and with regret do we both bid adieu but health on my fide-and good fenfe on his-fay 'tis better to be at Rome you fay at Paris-but you put variety out of the question.-I intreat you to forward the inclofed to Mrs. SterneMy compliments to all friends, more particularly to those I moft value (that includes Mr. F. if he is in Paris).

I am yours moft truly,

L. STERNE

LETTER LXIV.

I

TO THE SAME.

DEAR SIR, Florence, December 18, 1765. HAVE been a month paffing the plains of Lombardy-stopping in my way at Milan, Parma, Placenza, and Bologna-with weather as delicious as a kindly April in England, and have been three days in croffing a part of the Apennines covered with thick fnow! Sad tranfition!-I ftay here three days

to dine with our Plenipo Lords Td. and Cr, and in five days fhall tread the Vatican, and be introduced to all the Saints in the Pantheon.-I ftay but, fourteen days to pay these civilities, and then decamp for Naples.-Pray fend the inclosed to my wife, and Becket's letter, to London.

YOUR letter, my Lydia, has made me both laugh and cry.-Sorry am I that you are both fo afflicted with the ague, and by all means I wish you both to fly from Tours, because I remember it is fituated between two rivers, la Loire, and le Cher-which must occafion fogs, and damp unwholesome wea

ther-therefore for the fame reason go not to Bourges en Breffe-'tis as vile a place for agues.-I find myself infinitely better than I was-and hope to have added at least ten years to my life by this journey to Italy-the climate is heavenly, and I find new principles of health in me, which I have been long a ftranger to-but truft me, my Lydia, I will find you out, wherever you are, in May. Therefore I beg you to direct to me at Belloni's at Rome, that I may have fome idea where you will be then. The account you give me of Mrs. C is truly amiable, I fhall ever honour her-Mr. C. is a diverting companion-what he faid of your little French admirer was truly droll-the Marquis de is an impoftor, and not worthy of your acquaintance-he only pretended to know me, to get introduced to your mother-I defire you will get your mother to write to Mr. C. that I may discharge every debt, and then, my Lydia, if I live, the produce of my pen fhall be yours-If fate re

ferves me not that-the humane and good, part for thy father's fake, part for thy own, will never abandon thee!If your mother's health will permit her to return with me to England, your fummers I will render as agreeable as I can at Coxwould-your winters at York-you know my publications call me to London.-If Mr. and Mrs. Care ftill at Tours, thank them from me for their cordiality to my wife and daughter. I have purchased you fome little trifles, which I fhall give you when we meet, as proofs of affection from

Your fond father,

L. STERNE.

.: VOL. IX.

N

LETTER LXVI.

TO JH S―, ESQ.

MY DEAR H.

Naples, February 5, 1766.

Is an age fince 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 fpirits; and here I am, as happy as a king after all, growing fat, fleek, and well liking-not improving in ftature, but in breadth.-We have a jolly carnival of it-nothing but operas -punchinelloes-feftinos and mafquerades-We (that is, nous autres) are all dreffing out for one this night at the Princess Francavivalla, which is to be fuperb. The English dine with her (exclufive) and fo much for fmall chat -except that I faw a little comedy acted last week with more expreffion and