STERNE, Laurence (1713-1768). Autograph letter signed to an unidentified recipient ('Dear Sir'), Coxwold, n.d. ('Munday') [c.1765], one page, 4to . A LETTER IN FINE SHANDEAN STYLE, on hiring a curate, and his advancing tuberculosis. The majority of the letter comprises a single sentence of characteristically fluid thought and structure: Sterne refutes an implication of impropriety in his having asked a favour, confessing himself 'a vile casuist', but putting it to his correspondent that 'could you have accomplish'd it -- I know y[ou]r heart (which is a better casuist than both yrs & my head put together -- w[oul]d have determined this point on the side of me and my Curate'. The letter goes on to discuss the remuneration of his former and new curate, adding 'I am a little incommoded w[i]th spitting of blood to day -- but if it stops, shall not be incommoded with the honour & great pleasure of paying my resp[ec]ts to his Grace next Sunday'. The letter is dated c.1765 by Kenneth Monkman ( The Shandean , vol.1, 1989, in which this letter is discussed): Monkman suggests that 'my last Curate' could be Marmaduke Callis, 'whose sudden departure after the disastrous fire at the vicarage led Sterne, on the eve of a visit to the Continent, to employ one John Armstead as a stop-gap'.
STERNE, Laurence (1713-1768). Autograph letter signed to an unidentified recipient ('Dear Sir'), Coxwold, n.d. ('Munday') [c.1765], one page, 4to . A LETTER IN FINE SHANDEAN STYLE, on hiring a curate, and his advancing tuberculosis. The majority of the letter comprises a single sentence of characteristically fluid thought and structure: Sterne refutes an implication of impropriety in his having asked a favour, confessing himself 'a vile casuist', but putting it to his correspondent that 'could you have accomplish'd it -- I know y[ou]r heart (which is a better casuist than both yrs & my head put together -- w[oul]d have determined this point on the side of me and my Curate'. The letter goes on to discuss the remuneration of his former and new curate, adding 'I am a little incommoded w[i]th spitting of blood to day -- but if it stops, shall not be incommoded with the honour & great pleasure of paying my resp[ec]ts to his Grace next Sunday'. The letter is dated c.1765 by Kenneth Monkman ( The Shandean , vol.1, 1989, in which this letter is discussed): Monkman suggests that 'my last Curate' could be Marmaduke Callis, 'whose sudden departure after the disastrous fire at the vicarage led Sterne, on the eve of a visit to the Continent, to employ one John Armstead as a stop-gap'.
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
