m to be paid into the hands of
Mr. Dodsley, for the benefit of the author; and in the next edition
care shall be taken that this chapter be expunged, and your Lordship's
titles, distinctions, arms, and good actions, be placed at the front of
the preceding chapter: All which, from the words, De gustibus non est
disputandum, and whatever else in this book relates to Hobby-Horses, but
no more, shall stand dedicated to your Lordship.--The rest I dedicate to
the Moon, who, by the bye, of all the Patrons or Matrons I can think of,
has most power to set my book a-going, and make the world run mad after
it.

Bright Goddess, If thou art not too busy with Candid and Miss Cunegund's
affairs,--take Tristram Shandy's under thy protection also.

Chapter 1.X.

Whatever degree of small merit the act of benignity in favour of the
midwife might justly claim, or in whom that claim truly rested,--at
first sight seems not very material to this history;--certain however it
was, that the gentlewoman, the parson's wife, did run away at that time
with the whole of it: And yet, for my life, I cannot help thinking but
that the parson himself, though he had not the good fortune to hit upon
the design first,--yet, as he heartily concurred in it the moment it was
laid before him, and as heartily parted with his money to carry it into
execution, had a claim to some share of it,--if not to a full half of
whatever honour was due to it.

The world at that time was pleased to determine the matter otherwise.

Lay down the book, and I will allow you half a day to give a probable
guess at the grounds of this procedure.

Be it known then, that, for about five years before the date of
the midwife's licence, of which you have had so circumstantial an
account,--the parson we have to do with had made himself a country-talk
by a breach of all decorum, which he had committed against himself, his
station, and his office;--and that was in never appearing better, or
otherwise mounted, than upon a lean, sorry, jackass of a horse, value
about one pound fifteen shillings; who, to shorten all description of
him, was full brother to Rosinante, as far as similitude congenial could
make him; for he answered his description to a hair-breadth in every
thing,--except that I do not remember 'tis any where said, that
Rosinante was broken-winded; and that, moreover, Rosinante, as is the
happiness of most Spanish horses, fat or lean,--was undoubtedly a horse
at all poin