CONTENTS.

Illustrations of Sterne

Chapter I. Probable origin of Sterne's

ludicrous writings.-General account of the

nature of the ludicrous-Why the sixteenth

century produced many authors of this class

Page.

1

Chapter II. Ludicrous writers, from

whom Sterne probably took general ideas,

or particular passages—Rabelais-Bero-

alde-D'Aubigné-Bouchet-Bruscambille

Scarron-Swift-Gabriel John..

Chapter III. Other writers imitated by

Sterne- Burton-Bacon-BlountMon-

taigne-Bishop Hall.

Chapter IV. Mr. Shandy's hypothesis

of noses explained-Taliacotius-Stories of

long noses-Coincidence between Vigneul-

Marville and Lavater-Opinions of Gar-

mann-Riolan-Beddoes-Segar's point of

honour concerning the nose

Chapter V. Uncle Toby's hobby-horse

-Amours-Story of Sorlisi..

Chapter VI. Mr. Shandy's hypothesis

Miscellaneous Illus-

of Christian names—.

trations-Conclusion

Additional notes

3

23

55

100

145

164

186

Of certain Varieties of Man

193

Menippean Essay on English Historians.... 225

The Puppet-Shew; a didactic poem: partly

translated from Addison's Machine Gesti-

culantes

Of Genius

Dialogue in the Shades.

Knaster; an elegy..

A Northern Prospect...

255

269

289

303

311

ILLUSTRATIONS

of

STERNE.

B

STERNE, for whose sake I plod thro' miry ways
Of antic wit, and quibbling mazes drear,
Let not thy shade malignant censure fear,
Tho' aught of borrow'd mirth my search betrays.
Long slept that mirth in dust of ancient days,
(Erewhile to GUISE, or wanton VALOIS dear)
Till wak'd by thee in SKELTON's joyous pile,
She flung on TRISTRAM her capricious rays.
But the quick tear, that checks our wond'ring

smile,

In sudden pause, or unexpected story,
Owns thy true mast'ry; and Le Fevre's woes,
Maria's wand'rings, and the Pris'ner's throes
Fix thee conspicuous on the shrine of glory,

ILLUSTRATIONS,
&c.

CHAPTER I.

Probable origin of Sterne's ludicrous writings.-General account of the nature of the ludicrous.-Why the sixteenth century produced many authors of this class.

It sometimes happens, in literary pursuits, as in the conduct of life, that particular attachments grow upon us by imperceptible degrees, and by a succession of attentions, trifling in themselves, though important in their consequences. When I published some desultory remarks on the writings of Sterne, a few years ago, having told all that I knew, I had no intention to resume the subject. But after an enquiry