STERNE, Laurence (1713--1768)
[Sentimental journey. 1768]
A sentimental journey through France and Italy. By Mr Yorick. ...
London (Place), printed for T. Becket and P.A. De Hondt,, 1768.
2 vols ; 14.9 cm. (8º)
I: xx, 203, [1] p.
II: [2], 208 p. : [1] engr. coat of arms

'Mr. Yorick' = Laurence Sterne. First edition. Although four volumes were apparently projected, only two were published in February 1768, a few weeks before Sterne's death. The figure of Yorick had first appeared as the character of the village parson in the first volume of Sterne's hugely popular novel The life and opinions of Tristram Shandy, gentleman (q.v.), and Sterne adopted the identity of Mr. Yorick for the publication of his own sermons in 1760 and again for the protagonist of A sentimental journey. The work's popularity spread quickly across Europe, leading for example to the creation of the so-called "Lorenzo cult" by the German poet Johann Georg Jacobi, members of which exchanged snuffboxes in imitation of a scene in vol. I between Yorick and "Father Lorenzo" (possibly a distant antecedent of Soane's own "Padre Giovanni"?). In addition to the four editions of A sentimental journey in his library (qq.v.), Soane owned two watercolour scenes from the book by John Webber RA (SM Inv. no. P306 and P308), which he bought from Edward Foxhall in November 1796. (Journal 3, p. 163). With a half-title and a list of subscribers. Page 150, line 12 reads 'vous'. ESTC t14747.

Copy Notes Imperfect; wanting vol. II. The Soane copy is also without the loose advertisement leaf issued with this edition at the time of publication. Traces of a pencil inscription on the front free-endpaper.

Binding C18th calf, gilt-ruled spine, red morocco spine-label.

Reference Number 1097