Comments on Sterne. 47 
\ 
within: * but if a limb, or a feature of a work, 
fhould appear to be purloined from the labours of a 
former artift, it would be right to look for his 
mark. 
In tracing fome of Sterne’s ideas to other writers, 
I do not mean to treat’ him as a Plagiarift; I with 
to illuftrate, not to degrade him. If fome inftances 
of copying be proved againft him, they will detrad 
nothing from his genius, and will only leffen that 
impofing appearance he fometimes affumed, of 
erudition which he really wanted. 
It is obvious to every one, whoconfiders Triftram 
Shandy as a general Satire, levelled chiefly againft 
the abufe of fpeculative opinions, that Rabelais 
furnifhed Sterne with the general character, and 
even many particular ideas, of his work. From 
that copious fountain of learning, wit and whim, 
our author drew deeply. ' Rabelais, ftored with 
erudition, poured lavifhly out, what Sterne 
directed and expanded with care, to enrich his 
pages. 
* Znetwy yap ExacGe ra éur@v, 6 wy Mocedoy, "y Zevs 
ou rdyuur@e, ypuce ual exeOavtG@s EvvapyacpevG., *** 
FHKE yy Dé tmourLac iys ra Evdobev, Ober poxdre's tives, 
N s  ¥ \ , \ , 
ual youOss, uel nase dipmrak wemcqwvyevec, val vopds 
\ ~ : \ + eupy \ , \ 4 
nul cDyvac, ver TiTlavy UTOmYAOY, wal TOMUTYY TiIVa TOAAYY 
&nopQiav umoms paca. 
. a 
Lucian, Oveip: « AdAsxTe: 
