h, 1767.

"MY LORD--'Tis with the greatest pleasure I take my pen to thank your
lordship for your letter of inquiry about Yorick--he was worn out,
both his spirits and body, with the _Sentimental Journey_; 'tis
true, then, an author must feel himself, or his reader will not--but
I have torn my whole frame into pieces by my feelings--I believe the
brain stands as much in need of recruiting as the body; therefore I
shall set out for town the twentieth of next month, after having
recruited myself a week at York. I might indeed solace myself with
my wife (who is come from France), but, in fact, I have long been a
sentimental being, whatever your lordship may think to the
contrary."

168 "It is known that Sterne died in hired lodgings, and I have been
told that his attendants robbed him even of his gold sleeve-buttons
while he was expiring."--DR. FERRIAR.

"He died at No. 41 (now a cheesemonger's) on the west side of Old
Bond Street.--_Handbook of London._"

169 "In February, 1768, Laurence Sterne, his frame exhausted by long
debilitating illness, expired at his lodgings in Bond Street,
London. There was something in the manner of his death singularly
resembling the particulars detailed by Mrs. Quickly, as attending
that of Falstaff, the compeer of Yorick for infinite jest, however
unlike in other particulars. As he lay on his bed totally exhausted,
he complained that his feet were cold, and requested the female
attendant to chafe them. She did so, and it seemed to relieve him.
He complained that the cold came up higher; and whilst the assistant
was in the act of chafing his ankles and legs, he expired without a
groan. It was also remarkable that his death took place much in the
manner which he himself had wished; and that the last offices were
rendered him, not in his own house, or by the hand of kindred
affection, but in an inn, and by strangers.

"We are well acquainted with Sterne's features and personal
appearance, to which he himself frequently alludes. He was tall and
thin, with a hectic and consumptive appearance."--SIR WALTER SCOTT.

170 "With regard to Sterne, and the charge of licentiousness which
presses so seriously upon his character as a writer, I would remark
that there is a sort of knowingness, the wit