A Sentimental Journey Through France and Italy

Yorick has no trouble in getting a meeting with Count de B---. Together, they examine the count’s Shakespeare collection and Yorick flatters his host. They discuss the issue of the passport and the count listens “with great good nature” (49) and then the conversation moves on to “books, and politics, and men—and then of women” (49). Eventually, the count realizes that Yorick has not properly introduced himself.

The issue of “telling anyone who I am” (50) perplexes Yorick but he sees an opportunity. He picks up a copy of Hamlet from the count’s collection and opens the page to the gravedigger’s scene, pointing his finger at the name “Yorick” on the page. After some confusion, the count puts the book in his pocket and leaves the room.

Yorick is puzzled. He sits down and reads Much Ado About Nothing. A short while later, the count reappears with Yorick’s passport in his hand. The count appears to be confused; he has assumed that Yorick is some kind of jester at the English court. Yorick tries to correct him and insists that there has not been a jester there since “the licentious reign of Charles the IId” (51).