Ihave 5 minutes to answer this read the following passage. in the beginnings of the last chapter, i informed you exactly when i was born; but i did not inform you how. no; that particular was reserved entirely for a chapter by itself; besides, sir, as you and i are in a manner perfect strangers to each other, it would not have been proper to have let you into too many circumstances relating to myself all at once.—you must have a little patience. i have undertaken, you see, to write not only my life, but my opinions also; hoping and expecting that your knowledge of my character, and of what kind of a mortal i am, by the one, would give you a better relish for the other: as you proceed further with me, the slight acquaintance which is now beginning betwixt us, will grow into familiarity; and that, unless one of us is in fault, will terminate in friendship. (from tristram shandy, volume i, chapter 6, by laurence sterne) the tone of this passage is formal (distant) and stiff intimate (chatty) and playful condescending and formal serious and intimate