he was making efforts to purchase copies in smaller formats.

On January 28, 1787, Jefferson wrote from Paris to John Stockdale in London: “ I will thank you to send me by the Diligence Sterne’s works complete, 5. vols 12mo. published by Cadell 1780. I name this edition because it brings all works into the smallest compass of any one I have seen. if you know of any edition still smaller I would prefer it. elegantly bound. ”

On June 1, 1789, Jefferson wrote from Paris to John Trumbull in London: “ Your favor of May 26. came to hand yesterday. the balance shall be immediately remitted. perhaps it may be disagreeable to m ( ^~ r) Grand to give a bill of exchange for so small a sum, in which case I will send the cash itself by m( ^~ r) Paradise, adding to it the price of Sterne’s sentimental journey, printed in London by Winman N ^o. 134. Fleetstreet in 16 ^s. or in 24 ^s., which I will beg the favor of you to send me, with such other of his works as are printed in the same size. it is on account of the size that I want them & shall be glad to have all his works in that size, tho’ I have them already in a larger form. if sent by the fist Diligence after you receive this, they will probably find me here. write me the price by the first post that I may add it to the last balance. they come best unbound . . . ”

Trumbull wrote from London on June 11: “. . . You will receive by the Diligence of tomorrow Sterne’s Journey, Shandy & Sermons, unbound:--these are all of his works which have been published by Winman in his very small size, & cost 8/6 . . .”

Several years later, on November 15, 1804, Jefferson ordered from Reibelt of Baltimore on account of its small size, an edition of the Sentimental Journey: “ I recieved last night yours of the 13 ^th. inst. as I had before done that of the 5 ^th. I am sorry you have taken the trouble of sending here the books stated in your written catalogues, because my collection being already very great comprehends many of them, and my time for reading too small to make it worth while to procure more. it is possible that some of those in the written catalogues may be useful for the department of state. I shall accordingly put the catalogue into their hands, and will attend to the return of the boxes. I observe in your printed catalogue a copy of Sterne’s sentimental journey printed at Paris, papier velin in 18 ^s. it is at page 66. of the catalogue. I shall be [ ] to take this merely because of it’s small size. for the same reason it may come by post if well wrapped up. Accept my salutations & respects. ”

This was the edition printed by Crapelet for Ant. Aug. Renouard, Paris, 1802, 12mo. Reibelt replied the next day, November 16: “J’ai l’honneur de repondre à votre lettre du 15, que les exemplaires de l’edition de: Sentimental Journey--pap. vel. 1802, qui se trouve sur la page 66 du Catalogue--sont tous vendus, et qu’il n’y en a encore, qu’un seul exemplaire sur petit pap. velin, 1800 . . .”

The Paris edition of 1800, printed by Didot, was in 18mo.

Jefferson wrote to Reibelt on November 19: “ Th: Jefferson presents his salutations to m( ^~ r) Reibelt. he understands from m( ^~ r) Reibelt’s letter of the 16 ^th. inst. that he still has two copies of the Sentimental journey sur petit papier Velin. it is the Petit format size which Th: Jefferson regards rather than the quality of the paper, because he happens to have all the works of Sterne in petit format, except his sentimental journey. if therefore the copies which m ( ^~ r) Reibelt has on petit papier Velin are in Petit format Th: Jefferson will thank him to forward him one copy by post.”

On December 7, Reibelt sent Jefferson a copy of the Sentimental Journey: “N’ayant pas appris si les 3 caisses de Livres, que j’ai pris la libertè de vous envoyer par un Paquet de Georgetown le 13 du Mois passè, et les Sentim. Journey, que j’ai conformement a vos ordres fait remettre a la poste le 22--Vous sont parvenus ou non--Je Vous prie, de vouloir bien me le faire savoir.”

The receipt of the book was acknowledged by Jefferson in a letter to Reibelt dated December 9: “ I recieved last night your favor of the 7 ^th. the Sentimental journey had come to hand in due time. the 3. boxes of books were recieved about 10. days ago. I ”