THE

WORKS

OF

LAURENCE STERNE,

IN SIX VOLUMES:

WITH

A LIFE OF THE AUTHOR,

WRITTEN BY HIMSELF.

VOL. III.

LONDON:

SAMUEL RICHARDS AND CO. GROCERS' HALL COURT,

POULTRY.

1823.

No;-I think I said, I would write two volumes every year, provided the vile cough, which then tormented me, and which to this hour I dread worse than the Devil, would but give me leave;and in another place-(but where, I can't recollect now) speaking of my book as a machine, and laying my pen and ruler down cross-wise upon the table, in order to gain the greater credit to it,—I swore it should be kept a-going at that rate these forty years, if it pleased but the Fountain of Life to bless me so long with health and good spirits.

Now, as for my spirits, little have I to lay to their charge, nay, so very little (unless the mounting me upon a long stick, and playing the fool with me nineteen hours out of the twenty-four, be accusations)-that, on the contrary, I have much,— much to thank 'em for. Cheerily have ye made me tread the path of life with all the burdens of it (except its cares) upon my back: in no one moment

VOL. III.

B

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