House-Office, at Calais-it shall be sent you next poft.-You must be cautious. about Scotch fnuff-take half a pound in your pocket, and make Lyd do the fame. 'Tis well I bought you a chaise -there is no getting one in Paris now, but at an enormous price-for they are all fent to the army, and fuch a one as yours we have not been able to match for forty guineas, for a friend of mine who is going from hence to Italy-the weather was never known to fet in fo hot, as it has done the latter end of this month, fo he and his party are to get into his chaifes by four in the morn-. ing, and travel 'till nine-and not ftir out again 'till fix;-but I hope this fevere heat will abate by the time you come here-however, I beg of you once more to take fpecial care of heating your blood in travelling and come tout doucement, when you find the heat too much-I fhall look impatiently for intelligence from you, and hope to hear all goes well, that you conquer all difficulties, that you have received your

pass-port, my picture, &c. Write and tell me fomething of every thing. I long to fee you both, you may be affured, my dear wife and child, after fo long a feparation-and write me

line directly, that I may have all the notice you can give me, that I may have apartments ready and fit for you when you arrive.-For my own part I fhall continue writing to you a fortnight longer-prefent my refpects to all friends -you have bid Mr. C. get my vifitations at P. done for me, &c. &c. If any offers are made about the inclosure at Rafcal, they must be enclosed to menothing that is fairly propofed fhall ftand ftill on my fcore. Do all for the beft, as He who guides all things will I hope do for us-fo Heaven preserve you both-believe me

Your affectionate

L. STERNE.

Love to my Lydia-I have bought her a gold watch to prefent to her when fhe comes

LETTER XXVI.

TO THE SAME.

I

MY DEAR,

Paris, June 7, 1762.

KEEP my promise and write to you again-I am forry the bureau must be open'd for the deeds-but you will fee it done-I imagine you are convinced of the neceffity of bringing three hundred pounds in your pocket --if you confider, Lydia must have two flight negligees-you will want a new gown or two-as for painted linens, buy them in town, they will be more admired because English than French.-Mrs. H. writes me word that I am mistaken about buying filk cheaper at Toulouse than Paris, that the advises you to buy what you want here where they are very beautiful and cheap, as well as blonds, gauzes, &c.-thefe I fay will all coft you fixty guineas-and you muft have them-for in this country

nothing must be fpared for the backand if you dine on an onion, and lie in a garret feven stories high, "you must not betray it in your cloaths, according to which you are well or ill look'd on, When we are got to Toulouse, we must begin to turn the penny, and we may (if you do not game much) live very cheap-I think that expreffion will divert you-and now God knows I have not a wifh but for your health, comfort, and fafe arrival here-write to me every other post, that I may know how you go on-you will be in raptures with your chariot-Mr. R. a gentleman of fortune, who is going to Italy, and has feen it, has offered me thirty guineas for my bargain.-You will wonder all the way, how I am to find room in it for a third-to eafe you of this wonder, 'tis by what the coach-makers here call a cave, which is a fecond bottom added to that you fet your feet upon, which lets the perfon (who fits overagainst you) down with his knees to your ancles, and by which you have all

more room—and what is more, lefs heat, -because his head does not intercept the fore-glafs-little or nothing-Lyd and I will enjoy this by turns; fometimes I fhall take a bidet-(a little poft horfe) and fcamper before-at other times I fhall fit in fresco upon the armchair without doors, and one way or other will do very well.-I am under infinite obligations to Mr. Thornhill, for accommodating me thus, and fo genteelly, for 'tis like making a prefent of it.—Mr. T will fend you an order to receive it at Calais-and now, my dear girls, have I forgot any thing?

Adieu, adieu!

Yours most affectionately,

L. STERNE.

A week or ten days will enable you to fee every thing-and fo long you muft ftay to rest your bones.