BIB_ID
317523
Accession number
MA 417.15
Creator
Sterne, Laurence, 1713-1768.
Display Date
[1761] June 20.
Credit line
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan, 1897.
Description
1 item (3 p.) bound ; 19.7 cm
Notes
A penciled notation, by Belle daCosta Greene, beneath p. 1 of this letter, says that "Elizabeth Vesey (Mrs. Agmondesham Vesey), known as "the Sylph" of the "blue stocking" set . She was a friend of Mrs. Montague and Mrs. Carter. Her husband was a member of Dr. Johnson's "Club." She had a literary salon in London--b. 1715--became imbecile 1789--died 1791."
In his introduction to this letter, in the publication noted below, Wilbur L. Cross says that this "is Sterne's first letter to Mrs. Elizabeth Vesey, the Bluestocking, known as "The Sylph" among her intimate friends. As we find Sterne going to Ranelagh with Mrs. Vesey the next winter, the June of this letter is 1761."
Part of a collection of letters from Laurence Sterne. Letters in this collection have been described individually in separate catalog records; see collection-level record for more information.
In his introduction to this letter, in the publication noted below, Wilbur L. Cross says that this "is Sterne's first letter to Mrs. Elizabeth Vesey, the Bluestocking, known as "The Sylph" among her intimate friends. As we find Sterne going to Ranelagh with Mrs. Vesey the next winter, the June of this letter is 1761."
Part of a collection of letters from Laurence Sterne. Letters in this collection have been described individually in separate catalog records; see collection-level record for more information.
Provenance
Purchased by Pierpont Morgan from the London dealer J. Pearson & Co., 1897.
Summary
Expressing his great pleasure at meeting her; saying "let me ask you my dearest Mrs. V. what business you had to come here from Ireland--or rather what business have You to go back again--the deuce take you w'th your musical and other powers--could nothing serve you but you must turn T. Shandys [sic] head, as if it was not turn'd enough already; as for turning my heart; I forgive You, as you have been so good as to turn it towards so excellent & heavenly an Object--."
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