the remaining volumes, from the reception of these. If my book sells and has the run our critics expect, I propose to free myself of all future troubles of this kind, and bargain with you, if possible, for the rest as they come out, which will be every six months. If my book fails of success, the loss falls where it ought to do. The same motives which inclined me first to offer you this trifle, incline me to give you the whole profits of the sale (except what Mr. Kirksman sells here, which will be a great many), and to have them sold only at your shop, upon the usual terms in these cases. The book shall be printed here, and the impression sent up to you; for as I live at York, and shall correct every proof myself, it shall go perfect into the world, and be printed in so creditable a way as to paper, type, &c., as to do no dishonour to you, who, I know, never chuse to print a book meanly. Will you patronize my book upon these terms, and be as kind a friend to it as if you had bought the copyright ? Be so good as to favour me with a line by the return, and believe me,

Sir,

Your obliged and most humble servant,

(Signed) LAURENCE STERNE.

P. S. All locality is taken out of the book -the satire general; notes are added where wanted, and the whole made more saleable about a hundred and fifty pages added-and to conclude, a strong interest formed and forming in its behalf, which I hope will soon take off the few I shall print on this coup d'essai. I had desired Mr. Kirksman to write the purport of this to you by this post, but least he should omit it, or not sufficiently explain my intention, I thought best to trouble you with a letter myself.

Direct for me, Prebendary of York.

LETTER XXIII

To Mrs. F[erguson]

YORK, Tuesday, Nov. 19, 1759. Your kind enquiries after

DEAR MADAM, my health, deserve my best thanks. What can give one more pleasure than the good wishes of those we value? I am sorry you give so bad an account of your own health, but hope you will find benefit from tar-water- it has been of infinite service to me. I suppose, my good lady, by what you say in your letter, “that I am busy writing an extraordinary book," that your intelligence comes from York the fountainhead of all chit-chat news-and-no matter. Now for your desire of knowing the reason of my turning author? why truly I am tired of employing my brains for other people's advantage. 'Tis a foolish sacrifice I have made for some years to an ungrateful person.

I depend much upon the candour of the public, but I shall not pick out a jury to try the merit of my book amongst

***

and till you read my Tristram, do not, like some people, condemn it. — Laugh I am sure

you will at some passages. I have hired a small house in the Minster Yard for my wife and daughter the latter is to begin dancing, &c. if I cannot leave her a fortune, I will at least give her an education. As I shall publish my works very soon, I shall be in town by March, and shall have the pleasure of meeting with you. All your friends are well, and ever hold you in the same estimation that your sincere friend does.

Adieu, dear lady, believe me, with every wish for your happiness, your most faithful, &c.

LAURENCE STERNE.

LETTER XXIV

To Dr.

Jan. 30, 1760.

DEAR SIR,- De mortuis nil nisi bonum, is a maxim which you have so often of late urged in conversation, and in your letters (but in your last especially), with such seriousness, and severity against me, as the supposed transgressor of the rule; - that you have made me at length as serious and severe as yourself:but that the humours you have stirred up might not work too potently within me, I have waited four days to cool myself, before I would set pen to paper to answer you, " de mortuis nil nisi bonum." I declare I have considered the wisdom and foundation of it over and over again, as dispassionately and charitably as a good Christian can, and, after all, I can find nothing in it, or make more of it, than a nonsensical lullaby of some nurse, put into Latin by some pedant, to be chanted by some hypo

This letter was perhaps addressed to Dr. Noah Thomas, a distinguished London physician. Sterne was his frequent guest at Scarborough. See Joseph Cradock, Literary and Miscellaneous Memoirs (Vol. I. p. 9, London, 1826).