LETTER LXXI.

DEAR SIR,

TO MR. S.

Coxwould, July 23, 1766.

NE might be led to think that there is a fatality regarding us-we make appointments to meet, and for these two years have not feen each other's face but twice-we must try, and do better for the future-Having fought you with more zeal, than C.... fought 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 fhall neither charge you the books nor the carriage 'tis not worth talking about. -Never man, my dear Sir, has had a more agreeable tour than your Yorickand at prefent I am in my peaceful retreat, writing the ninth volume of Triftram-I fhall publish but one this

Alluding to the first edition.

year, and the next I fhall begin a new work of four volumes, which when finished, I fhall continue Triftram with fresh fpirit. What a difference of scene here! But, with a difpofition to be happy, 'tis neither this place, nor t'other, that renders us the reverfe.-In fhort, each man's happiness depends upon himfelf-he is a fool if he does not enjoy it.

What are you about, dear S— ? Give me fome account of your pleasures -you had better come to me for a fortnight, and I will fhew, or give you (if needful), a practical dofe of my philofophy; 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 fee I use all árguments-Believe me yours moft truly,

LAURENCE STERNE.

LETTER LXXII.

TO MR. PANCHAUD, AT PARIS.

Coxwould, September 21, 1766.

MY DEAR FRIEND,

F Mrs. Sterne fhould draw upon you IF for fifty louis d'ors, be fo kind as to remit her the money-and pray be fo good as not to draw upon Mr. Becket for it (as he owes me nothing), but favour me with the draught, which I will pay to Mr. Selwin.-A young nobleman is now negociating a jaunt with me for fix weeks, about Christmas, to the Fauxbourg de St. Germain-I fhould like much to be with you for fo longand if my wife fhould grow worse (having had a very poor account of her in my daughter's laft), I cannot think of her being without me-and however expenfive the journey would be, I would fly to Avignon to adminifter confolation

to both her and my poor girl-Whereever 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 fee no reason why I may not prefent all due refpects to the better half of fo old a friend, which I do by thefe prefents-with my friendlieft wishes to Mifs P.

I

LETTER LXXIII.

TO MR. FOLEY, AT PARIS.

Coxwould, October 25, 1766.

MY DEAR FOLEY,

DESIRED you would be fo good as to remit to Mrs. Sterne fifty louis, a month ago I dare fay you have done it

but her illness muft have coft her a good deal—therefore having paid the

laft fifty pounds into Mr. Selwin's hands, I beg you to fend her thirty guineas more for which I fend a bank bill to Mr. Becket by this poft-but furely had I not done fo, you would not stick at it

for be affured, my dear Foley, that the First Lord of the Treafury is neither more able or more willing (nor perhaps half fo punctual) in repaying with honour all I ever can be in your books. My daughter fays her mother is very ill -and I fear going fast down by all accounts 'tis melancholy in her fituation ⚫ 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,

VOL. IX.