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