p up a good understanding amongst words, as politicians
do amongst men--not knowing how near they may be under a necessity of
placing them to each other--which point being now gain'd, and that I may
place mine exactly to my mind, I write it down here--

Spleen.

This, upon leaving Chantilly, I declared to be the best principle in the
world to travel speedily upon; but I gave it only as matter of opinion.
I still continue in the same sentiments--only I had not then experience
enough of its working to add this, that though you do get on at a
tearing rate, yet you get on but uneasily to yourself at the same
time; for which reason I here quit it entirely, and for ever, and 'tis
heartily at any one's service--it has spoiled me the digestion of a good
supper, and brought on a bilious diarrhoea, which has brought me back
again to my first principle on which I set out--and with which I shall
now scamper it away to the banks of the Garonne--

--No;--I cannot stop a moment to give you the character of the
people--their genius--their manners--their customs--their laws--their
religion--their government--their manufactures--their commerce--their
finances, with all the resources and hidden springs which sustain them:
qualified as I may be, by spending three days and two nights amongst
them, and during all that time making these things the entire subject of
my enquiries and reflections--

Still--still I must away--the roads are paved--the posts are short--the
days are long--'tis no more than noon--I shall be at Fontainebleau
before the king--

--Was he going there? not that I know--

End of the Third Volume.

THE LIFE AND OPINIONS OF TRISTRAM SHANDY, GENT.--VOLUME THE FOURTH.

Non enim excursus hic ejus, sed opus ipsum est.

Plin. Lib. V. Epist. 6.

Si quid urbaniuscule lusum a nobis, per Musas et Charitas et
omnium poetarum Numina, Oro te, ne me male capias.

A Dedication to a Great Man.

Having, a priori, intended to dedicate The Amours of my Uncle Toby to
Mr. ...--I see more reasons, a posteriori, for doing it to Lord........

I should lament from my soul, if this exposed me to the jealousy of
their Reverences; because a posteriori, in Court-latin, signifies the
kissing hands for preferment--or any thing else--in order to get it.

My opinion of Lord....... is neither better nor worse, than it was of
Mr. .... Honours, like impressions upon coin, may give an ideal and
local value t