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 that your mother wants money?

-whilst I have a shilling, shall you not both have nine-pence out of it?—I think, if I have my enjoy. ments, 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 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 inJust God! if all were like her, what a life would

this be!-Heaven, 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 oneswrite naturally, and then you will write well.-I hope your mother has got quite well of her agueI have sent 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 affection. ately.

LETTER LII.

MR. STERNE TO MISS STERNE.

Bond-street, April 9, 1767. THIS letter, my dear Lydia, will distress thy good heart, for from the beginning thou wilt perceive no entertaining strokes of humour in it—I cannot be cheerful when a thousand melancholy ideas sur.. round me I have met with a loss of near fifty pounds, which I was taken in for in an extraordinary manner-but what is that loss in comparison of one I may experience?—Friendship is the balm and cordial of life, and without it 'tis a heavy load not worth sustaining.—I am unhappy-thy mother and thyself at a distance from me, and what can compensate for such a destitution?-For God's sake, persuade her to come and fix in England, for life is too short to waste in separation-and whilst she lives in one country, and I in another,

many people will suppose it proceeds from choice -besides, I want thee near me, thou child and darling of my heart!—I am in a melancholy mood, and my Lydia's eyes will smart with weeping, when I tell her the cause that now affects me.—I am apprehensive the dear friend I mentioned in my last letter is going into a decline-I was with her two days ago, and I never beheld a being so altered she has a tender frame, and looks like a drooping lily, for the roses are fled from her cheeks —I can never see or talk to this incomparable woman, without bursting into tears-I have a thousand obligations to her, and I owe her more than her whole sex, if not all the world put togetherShe has a delicacy in her way of thinking that few possess our conversations are of the most interesting nature, and she talks to me of quitting this world with more composure than others think of living in it. I have wrote an epitaph, of which I send thee a copy.-'Tis expressive of her modest worth-but may Heaven restore her! and may she live to write mine!

Columns and labour'd urns but vainly show
An idle scene of decorated woe:

The sweet companion and the friend sincere,
Need no mechanic help to force the tear.
In heartfelt numbers, never meant to shine,
'Twill flow eternal o'er a hearse like thine:
"Twill flow whilst gentle goodness has one friend,
Or kindred tempers have a tear to lend.

Say all that is kind of me to thy mother, and believe me, my Lydia, that I love thee most trulySo adieu-I am what I ever was, and hope ever shall be, thy affectionate father.

As to Mr.

by your description he is a fat

fool. I beg you will not give up your time to such a being-Send me some batons pour les dentsthere are none good here.

LETTER LIII.

MR. STERNE TO J. D

-N, ESQ.

Old Bond-street, Friday morning. I WAS going, my dear D-n, to bed before I received your kind inquiry, and now my chaise stands at my door to take and convey this poor body to its legal settlement-I am ill, very illI languish most affectingly-I am sick both in soul and body-it is a cordial to me to hear it is different with you-no mau interests himself more in your happiness, and I am glad you are in so fair a road to it-enjoy it long, my D. whilst I—no matter what-but my feelings are too nice for the world I live in-things will mend.—I dined yesterday with lord and lady S―; we talked much of you, and your goings on, for every one knows why Sunbury Hill is so pleasant a situation.-You rogue! you have locked up my boots-and I go bootless home, and I fear I shall go bootless all my life-Adieu, gentlest and best of souls-adieu, I am yours most affectionately.

LETTER LIV.

MR. STERNE TO J-H-S-, ESQ.

MY DEAR COUSIN,

Newark, Monday ten o'clock in the morn.

I HAVE got conveyed thus far like a bale of cadaverous goods consigned to Pluto and Companylying in the bottom of my chaise most of the route, upon a large pillow which I had the prevoyance to purchase before I set out-I am worn out; but press on to Barnby Moor to-night, and if possible to York the next.-I know not what is the matter with me-but some derangement presses hard upon this machine-still I think it will not be overset this bout.-My love to G-. We shall all meet from the east, and from the south, and (as at the last) be happy together-My kind respects to a few-I am, dear H., truly yours.

LETTER LV.

MR. STERNE TO A. L- -E, ESQ.

DEAR LE, Coxwould, June 7, 1767. I HAD not been many days at this peaceful cottage before your letter greeted me with the seal of friendship, and most cordially do I thank you for so kind a proof of your good-will-I was truly anxious to hear of the recovery of my sentimental friend-but I would not write to inquire after her,