LETTER II.

“My dear Kitty,—­If this billet catches you in bed, you are a lazy, sleepy little slut, and I am a giddy, foolish, unthinking fellow, for keeping you so late up—­but this Sabbath is a day of rest, at the same time that it is a day of sorrow; for I shall not see my dear creature to-day, unless you meet me at Taylor’s half an hour after twelve; but in this do as you like.  I have ordered Matthew to turn thief, and steal you a quart of honey; what is honey to the sweetness of thee, who art sweeter than all the flowers it comes from!  I love you to distraction, Kitty, and will love you on so to eternity—­so adieu, and believe, what time will only prove me, that I am,

“Yours.”

LETTER III.

“My dear Kitty,—­I have sent you a pot of sweetmeats and a pot of honey —­neither of them half so sweet as yourself—­but don’t be vain upon this, or presume to grow sour upon this character of sweetness I give you; for if you do I shall send you a pot of pickles (by way of contraries) to sweeten you up, and bring you to yourself again—­whatever changes happen to you, believe me that I am unalterably yours, and according to your motto, such a one, my dear Kitty,

  “Qui ne changera pas qu’en mourant.

“L.S.”

He came up to town in 1760, to publish the two first volumes of ‘Shandy,’ of which the first edition had appeared at York the preceding year.

LETTER IV.

“London, May 8.

“My dear Kitty,—­I have arrived here safe and sound—­except for the hole in my heart which you have made, like a dear enchanting slut as you are.  —­I shall take lodgings this morning in Piccadilly or the Haymarket, and before I send this letter will let you know where to direct a letter to me, which letter I shall wait for by the return of the post with great impatience.

“I have the greatest honours paid me, and most civilities shown me that were ever known from the great; and am engaged already to ten noblemen and men of fashion to dine.  Mr. Garrick pays me all and more honour than I could look for:  I dined with him to-day, and he has prompted numbers of great people to carry me to dine with them—­he has given me an order for the liberty of his boxes, and of every part of his house, for the whole season; and indeed leaves nothing undone that can do me either service or credit.  He has undertaken the whole management of the booksellers, and will procure me a great price—­but more of this in my next.