girl, and my eyes had scarce done smarting with it, when your letter of recommendation, in behalf of so many of her brethren and sisters, came to me. But why her brethren or yours, Sancho, any more than mine? It is by the finest tints, and most insensible gradations, that nature descends from the fairest face about St. James's to the sootiest complexion in Africa: at which tint of these is it that the ties of blood are to cease? and how many shades must we descend lower still in the scale, ere mercy is to vanish with them? But 'tis no uncommon thing, my good Sancho, for one half of the world to use the other half of it like brutes, and then endeavour to make 'em so. For my own part, I never look westward (when I am in a pensive mood at least) but I think of the burthens which our brothers and sisters are there carrying; and could I ease their shoulders from one ounce of them, I declare I would set out this hour upon a pilgrimage to Mecca for their sakes-which, by the bye, Sancho, exceeds your walk of ten miles in about the same proportion that a visit of humanity should one of mere form. However, if you meant my uncle Toby, more he is your debtor. If I can weave the tale I have wrote into the work I am about, 'tis at the service of the afflicted-and a much greater matter; for, in serious truth, it casts a sad shade upon the world that so great a part of it are, and have been so long, bound in chains of darkness and in chains of misery; and I cannot but both respect and felicitate you, that by so much laudable diligence you have broke the one, and that by falling into the hands of so good and merciful a family, Providence has rescued you from the other. And so, good-hearted Sancho, adieu! and believe me I will not forget your letter. Yours, L. STERNE. other friends in town. I have drained my inkstandish to the bottom, and after I have published, shall set my face, not towards Jerusalem, but towards the Alps. I find I must once more fly from death whilst I have strength. I shall go to Naples, and see whether the air of that place will not set this poor frame to rights. As to the project of getting a bear to lead, I think I have enough to do to govern myself; and however profitable it might be (according to your opinion), I am sure it would be unpleasurable. Few are the minutes of life, and I do not think that I have any to throw away on any one being. I shall spend nine or ten months in Italy, and call upon my wife and daughter in France at my return; so shall be back by the king's birth-day—what a project! And now, my dear friend, am I going to York, not for the sake of society, nor to walk by the side of the muddy Ouse, but to recruit myself of the most violent spitting of blood that ever mortal man experienced; because I had rather (in case 'tis ordained so) die there, than in a post-chaise on the road. If the amour of my uncle Toby do not please you, I am mistaken; and so with a droll story I will finish this letter. A sensible friend of mine, with whom not long ago I spent some hours in conversation, met an apothecary (an acquaintance of ours). The latter asked him how he did? Why, ill, very ill-I have been with Sterne, who has given me such a dose of Attic salt that I am in a fever. Attic salt, sir, Attic salt! I have Glauber salt, I have Epsom salt, in my shop, etc. Oh! I suppose 'tis some French salt; I wonder you would trust his report of the medicine-he cares not what he takes himself.-I fancy I see you smile. I long to be able to be in London, and embrace my friends there; and shall enjoy myself a week or ten days at Paris with my friends, particularly the Baron d'Holbach, and the rest of the joyous set. As to the females-no, I will not say a word about them-only I hate borrowed characters taken up (as a woman does her shift) for the purpose she intends to effectuate. Adieu, adieu. I am yours whilst L. STERNE LXXVIII. — TO MR. PANCHAUD, AT PARIS. LONDON, Feb. 13, 1767. DEAR P—,—I paid yesterday (by Mr. Becket) a hundred guineas, or pounds, I forget which, to Mr. Selwin. But you must remit to Mrs. Sterne, at Marseilles, a hundred louis before she leaves that place, which will be in less than three weeks. Have you got the ninth volume of Shandy-it is liked the best of all here. I am going to publish a Sentimental Journey through France and Italy. The undertaking is protected and highly encouraged by all our noblesse-'tis subscribed for at a great rate-'twill be an original-in large quarto-the subscription half-like her, what a life would this be! Heaven, a-guinea. If you can procure me the honour of a few names of men of science, or fashion, I shall thank you. They will appear in good company, as all the nobility here almost have honoured me with their names. My kindest remembrance to Mr. Foley-respects to Baron d'Holbach; and believe me ever, ever yours, L. STERNE. LXXIX.-TO MISS STERNE. OLD BOND STREET, Feb. 23, 1767." AND so, my Lydia! thy mother and thyself are returning back again from Marseilles to the my Lydia, for some wise purpose has created different beings. I wish my dear child knew her: thou art worthy of her friendship, and she already loves thee; for I sometimes tell her what I feel for thee. This is a long letter. Write soon, and never let your letters be studied ones; write naturally, and then you will write well. I hope your mother has got quite well of her ague. I have sent her some of Huxham's tincture of the bark. I will order you a guitar, since the other is broke. Believe me, my Lydia, that I am yours affectionately, L. STERNE. LONDON, Feb. 27, 1767. DEAR SIR,-My daughter begs a present of me, and you must know I can deny her nothing. It must be strung with cat-gut, and of five chords, -she cannot get such a thing at Marseilles-at Paris one may have everything. Will you be so good to my girl as to make her happy in this affair, by getting some musical body to buy one, and send it to her at Avignon, directed to Monsieur Teste? I wrote last week to desire you would remit Mrs. S. a hundred louis: 'twill be all, except the guitar, I shall owe you. Send me your account, and I will pay Mr. Selwin. Direct to me at Mr. Becket's. All kind respects to my friend Mr. F- and your sister. Yours cordially, L. STERNE banks of the Sorgue, and there thou wilt sit LXXX.-TO MR. PANCHAUD, AT PARIS. and fish for trouts; I envy you the sweet situation. Petrarch's tomb I should like to pay a sentimental visit to. The Fountain of Vaucluse, by thy description, must be delightful. I am also much pleased with the account you give me of the Abbé de Sade-you find great comfort—sic hiama in Italiano la chitera di cinque corde in such a neighbour. I am glad he is so good as to correct thy translation of my Sermons. Dear girl, go on, and make me a present of thy work; but why not the House of Mourning? 'tis one of the best. I long to receive the life of Petrarch and his Laura, by your Abbé; but I am out of all patience with the answer the Marquis made the Abbé-'twas truly coarse, and I wonder he bore it with any Christian patience. But to the subject of your letter-I do not wish to know who was the busy fool who made your mother uneasy about Mrs. —. 'Tis true I have a friendship for her, but not to infatuation; I believe I have judgment enough to discern hers, and every woman's faults. I honour thy mother for her answer-'that she wished not to be informed, and begged him to drop the subject.' Why do you say your mother wants money? Whilst I have a shilling, shall you not both have ninepence out of it? I think, if I have my enjoyments, I ought not to grudge you yours. I shall not begin my Sentimental Journey till I get to Coxwould. I have laid a plan for something new, quite out of the beaten track. I wish I had you with me, and I would introduce you to one of the most amiable and gentlest of beings, whom I have just been with-not Mrs. but a Mrs. J-, the wife of as worthy a man as I ever met with. I esteem them both. He possesses every manly virtue-honour and bravery are his characteristics, which have distinguished him nobly in several instances. I shall make you be better acquainted with his character by sending Orme's History, with the books you desired; and it is well worth your reading; for Orme is an elegant writer, and a just one-he pays no man a compliment at the expense of truth. Mrs. J— is kind, and friendly-of a sentimental turn of mind-and so sweet a disposition, that she is too good for the world she lives in. Just God! if all were LXXXI. TO ELIZA." ELIZA will receive my books with this. The | Sermons came all hot from the heart: I wish that I could give them any title to be offered to 1 This and the nine following Letters have no dates to them, but were evidently written in the months of March and April 1767. They are therefore here placed together. 2 The Editor of the first publication of Mr. Sterne's Letters to Eliza gives the following account of this lady: 'Mrs. Elizabeth Draper, wife of Daniel Draper, Esq., counsellor at Bombay, and at present [i. e. in 1775] chief of the factory at Surat, a gentleman very much respected in that quarter of the globe. She is by birth an East Indian; but the circumstance of being born in the country not proving sufficient to defend her delicate frame against the heats of that burning climate, she came to England for the recovery of her health, when by accident she became acquainted with Mr. Sterne. He immediately discovered in her a mind so congenial with his own, so enlightened, so refined, and so tender, that their mutual attraction presently joined them in the closest union that purity could possibly admit of: he loved her as his friend, and prided in her as his pupil. All her concerns became presently his; her health, her circumstances, her reputation, her children, were his; his fortune, his time, his country, were at her disposal, so far as the sacrifice of all or any of these |