Sterne by H. D. (Henry Duff) Traill
page 108 of 172 (62%)
page 108 of 172 (62%)
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consolations were not required.
Meanwhile the idyll of Captain Shandy's love-making was gradually approaching completion; and there are signs to be met with--in the author's correspondence, that is to say, and not in the work itself--that he was somewhat impatient to be done with it, at any rate for the time. "I shall publish," he says, "late in this year; and the next I shall begin a new work of four volumes, which, when finished, I shall continue _Tristram_ with fresh spirit." The new work in four volumes (not destined to get beyond one) was, of course, the _Sentimental Journey_. His ninth volume of _Tristram Shandy_ was finished by the end of the year, and at Christmas he came up to London, after his usual practice, to see to its publication and enjoy the honours of its reception. The book passed duly through the press, and in the last days of January was issued the announcement of its immediate appearance. Of the character of its welcome I can find no other evidence than that of Sterne himself, in a letter addressed to M. Panchaud some fortnight after the book appeared. "'Tis liked the best of all here;" but, with whatever accuracy this may have expressed the complimentary opinion of friends, or even the well-considered judgment of critics, one can hardly believe that it enjoyed anything like the vogue of the former volumes. Sterne, however, would be the less concerned for this, that his head was at the moment full of his new venture. "I am going," he writes, "to publish _A Sentimental Journey through France and Italy_. The undertaking is protected and highly encouraged by all our noblesse. 'Tis subscribed for at a great rate 'twill be an original, in large quarto, the subscription half a guinea. If you (Panchaud) can procure me the honour of a few names of men of science or fashion, I shall thank you: they will appear in good company, as all the nobility here have honoured me with their names." |
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