the peace-why will not the advice fuit both, par nobile fratrum?

To-morrow morning (if Heaven per mit) I begin the fifth volume of Shandy

I care not a curfe for the critics-I'll load my vehicle with what goods be fends me, and they may take 'em off my hands, or let them alone-I am very valorous-and 'tis in proportion as we retire from the world, and fee it in its true dimenfions, that we despise it-no bad rant!-God above blefs you! You know I am

Your affectionate Coufin,

LAURENCE STERNE.

What few remain of the Demoniacs, greet and write me a letter, if you are able, as foolish as this.

Alluding to the first edition.

I

LETTER XIX.

TO LADY

Coxwould, Sept. 21, 1761

RETURN to my new habitation, fully determined to write as hard as can be, and thank you moft cordially, my dear lady, for your letter of congratulation upon my Lord Fauconberg's having prefented me with the curacy of this place. -though your congratulation comes fomewhat of the latest, as I have been poffeffed of it fome time. I hope I have been of fome fervice to his Lordship, and he has fufficiently requited me."Tis feventy 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 feat and park. 'Tis a very agreeable ride out in the chaife I purchased for my wife.-Lyd has a poney which the delights in.Whilst they take thefe diverfions, I am

fcribbling away at my Triftram. Thefe two volumes are, I think, the best.-I fhall write as long as I live, 'tis, in fact, my hobby-horse: and fo much am I delighted with my uncle Toby's imaginary character, that I am become an enthusiaft.-My Lydia helps to copy for meand my wife knits, and liftens as I read her chapters.-The coronation of his Majefty (whom God preferve!) has coft me the value of an ox, which is to be roafted whole in the middle of the town, and my parishioners will, I fuppofe, be very merry upon the occafion.-You will then be in town-and feaft your eyes with a fight, 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 Majefty.And now, my dear friend, I must finish this-and with every wish for your happinefs conclude myself your most fincere well-wisher and friend,

VOL. IX.

L. STERNE,

LETTER XX.

TO DAVID GARRICK, ESQ.

MY DEAR FRIEND, Paris, Jan. 31, 1762.

THINK

HINK 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 poft, whatever I do the next. Well! here I am, my friend, as 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 fee, and the unexpected honours I have met with here. Triftram

was almost as much known here as in London, at least among your men of condition and learning, and has got me introduced into fo many circles ('tis

comme à Londres). I have juft now a fortnight's dinners and fuppers upon my hands-My application to the Count dè Choiseul goes on fwimmingly, for not only Mr. Pelletiere (who, by the bye, fends ten thousand civilities to you and Mrs. Garrick) has undertaken my affair, but the Count de Limbourgh-the Baron d'Holbach, has offered any fecurity for the inoffensiveness of my behaviour in France-'tis 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—his house is now, as yours was to me, my own-he lives at great expence 'Twas an odd incident when I was introduced to the Count de Biffie, which I was at his defire-I found him reading Triftram-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' collections, every day I have time I have been at the doctors of