The Journal to Eliza and Various letters by Laurence Sterne and Elizabeth DraperSterne, Laurence
General
The Journal to Eliza and Various letters by Laurence Sterne and Elizabeth Draper
Sterne, Laurence
Draper, Elizabeth, 1744-1778; Novelists, English -- 18th century -- Correspondence; Sterne, Laurence, 1713-1768 -- Correspondence
I have brought y^r. name _Eliza!_ and Picture into my work[28]—where
they will remain—when You & I are at rest for ever—Some Annotator or
explainer of my works in this place will take occasion, to speak of
the Friendship w^{ch}. subsisted so long & faithfully betwixt Yorick &
the Lady he speaks of—Her Name he will tell the world was Draper—a
Native of India—married there to a gentleman in the India Service of
that Name—who brought her over to England for the recovery of her
health in the Year 65—where She continued to April the Year 1767. It
was ab^t. three months before her Return to India, That our Author’s
acquaintance & hers began. M^{rs}. Draper had a great thirst for
knowledge—was handsome—genteel—engaging—and of such gentle
dispositions & so enlightened an understanding,—That Yorick (whether
he made much opposition is not known) from an acquaintance—soon became
her Admirer—they caught fire, at each other at the same time—& they
w^d. often say, without reserve to the world, & without any Idea of
saying wrong in it, That their Affections for each other were
_unbounded_—M^r. Draper dying in the Year * * * * * This Lady return’d
to England & Yorick the Year after becoming a Widower—They were
married—& retiring to one of his Livings in Yorkshire, where was a
most romantic Situation—they lived & died happily—and are spoke of
with honour in the parish to this day—
[Illustration]
* * * * *
June 18.
How do you like the History, of this couple, Eliza?—is it to your
mind?—or shall it be written better some sentimental Evening after your
return—’tis a rough sketch—but I could make it a pretty picture, as the
outlines are just—we’ll put our heads together & try what we can do.
This last Sheet has put it out of my power, ever to send you this
Journal to India—I had been more guarded—but that You have often told
me, ’twas in vain to think of writing by Ships w^{ch}. sail in March,—as
you hoped to be upon y^r. return again by their arrival at Bombay—If I
can write a Letter I will—but this Journal must be put into Eliza’s
hands by Yorick only—God grant you to read it soon.—
* * * * *
June 19.
I never was so well and alert, as I find myself this day—tho’ with a
face as pale & clear as a Lady after her Lying in. Yet you never saw me
so Young by 5 Years—& If you do not leave Bombay soon—You’ll find me as
young as Y^rself—at this rate of going on——Summon’d from home—adieu.
* * * * *
June 20.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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