A Sentimental Journey Through France and Italy

Laurence Sterne — 2004

CALAIS When I had fished my dinner, and drank the King of France's health, to satisfy my mind that I bore him no spleen, but, on the contrary, high honor for the humanity of his temper, -- I rose up an inch taller for the accommodation. -- No -- said I -- the Bourbon is by no means a cruel race: they may be misled, like other people; but there is a mildness in their blood. As I acknowledged this, I felt a suffusion of a finer kind upon my cheek -- more warm and friendly to man, than what Burgundy (at least of two livres a bottle, which was such as I had been drinking) could have produced. -- Just God! said I, kicking my portmanteau aside, what is there in this world's goods which should sharpen our spirits, and make so many kind-hearted brethren of us fall out so cruelly as we do by the way?

Reviews

Sarah Escorsa@shrimpy

Mar 8, 2022

I find it simply amazing that this book was written in the 18th century! Were it not for Sterne's prose, it could easily pass for a 19th or early 20th century novel. This short book is simply delightful, despite the lack of structure and constant digressions. Come to think of it, this is probably what makes this book such a wonderful read;)