The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman

The first thirty pages, said my father, turning over the leaves, -- are a little dry; and as they are not closely connected with the subject, -- -- -for the present we'll pass them by: 'tis a prefatory introduction, continued my father, or an introductory preface (for I am not determined which name to give it) upon political or civil government; the foundation of which being laid in the first conjunction betwixt male and female, for procreation of the species -- -- -I was insensibly led into it.

-- -- 'Twas natural, said Yorick.