A Sentimental Journey Through France and Italy

A Sentimental Journey Through France and Italy, a novel by Laurence Sterne first published in 1768, is the story of Reverend Mr. Yorick, who realizes one day that he has never been to France and wishes to compare it to Britain. After a heated argument with a friend, he packs lightly and sets sail the next day from Dover to Calais. En route, he eats and drinks in a tavern, where he meets a Franciscan monk. Though he is determined not to give the monk any money, he finds himself bewitched by the man. The monk leaves once Yorick chastises him for depending on the bread of “other people’s” (9) labor. As soon as the door closes, Yorick regrets his choice of words. While trying to avoid the monk in the hotel courtyard, Yorick searches for a carriage to take him on his journey.

Yorick sits it the carriage and begins to write his travelogue. He describes the various types of travelers, breaking them down into categories. Eventually, he is interrupted and returns to the hotel, where he finds the owner and discusses the purchase of a carriage. While walking to the carriage store, Yorick finds himself caught alone with a young woman.