Comments on Sterne. 45 
Comments on Sterne. By. Joun Ferriar, M. D. 
2 Read, ‘Fanuary 21, 1791. 
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VOS ADESTE 
Risus, BLANDITIA, PROCACITATES, 
Lusus, NEQUITIA, FACETIZQUE, 
Joci, DELICIZQUE ET ILLECEBRE, 
Buchanan, 
Sapo is almoft the only fatirical and ethical writer 
of note, who wants a commentator. The 
works of Rabelais, Butler, Pope, Swift, and many 
others, are over-loaded with explanations, while 
Sterne remains, in many places, unintelligible to the 
greater number of his readers. I would gladly 
difcharge this debt of gratitude, to an Author who 
has afforded me much delight ; but my leifure hours 
can but produce fome general traces, or occafional 
hints, that amount only to an amufing relaxation. 
Some perfon whofe zeal is greater, and his literary 
repofe complete, may work the mine I have opened, 
with profit and {plendor. 
Indeed, there is fome danger in attempting to 
detect the fources, from which Sterne drew his’rich 
fingularities. It has been fafhionable of late, to 
decry the analyfis of objects of admiration, and 
thofe who wifh to trace the myfteries of wit and 
literary 
