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is become abfolutely neceffary; that it is impoffible to draw the line exatly at first, and that it muft be

hereafter guided by future experience and exigency.

[To be continued.]

PECULIARITIES of the FRENCH; in a Letter from Paris.

T has often been obferved, that every nation has its particular absurdities; this has certainly many as will appear by thefe prefents. A French-man, when he travells in a warm postchaise, has a white beaver laced cap, which covers his ears, and buttons under his chin; but, when he walks the streets, though the weather be ever fo cold, or whatever his age, he wears his hat under his arm.

Coming the other day home from Paris with the Marquis de Braneas, the Marquis let down the glafs of his carriage to pay his refpects to fome gentlemen on the plains of Sorbonne; as there was fomething very fingular to me in the appearance of one of the company, asked the Marquis who that gentleman was: he replied, without the leaft idea of furprising me by his anfwer, C'est une dame. This lady had on a blue frock laced with gold, red fatin waistcoat and breeches, and a feather and cockade in her hat, and rode a straddle with a pair of English paper boots.

Turkey, they could not hit perhaps. upon a more fecure difguile than boots and breeches, and riding a traddle.

Having mentioned the abfurdities of this nation, I cannot conclude without making some remarks on our own; namely, that of our copying fo much from their manners, their drefs, their cookery, &c. where in fact there are very few things which they enjoy worth coveting except their climate, their fruit and their wine.

In England, amongst the people of fashion, private gentlemen, citizens, domestics, and peasants, there is to be found a great variety of characters; but in France one court lady, one nobleman, one bourjeois, one domeftic, and one peasant, fhews you a perfect portrait of the whole nation.

I told you in a former letter, that in Flanders no fuch thing was to be seen as a modeft, blushing country girl; and I may now almott venture to say that fuch a being does not exift in France: their education renders it impoffible. I Did the women know how dif- heard a beautiful young girl of fafhigufting they appear to every man on, ask her ftill young and then of fenfe or delicacy, even in the beautiful mother, one Sunday afpartial habit of our fex, they cer- ternoon, for permiflion to go out tainly would avoid it with the fame and dance. The fond mother concaution that they would the small- fented with a seeming delight; and, pox, or the ravages of age. It is as I went home, to my no fall furnot the looking arch, nor fmart, pife, I faw the young lady dancing or clever, which captivates the men; in the open street of a country vilbut rather, perhaps, the concealing lage, along with ten or a dozen of of their beauties and their talents, maids and footmen in the centre of with a real or affected inodefty, un- a circle formed by all the riff raff of der a habit and demeanor truly the town. "Little wonder," feminine. If a set of female beauties faid to myself, "that modefty were to attempt an escape through is a ftranger in this country."

An

An Account of the TERRITORIES

A

NNALY or Conmacne, co. Longford; by the O' Ferrals. Aradh-Cliach part of co. Tipperary; O' Briens.

Ardes, co. Down; O Neils and Savages.

held by the ancient Irish Families.

Fingal, part of the co. Dublin, fituate on the N. of the Liffey; before the arrival of the English, poffeffed by the Danes or Oftmen of Dublin, from whom it was fo named.

Bear and Bantry, co. Cork; Q'Sul- Geafhilt, King's co. O'Connors,

livans.

Breifne. E. co. Cavan; O'Reilies. Breifne, W. co. Leitrim; O'Rorkes. Bregmuin, co. Westmeath; O'Bra

oins.

Carbery, co. Cork; Macartys. Carbery, co. Kildare; Berminghams. Clan Breffail, co. Armagh; McCanes.

Claneboy, co. Antrim; O Neils. Clan Colman, co. Meath; O'MeJaghlins.

Clan Maurice, co. Kerry; Fitzmaurices.

Clan Morris, co. Mayo; Mc-Morris's.

Clanckonow, co. Galway; Bourks, Clan Fergail, ditto co. O'Hallorans. Clan Malugra, King and Queen's co. O'Dempfies.

co. Wicklow;

Corcumroe, co. Clare; O'Connors
and O'Laughlins.
Corcachlann, co. Roscommon; O'
Hanlys and O'Brennans.
Crioch Cualan,
O'Kellys.
Delvin, co. Westmeath; olim O Fin-
nallans, nunc Nugents.
Dealbhna Eathra, King's co. Mc.
Coghlans.

Defies. co. Waterford; O'Faolans. Dufferin, co. Down; Macartaines, and Whites.

Ely O'Carrol, King's co. O'Car-
rolls, Chieftanes of Ely.
Fearcall, King's co. O'Molloys.
Farmoy, co. Cork; Roches and
Condons.
FERMANAGH, co. Maguires.
Fews, co. Armagh; O'Neil's.
Fertullagh, co. Wettmeath; O'Dow-
leys and Tyrrels.

O'Dempfeys, and O'Duins.

Hy Fogarta, (Thurles) co. Tipperary: O'Fogartys.

Hy Kerin, (King and Queen's co.) O'Meaghers.

Hy Kinfellagh, co. Wexford; O'Kinfeliaghs.

Hy Maine, co. Galway; O'Daileys and O'Kellys.

Hy Malia, co. Mayo; O'Mailys. Hy Meith, co. Armagh ; O Hanlons. Hy Nellia, co. Tyrone ; O'Neils. Hy Gnach, co. Rofcommon, O'Con

nor Roe and O'Connor Den. Hy Regan, Queen's co. O'Regan's aud O'Dennis.

Hy Veach, co. Down; Magennis's. Idrone, co. Carlow; Cavenagh's and Carews.

Imayle, co. Wicklow; O'Tools. Inis Owen, co. Donegal; O'Doghartys.

Kynalyagh, co. Westmeath; McGeoghans.

Kinel Conail, co. Donegal ; O'Donnels.

Kinel Enda, Weft meath; O'Brenan's. Kierrigia Luachra, (Kerry) once the

territory of Delmond; O'Connors. Kierrigia, co. Mayo; Mc-Coftellos. Maghinis. co. Down; Savages. Maghhullin, co. Galway; O'Flahertys.

Moylurg, co. Rofcommon; McDermiots.

MONAGHAN, co. Mc-Mahons. Muskerry, co. Cork; Barrys. Mufcraige Thire, co. Tipperary; O'Kennedy's.

Orior, co. Armagh; O'Hanlons. Offory, Queen's co. Fitzpatricks, Mc-Gill Patricks.

Poble

1

Poble Bryen, co. Limerick; O'Bri

en's

Poble O'Callaghan, co. Limerick; O'Callaghans.

Raniloughs, co. Wicklow; O'Birnes, Byrns.

Silanchia, co. Galway; O'Maddens.
Siol Money, co. Sligo; O'Connors.
Teffia, co. Westmeath; Tuites,
Petits and Daltons.

Thomond, co. Clare; O'Briens.
Tirawly, co. Mayo; O'Haras.

Account of the Life and Writings of Mr. STERNE; with a fine engraved Portrait of bim. Extracted from the Dublin Edition of bis Works in Vols:

LAURENCE STERNE was the

fon of an Irish officer, and born in the barracks of Dublin: but, though nurtured among foldiers, he was a fon of the church; and, if we may take the opinion of a bishop on his fermons, not unworthy the title. His great-grandfather was an archbishop, and his uncle a prebendary of one of our cathedrals.

From school he paffed in due couffe to the univerfity, where he Ipent the ufual number of years; read a great deal, laughed more, and fometimes took the diversion of puzzling his tutors. He left Cambridge with the character of an odd man, who had no harm in him, and who had parts if he would use them.

Upon leaving the univerfity, he feated himself quietly in the lap of the church, at Sutton in the Forteft of Galtrees, a fmall vicarage in Yorkshire. Here he waited patiently till time and chance, (which now guide where judgment once prefided,) fhould raife him to what they pleafed and here an occafion offered which made him firft feel himfelf, and to which, perhaps, we owe the origin of the history of Triftrám.

There happened a difpute among fome of the fuperiors of his order, in which Mr. Sterne's friend, one of the best men in the world, was concerned a perfon, who filled a lucrative benefice, was not fatisfied with enjoying it during his own life-time, but exerted all his intereft

March, 1774.

to have it entailed upon his wife and fon after his decease. Mr. Sterne's friend, who expected the reverfion of this living, had not, however, fufficient influence to prevent the fuccefs of his adversary. At this critical period Mr. Sterne attacked the monopolizer in joke, and wrote "The hiftory of a good "warm watch-coat, with which "the prefent poffeffor is not con

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tent to cover his own fhoulders, "unless he can alfo cut out a pet"ticoat for his wife, and a pair of "breeches for his fon."

What all the ferious arguments in the world could not have effected, Sterne's fatyrical pen brought about. The intended monopolizer fent him word, that if he would fupprefs the publication of this farcafm, he would refign his pretenfions to the next candidate. The pamphlet was fuppreffed, the reverfion took place, and Mr. Sterne was requited, by the intereft of his patron, with the Prebendaryship of York.

An incident, much about the fame time, contributed exceedingly to establish the reputation of Mr. Sterne's wit. It was this: he was fitting in the coffee-house at York, when a ftranger came in, who gave much offence to the company, confifting chiefly of gentlemen of the gown, by defcanting too freely upon religion and the hypocrify of the clergy. The young fellow at length addreffed himself to Mr. Sterne, afking him what were his fentiments U

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upon the fubject; when, inftead of anfwering him directly, he told the withing that his dog was reckoned one of the most beautiful pointers in the whole county, was very good. natured, but he had an infernal trick which deftroyed all his good qualities. He never fees a clergyman (continued Sterne) but he immediately flies at him." How long may he have had that trick!". Sir, ever fince he was a puppy. The young man feit the keenefs of the fatire, turned upon his heel, and left Sterne to triumph.

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At this time Mr. Sterne was poffeffed of fome good livings, having enjoyed fo early as the year 1745. the vicarage of Sutton in the Forest of Galtrees, where he ufually performed divine fervice on Sunday mornings; and in the afternoon he preached at the rectory of Stillington, which he held as one of the Prebends of York, in which capacity he also affifted regularly, in his turn, at the cathedral. Thus he decently lived a becoming ornament of the church, till his Rabelaifian fpirit, which iffued from the prefs, immerfed him in the gaieties and frivolities of the World.

His wit and humour were already greatly admired within the circle of his acquaintance; but his genius had never yet reached the capital, when his two first volumes of Trif tram Shandy made their appearance. They were printed at York, and propofed to the bookfellers there at a very moderate price; thofe gentlemen, however, were fuch judges of their value, that they fcarce offered the price of paper and print; and the work made its way into the world without any of the artifices which are often practifed to put off an edition. A large impreffion being almost instantaneously fold, the Bookfellers were rouzed from their lethargy, and every one was eager to purchase the fecond edition of

the copy. Mr. Sterne fold it for fix hundred pounds, after being refused fifty pounds for the firft impreffion and proprietorship.

The two first volumes of Triftram Shandy were now in every body's hands. All read, moft approved, but few underflood them. Those who had not entered into the ludicrous manner of Rabelais, or the poignant fatire of Swift, did not comprehend them; but they joined with the multitude, and pronounced Triftram Shandy very clever. Even the Reviewers recommended Mr. Shandy as a writer infinitely more ingenious and entertaining than any other of the prefent race of novelifts; adding, his characters were ftriking and fingular, bis obfervations fhrewd and pertinent, and making a few exceptions, that his humour was eafy and genuine.

The publication of these two volumes brought Mr. Sterne into great repute. He was confidered as the genius of the age: his company was equally courted by the great, the literati,, the witty, and the gay; and it was confidered as a kind of honour to have paft an evening with the author of Triftram Shandy. Though fome of the over rigid clergy condemned this ludicrous performance, and judged it incompatible with that purity and morality which fhould ever accompany the writings of the gentlemen of the gown; thefe cenfures were far from being univerfal, even among the clergy and the acquaintance he made by this publication, were in many respects advantageous to him. Among others, the Earl 'Faulconberg fo particularly patronized the Author of this work, that, to teftify his approbation, he prefented Mr. Sterne with the rectory of Cawood, which was an agreeable and convenient addition to his other livings, being all in the neighbourhood of York.

His next publication confifted of two volumes of fermions, which the fevereft critics could not help applauding for the purity and elegance of their style, and the excellence of their moral: the manner in which they were ufhered to the public notice was, by fome, feverely condemned, whilst others lamented, that fuch excellent difcourfes fhould ftand in need of fuch an introduction; and many were of opinion, that he had wrote Triftram Shandy purely to introduce them, as, in his preface to the fermons, he acquaints the reader, that "The fermon which gave rife to the publication of thefe, having been offered to the public as a fermon of Yorick's, "he hoped the moft ferious reader "would find nothing to offend him, "in his continuing these two vo"lumes under the fame title: left "it should be otherwise, I have "added a fecond title page, with "the real name of the author: "the first will ferve the bookseller's "purpose, as Yorick's name is

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a jeft, and the danger which "lurks under it, where no jeft was "meant."

When the third and fourth volunes of Triftram Shandy made their appearance, and the public was not quite fo eager in purchafing and applauding them, as they had been with respect to the first two volumes. The novelty of the ftile and manner no longer remained; his digreffions were by many confidered as tedious, and his afterifks too obicure; nay, fome invidious critics, who pretend to be able to point them out, infinuated that they were too indelicate for the eye of chaftity.

He had nevertheless a great number of admirers; and he was encouraged to publish a fifth and fixth

volume. Their fatire was ftill poignant, fpirited, and in general extremely juft. The characters tho' fomewhat overcharged, were lively and in

nature. He conftantly

caught the Ridiculous, wherever he found it; and he never failed to prefent it to his readers in the most agreeable point of light. His ftory of Le Fevre was highly finished, and truly pathetic; and would alone refcue his name from oblivion,. if his Sermons were not confidered as fome of the best moral difcourfes.

extant,

The feventh, eighth, and ninth volumes have not yet compleated that work; fo that what was faid upon the publication of his first volumes, has been verified: "Mr. "Shandy feems to extremely fond "of digreflions, and of giving his "hiftorical readers the flip upon "all occafions, that we are not a "little apprehenfive he may fome. "time or other, give them the flip "in good earned, and leave the "work before the flory be finish"ed."

In the above mentioned volumes, Mr. Sterne carries his readers thro' France, and introduces fome scenes and characters which are afterwards, taken up in the Sentimental Journey, particularly that of Maria: fo that this may, in fome measure, be confidered as a continuation of the Life and Opinions of Triftram Shandy.

It is almoft needlefs to obferve, of a book fo univerfally read as Shandy, that the ftory of the hero's life is the leaft part of the author's concern. It is, in reality, nothing more than a vehicle for fatire on a great variety of fubjects. Moft of thefe fatirical ftrokes are introduced with little regard to any connexion, either with the principal story or with each other. The author having no determined end in view, runs from object to object,

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