" The new work in
four volumes (not destined to get beyond one) was, of course, the
_Sentimental Journey_. His ninth volume of _Tristram Shandy_ was
finished by the end of the year, and at Christmas he came up to
London, after his usual practice, to see to its publication and enjoy
the honours of its reception. The book passed duly through the press,
and in the last days of January was issued the announcement of its
immediate appearance. Of the character of its welcome I can find no
other evidence than that of Sterne himself, in a letter addressed to
M. Panchaud some fortnight after the book appeared. "'Tis liked the
best of all here;" but, with whatever accuracy this may have expressed
the complimentary opinion of friends, or even the well-considered
judgment of critics, one can hardly believe that it enjoyed anything
like the vogue of the former volumes. Sterne, however, would be the
less concerned for this, that his head was at the moment full of
his new venture. "I am going," he writes, "to publish _A Sentimental
Journey through France and Italy_. The undertaking is protected and
highly encouraged by all our noblesse. 'Tis subscribed for at a great
rate 'twill be an original, in large quarto, the subscription half a
guinea.
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