Smelfungus is a character in the novel A Sentimental Journey Through France and Italy, written by Laurence Sterne in 1768.
The character was created as a satire of Tobias Smollett, himself author of a volume of Travels Through France and Italy, which was published in 1766.
He modelled the character of Smelfungus on him for the "snarling abuse he heaps on the institutions and customs of the countries he visited".
[3] Thus for example he described the Venus de Medici as having "no beauty in the features" and having an attitude which "is awkward and out of character"[4]—prompting Sterne's remark that "he had fallen foul upon the goddess, and used her worse than a common strumpet".
[6] In the 19th century Smelfungus was adopted by Thomas Carlyle as a pen-name when he had any seriously severe criticisms to offer on things, particularly those that have gone or are going to the bad.