The Plot Lines

in:
The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman. Oxford World's Classics, 2009. Copy at York Central Library.

The Lines of Digressions

in:
The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman. Everyman's Library, 1991 at York Central Library.

The Nose

On Joseph Nollekens Marble bust of Sterne (1766) we see that:

“Nihil me pœnitet hujus nasi,” quoth Pamphagus;——that is—“My nose has been the making of me.”—————“Nec est cur pœniteat,” replies Cocles; that is, “How the duce should such a nose fail?”

The scull

In Coxwold, in the porch at St. Michaels Church, next to the epitaphstone*, we found this framed facsimile clipping from The Times on Thursday June the 5th 1969, on the reburied scull — and nearby found skeletal bones — in Coxwold. One thing further — among many others — for us to ponder upon: Tristrams nose, as well as his fathers — and his great grandfathers, that was shaped like an ace of clubs — was quite diminutive. But what about Sterne? Was he just as flat-nosed?

*)http://sterneetcetera.blogspot.dk/2015/08/sternes-stones.html

MacDonald

In York, in another Antiquarian bookstore — on our way to Coxwold —  we found this edition of The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy published in the MacDonald Illustrated Classics Series. 50 pee, only. With cover in red fablea binding, with title and decorations in 'gold leaf' — (Fablea: danish word for leatherine; artificial leather, created of the two english words 'fabric' and 'leather'.  The later discovery of the absent of the title page, explained somehow this a-little-bit-too-good bargain.

Sternes stones

When Sterne died in London of consumption, he was buried at the St George’s Field Burial Ground. Two days after the burial, it is said, Sterne’s body was stolen from the grave, and sold to the anatomist at the Cambridge University for dissection. Someone recognised the corpse as being Sterne, in some versions of the story it was a student, in others a friend of the anatomist, in others a member of the public who was paying to see a public dissection. — Sterne’s corpse was discretely returned to St George’s Field, and two years later two freemasons erected this memorial stone near to his original burial place. The text says that although Sterne wasn't a member of their society, he might have been, if just he has lived a bit longer. The stone also states that Sterne died the 13. sep. 1768 — even that Sterne actual died 6 month earlier on the 18. march that year — The stone was in 1969, along with Sternes scull and the nearby found skeletal bones, moved to Coxwold and reburied. The epitaphstone was hanged in the porch at St. Michaels Church in Coxwold.

Ark in York

Recognisable yes, but quite different; our friends ARK back home in Århus has somehow managed to 'gestalt' themself here in York. And there are 50% off. Even. 

http://arkmappen.dk/

* in York

We spend some days in York on our expedition to Coxwold, taking a stroll on the old defensing wall, that surrounds the city of York, we found a very nice and recognisable engraving in the pavement: *

http://forlagetasterisk.blogspot.dk/

Bookstore for rent

On our way to Coxwold the expedition also lead us to York. In Stonegate we found the bookshop where J. Hinxmann —"Successor to the late mr. Hildyard" — in 1759 sold the first copies of The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gent. — "Printed on Superfine Writing Paper and a new Letter, In Two Volumes. Five Shillings, neatly bound."
Above the entrance hangs a wooden book "Holy Bible 1682." Otherwise the store looked quite empty, and there will probably open some kind of fashion shop or haberdasher here within so soon.

Reading Sterne

Reading: "Alas, poor YORICK!" in Tristram Shandys levned og meninger 1. danish ed. (Borgen, 1976) at Sternes grave at the churchyard in Coxwold. Actually, it is not the whole corpse of Sterne that is resting here; in 1969 was here reburied, what "as sure as it could be" is Sternes scull and some assorted bones.

A Sentimental Journey en miniature

Lilliput version of A Sentimental Journey, De Prado Publishers (Madrid, 2013) 586 pg. Purchased at the Shandy Hall's bookstore in Coxwold. Ideal for travellers.