Stevenson, John Hall, 1718-1785. SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY CONTINUED TO WHICH IS PREFIXED SOME ACCOUNT OF THE LIFE AND OF MR. STERNE BY EUGENIUS VOLUME I LONDON . PRINTED FOR THE GEORGIAN SOCIETY 1902 THE PREFACE HE following sheets are not presented to the Public as the offspring of Mr. Sterne's pen. THE Editor has, however, compiled this Continuation of his SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY, from motives, and upon such authority, as, he flatters himself, will form a sufficient apology to his readers for its publication. THE abrupt manner in which the second volume concluded, seemed forcibly to claim a sequel; and doubtless, if the author's life had been spared, the world would have received it from his own hand, as he had materials already prepared. The intimacy which subsisted between Mr. Sterne and the Editor, gave the latter frequent occasion of hearing him relate the most remarkable incidents of the latter part of his last journey, which made such an impression on him, that he thinks he has retained them so perfectly as to be able to commit them to paper. In doing this, he has endeavoured to imitate his friend's style and manner; but how far he has been successful in this respect, he leaves the reader to determine. The work may now, however, be considered as complete; and the remaining curiosity of the readers of Yorick's Sentimental Journey, will at least be gratified with respect to facts, events, and observations. THE reader will not, probably, be displeased to find in this place, some account of the life and writings of Mr. Sterne. He was the son of an Irish officer, and born in the barracks at Dublin: but he was not without relations in the Church, as vii 279156 his great-grandfather was an archbishop, and his uncle the prebendary of a cathedral. He was brought up at the university of Cambridge, where the vivacity of his disposition very early in life distinguished him. FOR Some time he lived in a retired manner at Sutton in the Forest of Galtrees, a small vicarage in Yorkshire, and probably would have remained in the same obscurity, if his lively genius had not displayed itself upon an occasion which secured him a friend, and paved the way for his promotion. A person who filled a lucrative benefice, was not satisfied with enjoying it during his own lifetime, but exerted all his interest to have it entailed upon his wife and son after his decease. The gentleman that expected the reversion of this post was Mr. Sterne's friend, who had not, however, sufficient influence to prevent the success of his adversary. At this critical time, Mr. Sterne's satirical pen operated so strongly, that the intended monopolizer informed him, if he would suppress the publication of his sarcasm, he would resign his pretensions to the next candidate. The title of this piece, it appears, was to have been, "The History of a good warm "watch-coat, with which the present possessor is not content "to cover his own shoulders, unless he can cut out of it a "petticoat for his wife, and a pair of breeches for his son.' The pamphlet was suppressed, the reversion took place, and Mr. Sterne was requited, by the interest of his Patron, with the Prebendaryship of York. MR. STERNE was about this period in the coffee-house at York, when a stranger came in, who gave much offence to the company, consisting chiefly of Gentlemen of the Gown, by descanting too freely upon religion, and the hypocrisy of the clergy. The young fellow at length addressed himself to Mr. Sterne, asking him what were his sentiments upon the subject; when, instead of answering him directly, he told the |