r /^S/ 
 
 yft
 
 THE 
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE 
 
 OF _ 
 
 SIR RICHARD STEELE ; 
 
 INCLUDING 
 
 HIS FAMILIAR LETTERS 
 TO HIS WIFE AND DAUGHTERS ; 
 
 TO WHICH ARE PREFIXED, 
 
 FRAGMENTS OF THREE PLAYS, 
 
 TWO OF THEM UNDOUBTEDLY STEELE'S, 
 THE THIRD SUPPOSED TO BE ADDISON'S. 
 
 FAITHFULLY PRINTED FROM THE ORIGINALS ; 
 
 AND ILLUSTRATED WITH 
 LITERARY AND HISTORICAL ANECDOTES, 
 
 BY JOHN NICHOLS, F. S. A. E.fyP. 
 
 IN TWO VOLUMES. 
 VOLUME I. 
 
 LONDON : 
 
 PRINTED BY AND FOR JOHN NICHOLS AND SON, 
 
 RED LION PASSAGE, FLEET-STREET ; 
 
 JkN'D SOLD BY MESSRS. LONGMAN, HURST, REE5, AND ORME, 
 
 PATF.RNOSTR->ROW. 
 
 iSOQ,
 
 \
 
 TO 
 
 MRS. JANE SCURLOCK, 
 
 RELICT OF 
 THE REV. DAVID SCURLOCK, M. A. 
 
 THESE GENUINE EFFUSIONS OF SIR RICHARD STEELE, 
 
 WHICH EXHIBIT HIS UNDISGUISED CHARACTER 
 
 IN THE MOST AMIABLE POINT OF VIEW, 
 
 ARE RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED, 
 
 BY HER MUCH OBLIGED 
 
 AND FAITHFUL SERVANT, 
 
 June 1809. JOHN NICHOLS, 
 
 10 Q5
 
 PREFACE, 
 
 WRITTEN IN 1787 ; CORRECTED IN 1809. 
 
 1 HE following Collection of Letters, though 
 the genuine effusions of one of the most ele- 
 gant Writers in the English language, can 
 add little to the reputation of a literary charac- 
 ter which has been long ago fully established ; 
 being in general the hasty productions of his 
 pen, intended ordy for private inspection ; and 
 some of them evidently scribbled when their 
 amiable Author was probably not in the very 
 best condition for penmanship. The subjects 
 of many of them are trivial and domestic, such 
 as may at first be supposed not very interesting 
 to the publick, and from most men would be 
 deemed insignificant and below* attention : but, 
 as they contain the private and undisguised 
 opinions of the man who took upon himself 
 to be the Censor of the age, and for years exer- 
 cised that delicate office with suitable dignity 
 and general approbation, it may excite no little 
 curiosity to observe how he conducted himself 
 in those concerns and occurrences of life, 
 through which he so ably directed others. Not 
 
 a single
 
 VI PREFACE. 
 
 a single scrap of them has been suppressed : 
 nor is there a line in the whole publication, 
 which does not, in the opinion of the Editor, 
 go to confirm all that has been said for the su- 
 periority of Steele's understanding and his 
 heart, in the Notes first added to the edition 
 of the Tatler in 1786. 
 
 These Letters manifest throughout, with ir- 
 resistible conviction, the very many excellent 
 and amiable qualities, which greatly endeared 
 this public Benefactor to society ; and, in proof 
 of their authenticity, we see in them with re- 
 gret, indubitable marks of " that imprudence 
 of generosity, or vanity of profusion, which 
 kept Steele always incurably necessitous," 
 and shaded his fine character. Considering the 
 constant vexation and serious inconveniencies 
 of which it was the cause or the occasion, to 
 himself and his family, nothing can be said to 
 excuse Steele's inattention to ceconomy; it 
 was however more pardonable, and the less re- 
 proachable, as in the end he did ample justice 
 to his creditors. Our regret on every instance 
 which these Letters afford of this indiscretion, 
 is very greatly augmented, by our admiration 
 and love of that extensive and indefatigable 
 philanthropy, to which we are principally in- 
 debted for a long series of well-written papers, 
 fraught with valuable lessons of morality and 
 
 / good-
 
 PREFACE. VU 
 
 good-breeding, which have doubtless contri- 
 buted very much to the intellectual improve- 
 ment, and moral refinement, of both sexes, in 
 this country. Excepting however what refers 
 in these Letters to the lamentable failure of 
 conduct abovementioned, too well ascertained 
 before ; no publication of Steele redounds 
 more to his honour as a man, than the present. 
 It shews him to have been a firm and conscien- 
 tious patriot ; a faithful, affectionate husband ; 
 a fond, indulgent parent; and, even at this 
 period, if it does not illustrate, it very much 
 enhances the value of his writings, both moral 
 and political, to know with certainty, that the 
 salutary instructions and sublime precepts, so 
 much admired, and so well received, from the 
 fictitious Isaac Bickerstaff, esq. were no 
 other than the genuine sentiments, and habi- 
 tual practice, of the real Sir Richard Steele *. 
 
 x* The following dates are material in Steele's His- 
 tory. " It doth appear, by the parish register of the 
 parish of St. Bridget, Dublin, that Richard, the son of 
 Richard Steele, was baptised March the 12th, 1671 \ 
 which we certify this 22d day of March, 1722. 
 
 William Barry, Minister. 
 
 William Walker, j church Wardens ,. 
 
 Jerome Bredon, ) 
 Steele was matriculated as a member of Christ- 
 church, Oxford, at the age of 16, March 13, i39-90, 
 and became one of the post-masters of Merton college, 
 Aug. 27, 1691. 
 
 These
 
 Vlll PREFACE. 
 
 These documents, which fortunately come 
 in seasonable aid of what has been lately ad- 
 vanced for the first time, and with great justice 
 it seems, in favour of Steele's ill-known or 
 much -injured character, fell, after his death, 
 into the possession of his eldest daughter Eli- 
 zabeth, a lady who, with a charming person, 
 inherited the many endearing qualities of her 
 Father, both of the head and heart ; and whose 
 hereditary benignity of disposition, which self- 
 interest could not, and prudence did not suffi- 
 ciently restrain, was at last equally fatal to her 
 fortune, as it had been to that of her father. 
 
 Many interesting particulars of this lady, 
 the several matrimonial connexions she de- 
 clined, and her union with the Hon. John 
 Trevor, at that time a Welsh Judge, and 
 afterwards the third Lord Trevor, appear in 
 the course of these Letters. 
 
 In 1764, Sept. 27, she lost her husband* at 
 Bath, at which place she from that time chiefly 
 
 * John Lord Trevor was buried with great magnificence 
 in the family vault at Bromham, where a handsome mo- 
 nument designed by the late Prince Hoare of Bath, with 
 a short inscription written by Lady Trevor, is erected in 
 the chancel to his memory. There is also a fine monu- 
 ment for Thomas the first Lord Trevor, an eminent Law- 
 yer, who had been Lord Chief Justice of the Common 
 Pleas, 17101714, Lord Privy Seal 1725. He was 
 created a Peer in 1726 ; and, at the time of his death, 
 in 1730, was Lord President of the Council. 
 
 resided ;
 
 PREFACE. IX 
 
 resided ; and four years after, he lost also her 
 only child Diana-Maria, who was remarkably 
 beautiful, though unfortunately an ideot *. 
 
 But the evening of her life was rendered much 
 more comfortable than it might otherwise have 
 been, after the diminution of her fortune, by the 
 love and attention of Mrs. Thomas, an only 
 daughter of Mrs. Aynston -f*, for whom she had, 
 when a child, imbibed a sisterly affection. Her 
 Ladyship had been induced, from her regard 
 
 * Lady Trevor had one other child, still-born, Jnly 
 10, 1733. 
 
 t Steele's natural-daughter, by a relation of Tonson 
 the bookseller. She was a great favourite with her fa- 
 ther ; and, by every representation we have heard, very 
 deservedly so. Steele had bestowed on her a most ac- 
 complished education ; and had once thought of giving 
 her in marriage to Richard Savage, the illegitimate, un- 
 fortunate, imprudent, and vicious son of Lord Rivers, 
 with a fortune of a thousand pounds. But the ingrati- 
 tude and ill-conduct of this profligate man alienated the 
 affection of his zealous and disinterested benefactor ; 
 and, it may be, some dislike on the part of the Lady 
 herself concurred with the untoward circumstances of 
 her father, to frustrate effectually this generous purpose. 
 I shall only add here, that her name was Elizabeth, the 
 same as that of her eldest legitimate sister, which may 
 have occasioned some ambiguity in the reports of their 
 various histories. Two slight specimens of Mrs. Ayn~ 
 ston's poetry will be found in pp. 673, 674, with a more 
 particular account of her, communicated by her grand- 
 son Mr. Thomas ; who possesses a good portrait of her. 
 
 and
 
 X PREFACE. 
 
 and love for the mother, to take the daughter 
 under her protection very early in life ; and she 
 continued her attachment, after the death of 
 Mrs. Aynston, with uncommon marks of favour 
 and affection, until her own death. 
 
 This patronage of Mrs. Thomas was not con- 
 fined to herself only, but extended to her two 
 sons, with much greater partiality than even she 
 herself had experienced, being from their birth 
 constantly treated, both by Lord and Lady 
 Trevor, more like their own children than the 
 children of a dependant. Lord Trevor had 
 often signified his intention of providing for 
 them both ; but they were too young to derive 
 any other advantage from such an honourable 
 patronage during his life. The indulgences 
 which these children daily received, and the 
 extreme partiality of Lady Trevor both to Mrs. 
 Thomas and her sons, rendered his Lordship 
 less anxious about making any permanent pro- 
 vision for them ; and having left her Ladyship 
 sole executrix to a very ample fortune, thus 
 adding to her natural disposition the power of 
 doing good, he could not entertain a doubt but 
 they would be taken care of. The goodness of 
 her Ladyship fully justified his Lordship's opi- 
 nion; for, after his death, her fondness for 
 Mrs. Thomas increased, and the education of 
 her sons became a very material concern with 
 
 her,
 
 PREFACE. XI 
 
 her, the management of which she undertook 
 to direct ; and, as they grew up, she still con- 
 tinued to honour them with all the attention 
 and indulgence of a Parent. 
 
 Her Ladyship had at various times, particu- 
 larly towards the latter part of her life, con- 
 certed many plans to provide for them, and 
 particularly for Mrs. Thomas ; which, ' con- 
 sidering that, after forty years anxious and un- 
 remitting attention to her Ladyship and her 
 family, age and infirmity were drawing on, 
 became at last a matter of conscience with her 
 Ladyship, and ended in a determination to 
 leave to her what little remained in her power. 
 Lady Trevor often confided her kind intentions 
 to Mrs. Thomas's eldest son, to whom the 
 greater part of the following Letters were given 
 some few months before her death, and like- 
 wise many particular directions concerning the 
 disposal of her other effects, and her funeral *. 
 She, in the most pathetic manner, engaged 
 him to see each particular properly executed ; 
 and, to empower him to do so, a will was to 
 have been put into his hands, which her Lady- 
 ship postponed from time to time, till a paraly- 
 
 * In particular she requested to be buried near her 
 daughter, at Foscott, a little village about seven miles 
 from Bath, where Miss Trevor resided some few years 
 before her death, which happened about 17-77. 
 4Rv~I tic
 
 Ml PREFACE. 
 
 tic stroke suddenly deprived her of the power 
 of fulfilling her design. 
 
 Lady Trevor died on the first of January, 
 1782 ; and was privately interred in the parish 
 church of Walcott, near Bath 
 
 What though no sculptured tomb contains thy dust, 
 Nor blazon'd lines proclaim the good and just ; 
 What though no stone, that bears a fond farewell, 
 Shews to th' enquiring eye thy hallow'd cell j 
 Yet memory oft the sacred task shall claim, 
 Dwell on thy virtues, and revere thy name. 
 
 It is not within the purpose of this Preface 
 to enter much farther into the private history 
 of Lady Trevor's circumstances. It has been 
 already said, that, in pecuniary matters, she 
 inherited the imprudence of her Father ; and 
 it is no secret that she was frequently distressed 
 for money. Thus situated, the greatest part 
 of her landed property was sold in 177^ ; and, 
 about the same time, she gave directions for a 
 will (which I have seen, prepared, but never 
 executed, dated in January 1772), in which, 
 after bequeathing an annuity of 100/. to Mrs. 
 Thomas, and of 801. to Mrs. Anne Hooper 
 (who had been wet-nurse and afterwards the 
 attendant on Miss Trevor), she gives the rest 
 of her property to her daughter Diana-Maria, 
 and the reversion of it to her nearest relation, 
 the Rever^ft$ David Scurlock. 
 
 From
 
 PREFACE* Xlll 
 
 From the above period, no testamentary 
 disposition of her estate having been made by 
 Lady Trevor, her property, both real and per- 
 sonal, devolved of course to Mr. Scurlock *, 
 who (as administrator and next of kin) became 
 possessed of several capital portraits ; particu- 
 larly those of her Father and Mother, both by 
 Kneller; another of Sir Richard, by Dahl, 
 painted whilst he was in Scotland as a Com- 
 missioner of the Forfeited Estates ; her grand- 
 father, Jonathan Scurlock, esq. and his wife 
 Mary, with their son Alexander, and one of 
 herself, strongly resembling her father ; also 
 miniatures of Sir Richard and some of his 
 children. Her Ladyship had also a portrait 
 of her noble Husband, and of Miss Tre- 
 vor : the late Duke and Dutchess of Marlbo- 
 rough, the present Duke and Dutchess, and 
 Lord Charles Spencer ; the Earl and Countess 
 of Pembroke ; Lady Diana Beauclerk, with 
 several fine drawings in crayons by that lady ; 
 and her own picture, with that of Mrs. Tho- 
 
 * The father of Mr. David Scurlock was also a Clergy- 
 man, and fellow of a College in Oxford ; lived with Sir 
 Richard Steele in habits of the strictest confidence and 
 friendship ; and took the management of his income 
 from the Playhouse, &c. in trust to pay his creditors, 
 some time before his death. Of this gentleman Sir Ri- 
 chard speaks in terms of high approbation in p. 419. 
 
 mas,
 
 XIV PREFACE. 
 
 mas, by Pine, on the same canvass. Of these, 
 some were restored to their respective families ; 
 others preserved with great attention by Mr. 
 Scurlock ; and the rest were sold by auction at 
 Bath, in May 1^82, with her household fur- 
 niture, medals, and a valuable library, col- 
 lected by her Father and herself. 
 
 Almost all the Letters contained in the for- 
 mer edition of this volume (CCCLXXXIV in 
 number*) had been preserved with great care 
 by Lady Trevor ; and were by her given, to 
 Mr. Thomas. From him they were purchased 
 by the Editor ; who afterwards presented the 
 originals to the British Museum. 
 
 In searching for the Notes and Illustrations, 
 it was discovered that there were several de- 
 tached Letters of Steele, in various publica- 
 tions, which, as they materially illustrate his 
 character, are incorporated in chronological 
 order. It cannot but be agreeable to the Rea- 
 der to trace in them this great man's astonish- 
 ing powers, in varying these progressive com- 
 plimentary addresses to his friends ; and they 
 contain in themselves sufficient intrinsic merit 
 to supersede all apology for their insertion. 
 
 * One of these (see p. 93) was pressed into the ser- 
 vice of the Tatler, No. XXXV, June 30, 1709, and six 
 others (pp. 97. 105. 218) were used by the ingenious au- 
 thor rn " The Spectator," No. CXLII. Aug. 13, 1711. 
 
 POST-
 
 PREFACE. XV 
 
 POSTSCRIPT, 1809. 
 
 FOR the Three Dramatic Fragments, and for 
 such part of the Letters of Sir Richard Steele 
 as are now first published, I am indebted to 
 the liberal communication of Mrs. Scurlock ; 
 by whom they have been presented to me, in 
 full conformity with the intention of her late 
 worthy husband; who, in conjunction with 
 the present Editor, proposed to have pub- 
 lished them, together with many other Letters 
 in his possession from characters of the first 
 eminence in life ; which respect, however, for 
 those characters withheld him from committing 
 to the press *. 
 
 * The following paragraph was actually published in 
 1787, at the end of my advertisement of the first edi- 
 tion. " It may be proper to announce, that, since these 
 volumes have appeared before the publick, the Editor 
 has been favoured with many valuable Original Letters 
 and other genuine productions of Sir Richard Steele ; 
 which have, in the politest manner, been communicated 
 to him by the Rev. David Scurlock, M. A. of Lovehill 
 Place, Langley, Bucks, who became possessed of them 
 (together with many other curious correspondences of 
 several eminent persons) as administrator to the effects 
 of Lady Trevor, Sir Richard Steele's last surviving 
 daughter. These valuable and authentic documents the 
 present Editor has undertaken to publish, as soon as 
 they can be properly digested, with the full concurrence, 
 and under the immediate inspection, of Mr. Scurlock." 
 
 One
 
 "XVI PREFACE. 
 
 One letter of Mr. Scurlpck, from a con- 
 siderable number which passed between us on 
 this subject, will be a sufficient proof of the 
 propriety of his ideas on this subject. 
 
 " LOVEHILL FARM, I.ANGLEY, DEC. 24, 1787. 
 
 " Sir, I have not given up the intention of pub- 
 lishing another volume : but the different pur- 
 suits I have been engaged in have prevented 
 my giving time to a work that requires criti- 
 cal attention. I have no doubt but, with your 
 assistance, we shall be able to extract such ma- 
 terials from the manuscripts in my possession, 
 as may be entertaining to the publick. I have 
 observed, that there are no productions read 
 with greater avidity, nor more eagerly inquired 
 for, than those that are replete with interesting 
 events, and private historical anecdotes of 
 Families who now figure in the world. Of these 
 I have a copious fund ; yet I would rather be 
 less entertaining, than disturb the repose of 
 private families, or wound the bosom of do- 
 mestic tranquillity. I shall be in town when the 
 Parliament meets ; and, if you are then at lei- 
 sure, we will enter on a selection for the work. 
 
 " Steele and Adeison wrote the Spectators, 
 &c. &c. chiefly in the room where I now write : 
 they rented the house of my Father for occa- 
 sional retirement, and kept an housekeeper 
 
 between
 
 PREFACE. XV11 
 
 between them. It happened that this house- 
 keeper proved to be in a situation that could 
 not escape the prying eye of slanderous obser- 
 vation ; when Steele asked Addison very 
 gravely, wdiat they should do in such a dread- 
 ful, predicament ? ( Why/ says Addison, 
 c since it is now past remedy, there is nothing 
 to be done but this ; if it proves to be a black 
 child, you shall take it ; if a fair one, the care 
 of it shall fall to my lot.' 
 
 " Though I have lately built a new house 
 here, I have religiously reserved this old part, 
 which is attached to it, and have made^ it my 
 Sanctum Sanctorum : Oh, that it would inspire 
 me with the genius that once inhabited it ! 
 Yours, &c. David Scurlock." 
 
 From a variety of causes, but principally 
 from Mr. Scurlock's having been persuaded by 
 a Nobleman of high respectability to take 
 upon him the office of a Magistrate for the 
 County of Bucks, which occupied a considera- 
 ble portion of his time, and afterwards from 
 ill health, that gentleman was prevented from 
 making the selection he proposed ; till at 
 length Death deprived his family and the w r orld 
 of a valuable character, May 9, 1793. 
 
 He was an affectionate husband ; and a tender 
 attentive parent. To the poor he was a liberal 
 benefactor ; to his parishioners a diligent 
 
 vol. i. b pastor;
 
 XV111 PREFACE. 
 
 pastor; a zealous preacher, and a fine model 
 for the conduct of their life. His exertions in 
 the duty of a Magistrate were exemplary ; nor 
 were his literary talents inferior to the good- 
 ness of his heart. Of his abilities a distin- 
 guished specimen is given, in " Thoughts on 
 the Influence of Religion on Civil Government, 
 and its Tendency to promote and preserve the 
 Social- Liberty and Rights of Man ;" a pam- 
 phlet published in 1792. 
 
 After that period, a variety of totally differ- 
 ent avocations demanding the attention of the 
 present Editor; the publication lay wholly 
 dormant, till Mrs. Scurlock, in assorting some 
 papers of her late husband, found amongst 
 them some Letters of Sir Richard Steele, and 
 the unfinished Plays, which, by her permis- 
 sion, are now presented to the publick. 
 
 The writings of Steele stand in general s# 
 little in need of adventitious credit, that they 
 derive but small advantage from critical indus- 
 try : yet a few historical notices and illustra- 
 tions, it is hoped, will be acceptable to the 
 curious, as immediately connected with the 
 history of that period in which Steele and the 
 rest of those elegant writers flourished, to 
 whom the world have been so very highly 
 indebted for the Tatler, Spectator, Guardian, 
 &c. &c. J. N-.
 
 ( xix ) 
 
 STEELE'S first wife was a lady of Barbadoes ; 
 by whom he acquired a valuable plantation there, on 
 the death of her brother, who was taken by the 
 French at sea as he was coming to England, and 
 died in France. She died a few months after their 
 marriage ; but of her name, character, or the time 
 of her death, we have no other account, than that 
 her funeral was attended by Miss Scurlock, who 
 soon after became Steele's second wife. She is sup- 
 posed to be alluded to in the Tatler, N CXVII. If 
 so, she was of a Kentish family. Yet that paper 
 was written by Addison. Of the incidents supposed 
 to relate to Mrs. Steele, Dr. Beattie, in his Disser- 
 tations, Moral and Critical, 1783, says, "One of 
 the finest moral tales I ever read is an account in 
 the Tatler, which, though it has every appearance 
 of a real dream, comprehends a moral so sublime 
 and so interesting, that I question whether any man 
 who attends to it can ever forget it ; and if he re- 
 members, whether he can ever cease to be the 
 better for it*." 
 
 By the first wife it does not appear that Sir Ri- 
 chard had any children. By the second he had four : 
 
 1. Elizabeth, born in 1709 ; afterwards Lady 
 Trevor ; of whom see p. viii. 
 
 2. Richard, born in 171O; died in 1716". 
 
 3. Eugene, born in -1 7 12, and named after the 
 Princely General. He died in 1723. See pp. 578, 
 6-30. 
 
 * See Mr. A. Chalmers's very excellent Historical and Biogra- 
 phical Preface to the Tatler, 1806, vqj. I. p. xlv. 
 
 3. Marv,
 
 XX STEELE'S CHILDREN. 
 
 4. Mary, born in 1713 ; died in 1730, of a con- 
 sumption, unmarried. See p. 659. 
 
 One small specimen of her correspondence with 
 her sister shall here be given. 
 
 u DEAR SISTER, AUG. J, 1730. 
 
 I COULD not omit this opportunity of letting 
 you know that I have my health much better. I 
 design to go to Bath for a week, and hope it won't 
 be many before I see you. Here is a great deal of 
 company ; but tell my father there is but few I think 
 agreeable. Doctor Lane is just come to see me, 
 and the bearer is in a hurry ; therefore, 
 
 I remain your affectionate sister, till death, 
 
 Mary Steele. 
 
 My duty to my father. Nelly gives her service 
 to you. Pray deliver the inclosed yourself to Mrs, 
 Bennet." 
 
 CONTENTS
 
 [ xxi ] 
 
 CONTENTS 
 
 OF 
 
 THE FIRST VOLUME. 
 
 The School of Action, a Comedy, by Sir Richard Steele, 
 left unfinished at his Death p. 144 
 
 Fragment (probably) of a Play, intended to be called The 
 Gentleman 45 52 
 
 The First Act of a Tragedy, probably written by Addi- 
 son 5374 
 
 Sir Richard Steele's Epistolary Correspondence. 
 
 Letter Page 
 
 1. To John lord Cutts 77 
 
 2. To the Countess of Albemarle 83 
 
 3. To the Duke of Ormond 85 
 
 4. To Mr. Addison 88 
 
 5. A Petition to the Queen, written by Steele for 
 
 Charles Gildon 89 
 
 6 10. To Mrs. Mary Scurlock 9298 
 
 11. Mrs. Mary Scurlock to her Mother 98 
 
 12. To Mrs. Mary Scurlock 101 
 
 13. A Prayer by Steele 102 
 
 ^4 5. To Mrs. Mary Scurlock 103111 
 
 26. To Mrs. Scurlock 111 
 
 27_ 29. To Mrs. Maiy Scurlock 114115 
 
 30. To Mrs. Scurlock 116 
 
 31.
 
 XXI 1 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 Letter Pago 
 
 31, 32. To Mrs. Steele 116118 
 
 33. To Mrs. Scurlock .^ . . . 118 
 
 34 38. To Mrs. Steele 120122 
 
 39, 40. Two Prayers by Steele 123124 
 
 41, 42. To Mrs. Steele 125 
 
 43, 44. From Mrs. Steele 126 
 
 45. To Mrs. Scurlock 127 
 
 46 49. To Mrs. Steele 127128 
 
 50 53. "To Mrs. Scurlock . . 129131 
 
 54100. To Mrs. Steele 132157 
 
 101. To Mr. Joseph Keally 157 
 
 102127. To Mrs. Steele 158172 
 
 128. To Mr. Keally 173 
 
 129147- To Mrs. Steele 174182 
 
 148. t To Mrs. Manley 182 
 
 149, 150. To Mrs. Steele 184 
 
 151. To Dr. Swift , 184 
 
 152154. To Mrs. Steele 186187 
 
 155. Mr. Addison to Mr. Keally 188 
 
 156. To Mrs. Steele 188 
 
 157- Isaaco Bickerstaff, Armigero 189 
 
 158. To Mrs. Steele 192 
 
 159. To Mr. Maynwaring 1,93 
 
 160. Mr. Addison to Dr. Swift 195 
 
 161. To Mrs. Steele 196 
 
 162. To Mr. Wortley Montague 197 
 
 163. Mr. Addison to Mr. Keally 199 
 
 164 170. To Mrs. Steele 199203 
 
 171. From Mrs. Steele." 203, 
 
 172, 173. To Mrs. Steele 204 
 
 174. To Mr. Keally 204 
 
 175. To Lord Cowper 205 
 
 176. To Lord Halifax 208 
 
 177- To Mr. Hughes 213 
 
 178. From Mr. Hughes 213 
 
 179183. To Mrs. Steele 217219 
 
 184. To Mr. Pope 219 
 
 165, To Lord 220 
 
 186. To Mr. Keally 221 
 
 187-
 
 \ 
 
 CONTENTS. XXlil 
 
 Letter Page. 
 
 187. To the Spectator. . . 222 
 
 188. To the Duke of Marlborough .' . . . 225 
 
 189. To Lord Somers 229 
 
 190. To Lord Halifax ' 232 
 
 191. To Mr. Pope 234 
 
 192, 193. To Mrs. Steele 235236 
 
 194. To Mr. Pope 236 
 
 195. From Mr. Pope 238 
 
 196, 197- To Mrs. Steele 240 
 
 198. Frbm Mr. Pope 241 
 
 . 199. To Mrs. Steele -243 
 
 200. To Mr. Lintott 244 
 
 201-^203. To Mrs. Steele 245246 
 
 204. ' From Mr. Pope 246 
 
 205. To Mr. Pope 249 
 
 206. From Mr. Pope 249 
 
 207. To Mrs.Steele * 252 
 
 208. From Mr. Pope 252 
 
 209. To Mr. Pope 254 
 
 210. From Mr. Pope 254 
 
 21}. To Mr. Boyle 255 
 
 212. To the Duke of Marlborough 257 
 
 213. To Sir Miles Wharton . 260 
 
 214. To the Earl of Wharton 267 
 
 \ 215. To the Earl of Sunderland 269 
 
 216218. To Mrs. Steele 270272 
 
 219. Dr. Swift to Mr. Addison 2/2 
 
 220. To Dr. Swift 275 
 
 221. From Dr. Swift 276 
 
 222. To Dr. Swift > 279 
 
 223. From Dr. Swift ; 281 
 
 224. To the Earl of Oxford 283 
 
 225231. To Mrs. Steele 285288 
 
 232. To Mr. Methuen 289 
 
 233238. To Mrs, Steele 291294 
 
 239. To the Bailiff of Stockbridge 295 
 
 240. To Lieutenant-general Cadogan 304 
 
 241. To Mr. Pulteney , 306 
 
 242. To Mr. Addison 308 
 
 243.
 
 XXIV 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 Letter Page 
 
 243. To Mrs. Steele , . . . 309 
 
 244. To the Clergy of the Church of England 309 
 
 245261. To Mrs. Steele 316327 
 
 262. To Lord Pinch 328 
 
 263. To a Member of Parliament 334 
 
 *264 266. To Mrs. Steele *337, 338 
 
 *267. To Mrs. Scurlock *339 
 
 *268 512. To Mrs. Steele *341 359 
 
 *313 316. To Mrs. Scurlock *359 362 
 
 *317 319. To Mrs. Steele *363 
 
 *320. From Mr. John Scurlock *364 
 
 *321 328. From Mrs, Steele *365 368 
 
 THK
 
 THE SCHOOL OF ACTION 
 
 A COMEDY. 
 
 BY SIR RICHARD STEELE. 
 
 [left unfinished at his death.]
 
 DRAMATIS PERSONS. 
 
 Mr. Severn, a Barrister, Lover of Miss Dolly. 
 
 Mr. H umber, his Friend. 
 
 Mr. Pincers, an old wealthy Country Attorney, 
 
 Guardian to Dolly. 
 Ralph, his Man. 
 
 Comedians. 
 
 Mr. Dotterell, 
 
 Mr. Spider, 
 
 Mr Gwillyn, 
 
 Buskin, Candidates for the 
 
 Tragedian, Stage. 
 
 General, J 
 
 Mrs. Pincers. 
 
 Miss Dolly, Ward to Pincers. 
 
 Margery, her Maid. 
 
 Mrs. Umbrage, an Actress. 
 
 Mrs. Fennell. 
 
 Her Daughter, a Candidate for tlte Stage, 
 
 Barber, Constable, 
 Waiter, Servants, Rabble, 8$c.
 
 ( 3 ) 
 
 THE SCHOOL OF ACTION: 
 
 A COMEDY. 
 
 ACT I. 
 
 Enter Mr. Severn and Mr. Humber. 
 
 Severn. A HE world is much more easily imposed 
 upon, than you studious and modest men imagine. 
 
 Humber. Dear Severn, if such superficial quali- 
 fications as you talk of will accomplish gentlemen 
 and ladies, I own to you, hard has been our fate, 
 in having suffered pains and penalties (fit only for 
 malefactors) in great Schools, and been immured 
 in College the best years of life, to acquire learning 
 and attain to sciences, that are all useless when we 
 come into the world. 
 
 Severn. Pardon me, dear Humber, I did not 
 say useless ; I only argue, that you had better, to 
 make your fortune, have ordinary qualifications, 
 
 B 2 such
 
 4 THE SCHOOL OP ACTION, 
 
 such as a good mien, common understanding, and 
 an easy address, than great faculties and talents, 
 under the oppression of bashfulness, rusticity, or 
 
 Humber. Or knowledge. 
 
 Severn. It shall be, or knowledge, if you please 
 if you mean knowledge kept to a man's self, or 
 in a man's keeping that is afraid or ashamed to 
 exert it. 
 
 Humber. Well, be it as you propose ; go on. 
 
 Severn. I say, then, your taste for books and 
 fine writing, your judgment in the faculties of the 
 soul, my town education, and skill in the airs, mo- 
 tions, graces, and abilities of the body, will enable 
 us to carry on this our design of supporting a new 
 Playhouse, and keeping a School of Action. 
 
 Humber. Well if we break, I can go down 
 again to my fellowship at Oxford, and laugh and 
 be laughed at, among a parcel of worthy and in- 
 genious men, whom I will entertain with my ad- 
 ventures ; and I think the undertaking cannot but 
 introduce at least matter of humour and mirth : if 
 it does not advance our fortunes, it will heighten 
 our conversation. But to your School of Action. 
 
 Severn* As all that reside in Inns of Court, and 
 Universities, though they do not enter into any of 
 the learned professions, are yet better accomplished 
 for any other ways of life, by having the same edu- 
 cation with those who go into them ; so will all 
 
 wh
 
 a Comedy. 5 
 
 who come to our School of Action be better qua- 
 lified in their own characters, by being instructed 
 among Players, who are taught to become any parf 
 which shall be imposed upon them. 
 
 Humber. Thou art a rare sanguine fellow, to 
 think this will do. But I have observed, confidence 
 in a man's self that he shall perform a thing, helps 
 him forward better than any other quality about 
 him. Well hang it in order to make this ex- 
 periment, I will be as enterprizing and confident as 
 you. 
 
 Severn. Let me, then, observe one thing, for fear 
 of your relapsing into your academic shyness ; that 
 you must beware of standing as if you were a think- 
 ing statue, a case for a spirit to reflect in, and not 
 a mind and body acting together. You improve 
 the soul only in your Colleges you neglect the 
 body. 
 
 Humber* Thou art in the right : I have studied 
 eloquence till I am dumb. 
 
 Severn. I am glad you see your want and infir- 
 mity. If you will speak, I know you will talk 
 well. I know when you are unreservedly familiar 
 you talk very well, as you did t'other night concern- 
 ing the principles of motion and rest. Suppose, as 
 you are resolved to talk, you would resolve also to 
 move, and practise a little local motion. Give me 
 leave to shew you how you perform it Go to the 
 
 other
 
 6. THK SCHOOL OF ACTION, 
 
 other side of the stage. \_He walks thither.^ Thug 
 you walked. Thus your shoulders thus your legs 
 thus your breast thus your hips Pray adven- 
 ture back again thus 
 
 Humber. Fish I am a little hurt, and grow 
 peevish wich this mimickry ; though I believe you 
 are right enough. 
 
 Severn. Well, I only shew you : it is not neces- 
 sary you should, as to the present purpose, be. 
 janty ; you are to mind more important matters. 
 You are censor, observe, upon the sense and spirit 
 of what is said ; leave the manner of doing it to me, 
 the prompter. 
 
 Number. But, as you are picking up people from 
 all quarters, are the old gentleman and his lady, 
 the young girl, and the maid and man, who came 
 hither last night, all to be Players; and why are 
 they accommodated here in the tiring-room, as if 
 it were an ordinary lodging ? 
 
 Severn. You shall know all in due time and or*, 
 der. Ho Harry ! Who waits there ? \_Enters a 
 servant."^ Is the whole house come? 
 
 Servant. They are all here, Sir, except the 
 thunderer and the candle-snuffer : they say it is a 
 mistake, and that they are never required to come 
 to rehearsal. 
 
 Severn. Tell them they shall forfeit; the thun- 
 derer shall pay two groats they they shall be 
 
 fined
 
 A COMEDY. 7 
 
 fined a clay's pay. [Exit Servant. ~] My dear 
 friend, while the company is assembling in the 
 several apartments, I will explain further. You 
 are to know, that old master Pincers is a rich 
 Northern attorney, who understands the law much 
 better as it is the business of it to punish offenders, 
 than as it is to protect the innocent ; the young 
 girl is a ward left under his care, and has a very 
 considerable estate in that country : he has brought 
 her up to town to settle her. 
 
 Humber. In the playhouse ? 
 
 Severn. Pray hear In the playhouse ? no of 
 all things in nature, stage-plays (as he calls them) 
 are his aversion. But they are no less Miss Dolly's 
 delight. As I had my education, that is to say, 
 ate and drank, conversed and lay some years every 
 night, at Gray's-Inn, I made a notable pleader be- 
 fore our bench of justices in Cumberland, and grew 
 very intimate with Mr. Pincers. He took such a 
 fancy to my promising parts for, you must know, 
 I pretended to be a rogue to gain his good-will 
 that, with a hint of five hundred pounds reward for 
 my share in the transaction, he communicated to 
 me a design of disposing of this young lady by way 
 of sale. 
 
 Humber. Good and thought you a proper 
 broker to find out a husband, or rather a purchaser. 
 
 Severn.
 
 8 THE SCHOOL OF ACTION, 
 
 Severn. Right. " Mr. Severn," said he, " you 
 kmw there is nothing more common than to ob- 
 serve thai orphans are a prey, by reason of their 
 great wealth, and marry unhappily." 
 
 Humher. And therefore 
 
 Severn. And therefore he would have a receipt 
 for all her fortune, for delivering half of it to the. 
 man who should marry her : " which," said he, 
 " shall be no fraud to the gentleman ; for he shall 
 settle only an equivalent for ten thousand pounds, 
 which is the moiety. By this means," continued 
 my conscientious friend, H I shall observe how he 
 behaves to this poor girl ; and can, if he deserves it, 
 leave the other moiety to them by my will." 
 
 Humher, And what did you say to this hopeful 
 project ? 
 
 Severn. I fell in with it, and promised to find 
 him a right young fellow for his purpose. 
 
 Humher. Did you so, Sir? \_as going."] 
 
 Severn. Now you grow a mere scholar again. 
 
 Humher. An honest gsntleman is a mere scholar 
 where a sharper is a wit. 1 will leave your cursed 
 town to-night. 
 
 Severn. I will convince you that there is nothing 
 mean or dishonourable en rry part; but a lucky 
 incident, 1 should be stupid not to take hold of. 
 
 Humher. Say it; but your prologue is so long, 
 you seem to know that the plot of your play is not 
 easily to be defended. 
 
 Severn.
 
 A COMEDY. 9 
 
 Severn. You cannot say that till you know it. I 
 agreed with him to find a young gentleman suitable 
 to her, who shall bring as good an estate as she 
 shall, and settle all upon her and the children of 
 the marriage. 
 
 H umber. Well who is the gentleman whom 
 you have thought of to do this? On whom will 
 you bestow the poor innocent girl who has never 
 injured you? 
 
 Severn. Why, I have been thinking that over 
 and over ; and it is so hard to look into another's 
 breast, that one may, after all appearances, be mis- 
 taken ; and therefore, I have resolved upon the 
 
 only man who I was sure was honest even my 
 
 own proper self. 
 
 Humber. You are most conscientiously impartial 
 and disinterested. 
 
 Severn. I think myself conscientious, though 
 neither impartial nor disinterested I consider that 
 he would certainly sell her elsewhere on his own 
 terms, without regard to her happiness. In my 
 hands, she will have her estate her own, with the 
 incumbrance only of a man who loves her, and 
 whom I believe she loves, and who may increase 
 that estate for her Consider, he would do what he 
 designed, whether I would or not. 
 
 Humber. I consider, you will do what you de- 
 sign, whether I will or not Nay, further; I can- 
 not
 
 10 THE SCHOOL OF ACTION, 
 
 not but own, the circumstances much alleviate the 
 guilt on your part. Nay, if you fairly get the girl's 
 good-will, I will allow your attempt not only ex- 
 cusable, but praiseworthy. 
 
 Severn. There spoke my good genius. In the 
 country, as much as he trusted me in the secret of 
 cheating her, he never let me see her alone, or 
 without witnesses ; his wife, the maid, or man, or 
 all of them, were constantly present. But, as she 
 is a great lover and reader of plays, and of a great 
 deal of wit and humour, we could speak one lan- 
 guage, and look another, above their knowledge or 
 observation. I sent for him to town, in order to 
 marry her, insisting on my five hundred pounds ; 
 for he would not trust me, did he not know my 
 price. I have lodged all here, whence they shall 
 never go out, till dear Miss implores it of me, or 
 has justice done her by me or somebody to her 
 liking. 
 
 Humber. There you justify all the art you can 
 use for yourself. And may you win and wear her, 
 since you plot her redemption though yourself 
 should not succeed ! 
 
 Severn. Well, we have done talking; let us to 
 action. My business is, to review my forces, and 
 not neglect my main plot ; but consider my play- 
 house and my mistress at the same time; and, 
 wliile I am preparing the one, make love to the 
 
 other.
 
 A COxMEDY, H 
 
 other. Here Jack, call all the actors let the 
 whole house march Tragedy drums and trumpets, 
 fifes, kettle-drums, and clarions, shall wake my 
 country lodgers, fright my old parchment, and 
 charm my little Northern pilgrim my dear refu- 
 gee I will understand her no other. Beat sound, 
 and play. Make all people be in their posts round 
 the stage, and answer in all parts to the stage. 
 All shall be done that can be, to make her pass 
 her time pleasantly. She shall always expect to 
 see me ; but not see me, till I have abundant con- 
 vincing proofs that I am in her favour. Thus if I 
 can save her, and save her for myself, it will be an 
 exquisite happiness ; if not, to save her from this 
 ra>cal is but my duty. Oh! I should have told 
 you, that when Miss Dolly came in, I conveyed a 
 letter into her pocket, intimating where she was, 
 that she may be surprized at nothing ; for I love 
 the dear thing so tenderly, that I could not give 
 her the shortest uneasiness, to purchase the most 
 lasting good or pleasure to myself. [Here begins 
 the march."] Hist. 
 
 [Pincers within. Ho! chamberlain, bring me 
 my boots where is the chamberlain? What is 
 the noise ? 
 
 Ralph within. The drums. 
 
 Pincers. What is the matter ? 
 
 Ralph. The Train-bands belike, master. 
 
 Pincers,
 
 13 THE SCHOOL OF ACTION. 
 
 Pincers, Ho! chamberlain.] 
 
 Humber. While the rest, of the country family 
 are thus deceived, Dolly is let into the whole mat- 
 ter, and won't be surprized at any thing. If she 
 humours the deceit, it is a, good symptom on your 
 side. This must be a fruitful circumstance of mirth. 
 
 Severn. Nymphs, shepherds, ghosts, angels, and 
 demons, shall teaze the old rascal ; and all the whife 
 Miss Dolly see and hear nothing but according to 
 the notice I have q;iven her. 
 
 Humber. While you are thus busied about your 
 people, and managing your design, which I have 
 not much taste for (I want that mercury about me), 
 I will go about the house, and view the accommo- 
 dations : they say it is the most convenient one in 
 the world. 
 
 Severn. Sir, take your humour: I will pursue 
 mine, and call you when the circumstance is above 
 my reach. [Exit Humber.] Well, march by; 
 let the kings take place of all the people next them 
 bishops then judges no, we had as good not to 
 discompose their dresses. [Among the march of 
 the actors he observes Will Dotterell]. Ho! Mr. 
 Dotterell, Mr. Dotterell. 
 
 Dotterell. Sir! Your most humble servant, 
 good Mr. Severn. What, have you a part for me 
 in your new play ? It was you that first thought of 
 making an actor of me, and I have gained some re- 
 putation i.
 
 A COMEDY. 13 
 
 putation; -and, harkee you have made a deal of 
 me, I can tell you. 
 
 Severn. Ay, ay, I know thou art a town fa- 
 vourite thy name is not spoken of but it raises 
 mirth. Let us see, what parts have you acted? 
 You have acted all manner of things as well as per- 
 sons You began, I think, a flower-pot in Diocle- 
 sian then you have performed another ingenious 
 part, been a chair, I think, at another opera yon 
 have represented all the appetites : as 1 take it, you 
 do Hunger best; you are a fine fellow at a cold 
 chicken. Then you have been all sorts of trades; 
 but you shine most in the Taylor in Epsom Wells : 
 you beat your wife most successfully. 
 
 Dotterell. It was thought I laid her on as well as 
 another; for you may remember she was a bitter 
 one ; and if she provoked me, I gave her some six 
 or seven drubs beyond what the Poet writ for her. 
 
 Severn. Well look you, Will I design greater 
 things for you than any poet of them all why you 
 shall act a ghost in the ensuing play. 
 
 Dotterell. A ghost of me ! No it can never he. 
 , Severn. Yes, yes, you oaf, you shall be a country 
 ghost you shall come to the country gentleman, 
 who lay here last night, in the figure of his de^ 
 ceased brother, a fat Justice of the Peace, who left 
 all his money in his hands and he cheats him. 
 Why I don't know but you may be the luckiest 
 
 gliost
 
 14 THE SCHOOL OF ACTION, 
 
 ghost that ever appeared Who knows but the old 
 rascal may repent, and pay you? If he does, I 
 am sure you'll take it. 
 
 Dotterell. Nay, nay, there is no doubt of that. 
 What has the poor money done ? I will take i^, 
 as you say. 
 
 Severn. Look you there: when you have done 
 this part, you will have become a most accom- 
 plished player: you have gone through all the de- 
 grees of action ; you came out of the parsley- bed, 
 as they say to the children ; you have been every 
 thing 
 
 Dotterell. A ghost! I shall never be sober 
 enough. What if it be a country ghost yet every 
 man is serious after his death. I shall certainly 
 laugh, and discover all. 
 
 Severn. Well bid him they call Dickey come 
 to me. 
 
 Dotterell. Dickey Dickey, come to me ; come, 
 Dickey, come to Mr. Severn. I'm not a ghost 
 yet ; you need not be afraid. 
 
 Enter Spider. 
 
 Severn. Mr. Spider, I have a part for you ; but 
 I am afraid you have too good an air, too much 
 dignity in your person, to do it well. 
 
 Spider. Oh, I warrant you. They never put me 
 to act any thing in Tragedy, though my genius and 
 temper are altogether for great and sublime things. 
 
 Severn,
 
 A COMEDY. 15 
 
 Severn. No doubt on't, Mr. Spider but you 
 must be content at present to do me a courtesy, 
 and stiU keep in Comedy ; for you are to be a 
 tapster. 
 
 Spider. What ! when Mr. Dotterell (as I appre- 
 hend) is to be a ghost am I to be but a tapster ? 
 
 Severn. Why, you are to be a tapster to the inn 
 in which he is to be a ghost so that he is in a 
 manner in your keeping all the ghosts in inns are 
 kept there by the tapster or chamberlain ; now you 
 are to be both in this inn that I imagine. 
 
 Spider. Oh ! oh ! I begin to conceive you I am 
 to be a live tapster, and Mr. Dotterell is to be the 
 ghost of a dead man that died in the inn, and left a 
 power of money behind, and so haunts the house 
 
 because his own cousin had not 1 understand it 
 
 very well. Look you, Mr Dotterell, it was I and 
 my master contrived to kill this gentleman, for the 
 great bag of money he brought into our house. 
 Come, come, we'll go in, and consider how to act 
 these parts, without giving Mr. Severn any more 
 trouble about it. 
 
 Severn. But there is another thing that, I fear, 
 will go much against you ; and that is, you are to 
 be excessively saucy. 
 
 Spider. No I shall make no scruple of that, if 
 he proves an unmannerly guest, I'll warrant you. 
 
 * But,
 
 1(J TftE SCHOOL OF ACTION, 
 
 But, Mr. Dotterell, let us go and lay our heads to- 
 gether. 
 
 Severn. Now, gentlemen, you are going out in 
 your own persons, and no man living can tell which 
 of you should take precedence. Certainly, Mr. 
 Spider, you are somebody or other ; and, Mr. Dot- 
 terell, so are you. Now I w r ould fain know which 
 of you is to take place of the other. 
 
 Spider. Pray, good Mr. Dotterell. 
 
 Dot terell. Nay, nay, Mr. Spider, I'll never be 
 outdone in civility: you must pardon me indeed, 
 Sir. 
 
 Spider. Nay, Sir. 
 
 Dotterell. Nay, Sir. 
 
 Spider. Nay, Sir. 
 
 Dotterell. Nay, nay, nay, Sir, if you go to that. 
 
 [turpi aside. 
 
 Spider. Nay, but, good Sir, excuse me, Sir. 
 
 [turning another way, 
 
 Dotterell. Oh, Mr. Spider, your servant for that, 
 Sir. [takes him up in his arms. 
 
 Spider. Sir, you conquer me beyond expression ; 
 Sir, you run away with me. 
 
 Dotterell. Indeed, Sir, I must say you are a 
 very easy gentleman ; you are carried away with 
 the least civility, look you, Sir ; for- 
 
 [carrying him backwards and forwards. 
 
 Spider*
 
 A COMEDY. 17 
 
 Spider. Plague on't, what a misfortune it is to be 
 a little fellow ! Though I have a soul as great as 
 Hercules, this fellow can deal with me. 
 
 Dotterell. Oh my dear little Dickey Spider ! 
 
 [Exit, kicking him in his arms. 
 
 Severn, solus. Here is a great piece of difficulty 
 adjusted ; but I observe very few difficulties of cere- 
 mony of much greater moment than this, and wish 
 
 they were all so to be ended. Well now have 
 
 I the hardest task in all my affair to pursue : to 
 persuade a woman who is young, pleasant, and 
 agreeable, to act a part for me to another ; to make 
 love for me, instead of receiving love made to her ; 
 and there is no way of obtaining women but by 
 making love to them. They are used to no other 
 language, and understand no other Ho ! who waits 
 there ? 
 
 Enter Waiter. 
 
 JVaiter. Sir ; do you call, Sir ? 
 
 Severn. Pray, Sir, call Mrs. Umbrage hither. If 
 she be in the green-room, tell her I beg to speak 
 with her. I must form myself into all the good hu- 
 mour I can to entertain her, or I shall never -get 
 her to come into it. 
 
 Enter Mrs. Umbrage. 
 
 Oh, here she comes. Well, madam, I have 
 cast parts for you, and named you to many, but 
 never so very nice a one as I am to desire of you 
 
 c t*
 
 i& THE SCHOOL OF ACTIOS', 
 
 to undertake at present. To overlook yourself, and 
 deliver that application to another, which had been 
 more rightly directed to yourself, is a greatness of 
 mind, is a candour, to be found only in Mrs. Um- 
 brage. 
 
 Umbrage. Well, Mr. Severn, you have waved 
 your cap sufficiently ; you have done homage, and 
 made your acknowledgments ; pray proceed to the 
 matter. 
 
 Severn. The Northern young lady whom you 
 have often heard me talk of, is in town, and lay in 
 this house last night. 
 
 Umbrage. That has been the conversation of the 
 green-room. But what do you design in all this you 
 are going to let me into ? 
 
 Severn. I would be well with that young lady. 
 Nay, I think I am so. 
 
 Umbrage. A man may often be mistaken in those 
 points, as knowing as you are. 
 
 Severn. I grant it, madam ; I have a mind to 
 know it more explicitly, and have the most evident 
 proofs of it ; which I will not desire till I have given 
 her sufficient testimony of a disinterested zeal and 
 service for her. 
 
 Umbrage. That is, indeed, the noblest and the 
 surest way to approach a sensible spirit, as I have 
 heard you describe hers to be. Pray let me hear 
 what argument you have for thinking that she has 
 
 a dis-
 
 A COMEDY. ig 
 
 a disposition towards you ; for you know we natu- 
 rally are too apt to believe what we wish to be true. 
 
 Severn. A good opinion is in a man's own power 
 to create. I took care to appear in the best man- 
 ner where she was ; to be always in great good hu- 
 mour, and shew a wonderful deference to her in all 
 my actions ; which I constantly expressed by my 
 eye only, as if afraid of notice and observation. She 
 had her eyes as attentive to mine, and never lost 
 the least expression that I made to her, but turned 
 away her eyes when mine grew too familiar. But 
 give me leave to tell you one particular occasion 
 wherein I plainly think she declared herself to me. 
 
 Umbrage. That will be worth hearing indeed ; I 
 shall be glad to hear the language of the eyes trans- 
 lated by the tongue. [smiling. 
 
 Severn. You are to know, Madam, that there 
 happened one day in the North, a great Quaker's 
 wedding, at which she and I were present. They 
 went with the greatest gravity and decorum through 
 the whole circumstance of it. But at night she 
 was invited, so was I, to see the bride and bride- 
 groom put to bed. Several of her maidens attended 
 her; several of their young men him. It is the 
 nature of their superstition, to keep their passions 
 bridled, restrained, and formally dissembled. They 
 have none of those flights, palpitations, gambols, 
 
 c 2 and
 
 20 THE SCHOOL OF ACTION* 
 
 and follies, which divert the mind, and break it 
 from its main object. 
 
 Umbrage. You are going into a fine story ; but 
 I trust your discretion. 
 
 Severn. Madam, you may [bowing.'] To be 
 sure the bridegroom is laid by his bride ; the com- 
 pany stands in the most profound silence, as con- 
 templating the objects before them. He a young 
 man of 25, she a young woman of 20 He wishing 
 our absence ; she fearing it. The eyes of every one 
 of us spectators naturally searching the object with 
 which they could best be pleased in the same con- 
 dition, my eyes met Miss Pincers', in which there 
 was such a sweet compliance, such a revel invita- 
 tion, immediately checked when observed and 
 answered by me, that I ever since concluded she 
 had something more than good-will for me. 
 
 Umbrage. Well, if she has it, I shall be far from 
 lessening it; but will, as you seem to desire, ac- 
 company her, and improve it. 
 
 Severn. I form great hopes of success from that 
 declaration : but as the lady is mighty theatrically 
 disposed, I beseech you to shew her the pleasure 
 and beauties of the house. 
 
 Umbrage. AH that is in my power : all that is 
 not, I must leave to you. 
 
 Severn. I will not doubt of success. 
 
 To gain a she, a sure she-friend provide ^ 
 For woman is to woman the best guide.
 
 
 A COMEDY, 1 
 
 ACT. II. 
 
 The Scene opens, and discovers Pincers and his 
 Wife, Miss Dolly, Ralph, and Margery. 
 
 Mr. Pincers. Fie, Miss Dolly ; do you say you 
 heard no manner of noise when I was knocking my 
 heart out ? 
 
 Dolly. None in the least. In the country they 
 talked of the rattling of coaches here in London. I 
 heard nothing of it ; I can hardly think 1 am yet in 
 the City. 
 
 Mrs. Pincers. Why, Miss Dolly, you won't say 
 so, sure ! Did you hear no drums nor trumpets" ? 
 
 Dolly. Not in the least. 
 
 Mrs. Pincers. O gemini ! then to be sure the 
 house is haunted, and the man of the Inn has killed 
 some traveller, and hid him behind the hangings, 
 and we are all disturbed for it 't is so to be sure. 
 
 Ralph. It is no otherwise. I wonder counsellor 
 Severn would bring Master to such an Inn as this 
 is, so I do. 
 
 Mr. Pincers. Chamberlain! Why, chamber- 
 lain! 
 
 Enter Spider (as Chamberlain). 
 
 Spider, Do you call, Sir ? 
 
 3Ir.
 
 22 THE SCHOOL OF ACTION, 
 
 Mr. Pincers. Do you call, Sir? ay, marry do 
 I, Sir. What has been doing in the Inn here, or 
 in the streets, with trumpets and kettle-drums? 
 
 Spider. Trumpets and kettle-drums ! Poor gen- 
 tleman ! 
 
 Mr. Pincers. Poor gentleman ! no, no poor gen- 
 tleman. I am afraid this house is no better than it 
 should be. 
 
 Spider. Has not your worship lain warm ? The 
 bed is as good a bed as any in the house. A man 
 of fifteen hundred a-year lay in it, and slept all 
 night. He came to town to be fluxed. He was 
 very much a gentleman, and owned he slept very 
 well ; and his bones ached but little in that easy 
 bed. 
 
 Mr. Pincers. Rogue ! put honest folks, that have 
 been man and wife these twenty years, into a 
 pocky bed together ! 
 
 Mrs. Pincers. In a pocky bed, husband ! take 
 the law of him. 
 
 Mr. Pincers. Sirrah ! has not counsellor Severn 
 been here this morning? Go, Sirrah, bring me 
 some water and a towel ; Til go to the counsellor's 
 chambers immediately. I'll trounce this house. 
 
 [Exit Spider. 
 
 Miss Dolly. [Aside.~] I'll look over my letter 
 again. [Reads.'] "Be afraid of nothing; but 
 know, that the disagreeable shapes Mr. Pincers h 
 
 enter-
 
 A COMEDY. " 2 
 
 entertained with are not to appear to you ; and 
 when you know this, you may partake of the di- 
 version of tormenting those who attempt only to 
 sell and betray you. What you see are persons and 
 appearances belonging to the several plays which 
 are acted in this house." Oh me ! how pure is all 
 this! 
 
 Re-enter Spider, with a Barher. 
 
 Spider. Here is the water and towel, and here is 
 a barber if you want him. [Exit. 
 
 Pincers. Harkey ye, Mr. Barber ; you look like 
 an honest man, put on your trimming cloths about 
 me. I'll enquire of you what sort of people live in 
 this house. Ha ! what *s this here ? 
 
 " To Mr. Pincers, Esq. 
 [A letter has come down from the air with this 
 
 direction.^ 
 fi Sir, Repent of the ill you are contriving, be- 
 fore it be too late I shall appear to you and your 
 wife only. In hopes of justice, I remain 
 Your dead and buried Brother 
 
 Ralph Pincers." 
 
 Enter Spider, as Tapster. 
 Spider. Sir, do you call for nothing this morn- 
 ing ? are not you dry, nor your wife neither, ha, 
 old Dry-boots ? 
 
 Pincers,
 
 24 THE SCHOOL OF ACTION, 
 
 Pincers. What does this mean ? A letter come 
 directed to me out of the air and my brother com- 
 ing ! Wife ! Margery, do you see that letter ? 
 What can it mean ? Look you, sauce-box ; good 
 man Tapster, I shall take a course with you, sirrah, 
 I shall. 
 
 Spider. You are a sneaking, country bumpkin, 
 Sir. 
 Enter Dotterell, dressed like a Country 'Squire. 
 
 Pincers. Bless us ! there comes on my brother, 
 in his old boots and grey riding-coat. 'Tis he : I 
 ha'n't the heart to speak to it. 
 
 Dotterell. A country ghost! I shall laugh out 
 [aside] . How frightened the dog is ! I'll warrant 
 the rogue has a great sum of money of mine. I'll 
 make him give it me. [7b Pincers] Repent, and 
 don't cheat your brother, and break your word with 
 a man that is dead and buried. I shall laugh be- 
 fore the old Put has refunded [aside. 
 
 Mrs. Pincers. There is the Justice come to fetch 
 us away with him~he's come for Dolly's portion. 
 You know I was always for giving it all to her since 
 Nancy's death. 
 
 Dotterell. Give me my money give me my 
 money. 
 
 Pincers. Oh ! how I tremble ! yet dare'not speak 
 
 to him [He comes nearer. 
 
 Dot-
 
 A COMEDY. 25 
 
 Dotterell. Show my last will and testament- 
 give me my money. 
 
 Pincers. I cannot speak to him, to tell him I'll 
 do every thing. 
 
 Dotterell. I will haunt thee, and -tear thy wife 
 from the fell 
 
 Mrs. Pincers. He presents the figure of the poor 
 child we had to cheat Dolly with : Oh husband, 
 he'll have me to punish thy sins. Oh he has me 
 now, now, husband [they both sirikiuith the Bar- 
 her at a trap-door, .] 
 
 Ralph. " He presents the figure of the poor 
 child we had to cheat Dolly with !" How shall I get 
 off this ground ? [Going away fearfully. 
 
 Margery. Oh, Ralph ! can you leave me ? 
 
 [They meet trembling, as if they found the 
 place open.~\ 
 
 Ralph. Let us keep together, and not go under 
 ground in a strange place. 
 
 Margery. Tell me, Ralph, whether there was 
 any thing between you and Nan ? 
 
 Ralph. Ask no questions, ask no questions, good 
 Margery. [Exeunt. 
 
 Miss Dolly. Whither shall I go, or where will 
 this adventure end ? Sure Mr. Severn will 
 
 TT * *f "lF 
 
 [Four leaves of the MS. are here unfortunately 
 missing.^ 
 
 # # * # 
 
 Umbrage.
 
 $$ THE SCHOOL OF ACTION, 
 
 I 'nikrage. The pretty good-natured absurdity ! 
 [Aside] but, madam, you forgot Lorenzo that you 
 mentioned just now: you must see his [whistle: 
 Scene changes] there, maclam, there's the place he 
 spoke those charming words in. But I forget, ma- 
 dam, you are a country lady, and delight rather in 
 airy prospects, tracts of land, and beauteous lawns. 
 
 [Scene changes to the Park. 
 
 Miss Dolly. Is this the Park ? Pray, madam, 
 where is the Bird-cage-walk, where lovers meet for 
 intrigue ? 
 
 Umbrage. You shall see it in due time ; for I 
 have a thousand other things to tell you of. You 
 must understand human life, and what passes in 
 the world, before you give yourself away ; but I 
 must not inform you of it abruptly and hastily. 
 
 Miss Dolly. It will be charitable in you, ma- 
 dam, to do so. 
 
 Umbrage. I know you must be an admirer of 
 poetry and good sense, without which music is in- 
 sipid, or at least but half informed. 
 
 Miss Dolly. I have wished myself at London a 
 thousand times, to see operas ; but I would not have 
 them sing nonsense. 
 
 Umbrage. Therefore, madam, I hope you'll like 
 the poetry which Mr. Severn has ordered for the 
 stage, in celebration of two faithful lovers: they 
 were persons in an humble condition, and no ways 
 
 con-
 
 A COMEDY. 2JT 
 
 conspicuous, but by their passion for each other ; in- 
 deed, just what they should be conspicuous for 
 
 An Inscription and Epitaph in a Country 
 Church. 
 
 " Near this place lie the bodies of John Hew- 
 ett and Sarah Drew, an industrious young man 
 and a virtuous maiden of this parish, who having 
 been contracted in marriage, and being wjth many 
 others at harvest-work, were both in one instant 
 killed by lightning on the last day of July, ^lS.* 
 
 Miss Dolly. Oh ; but the Poetry what a sad 
 thing 'twou'd have been if one of them had been 
 left alive. But pray let 's see the Poetry. 
 
 Umbrage. Have but patience, and we will have 
 convenience, Miss, to sit down and hear it. 
 
 [Scene changes to a bower* 
 
 " Think not with rigorous judgment seiz'd, 
 
 A pair so faithful could expire, 
 Victims so pure Heaven saw well pleas'd, 
 
 And snatch'd them in ccelestial fire. 
 Live well, and fear not sudden fate, 
 
 When Death calls Virtue to the grave ; 
 Alike 'tis justice soon or late, 
 Mercy alike to kill or save. 
 Virtue alike can hear the call, 
 And face the flash that melts the ball." 
 But let us take our places, and carry it gravely, suit- 
 able to your fortune and merit. 
 
 [Here it is performed.
 
 aS THE SCHOOL OF ACTION* 
 
 ACT III. 
 
 Enter Severn and Humber. 
 
 Severn. I have often begged you to let me shift 
 for myself, let my character sink or swim. Every 
 man who attempts any new thing must allow man- 
 kind to talk of him as they please. I do not regard 
 what the world says, but what it should say. 
 
 Humber, It is very odd, that we have never happy 
 moments but at midnight, so different are our tem- 
 pers; and we are made to keep together from no 
 other rule, but that we never expostulate upon past 
 mistakes : to meet again after a misunderstanding, 
 contains in itself all manner of apology, all expostu- 
 lation ; but if I might, I would complain, that the 
 business of the house is neglected while you are at- 
 tending your amours. 
 
 Severn. No : there is a present leisure to attend 
 any thing of that kind, to hear any person or per- 
 sons that pretend to the Stage, to examine scenes 
 or goods to be shewn or exhibited there, and give 
 them their answers. Let us take our places ac- 
 cordingly. 
 
 Humber. It is wondrous to consider the folly of 
 mankind, that think so lightly and so meanly of 
 
 the
 
 A COMEDY. 29 
 
 the faculties of a player. Roscius had three thou- 
 sand scholars, and one only fit for the purpose. 
 
 Severn, There's no arguing mankind out of their 
 humour or their taste ; they may be gained upon 
 by skill and labour, but that must be felt before it 's 
 seen. 
 
 Humber. Now you begin to philosophize: but 
 let us hear the people, in spite of vernacular dia- 
 lect or tone, attempting to represent the most dif- 
 ficult characters <rf state. Mr. Duntaxat, if you 
 please, we will now sit down and hear them. [They 
 sit down at tabled] Mr. Severn, you see he con- 
 sents to take out places [rings the belt]. 
 
 Who waits r 
 
 Enter Servant. 
 
 Servant. A great many people, Sir ; but none so 
 importunate to be admitted, as the Welch gentle- 
 man, who offers to act the character of Hamlet for 
 his own pleasure. 
 
 Humber. Plague on him, whose pleasure will it 
 be besides? 
 
 Severn. Oh, all the world will like him ; let us 
 admit him by all means. 
 
 Humber. He in his vernacular tone will dis- 
 parage a scene for ever by repeating it ; but do as 
 you will. 
 
 Severn. Pray desire the gentleman to walk in : 
 pray, gentlemen, keep your countenance ; for he is 
 
 no
 
 $0 the school of action, 
 
 no fool ; or if he is, he is a valiant one, and hath a 
 great estate half way up the atmosphere. 
 Enter Mr. Gwillyn. 
 {They all rise from their seats.~\ 
 
 Sir, we understand the high obligation you lay 
 upon us (pray sit down, Sir) in condescending to 
 tread the stage in the character of the Prince of 
 Denmark ; in which, Sir, you are so far right, that 
 he was a prince of a very antient family, and not 
 unworthy a gentleman of your character to repre- 
 sent. 
 
 Gwillyn. I have a respect for him, both for his 
 plutt and his prains, and think I could do him 
 justice. 
 
 Severn. There is no doubt of it, good Sir ; and 
 if you please to pronounce the sentence " To be 
 or not to be," you'll mightily raise these gentle- 
 men's expectations, and gratitude to you for the 
 favour you intend them. 
 
 Gwillyn. Sir, that I will do, if the gentlemen 
 please to hear it. 
 
 [They all rise, and come forward ivith him. 
 
 Gwillyn. " To pee and not to pee," &c. 
 
 Severn. Most admirably spoke, Sir. Be pleased 
 to give us time to concert measures, what day to 
 act this play. Let our taylor wait upon you to ad- 
 just the shape, and all things necessary. 
 
 [Exit Gwillyn. 
 Humber.
 
 A COMEDY. Jl 
 
 Humber. It's well we have got well clear of this 
 humorous exceptious gentleman ; but I was in ter- 
 rible pain lest he should have observed your incli- 
 nation to laugh. Let us not lose time, however, but 
 go on to answer other persons. [Rings the bell. 
 
 Enter Servant. 
 
 Humber, Who waits without ? 
 
 Servant. Very many people, Sir ; but the lady 
 with her daughter says she has been here so often 
 that she will be next admitted. 
 
 Severn. She will ! she insists to see us all to<re- 
 ther, and makes a difficulty even to show her 
 daughter's face. Now that is so preposterous and 
 humorous, that I could not answer her civilly, and 
 in general, and so put her off. 
 
 Humber. Let her come in, however, and have 
 her answer from us all. 
 
 Enter Mrs. Fennell with her Daughter. 
 
 Humber. Madam, what are your commands, 
 here? 
 
 Mrs. Fennell. Gentlemen, I am a gentlewomaa 
 of a very antient family. 
 
 Severn. Very likely, Madam ; but indeed, Ma- 
 dam, we sit here to provide for the Stage, and not 
 to hear pedigrees. If you are of a house of yester- 
 day and please to-day you'll pardon me, Ma- 
 dam that is what we are to mind chiefly but 
 pray, Madam, break into your business. 
 
 Mrs.
 
 $2 THE SCHOOL OF ACTION, 
 
 Mrs. FennelL Why, gentlemen, this young lady 
 in a mask, with me, is my daughter ; and I pro- 
 pose her for the Stage ; for I am reduced, and 
 starve or beg we must not. 
 
 Severn. But, Madam, please to show us how 
 your daughter will help to keep us from wanting. 
 Madam, we have a great charge already. 
 
 Mrs. Fennell. Why you see, gentlemen, her 
 height is very well ; she is neither tall nor short. 
 
 Severn. We allow it, Madam ; but that is not 
 all : she must speak with a good air and grace. 
 Won t she unmask ? Must not we see more than 
 thus much of her ? 
 
 Mrs. FennelL No, no, gentlemen, we must 
 come to some manner of agreement before you see 
 any further. To be a maid of honour a waiting 
 lady on your Statiras and Roxannos, or any of 
 your theatrical princesses, she'll deserve 20s. a week 
 for mere dumb show; and I'll have assurance of 
 that in case you like her face ; or else it sha'n't be 
 said she was offer' d to the playhouse. 
 
 Severn. Well but, Madam, that is not all ; let 
 her be for dumb show only, her face is not all ; she 
 must be well limbed ; [they ivhisper and confer] 
 she may sometimes be in a boy's dress a Cupid 
 a young heir to a great family a page, or a gen- 
 tleman-usher. 
 
 Mrs. Fennell. Why I was aware of the objection, 
 and have had a model taken of her legs, which you 
 
 shall
 
 A COMEDY. 33 
 
 shall see, Gentlemen. There they are ; as fine a 
 straight leg, and as proper a calf you shall seldom 
 see a woman's leg so well made. I don't question, 
 Gentlemen, but you have seen great choice, Gen- 
 tlemen, in your posts; are well acquainted with 
 the symmetry of parts, and correspondence of 
 limbs. 
 
 Severn. Well, Madam, you speak of your goods 
 so advantageously, and set them oft" so reasonably, 
 that if the lady pleases to show her face, we shall 
 give twenty shillings a-week certain. 
 
 Mrs. Fennell. She is your servant, and shall 
 constantly attend rehearsals. [Daughtw unmasks. 
 
 Severn. On my word, a very surprizing face. 
 Pray, Madam, may I beg the favour to see those 
 pretty lips move ? 
 
 Daughter. Yes, Sir. 
 
 Severn. Pray, Madam, raise your voice a note 
 higher. 
 
 Mrs. Fennell. Gentlemen, I beg she may be 
 kept wholly for Tragedy, for she takes prodigiously 
 after me. She can act only a haughty part ; I was 
 prodigiously haughty in my youth. She will never 
 act naturally any thing but what's cruel anjd un- 
 natural, as the men call it. 
 
 Severn. But, Madam, can't she repeat any 
 verses, any parts of a play ? It is strange she should 
 
 d have
 
 34 THE SCHOOL OF ACTION, 
 
 have an inclination to the stage, and yet have 
 learnt nothing by heart. 
 
 Mrs. Fennell. Oh, I have inured her to get as 
 many things as possible to arm her against the 
 wiles of men ; as those concerning Sir Charles Sed- 
 ley Say on, good Betty. 
 
 Daughter. " Sedley has that prevailing gentle art, 
 That can with a resistless charm impart 
 The loosest wishes to the chastest heart." 
 
 Severn. " The loosest wishes !" I fancy some- 
 body or other has seen her legs otherwise than bv & 
 model she speaks so sensibly ! [Aside. 
 
 Daughter. H Raise such a conflict, kindle such a 
 fire, 
 Between declining virtue and desire, 
 Till the poor vanquish'd maid dissolves away, 
 In dreams all night, in sighs and tears all day." 
 
 Severn. Well, Madam, pluck up a spirit ; and 
 let us hear you grace it, and do it with an air. 
 Speak it politely, with a side face: you are to 
 imagine an audience, tho' there is none ; and pray 
 speak it with courage 
 
 " Sedley has that prevailing," &c. 
 
 Ilumber. Madam, you may be sure of all the 
 encouragement and care your beauty and merit de- 
 serve. Exeunt Mrs. Fennell and Daughter. 
 
 - Well, now let us look into some scenes that are 
 under examination, whether proper to be exhibited, 
 
 or
 
 A COMEDY. 35 
 
 or not. Let the Scene of Mr. Buskin come on. 
 Trumpets sound, and Drums beat a March. 
 Enter Buskin. 
 
 Buskin. " In vain has conquest waited on my 
 sword, 
 In vain th' obedient waves have wafted o'er 
 The bark in which I sail'd ; as if the gods 
 Had order'd Nature to preserve her course 
 With gentle clime and season, to convey 
 In safety me, their instrument of fate." 
 
 Humber. Ho! brave, ho! brave. What's to 
 come after that ? 
 
 Buskin. u All this was vain, since Clidiamira's eyes 
 Have met with mine and stopt my race of glory. 
 Oh, Clidiamira Oh! oh! oh! let all 
 The elements break loose " 
 
 Humber. Ay ay, to be sure, they can do no less, 
 if Clidiamira's really angry ; but not so fast, not so 
 fast, if you please. 
 
 Buskin. Pray, Sir, give me leave Oh, Mr. 
 Humber, is it you ? Your humble servant I sub* 
 mit I know you are a critick. 
 
 Humber. To be free, Sir, you must know this 
 way of blustering is a stage legerdemain, a trick 
 upon the eyes and ears of the audience. Look you, 
 Sir, this is a time of licentiousness ; and we must 
 examine things, now we are setting up to strip you, 
 to knew whether what you say is good or not. 
 
 x> 2 BUskin*
 
 36 THE SCHOOL OF ACTION, 
 
 Buskin. How, strip me ! 
 
 Humber. Ay, strip you for if it be not sense in 
 your doublet, it is not in your long robe. High 
 heels on your shoes, or the feathers on your beaver, 
 cannot exalt you a tittle. No; you must know, 
 good folks, this is all a cheat. Such stuff as this is 
 only a tragedy of feathers- -it is only lace and rib- 
 bon in distress- -undress the actor, and the speech 
 is spoiled. 
 
 All. Strip him strip him ! 
 
 {they pull off his clothes. 
 
 Humber. Now speak, now speak. 
 
 Buskin. Give me my truncheon at least ; I got 
 it by heart with a stick in my hand. 
 
 Many. Ha, ha, ha ; let him have his truncheon, 
 let him have his truncheon. 
 
 Buskin. Nay- -pray, Gentlemen and Ladies, let 
 me come on the same board.- -Nay- - 
 
 Humber. You shall do that- -well, but begin. 
 
 Buskin. tc In vain has conquest" sha'n 1 1 have a 
 little of the trumpet? 
 
 All. No, no, no. 
 
 Buskin. Then the drum only. 
 
 All. No, no. 
 
 Buskin. " Oh, Clidiamira oh 1 oh ! oh P it 
 won't do : one can't follow either lore or honour 
 without some equipage.- 
 
 Hum-
 
 A COMEDY. m 
 
 Humber. Well then, Master, to keep you in 
 countenance, you shall take up your things, and 
 in your doublet speak that sentiment in the play 
 call'd Tlie Patriot *, wherein the great Lord speaks 
 to his friend, who applauds the bestowing of his 
 bounty. -^The friend, taking notice of his convey- 
 ing secretly relief to a distress'd person of great 
 merit, and thinking to please him, tells him, that 
 the man obliged has found out who sent it, and 
 said it was a god-like action. To which the other 
 answers : 
 
 " God-like indeed, could one bestow unseen ! 
 Thanks are too large returns, from soul to soul, 
 For any thing that we can handle thus : 
 Heaven has no more for giving us our all. 
 The means of sustenance man owes to man, 
 As Angels give each other thought for thought.'* 
 
 Mr. Buskin, your most humble servant ; mingle 
 with the company lake your things. Say that 
 in a doublet, cap, or waistcoat, with or without 
 .shoes, and make it little if you can. 
 
 [The crowd tahes in Buskin. 
 
 Humber. But I see you grow uneasy, to be di- 
 verted from your main design ; I'll only trouble you 
 with two circumstances, which to me appear very 
 
 * I cannot discover what play this could be. The only dra- 
 matic piece, called The Patriot, that was in print in Steele's 
 time was Gildon's Tragedy; and no such passage is to be 
 found therein. J. 
 
 magni-
 
 38 THE SCHOOL OF ACTION, 
 
 magnificent, tragical, and great : the one is a great 
 favourite in a Court, a man of consummate ho- 
 nour, who was surrounded with many difficulties 
 and enemies. They got the better of him so far, 
 as that he must be sacrificed, unless he would open 
 a letter which came by an error into his hand, but 
 was directed to his enemy. He comes on in a soli- 
 loquy, but chooses to preserve his honour by ab- 
 staining from opening it, and goes on to his ruin. 
 He says but a word or two ; but let him come. 
 
 Enter a Tragedian with a letter in his hand. 
 
 Tragedian. " Here is my fate : 'tis put into my 
 hands ; 
 
 'Tis in my hands to take or to refuse ; 
 
 I cannot op'n it but with loss of honour 
 
 Be it for ever clos'd. 
 
 I can't 'scape death ; that will come soon or late ; 
 
 'Tis in my power to make it find me innocent." 
 
 [Exit. 
 
 Humber: You observe, Mr. Severn, here's no 
 noise, no eclat, no bustle, but simple and calm 
 greatness. The next circumstance for which I beg 
 your patience is that of a great English General, 
 who, observing the confederate horse seized with a 
 panick fear, and all, to a man, in the utmost dis- 
 order, assumes himself, mounts an eminence, and 
 says he will stand there to revive the army. He 
 did so : the enemies soon observed so remarkable an 
 
 object,
 
 A COMEDY. 39 
 
 object, and cannonaded it. He stood the fury of 
 
 their cannon while the army marched But he 
 
 comes on 
 
 Drums and Trumpets to precede Ms march. 
 Enter General. 
 
 Gen. " Nothing, but seeing me meet all they fear, 
 Can avert the same contagion from the troops. 
 Let them behold me die ; or, what is more, 
 Let them behold how I expect to die F [Exit. 
 
 Hum. It is allowable to help great thoughts, and 
 alarm the audience with warlike instruments, to 
 give the inattentive a sense of what is truly sub- 
 lime. But I won't detain you longer ; let us go in ; 
 but as we are going off a stage, let me repeat to 
 you a couple of verses. 
 
 Would you reform an heedless guilty age* 
 Adorn with virtuous characters the Stage.
 
 40 THE SCHOOL OF ACTION, 
 
 ACT IV. 
 
 Enter Mr. Pincers, and Barber and Constable. 
 
 Pincers. How do you say, Sir ? All this a de- 
 lusion ! an imposition ! 
 
 Barber. Perfectly so, Sir ; no otherwise, indeed, 
 Sir ; and they have seized Mr. Constable there, my 
 neighbour, who came into the house to keep the 
 peace, when they were waging war in it. 
 
 Pincers. What, lay hold upon a Constable ! de- 
 tain the Constable ! do they know what they do ? 
 
 Barber. Ay, they know very well; but they 
 don't care what they do. 
 
 Pincers. And was the ghost a cheat, and calling 
 this an Inn all imposition ? 
 
 Barber. Yes, Sir; but here Mr. Constable has 
 found out below stairs an inlet into the house, and 
 whence he can let in all the people of Drury-lane 
 and the parts adjacent. 
 
 Pincers. I have heard of Drury-lane, in the conn- 
 try ; but they will do as well as any for this pur- 
 pose. 
 
 Barber. That is most excellent good luck : we 
 will swinge them for false imprisonment, and that 
 of so great an officer as a Constable. 
 
 Constable
 
 A COMEDY. 41 
 
 Constable, But, Sir, I want a warrant to do what 
 I would on this occasion. 
 
 Pincers. There need none, Sir; you have the 
 law, which will uphold you in it ; the recovery of 
 your liberty, and my liberty, as well as that of the 
 Barber, will support you. There is in your person 
 the liberty of every man in England. As you are 
 a Constable concern'd, I am a Lawyer. I'll stand 
 by you, I warrant you. But let's be silent before 
 you bring in the posse. Take these deeds in your 
 care and custody [giving him deeds.^ Observe, 
 Mr. Barber, I deliver them to him ; and now let 
 us go, or him go, and let in his people. 
 
 [Exit Constable. 
 
 What a prodigious villainy was here, Mr. Barber ! 
 I placed such a confidence in this Mr. Severn, and 
 took counsel with him for the disposal of my niece, 
 and thus he has served me ; but I have put my 
 deeds relating to her into the Constable's hand ; 
 and if he can let his posse into the house, I'll war- 
 rant you we will recover all. [A noise of People. 
 " Beat down the doors ; deliver the lady."] 
 
 Barber. Hark, hark ! he has got them in, I 
 warrant ye ; the posse is rais'd ; I'll warrant we 
 shall have the whole city and country on our side. 
 
 Pincers. The whole matter is, how to conduct 
 it legally. Let me be but of the council, and we 
 will knock them all o' the head, and not transgress 
 
 the
 
 42 THE SCHOOL OF ACTION, 
 
 the law at all ; we will murder the dogs, I would 
 say the rogues ;--why what is there in it? they are 
 no people, they are nobody in law ; and if they are 
 no people, to kill them is to kill nobody ; for to 
 fire atjera natura, creatures b) r nature wild those 
 animals are lawful game, and any man that has so 
 much a-year may kill them ; so, Mr. Barber, any 
 man may fire upon these fellows ; these Stage-players, 
 who are no persons, have no right in themselves ; 
 and therefore any man may kill them. 
 [A noise without. 
 
 <l Deliver the lady ; give her to her g-uardian ; 
 give her to her uncle.'*] 
 
 Barber. They are just a coming in ; I know the 
 neighbourhood and the constable ; you shall direct 
 us all. 
 
 Pincers Nay, I'll warrant you all shall be safelv 
 and legally done. 
 
 [Enter a Crowd of Peopled] 
 
 Rabble. Where is the gentleman ? where is the 
 gentleman ? 
 
 Barber. Here he is, Gentlemen ; and the Play- 
 ers have taken his niece from him ; and, for aught 
 we know, they have ravished her ; but, let it be so 
 or no, we'll indict them for it. Hark'ee, Mr. Pin- 
 cers, will an indictment for a rape lie in Drury- 
 lane? 
 
 Pincers.
 
 A COMEDY. 43 
 
 Pincers. Look'ee, Gentlemen, we will fall upon 
 them for taking her and her clothes ; and then 
 afterwards come upon them for the body, as we 
 shall see cause ; but we must find this body before 
 we can do any thing. 
 
 Barber. We will bear all down before us but we 
 will find her. Down with all their sham Heavens, 
 their counterfeit seas. Down with their false un- 
 safe lands; down with their windmills and their 
 dragons ; burn their barns ; and when we have got 
 the lady, fire the house. Come, follow the gentle- 
 man. 
 
 All. Ay, ay. 
 
 Pincers. Huzza, huzza! 
 
 All. Huzza, Huzza ! [Dog barhs. 
 
 1st Rabble. Don't mind their great dog ; he 
 barks a sham. He is no true dog. Unkennel the 
 dog within. Hark'ee, neighbour, keep up your 
 dogs keep your dogs. Halloo halloo ! 
 
 2d Rabble. Keep your dogs, Gentlemen But- 
 chers ; keep the dogs to charge their house. Ill 
 warrant we'll spoil their battling, and rioting, and 
 fighting, and decoying all our daughters and nieces 
 to see sights, and never mind their business. Ho ! 
 the lady, the lady we'll have the lady. 
 
 Barber. We'll make this young lady as famous 
 as Helen of Troy was. We'll burn all before us 
 
 for
 
 44 THE SCHOOL OF ACTION. 
 
 for her sake. Come, let us hunt, let's see what T s 
 about this house in all its parts halloo, hunt. 
 
 Pincers. Let the Constable march first; there's 
 our safety, that's our security. Take notice, I 
 declare before all this company, it is in defence of 
 this honest 
 
 [It seems not unreasonable to conjecture, that 
 the Constable, to whom Pincers gave the deeds 
 jn custody (p. 41.), was a player-confederate in the 
 scheme of Severn ; that the papers were the writ- 
 ings of Miss Dolly's estates ; and that Severn was 
 thus to become possessed of them in the winding- 
 up of the Comedy. J.]
 
 ( 45 ) 
 
 FRAGMENT 
 
 iPROBABLY) 
 
 r 
 
 A PLAY, 
 
 IHTEifDED TO BE CALX.LD 
 
 "THE GENTLEMAN." 
 
 
 
 Enter Tom Dimple and Sir Harry Severn. 
 
 Tom. I'LL serve you very faithfully in this par-* 
 ticular, since you have a cariosity to pry into the 
 affairs of us poor servants. 
 
 Sir Harry. I think you are happier than we 
 masters. But how do you contrive it, to be at a 
 ball and masquerade of your own, all the time we 
 are at ours, and yet be in readiness to attend when 
 we break up or want you ? 
 
 Tom. Sir, we leave sentries at all the places 
 where you come out. AH of us cannot expect to 
 be at the diversion every night ; but the forty or 
 fifty who are to stay about the Flay-house, or the 
 person of quality's who entertains, send frequent 
 
 expresses
 
 4ft FRAGMENT OF 
 
 expresses to us. Besides, I own to you. Sir, that 
 we find means to have tickets of our own, and can 
 send in among you, by the help of them, when we 
 please, and have warning enough of your motions; 
 If we are a little too tardy, the coachmen can, 
 when they think it convenient, make stops, so as 
 no one can stir, and keep every thing in a ferment 
 till all troops are come together. 
 
 Sir Harry. You put me in mind of a great many 
 things that have been till now unaccountable. 
 Why, then, the sudden motion when we have 
 been all lock'd fast- -tearing and swearing- -coach- 
 men lashing, footmen bawling, and link-boys offer- 
 ing help to call chairs or coaches, and striving to 
 Jead or light you, is usually a hurry contrived and 
 made up on purpose : and the sudden getting loose 
 of one another, is only that the word is given ; 
 u all are come," " all is right ?" 
 
 Tom. It is nothing else in the world. 
 
 Sir Harry. But then how do you do for your 
 habits and your musick, and all the rest of the con- 
 veniences ? 
 
 Tom. You have been so good and kind a master, 
 that I'll hide nothing that may contribute to your 
 diversion. We are in fee with the wardrobe-keep- 
 ers at the Playhouses; and when the play is over, 
 and all the parties concerned are disposed of, the 
 
 whole
 
 THE GENTLEMAN. 47 
 
 whole stock of clothes are in their hands ; and 
 they let them out for so many hours, pack them up 
 again with great order, and no harm done, 
 
 r S*f Harry. Well, well, now there is no mys- 
 tery ; there is nothing so easy, as all is safe with- 
 out possibility of disappointment or surprize. But 
 as to what is to be done to-night 
 
 Tom. This alehouse, where we all meet, is join- 
 ing to a great house very well furnished ; and the 
 care of letting it is committed to our landlord. He 
 has broke down a partition, which he can in a day 
 or two make up again ; and we have noble apart- 
 ments for our entertainments, not inferior to those 
 wherein our masters themselves are received. 
 
 Sir Harry. You divert me extremely with this 
 new scene of pleasure. 
 
 Tom. We shall be in our tip-top jollity to-night ; 
 all the lower world will be together, in as much 
 pleasure as ever the upper themselves enjoyed. 
 
 Sir Harry. What have you extraordinary at this 
 time, more than any other ? 
 
 Tom. Our landlord is leaving off his business, 
 and marries his daughter, Mrs. Jenny, my Lady 
 Dainty's chambermaid, to the favourite footman of 
 Sir John Plover, who is a great leader among us, 
 and will keep and increase the custom of the house. 
 But the humour is no one is to know which is 
 
 the
 
 48 FRAGMENT OF 
 
 the bridegroom ; nor any but the girl herself which 
 of the company is Sir John. 
 Sir Harry. How ! Sir John ? 
 Tom. I should have told you, that we always 
 call one another by the names of our masters ; and 
 you must not be surpriz'd at hearing me answer to 
 your honour's to all who call to me ; for, as I am a 
 manager, and to be barefac'd, I cannot disguise 
 that, /am you. 
 
 Sir Harry. It is no matter, if they will take me 
 as readily for your fellow-servant. 
 
 Tom. They '11 never suspect you for my master. 
 But here comes my landlord. 
 
 Landlord. Come Sir Harry, Sir Harry, 'tis past 
 nine o'clock ; the company is coining they have 
 put all in at the masquerade and the assemblies. 
 
 Tom. [whispering Sir HarryJ] As I am bare- 
 fac'd, you can come to me when you please, or 
 when you are at a loss. But you see I must attend 
 my charge. 
 
 Sir Harry. I beg your pardon ; I'll interrupt 
 you no more ; but if I like you understand. 
 
 Tom. You know my skill and diligence, my 
 good master; but adieu. Landlord, you see the 
 house fills ; let all the waiters be ready ; pipes, to* 
 bacco, bread, cheese, and the like, for those who 
 are in habits proper for such coarse fare. What ! 
 none of the Stewards ready but myself? 
 
 Enter
 
 THE GENTLEMAN. 40 
 
 Enter three others with wands, barefaced. 
 2d Steward. Ay, ay, here we are here we are. 
 3d Steward. We stayed only till we saw some 
 quality figures coming in. 
 
 2d Steward. Look you, how we are overrun with 
 nymphs and shepherds ! But look, look ! there is 
 some sense in those stalking things, which move 
 like pageants, and are not of human shape, 
 
 1st Steward. Right, they cannot he out in their 
 parts, as there are no such things in nature : they 
 are patch'd-up beings, out of mere fancy and ima- 
 gination. 
 
 3d Steward. But have a care, ladies, shep- 
 herdesses, nymphs; run, run Here, here is a 
 dragon that devours virgins, as a pike does small 
 fish. 
 
 2d. Steward. Have a care here he comes, here 
 he comes he eats all virgins without mercy, but 
 will touch nobody else. 
 
 Several Women's voices together. 
 Let him come, let him come. 
 
 An, old nithefd Maid crying out. 
 Old Maid. Have a care, have a care ; let me get 
 off, let me get off; oh me oh me! [running off] 
 Figure of St. George Dicky, borne on a War 
 
 Horse. 
 Dicky. Fear not, fair-one, fear not. I am St. 
 George. I'll save thee. 
 
 e Dragon
 
 50 FRAGMENT OF 
 
 Dragon and St. George fight. 
 
 The Crowd cry out. Ho-boy, St. George ! Ho- 
 boy, Dragon ! there's the Knight of the World. 
 
 1st Masquer. Hear, hear, the Knight is going 
 to speak. As he's stout, he's merciful. He is 
 going to give the Dragon his life no no, he's 
 going to speak to him. 
 
 Constable. Hold hold Sir Knight; the Dra- 
 gon's my neighbour he's a Taylor in my neigh- 
 bourhood. 
 
 2d Masquer. Open the Dragon, open the Dra- 
 gon ; keep the peace ; take out the Taylor. 
 
 Lawyer Masquer. Take care what you do ; take 
 care what you do. If he is a denizen, the law is 
 very severe. Though there are nine to make up a 
 man, by fiction of law it is murder to kill any one 
 of them : the law supposes him a whole man. 
 
 1** Steward. Ho ! Mr. Fly-flap, Mr. Wardrobe- 
 keeper, give the company an account of the Knight 
 and of his Horse. 
 
 Wardrobe-keeper. This is the Poet's Horse that 
 trod down all the persons who have been killed in 
 Tragedy ever since I came to the house. The gen- 
 tleman that rides him has some verses about him, if 
 he would speak them. 
 
 Many Masquers. Hear, hear ! Hear the verses ! 
 
 St.
 
 the gentleman. 51 
 
 St. George. On this bold steed, with this dead- 
 doing arm, 
 Without art magic, help of draught or charm, 
 Crowds have I slain, and routed from the field, . 
 Or made, as captives, to my mercy yield. 
 My horse and me none could escape by flying, 
 But sav'd their lives by well-dissembled dying. 
 
 Cobler Masquer. Very well, very well, i'faith. 
 Look ye, look ye, Gentlemen, I know the humour 
 of that. I live just by in Vinegar-yard, and I know 
 the humour of that. You must know he means by 
 that that by pretending to be dead, the men 
 whom the valiant man in the play rides over, or 
 cuts down, are carried off safe and sound why, I 
 have been called in, when there has been a great 
 battle in the house, to help to carry off the dead ; 
 and I have brought a man off dead over-night, 
 and mended his shoes next morning. 
 
 4th Masquer, Ho, brave Crispin ! that's a good 
 jest, i'faith. 
 
 Cobler. But my wife said a very good thing upon 
 that. " Look thee, Will," said she, for you must 
 know my name is William, " we shall never make 
 any thing of this, if we are to wait for dead men's 
 shoes." 
 
 4th Masquer. Ho-boy, Crispin ! Thou art a 
 merry rogue r Crispin ! 
 
 E 2
 
 FRAGMENT 
 
 mm i. 
 
 TRAGEDY, 
 
 PROBABLY WRITTEN BY ADDISON.
 
 DRAMATIS PERSONS, 
 
 Bellario, a discarded Favourite of the King. 
 Orajviont, his Son. 
 Altimor, a, Minister of State. 
 Philomont, contracted to Eunesia. 
 Martian, Oramonfs Friend. 
 Lucio, Oramonfs Page. 
 
 Ma ran a, Bellario" s Wife. 
 Eunesia, his Daughter. 
 
 The best passages in this Fragment are more in the style of 
 Addison than any other that I recollect ; and its being left in 
 Steele's possession would favour a conjecture that it was written 
 by the modest author of The Drummer, the copy of which was 
 sold, and sent to the press, by Sir Richard. The hand-writing 
 also resembles Addison's. 
 
 Though here is only one Act, it is a good foundation for a 
 fine Tragedy. J,
 
 ( 55 ) 
 
 FRAGMENT 
 
 TRAGEDY. 
 
 ACT I. 
 SCENE LBellarios Palace. 
 
 Enter Oramont and Martian. 
 
 Oramont. JL ES, Martian, yes ; it is a foul re- 
 proach, 
 A scandal to my youth and to my name. 
 To loiter thus in dull obscurity, 
 In idle study, and pursuit of wisdom ; 
 To me, ambition, pleasure, wealth, are wisdom ; 
 In them it is containd, in them I '11 seek it. 
 
 Martian. It does not suit, indeed, thy active soul, 
 To waste thy days thus in inglorious ease, 
 When war, in all its loveliness of pomp, 
 Courts thee to fame, to honour, and to power. 
 
 Yet,
 
 56 FRAGMENT OF 
 
 Yet, lovely as it is, I quit it all, 
 
 For thy dear sake with pleasure do I quit it. 
 
 Orarnont. Yes, Martian, 'tis a wondrous proof 
 of friendship. 
 
 ! I Ve a soul like thine, my friend, ambitious ; 
 Like thine it slows with an uncommon ardour, 
 For glory pants, swells with desire of fame. 
 
 Martian. And does your father 
 
 Orarnont. Still deaf to my desires, 
 Austere he frowns on all my fond entreaties ; 
 Tells me it is the error of my youth, 
 Bids me correct it, check my forward hopes, 
 And seek for happiness in my peaceful studies. 
 Vain thought ! in seeking happiness I lose it : 
 Can I be happy with desires unanswer'd, 
 If I 've a wish unsated, unenjoy'd ? 
 
 Martian. But then your mother lives but on your 
 sight, 
 Your father doats on hers. 
 
 < Orarnont. Yes, thus I 'm curb'd ; 
 Thus all my hopes are nipp'd ev'n in the bud ; 
 Tl^us bounded is my prospect of the world. 
 To please the will of an imperious father, 
 And sOothe the weakness of a doating woman, 
 Thus am I cag'd, while, like the joyous birds, 
 
 1 unconfin'd from grove to grove would fly, 
 And taste the various fruits that nature vields : 
 Boldly I 'd climb to titles, and to power ; 
 
 PowY!
 
 A TRAGEDY. 57 
 
 Pow'r ! 'tis the darling attribute of Heav'n ! 
 And only giv'n by Heaven to the brave. 
 Is it not great, my Martian, is it not, 
 To dart a blazing lustre all around one, 
 To be the first distinguish'd of mankind, 
 Admir'd, caress'd, gaz'd at by gaping crowds, 
 Who, waiting, smile or tremble at one's nod ? 
 Yet this my father whimsically calls 
 The food of a deprav'd, a sickly fancy, 
 The idle silly pageantiy of fools, 
 To please weak women, and amuse the vulgar. 
 This he despises ; but he first enjoy'd it. 
 
 Martian. 'Tis the perverseness of decaying age. 
 To envy, and deny to vig'rous youth, 
 Those pleasures which their weakness can't enjoy. 
 But reasons urge his hatred to the Court ; 
 When, stung with injuries and piercing taunts, 
 He struck an insolent intruding courtier, 
 Did not the King, unmindful of his service, 
 With threats provoke and drive him from his sight? 
 Did he not cherish the offending brute ? 
 
 Oramonty And must I, therefore, dream away 
 my life 
 In sloth, contempt, and in mistaken pleasures? 
 No, no ; my hours in dalliance shall play, 
 Shall dance in circles and in endless rounds 
 Of pomp, of pleasure, gaiety, and love ; 
 The Court, the Court's the sunshine I must bask in. 
 
 Martian.
 
 58 FRAGMENT OF 
 
 Martian. Then you have seen the Court, I may 
 conclude. 
 
 Oramont. Yes, twice I've disobey'd rny fatherV 
 orders ; 
 Twice, unobserved, unknown, I've stolen to it, 
 Befriended by our neigh bourhood to town. 
 
 Martian. And did it please you, Oramont ? 
 
 Oramont. It did. 
 Its splendor struck, its pleasure charm'd my soul ; 
 Like Venus' court it seem'd, the seat of beauty, 
 While Venus self, in gay Arderia's form, 
 Sister to Altimor, the King's chief favourite, 
 Amid her nymphs shone eminently bright, 
 Superior look'd, and stood confess'd the goddess. 
 I gazd, was pleas'd, still gaz'd, and still admird, 
 Ten thousand Graces reveli'd in her eyes; 
 Ten thousand little Loves play'd in her smiles, 
 And fir'd insensibly my unwary heart. 
 Thou 'st seen her ? 
 
 Martian. Yes. 
 
 Oramont. And didst thou not perceive 
 Tell me, my Martian, didst thou not perceive 
 The little wanton Cupid in her face 
 Reigning with glorious pride ? Yes, yes, thou must. 
 There, there he sits, from thence securely wounds ; 
 Each feature is a magazine of darts ; 
 Her eyebrow is his bow, that's ever bent; 
 Her eye his sharpest, fatal'st pointed arrow. 
 Let him no more be wrong-reputed blind, 
 
 Since
 
 A TRAGEDY. 59 
 
 Since with Arderia's eyes so sure he wounds, 
 Since he could chuse so fair a seat to dwell in; 
 There, there he reigns, the cruel sporter reigns, 
 And smiles to see th* extensive waste he makes. 
 
 Martian. She 's fair indeed. 
 
 Oramont. O ! she is wondrous fair ! 
 
 Martian. But she is wondrous proud : guard 
 well your heart ; 
 She may prove somewhat dang'rous. Do you love 
 her ? 
 
 Oramont. Love her! yes, to enjoy her, nothing 
 farther ; 
 J scorn the childish ague of the soul, 
 Tbat shakes and trembles ; mine 's a raging fever, 
 Burns to possess, and when possess'd can quit. 
 From fair to fair I'll rove, possess, enjoy, 
 And prove Love's various pleasures, shun its pains. 
 
 Martian. Would you not marry, then, the fair 
 Arderia ? 
 
 Oramont. Marry ! O yes ; to satisfy my glory, 
 To pave my way to honour and to power, 
 I'd marry. But my soul is all ambition, 
 And has not room for such a toy as woman. 
 Women are but the playthings of an hour ; 
 Too much of them unmans us into trifles 
 Like themselves. 
 
 Martian. But hush ! here comes your father ; 
 And with him, ha! Altimor, as I live; 
 
 I'll
 
 60 FRAGMENT OF 
 
 I'll for a minute leave you, Oramont. 
 
 [Exit Martian, 
 Enter Bellario and Altimor. 
 
 Bellario. Tis generous, and singularly kind, 
 To visit the disgrac'd ; my Lord, you 're welcome. 
 You 're early with the day ; d' ye travel far ? 
 
 Altimor. Only to town ; I left my country seat 
 This morning ; but my friendship to your lordship 
 Led me awhile to quit the common road, 
 To enquire of your health. 
 
 Bellario. My Lord, you 're welcome, 
 Most truly so you '11 honour me, I hope, 
 With your continuance for a day or two. 
 
 Altimor. No, 'tis impossible. I must attend 
 His Majesty this morning to the Council. 
 You are but four short miles, I think, from town ? 
 
 Bellario. No more ; but yet I live retir'd enough ; 
 No one is fond to visit those in clouds, 
 Who have not sun enough to warm their hopes. 
 I have no morning levees, no crouds to watch, 
 And trouble my repose : that happiness, 
 That blessing, ev'n the wretched do enjoy 
 But pray, my Lord, how does his Majesty? 
 He must be near my age. Is he still hearty? 
 
 Altimor. Still gay and lively as in blooming youth. 
 
 Bellario. The Heav'ns continue him so ; he is a 
 good 
 And ever gracious Prince. 
 
 Altimor.
 
 A TRAGEDY. 6 1 
 
 Altimor. He is, indeed, 
 Tender and pitiful ; and so you 'd find him, 
 Would you but make submission, own your error. 
 The King, I 'm sure, would readily forgive you, 
 And take you to his arms with pride and gladness. 
 
 Bellario. No, Altimor, I should again offend him ; 
 I 'm peevish, rash, and testy grown with age, 
 And cannot bear the flattery of knaves, 
 Nor insolence of fools ; I should riy out ; 
 I have not art enough to hide my temper. 
 
 Altimor. You Ve had a long experience of the 
 world, 
 And know how to despise without offending. 
 The wise should not be mov'd by cringing knaves, 
 Nor should a proud, a worthless fool provoke them. 
 Return again, my Lord, return to Court ; 
 Return, and serve your country and your Prince. 
 
 Bellario. Serve him ! alas ! I have no pow'r to 
 serve him. 
 I have a heart, indeed, that 's warm with zeal 
 And love. But I am old I 'm much too old ; 
 Weak is my head, and feeble are my hands. 
 No, I am going I 've but a little way 
 To walk, and that should be ha peace and quiet, . 
 Even and smooth. But you can serve him well ; 
 You've youth, capacity, and strength to serve him ; 
 You can and will, and he deserves it well. 
 
 Altimor.
 
 62 FRAGMENT OF 
 
 Altimor. But think, Bellario, how strong your 
 foes, 
 How restless, in your absence, they're to Tuin you. 
 
 Bellario. O ! let them plot, and search thro' all 
 the ways 
 And labyrinths of malice; I despise them. 
 Let them with art and labour spin their webs, 
 To catch my undesigning honesty ; 
 Yet has my virtue force to break thro' all. 
 
 Altimor. Will nothing do? I'll yet attempt it 
 farther. [aside. 
 
 But tho', my Lord, you *re weary of the world, 
 Your son, the noble Oramont, has youth. 
 In youth the blood boils high, impetuous beats ; 
 The youthful mind would soar aloft to fame. 
 
 Bellario. 'T would soar, only to fall with greater 
 weight. 
 No, no ; my son 's too young, his youth too weak 
 To stand the pleasures of so gay a Court. 
 His virtue would be stain'd. Besides, he's not 
 Ambitious, as I hope. 
 
 Altimor. But, my good Lord 
 
 Bellario. Or if he is, let him hunt after wisdom ; 
 That is a conquest worthy his pursuit, 
 Will bless his wishes, smile on his desires, 
 With wide-extended arms will meet his search, 
 And crown his hopes with glory and with wealth. 
 
 Altimor. You have a daughter too. 
 
 Bellario.
 
 A TRAGEDY. 3 
 
 Bellario. What I my Eunesia ? 
 Altimor. Fame speaks her Nature's chief, her 
 greatest boast, 
 Her excellence, profuse of beauty's sweets. 
 
 Bellario. Beauty she has, yet 'tis the least her 
 care ; 
 Free from her sex's vanity and pride, 
 Her care is to attend her father's age, 
 His few remaining hours of life to sweeten, 
 And form her mind to virtue and to wisdom. 
 This is her pride, this only her ambition. 
 
 Altimor. Such virtue would reform and shame 
 her sex, 
 Such goodness would adorn and grace the Court, 
 The fitter place for her excelling beauty. 
 There gaiety and wit their revels keep, 
 To polish and to please our youthful minds. 
 
 Bellario. Her soul's not touch'd with such illu- 
 sive joys, 
 Her pleasure is the pleasure of the year ; 
 In spring, the blossoms ; and in summer, flowers ; 
 T observe the op'ning of their various beauties, 
 And tend her nurseling oranges and myrtles. 
 
 Altimor. A Paradise indeed ! where such an Eve 
 Infuses warmth and life into the flowers, 
 That aim to rival (but in vain !) her sweetness. 
 Bellario. Sometimes we angle, and the pretty 
 reas'ner 
 
 Upbraids
 
 64 FRAGMENT OF 
 
 Upbraids and chides herself for cruelty, 
 Till lovely pearls stand in her melting eyes, 
 And urge her to release her little captive. 
 
 Altimor. Yet man, the proudest of his sex,. 
 would wear 
 Her chains, and think it happiness sufficient. 
 Bellario. Or sometimes, shrouded in a pleasing 
 shade, 
 My fondling sings, to soothe her father's cares, 
 And tune his soul to harmony and peace. 
 The feather'd warblers perch'd on every bough 
 Attentive listen to her sweeter notes ; 
 Then, when she ceases, in full chorus join, 
 To sing her praise, and to proclaim their joy ; 
 While the soft whispers of the gentle wind 
 Play thro' the trees, and in the concert aid. 
 Thus blest with ease, thus busy without noise, 
 My days glide on in innocence and silence. 
 But I shall tire your Lordship with my talk ; 
 'Tis age's humour, and you must forgive it. 
 
 Enter Eunesia. 
 My angel, Heaven bless thee ! as thou com'st 
 To bless thy aged father with thy sight. 
 
 Eunesia. I come to wait your Lordship to the 
 
 chapel. 
 Bellario. O! thou'rt all goodness. I'll attend 
 thee thither. 
 Thy mother will she go ? 
 
 Eunesia.
 
 A TRAGEDY. 6*5 
 
 Eunesia. She '11 meet us there. 
 
 Bellario. Come then, my child. - 
 
 My Lord, you will not stay ? 
 
 Altimor. No, good Bellario ; I must to the Court. 
 Yet I could stay, and gaze for ever there [aside. 
 I '11 look no more, I shall grow foolish straight ; 
 Her lovely beauteous form works round my soul, 
 And fashions it her own; 
 
 Bellario. Good morrow, Sir : 
 My humble duty to his Majesty ; 
 My prayers, the all my age can serve him with, 
 With fervent zeal I'll offer for his welfare. 
 Attend his lordship. Come, my dear Eunesia, 
 Our morning's duty first to Heav'n we '11 pay, 
 In various pleasures then enjoy the day. 
 
 Exeunt Bellario and Eunesia. 
 
 Altimor. Thy father, Oramont, is truly brave, 
 Honest, and wise ; but he is much to blame, 
 Too obstinately bent against the Court, 
 And too severe to thy aspiring youth. 
 
 Oramont. My father's temper 's fiery and hot, 
 Unus'd to bear, impatient of affronts,, 
 Yet long retentive of the sense of them. 
 
 Altimor. Why urge you not your wishes for the 
 Court ? 
 Thou hast, I'm sure, ambition. 
 
 Oramont. Yes, I own 
 
 F J' - -. . S .. . It
 
 66 FRAGMENT OF 
 
 It grieves me to be always thus confind ; 
 But so austere, so rigid is my father, 
 I 'm aw'd by his severe and stern denials. 
 
 Altimor. Thou hast, I'm sure, a soul that's 
 turn'd to glory ; 
 I saw it, when I press'd thy fathers leave ; 
 I saw it beat and bound within thy breast, 
 Impatient of his cruel hard restraint. 
 Oh, Oramont! 
 
 Oramont. What passion moves you thus ? 
 
 Altimor. Believe me, my heart bleeds. 
 
 Oramont. For what, my Lord ? 
 
 Altimor. To see thy youth thus, like the op'ning 
 spring, 
 Promise a plenteous autumn ; then to see it 
 Nip'd before the summer suns can warm it, 
 To see thee ruin'd, beggar d, and undone. 
 
 Oramont. Ha ! beggar'd, and undone ! what 
 mean you, Sir? 
 
 Altimor. Oh ! Oramont ! thou dost not see or 
 dread 
 The gath'ring storm that quickly will fall on thee ; 
 Ev'n now I fear tis breaking o'er thy head. 
 
 Oramont. I do not see a cloud, Sir ; but your voice 
 Like thunder does alarm and threaten me 
 With some impending tempest. Tell me then, 
 O ! tell me, whence it comes ; that I may watch, 
 And try (if possible) t' avert the danger, 
 
 Lest
 
 A TRAGEDY. 6f 
 
 Lest unprepar'd it deluges my soul, 
 And sinks my vessel in a sea of troubles. 
 
 Altimor. You know your father was security 
 For his dear friend Elanius : he, dying, 
 Left a vast debt of fourscore thousand pounds 
 Unanswer'd to the Crown. Bellario's worth, 
 His zeal, and service, have been long consider'd ; 
 But now, I fear, his enemies prevail. 
 He 's careless, artless, unsuspecting ; they 
 Are subtle, vigilant, and powerful. 
 I saw them yester-even sculk about, 
 Buzzing with cautious whisj>ers ; in their eyes 
 Sat a malicious joy, and grimly told 
 The wicked, cruel purpose of their hearts. 
 I fear they gain'd an order, in my absence, 
 For an extent, to seize your father's house, 
 Estate, his jewels, all his valuables, 
 To answer for the debt. 
 
 Oramont. Ha ! say you, Sir ? 
 Seize his estate ! 
 
 Altimor. All, all, my Oramont. 
 
 Oramont. What ! all ! all ! O ! most cruel treach- 
 'rous Fortune ! 
 And must my youth be crush'd thus in its bud? 
 Must all my hopes thus blasted fall to ground, 
 Never to rise again ? 
 
 Altimor. Indeed 'tis pity, 
 It is a wondrous pity. 
 
 f 2 Oramont.
 
 68 FRAGMENT OF 
 
 Oramont. Oh ! 'tis cruel ; 
 It is the work of hell and hell-bred malice ; 
 Rot, rot the heart that first did dictate it, 
 The tongue that rnention'd it. Oh ! may the fiends 
 Burn in their own incessant, tort'ring fires, 
 And never know one moment's joy or peace ! 
 
 Altimor. Have patience ! yet you may be sav'd 
 
 from this. 
 Oramont. No, none but the blest hand of Heav'n 
 
 can save me. 
 Altimor. Yes, Oramont, a mortal's can. 
 Oramont. And where, 
 O ! where in mortal can I hope that goodness ? 
 
 Altimor. Suppose /should exert my utmost power, 
 Should step between thee and this fierce destruction, 
 Should stem, with danger to myself, this torrent. 
 
 Oramont. O ! it should be the business of my life, 
 To bless, to thank, and to admire your goodness, 
 To wait and serve you with my life and fortune. 
 Altimor. This, Oramont, and more, I '11 do to 
 serve you ; 
 With me thou shalt enjoy the Royal favour, 
 Be crown'd with titles, and abound in wealth, 
 Adorn'd with power, blest with prosperity, 
 
 Oramont. O! good my Lord, unless you pur- 
 pose it, 
 Do not amuse me with deceitful hope ; 
 That will undo me more. I am too apt 
 
 To
 
 A TRAGEDY. 6*9 
 
 To hope ; for, like the lamp that 's just extinguish'^ 
 My hasty soul catches at any light. 
 And in a moment bursts into a flame. 
 
 Altimor, I '11 do it on my honour, on one poor, 
 One slight condition. 
 
 Oramont. Pray, my Lord, what is it? 
 I have a soul starts at ingratitude. 
 Whate'er it is, I readily consent. 
 
 Altimor. You do ? Remember well your present 
 promise ; 
 But tell me first, what think you of a woman ? 
 
 Oramont. I cannot guess your meaning. 
 
 Altimor. That 's no matter ; 
 Tell me, what think you of a woman's honour? 
 
 Oramont. Humph nothing; or but a trifle, st 
 gawdy flower, 
 With many fancy'd charms, no real ones ; 
 The pleasure and the beauty of a day, 
 That fades with every little breath of wind. 
 
 Altimor. Then wou'dst thou, Oramont, for this 
 mere trifle, 
 Quit all thy hopes of honour and of power ? 
 
 Oramont. No, on my soul I would not. What '* 
 the condition ? 
 
 Altimor. You have a sister. 
 
 Oramont. Yes. 
 
 Altimor. A fair one. 
 
 Oramont, So she '$ thought 
 
 Altimor,
 
 70 FRAGMENT OF 
 
 Altimor. I love her. 
 
 Oramont. Ha! Your Lordship's married. 
 Altinwr. No matter I'd enjoy her think on 
 that. 
 But first, if thou wilt aid my fond design, 
 Arderia, my sister, shall be thine ; 
 She 's beautiful, and thou 'st a form to please her. 
 Oramont. Pray, my Lord, give me a few mo- 
 ments thought. 
 Altimor. [aside. So ! if he can deliberate, he 's 
 mine ; 
 The man who pauses on his honesty, 
 Int'rest will soon determine. 
 Oramont. Let me see. 
 
 [Retires to the other side of the Stage. 
 What means this sudden trembling of my limbs ? 
 My blood thus curdled ? ev'ry nerve relax'd ? 
 Death to my sight ! oh ! horror ! horror ! horror ! 
 
 [starting. 
 Altimor. Ha ! Heav'ns ! my Oramont, why start 
 you thus ? 
 Why do you shudder thus, and wildly stare ? 
 Why is this dropping dew upon thy face ? 
 jSay, speak, what! has thy tongue forgot its office? 
 Th^ 11 stand'st a very statue of surprise. 
 WhaJ can it be, that thus thy lips do quiver, 
 Struggling to speak, yet frighted from their strength ? 
 Tell me, oh ! say, what is 't thou gazest at ? 
 
 Oramont.
 
 A TRAGEDY. 71 
 
 Oramont, Shroud me, kind darkness, from that 
 grizly horror, 
 That ghastly sight ! 
 
 Altimor. Where, what, my Oramont? 
 
 Oramont. Shield me, protect me, oh ! 
 
 Altimor. What dost thou mean ? 
 
 Oramont. Start from your orbs, my eyes ; forget 
 to see, 
 Rather than see such terrors. 
 
 Altimor. Why, what terrors ? 
 
 Oramont. Perdition blast me but I saw it. 
 
 Altimor. What? 
 
 Oramont. By Heav'n, the very image of my 
 father ; 
 Raving he seem'd, and in the pangs of death ; 
 Each heart-vein pouring forth a crimson flood, 
 Dreadfully pale, he star'd, and sternly frown'd, 
 As if 
 
 Altimor. No more. 
 
 Oramont. I say, my father 's image. 
 
 Altimor. Away, 'twas but the image of your fear, 
 The self-created curse of wavering minds. 
 In all the various shapes of dread and horror, 
 This fear, this visionary, cheats the sight, 
 And shakes the mind from all its firm resolves; 
 
 Oramont. Again ! 
 
 Altimor. Ha ! 
 
 Oramont, See look where the phantom stands ! 
 
 With
 
 72 FRAGMENT OF 
 
 With stiff, erected hair, and clotted blood, 
 With hollow eyes, and oh, do not look thus. 
 Altimor. Why, Oramont. 
 Oramont. O Heavens ! 
 Altimor. Indeed 
 Oramont. 'Tis gone. 
 
 Altimor. 'Tis but the lab'ring of your frighted 
 fancy. 
 Your father lives, how can his spirit then walk ? 
 What ! can the soul enliven separate beings ? 
 Oramont. 'Tis strange. 
 Altimor. Believe me 
 Oramont. It is wondrous strange. 
 Altimor. Or, if 't was true, think 't was thy 
 friendly genius 
 Assum'd this form, to influence your thoughts. 
 Oramont. It may be so. 
 Altimor. Assuredly it was. 
 Say, could'st thou see thy father thus indeed, 
 Raving with anguish, dying in despair ? 
 Stop, stop th' effusion of his bleeding heart ; 
 Let not his hoary age sink down in misery ; 
 Let him not pine in poverty and sorrow. 
 Oramont. And how avoid it? 
 Altimor. I will be your guide. 
 Thou know'st the friendly terms on which I '11 save 
 you. 
 Oramont, What terms ? 
 
 Altimor;
 
 A TRAGEDY. 1% 
 
 Altimor. Eunesia. 
 Oramont. 'Tis impossible! 
 My sister ! must I sacrifice my sister, 
 And in her loss of honour wound my own ? 
 
 Altimor. Honour ! away ! a silly vain opinion, 
 That hangs but on the rabble's idle breath. 
 Say, is it better to give up this toy 
 (Which yet may be preserv'd by secrecy), 
 Or see thy parents, sister, and thyself, 
 Wand'ring in beggary ? 
 
 Oramont. No more, no more. 
 
 Altimor. Nay, then too thou wilt see her fall a 
 prey, 
 A helpless prey (for who befriends the poor?) 
 A helpless prey to some low wretch in office. 
 
 Oramont. Can, can it be ? 
 
 Altimor. Thou too, my Oramont, 
 Mayst be constrain'd to stoop, to kneel, and kiss 
 The very feet of him thou now wouldst scorn. 
 
 Oramont. Hide, hide that thought ; for all beyond 
 is madness. 
 
 Altimor. Quickly resolve then. 
 
 Oramont. Ha ! it shall be so ;- 
 Yet she may marry the fond Philomont, 
 The practice of the world will justify it. 
 My Lord, I do consent ; but the condition 
 Shall be eternal silence. 
 
 Altimor,
 
 74 FRAGMENT OF A TRAGEDY. 
 
 Altimor. Do not doubt ; 
 My joys thy sister gives shall be as secret, 
 As shall my care and love for you be public ; 
 And here, my Oramont, I pledge my word, 
 Arderia, my sister, shall be yours ; 
 Fame, wealth, and future fortune, shall be yours.- 
 Thou near the King, our earthly sun, shalt shine, 
 Superior and distinguished from the herd ; 
 While they at distance gazing shall repine : 
 Yes, thou shalt rise to honour and to pow'r, 
 While evry joy shall crown thy evry hour. 
 
 The sprightly lark thus, as he mounts the sky, 
 With scorn beholds his fellows from on high ; 
 Upward he '11 soar, and, with erected flight, 
 Aloft he '11 shoot, and tow'r beyond our sight ; 
 Tow'ring he '11 warble ; warbling he will play, 
 Enjoy a warmer and a brighter day. 
 
 END OF THE FIRST ACT.
 
 THE 
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE 
 
 OF 
 
 Sill RICHARD STEELE.
 
 ( 77 ) 
 
 SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 
 
 I. TO JOHN LORD CUTTS * 
 
 MY LORD, TOWER GUARD, MARCH 23, 1701. 
 
 JL HE address of the following papers is so very 
 much due to your Lordship, that they are but a 
 mere report of what has passed upon my Guard to 
 my Commander ; for they were writ upon duty, 
 
 * A soldier of most hardy bravery in king William's wars. 
 He was a younger son of Richard Cutts, esq. of an antient and 
 distinguished family, settled about the time of Henry VI. at 
 Matching in Essex, where they had considerable property. His 
 father removed to Childerley in Cambridgeshire, on a good 
 estate being given him by sir John Cutts, bart. who died with- 
 out issue. This estate, after the decease of an elder brother, 
 devolved on John ; who sold it, to pay incumbrances, to equip 
 himself as a soldier, and to enable himself to travel. After an 
 academical education at Cambridge, he entered early into the 
 service of the duke of Monmouth, and followed his fortunes 
 abroad j was aid-de-camp to the duke of Lorrain in Hungary, 
 and in 1686 signalized himself in a very extraordinary manner 
 
 at
 
 78 SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 when the mind was perfectly disengaged, and at 
 leisure, in the silent watch of the night, to run 
 
 at the taking of Buda by the Imperialists ; which important 
 place had been for near a century and a half in the hands of the 
 Turks. Mr. Addison, in a Latin poem worthy of the Augustan 
 age, plainly hints at Mr. Cutts's distinguished bravery at that 
 siege. He was afterwards colonel of a regiment in Holland, 
 under the States, and accompanied king William to England, 
 who continued his favour towards him, and created him baron 
 Cutts of Gowran in Ireland, Dec. 6^ 1690. " The Right Hon- 
 ourable the Lord Cutts his speech to the Mayor and Corpora- 
 tion of Newport, at his Majesty's Castle of Carisbrook, in the 
 Isle of Wight, upon the swearing of Captain Thomas Read into 
 the Office of Mayor, according to the annual Custom and Charter 
 of the Corporation," was printed in 1690, a single sheet, folio. 
 He was appointed governor of the Isle of Wight, April 14, 1693 ; 
 made a major-general ; and, when the assassination-project was 
 discovered, 1695-6, was captain of the King's guard. He was 
 twice married ; first, to Elizabeth, daughter of George Clark of 
 London, merchant (relict of John Morley, of Glynd in Sussex, 
 and after, of John Trevor, esq. eldest brother to the first lord 
 Trevor). This lady died Feb. 1692 ; and that same year he had 
 both his legs hurt in the battle of Steenkirk. " The Lord Cutts 
 had a grant, from the King, of the estate of Mr. Caryll, secretary 
 to the late Cjueen in France. The estate was in Sussex, and wort h 
 about 2000?. a year. Mr. Caryll had been allowed to retain the 
 profits, till, being accused of having, with his own hand, paid 
 600/. to buy horses, arms, &c. for the assassination of the 
 King, he was outlawed, and his estate given to lord Cutts." 
 (Post Boy, May 23, 1696.) At the particular request of king 
 James, this estate was restored to the Caryll family on payment, 
 of 10,000/. to lord Cutts. This anecdote Mr. Caryll told sir 
 Merick Burrell, from whom the late sir William Burrell has re- 
 corded it in his Sussex Collections. (MSS. 5689, in the British 
 Museum.) In 1695, and the three following parliaments, lord 
 Cutts was regularly elected one of the representatives both f< i 
 the county of Cambridge, and for the borough of Newport in 
 the Isle of Wight, but made his election for the former. In two 
 
 parliaments
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 79 
 
 over the busy dream of the day ; and the vigilance 
 which obliges us to suppose an enemy always near 
 
 parliaments which followed (1703 and 1705) he represented 
 Newport. July 3, 1696, he set out for Dublin ; and was mar- 
 ried, Feb. 4, 1696-7, to madam Pickering, daughter of sir 
 Henry Pickering, a very considerable heiress in Cambridgeshire. 
 He went to Flanders June 2, 1697 ; and, on the first of Sep- 
 tember, his lady was delivered of a son. His second wife, an 
 amiable young woman, dying in 1697 at the age of IB, was 
 celebrated in an admirable sermon by Atterbury. In 1698 he 
 was complimented by Mr. John Hopkins, as one to whom <f a 
 double crown was due," as a hero and as a poet. In 1699, he 
 is thus introduced in a compliment to king William on his con- 
 quests : 
 
 " The warlike Cutts the welcome tidings brings, 
 
 The true best servant of the best of kings ; 
 
 Cutts, whose known worth no herald needs proclaim, 
 
 His wounds and his own worth can speak his fame." 
 He was colonel of the Coldstream, or second regiment of guards, 
 in 1701 } when Steele, who was indebted to his interest for a 
 military commission, inscribed to him his first work, " The 
 Christian Hero." On the accession of queen Anne, he was 
 made a lieutenant-general of the forces in Holland. Feb. 13, 
 1702-3, he was appointed commander in chief of the English 
 forces on the Continent during the absence of the duke of Marl-* 
 borough ; commander in chief of the forces in Ireland, under 
 the duke of Ormond, March 23, 1704-5; and afterwards one 
 of the lords justices of that kingdom, to keep him out of the 
 way of action, a circumstance which broke his heart. He died at 
 Dublin, Jan. 26, 1706-7, and was buried there in the cathedral 
 of Christ-church. He was a person of eminent natural pails, 
 well cultivated by study and conversation ; of a free, unreserved 
 temper ; and of undaunted bravery and resolution. As he was 
 a servant to queen Mary when princess of Orange, and learned 
 the trade of war under her Consort, he was early devoted to 
 them both, and a warm supporter of the Revolution. He was 
 an absolute stranger to fear ; and, on all occasions, gave distin- 
 guishing proofs of his intrepidity, particularly at the siege of 
 
 Limerick
 
 80 STU RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 us, has awakened a sense that there is a restless and 
 subtle one which constantly attends our steps and 
 meditates our ruin *. 
 
 Limerick in 1691, at the memorable attack of the castle of 
 Namur in 1695, and at the siege of Venlo in 1702. Macky says 
 of him, in 1703, " He hath abundance of wit, but too much 
 seized with vanity and self-conceit ; he is affable, familiar, and 
 very brave. Few considerable actions happened in this as well 
 as the last war, in which he was not, and hath been wounded 
 in all the actions where he served ; is esteemed to be a mighty 
 vigilant officer, and for putting the military orders in execution ; 
 he is pretty tall, lusty, well-shaped, and an agreeable com- 
 panion ; hath great revenues, yet so very expensive as always 
 to be in debt ; towards fifty years old." Swift, in a MS note on 
 Macky, calls him, with his usual laconic cruelty, " The vainest 
 old fool alive." He wrote a poem on the death of queen Mary ; 
 and published, in 1687, " Poetical Exercises, written upon 
 several Occasions, and dedicated to her royal highness Mary 
 princess of Orange; licensed March 23, 1686-7, Roger L'Es- 
 trange." It contains, besides the dedication signed " J, Cutts," 
 verses to that Princess ; a poem on Wisdom ; another to Mr. 
 Waller on hiscommending it ; seven more copies of verses (one 
 of them called " La Muse Cavalier," which had been ascribed 
 to lord Peterborough, and as such mentioned by lord Orford in 
 the list of that nobleman's writings), and eleven songs ; the 
 whole composing but a very thin volume. The Author speaks 
 of having more pieces by him ; and a specimen of his poetry is 
 quoted by Steele in the Tatler, No. V. Dr. Watts has a Poem 
 on Lord Cutts, in Johnson's Poets, vol. LV. 115. 
 
 * " Being thoroughly convinced," Steele says, " of many 
 things, of which he often repented, and which he more often 
 repeated, he wrote, for his own private use, a little book, called, 
 * The Christian Hero,' with a design principally to fix upon his 
 own mind a strong impression of virtue and religion, in oppo- 
 sition to a stronger propensity towards unwarrantable pleasures. 
 This secret admonition was too weak ; he therefore printed the 
 book with his name, in hopes that a standing testimony against 
 
 himself,
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 8 1 
 
 Thoughts of this nature a man may with freedom 
 acknowledge to your Lordship, who have ever been 
 so far from running into the fashionable vice of ex- 
 ploding Religion, that your early valour first ap- 
 peared against the professed enemies of Christianity ; 
 and Buda had transmitted you to late posterity, 
 but that you yourself have obliterated your part in 
 that glorious scene by the fresher memory of you at 
 Limerick and Namur. 
 
 With one honest purpose of life, and constant 
 service of one interest and one cause, in what coun- 
 try have you not fought } in what field have you 
 not bled ? But I know I here offend you, nor will 
 you allow warmth in commendation to be like a 
 friend; but if, my Lord, to speak you generous, 
 honest, and brave, be not friendly, I do assure you 
 it is the only thing I will ever do in common with 
 your enemies. 
 
 I said your enemies ; but if there are any who 
 have ignorance or malice enough to be such, their 
 little hates must be lost in the distinction the better 
 world allow you ; and that County * (whose dis- 
 cerning is refined by a learned and elegant Univer- 
 
 himself, and the eyes of the world (that is to say, of his ac- 
 quaintance) upon him in a new light, might curb his desires, 
 and make him ashamed of understanding and seeming to feel 
 what was virtuous, and living so quite contrary a life. This 
 had no other good effect, but that, .from being thought no un- 
 delightful companion, he was soon reckoned a disagreeable fel- 
 lrw. One or two of his acquaintance thought fit to misuse fiim, 
 and try their valour upon him ; and every body he knew mea- 
 sured the least levity in his words and actions with the cha- 
 racter of a Christian Hero." Apology, p. 296. 
 * Cambridgeshire j see p. 78. 
 
 G sity)
 
 &2 sir richard Steele's 
 
 sity) 1ms clone you so great an honour in making 
 you unanimously their 'Representative in Parlia- 
 ment, that they who would oppose your reputation, 
 do but confess they are unacquainted with what 
 passes in the world, and strangers to the residence 
 of knowledge and virtue. It was there you received 
 fhose rudiments of honour, which have rendered 
 your life conspicuous enough to make you appear a 
 worthy descendant of an antient and distinguished 
 family, which has served the Crown in the most 
 eminent stations, and been equally favourites of 
 their country ; it was there you imbibed those im- 
 pressions which inspire that true use of your being, 
 which so justly divides your ti*ne between labour 
 and diversion, that the one does but recreate for the 
 other, and which give a generous contempt of both 
 when in competition with the service of that coun- 
 try which you love, and that God whom you 
 worship. 
 
 Go on, my Lord, thus to contemn, and thus to 
 enjoy life ; and, if some great English day does not 
 call for that sacrifice which you are always ready to 
 offer, may you in a mature age go to sleep with 
 your ancestors, in expectation, not of an imaginary 
 fame, but a real and sensible immortality. 
 
 As for the present I now make you *, if you will 
 accept it with your usual goodness and affection to 
 
 * A second edition of the Christian Hero, " with large ad- 
 ditions," was published July 19, 1701. Steele, who was at this 
 time an ensign in the Guards, and principal secretary to lord 
 Cutts, obtained, by the interest of his kind patron, a captain's 
 commission in the lord Lucas's regiment of fusileers. It appeal's 
 by a letter of Congreve, in January 1700-1, that he and Dick 
 Steele were then on very friendly terms. 
 
 me.
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 83 
 
 me, I shall entertain no farther hopes ; for, as your 
 favour is my fortune, so your approbation is my 
 fame. 
 
 I am, my Lord, your Lordship's most obedient^ 
 most faithful, and most humble servant, 
 
 Richard Steele. 
 
 2. TO THE COUNTESS OF ALBEMARLE *, 
 
 MADAM, [1702.] 
 
 xxMONG the many novelties with which your 
 Ladyship, a Stranger in our Nation, is daily enter- 
 tained, you have not yet been made acquainted 
 with the poetical English liberty, the right of dedi- 
 cation ; which entitles us to a privilege of celebrat- 
 ing whatever, for its native excellence, is the just 
 object of praise ; and is an antient charter, by 
 which the Muses have always a free access to the 
 habitation of the Graces. Hence it is that this 
 
 * Isabella, 2d daughter of s'Gravemore, the general of the 
 forces to the States-General, whom Steele calls '* Mr. Scraven- 
 more" but who in Collins's Peerage is termed " S. Gravemore ;" 
 probably for " s'Gravemore." She was married, a short time 
 before this epistle was wTitten, to Amould Joust van Keppel, 
 who in 1696 had been created earl of Albemarle, and with 
 whom Steele was connected in his military capacity, as co- 
 lonel of the first troop of horse-guards ; and it was probably 
 through his Lordship's recommendation of this Comedy that Steele 
 attained the notice and favour of king William. Our Author's 
 name, &c. to be provided for, were in the last table-book ever 
 worn by that glorious and immortal Monarch. Apology, p. 297- 
 
 g 2 Comedy
 
 $4 SIR RICHARD STEELE^ 
 
 Comedy * waits on your Ladyship, and presumes 
 to welcome you amongst us ; though indeed, Ma- 
 dam, we are surprized to see you bring with you, 
 what we thought was of our own growth only, an 
 agreeable beauty. Nay, We must assure you, that 
 we cannot give up so dear an article of our glory, 
 but assert it by our right in you : for, if it is a 
 maxim founded on the noblest human law, that of 
 hospitality, that every soil is a brave man's country, 
 England has a very just pretence of claiming as a 
 native, a daughter of Mr. Scravenmore. 
 
 But your Ladyship is not only endeared to us 
 by the great services of your father, but also by the 
 kind offices of your husband, whose frank carriage 
 falls in with our genius, w ich is free, open, and 
 unreserved. In this the generosity of your tempers 
 makes you both excel in so peculiar a manner, that 
 your good actions are their own reward ; nor can 
 they be returned with ingratitude, for none can for- 
 get the benefits you confer so soon as you do your- 
 selves. 
 
 But ye have a more indisputable title to a dra- 
 matic performance than all these advantages ; for 
 ye are yourselves, in a degenerate low age, the 
 noblest characters which that fine passion that sup- 
 ports the Stage has inspired ; and as you have prac- 
 tised as generous a fidelity as the fancies of Poets 
 have ever drawn in their expecting Lovers, so may 
 you enjoy as high a prosperity as ever they have 
 
 * This address was prefixed to " The Funeral, or Grief a-la- 
 mode, a Comedy, 1702." The success of this performance was 
 chiefly owing to the zeal of his fellow-soldiers, arising from hi* 
 interest in the Army. 
 
 bestowed
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 85 
 
 bestowed on their rewarded : this you may possess 
 in an happy security, for your fortunes cannot move 
 so much envy, as your persons do love. 
 
 I am, Madam, your Ladyship's most devoted 
 humble servant, Richard Steele. 
 
 3. TO THE DUKE OF ORMOND *. 
 
 MY LORD, [ X 74-] 
 
 V-/UT of gratitude to the memorable and illustri 
 ous patron of my infancy, your Grace's grand- 
 father -f~, I presume to lay this Comedy at your 
 
 * James Butler, duke of Ormond, born April 29, 1665, was 
 sent to France at ten years of age ; and on his return was admitted 
 at Christ-church, Oxford, of which university he was afterward 
 chancellor 5 succeeded to his grandfather's titles, July 21, 1688 ; 
 in 1689, was made a gentleman of the bed-chamber, captain of 
 the second troop of guards, and knight of the Garter ; in 1702, 
 generalissimo of the forces against Spain ; lord-lieutenant of Ire- 
 land, Feb. 4, 1702-3 ; and again, Oct. 19, 1710 5 captain-gene- 
 ral, Jan. 1, 171 1-12, and load the first regiment of guards j was 
 lord warden of the Cinque ports, and constable of Dover castle. 
 (Burnet observes, " he had the same appointments which were 
 " voted criminal in the duke of Marlborough.") On the arrival 
 of king George I. at Greenwich, the duke of Ormond came, 
 with uncommon splendour, to pay his court ; but was told by 
 Lord Townshend, " that the King had no longer occasion for 
 his sen ice in the quality of captain-general ; but that his Ma- 
 jesty would be glad to see him at Court." Withdrawing into 
 France, he was attainted, Aug. 20, 1715 5 and died, Nov. 16, 
 N. S. 1745, at Madrid, in the 81st year of his age. 
 
 f Steele's father, a counsellor at law, was some time private 
 secretary to James, the first duke of Ormond. From. the turn 
 
 of
 
 86 SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 feet : the design of it is, to banish out of conversa- 
 tion all entertainment which does not proceed from 
 simplicity of mind, good-nature, friendship, and 
 honour : such a purpose will not, I hope, be unac- 
 ceptable to so great a lover of mankind as your 
 Grace ; and if your patronage can recommend it to 
 all who love and honour the duke of Ormond, its 
 reception will be as extensive as the world itself*. 
 
 It was the irresistible force of this humanity in 
 your temper that has carried you through the vari- 
 ous successes of war, with the peculiar and undis- 
 puted distinction, that you have drawn your sword 
 without other motive than a passionate regard for 
 the glory of your country ; since, before you en- 
 tered into its service, you were possessed of its 
 highest honours, but could not be contented with 
 the illustrious rank your birth gave you, without 
 repeating the glorious actions by which it was ac- 
 quired. 
 
 of expression in the beginning of this letter, it seems not im- 
 probable that Mr. Steele sent his son to the Charter-house- 
 school by the direction of the duke of Ormond above mentioned, 
 who was one of the governors of that hospital, and who proba- 
 bly, if he had lived long enough, might have been very service- 
 able to the son of his secretary ; who " cocked his hat," how- 
 ever, " and put on a broad-sword, jack-boots, and shoulder- 
 belt, under the Duke's command," before " he was acquainted 
 with his own parts j" and, '* from the same humour which he 
 ever after preserved, of preferring the state of his mind to that 
 of his fortune, lost the succession to a very good estate in the 
 county of Wexford, by mounting a war-horse with a great 
 sword in his hand, and planting himself beliind king William 
 against Lewis. XIV." See Steele's Theatre, No XL 
 
 * This addivss was prefixed to " The Lying Lover, or the 
 Ladies Friendship, a Comedy, 1704." 
 
 But
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 87 
 
 But there cannot be less expected from the son 
 of an Ossory, than to contemn life, to adorn it ; and 
 with munificence, affability, scorn of gain, and 
 passion for glory, to be the honour and example to 
 the profession of arms : all which engaging qualities 
 your noble family has exerted with so stedfast a 
 loyalty, that, in the most adverse fortune of our 
 Monarchy, popularity, which in others had been 
 invidious, was a security to the Crown, when 
 lodged in the House of Ormond. 
 
 Thus your Grace entered into the business of the 
 world with so great an expectation, that it seemed 
 impossible there could be any thing left which 
 might still conduce to the honour of your name. 
 But the most memorable advantage your Country 
 has gained this century was obtained under your 
 command * ; and Providence thought fit to give the 
 wealth of the Indies into his hands who only could 
 despise it ; while, with a superior generosity, he 
 knows no reward but in opportunities of bestowing. 
 
 The great personage whom you succeed in your 
 honours made me feel, before I was sensible of the 
 benefit, that this glorious bent of mind is hereditary 
 to you. I hope, therefore, you will pardon me, 
 that I take the liberty of expressing my veneration 
 for his remains, by assuring your Grace that I am, 
 my Lord, your Grace's most obedient, and most 
 devoted, humble servant, Richard Steele. 
 
 * Alluding to the Duke's successes against the Spaniards at 
 Cadiz,, &c. in 1?02, 
 
 4. TO
 
 88 SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 4. TO MR. ADDISON. 
 
 SIR, [1705.] 
 
 X OU will be surprized, in the midst of a daily 
 and familiar conversation, with an address which 
 bears so distant an air as a public dedication : but, 
 to put you out of the pain which I know this will 
 give you, I assure you I do not design in it, what 
 would be very needless, a panegyric on yourself, 
 or, .what perhaps is very necessary, a defence of the 
 Play *. In the one I should discover too much the 
 concern of an Author, in the other too little the 
 freedom of a Friend. 
 
 My purpose, in this application, is only to shew 
 the esteem I have for you, and that I look upon 
 my intimacy with you as one of the most valuable 
 enjoyments of my life. At the same time, I hope, 
 I make the Town no ill compliment for their kind 
 acceptance of this Comedy, in acknowledging that 
 it has so for raised my opinion of it, as to make me 
 think it no improper memorial of an inviolable 
 friendship. 
 
 I should not offer it to you as such, had I not 
 been very careful to avoid ever} 7 thing that might 
 look ill-natured, immoral, or prejudicial to what 
 the better part of mankind hold sacred and honour- 
 able. 
 
 Poetry, under such restraints, is an obliging ser- 
 vice to human society ; especially when it is used, 
 
 * This Letter was prefixed to " The Tender Husband f 
 which was first acted in 1704, but not printed till 1705. 
 
 like
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 89 
 
 like your admirable vein, to recommend more use- 
 ful qualities in yourself, or immortalize characters 
 truly heroic in others. I am here in danger of 
 breaking my promise to you ; therefore shall take 
 the only opportunity that can offer itself of resisting 
 my own inclinations, by complying with yours. 
 I am, Sir, your most faithful, humble servant, 
 
 Richard Steele, 
 
 5. A PETITION TO THE QUEEN; 
 
 WRITTEN BY MR. STEELE. 
 
 To the QUEEN'S Most Excellent Majesty * 
 The Humble Petition of Charles Gildon -{-, 
 
 SHEWETH, 
 
 J. HAT your Petitioner has, by an unhappy mis- 
 take, and not by any malicious design against the 
 happiness and quiet of your Majesty's government, 
 
 * This petition, in behalf of a brother Author under prose- 
 cution for a libel, is in Steele's hand-writing, and is dated in 
 April 1707. Gildon had been tried at Guildhall, Feb. 14, 1706-7; 
 and, having been found guilty, received sentence, May 17, to 
 pay 100?. fine. 
 
 f Charles Gildon was born and educated at Gillingham in 
 Dorsetshire. Richard, his father, who was of the Society of 
 Gray's- Inn, and a zealous Roman Catholic, dying when his son 
 was but nine years old, Charles was sent by his relations to the 
 English college at Douay, in order to be made a priest ; but, 
 quitting the superstitions of the church of Rome (from convic- 
 tion, as he himself said, on reading a Discourse by Dr. Tillot- 
 
 eon
 
 30 SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 been concerned in publishing a pamphlet, called, 
 " Sir Rowland Gwynn's * Letter," &c. -\- 
 
 son on Transubstantiation), ran into the extremes of Infidelity 
 and Deism. He was author of several dramatie pieces, most of 
 which were unsuccessful : and of some poetical and other per- 
 formances. He has been ranked among: the Deistical Writers, 
 from having ushered into the world " The Oracles of Reason," 
 written by Charles Blount, esq. and published by Mr. Gildon in 
 1693, after that authoVs unhappy end, with a pompous elogi- 
 um, and a preface in defence of self-murder. He was after- 
 ward, as Dr. Leland gandidly observes (View of Deistical Writ- 
 ers, vol. I. p. 43), " convinced of his error ; of which he gave 
 a remarkable proof in a good book, which he published in 1/05, 
 intituled, f The Deist's Manual ;' the greatest part of which is 
 taken up in vindicating the doctrines of the existence and attri- 
 butes of God, his providence and government of the world, the 
 immortality of the soul, and a future state." We are told, in 
 the notes on the Dunciad, that " he signalized himself as a critic, 
 having written some very bad plays ; abused Mr. Pope very 
 scandalously in an anonymous pamphlet of the Life of Mr. 
 Wycherley, printed by Curll } in another, called ' The New Re- 
 hearsal j* in a third, intituled, ' The Complete Art of English 
 Poetry,' in two volumes} and others." He died January 12, 
 1728-4. 
 
 * Sir Rowland Gwynn had been one of the representatives 
 for Beeralston in two parliaments during the reign of king Wil- 
 liam III. 
 
 f This extremely rare pamphlet was called, " A Letter from 
 her Royal Highness, the Princess Sophia, Electress of Bruns- 
 wick and Lunenburgh, to his Grace the Archbishop of Canter- 
 bury} with another from Hanover, written by Sir Rowland 
 Gwynn to the Right Honourable the Earl of Stamford," 8 pages, 
 4to } and was published in January 1705-6. The proceedings 
 which it occasioned may be seen in the Journals of the House of 
 Commons, for March 1705-6, vol. XV. p. 189} and the circum- 
 stances of the " high offence" are thus illustrated by Macpher- 
 json : " Though the remaining part of the session was distin- 
 guished with no business of importance, the animosities bet\v< in 
 the two parties filled every debate with altercation and noise. 
 
 The
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 01 
 
 That your Petitioner has had a liberal education 
 and fortune, and expects this term a sentence worse 
 than death for the same : 
 
 That he is under the greatest sorrow and contri- 
 tion for this his high offence against so good and 
 gracious a Queen ; and shall hereafter abhor and 
 avoid all licence in speech and writing unbefitting a 
 quiet, humble, and peaceable subject. 
 
 Your Petitioner, therefore, most humbly prays, 
 &c. 
 
 The people without-doors were not disinterested spectators of 
 the transactions within. They were roused with libels and pam- 
 phlets, which zealots, on both sides, poured daily from the 
 press ; and they suffered themselves, as usual, to be deceived by 
 the designing, or inflamed by the violent and weak. Among 
 the publications concerning the proposed invitation of the pre- 
 sumptive Heir of the, Crown to England, one commanded the at- 
 tention, and incurred the censure of Parliament. Sir Rowland 
 Gwynri, a busy, selfish, forward, and intriguing man ; violent 
 in his principles, suspicious through weakness, deceiving others, 
 and perhaps deceived himself by seeing objects through the 
 muddy medimn of a clouded understanding, had repaired to the 
 Court of Hanover, to gain the favour of the Electoral Family, by 
 alarming their fears concerning the succession of the British 
 Crown. Upon the subject of the invitation to the Princess So- 
 phia, Gwynn wrote a letter to the Earl of Stamford, which 
 found its way to the press. This ill-worded, unmeaning, and 
 confused performance, though it seemed to approve of the prin- 
 ciples of the Whigs, severely censured that party for refusing 
 their consent to the proposed invitation of the Princess Sophia 
 into England. The Commons, on the eighth of March, voted 
 Gwynn's Letter a scandalous, false, and malicious libel. The 
 Lords concurred with them in an address upon this occasion 
 to the Queen j who- replied, ' that, being fully sensible of the 
 pernicious tendency of the paper which they had censured, she 
 would comply with their request, and give orders to prosecute 
 the printer and author," Hist, of Great-Britain, sub ann. 1705. 
 
 6. TO
 
 92 SIR RICHARD STEELE'9 
 
 6. TO MRS.* SCURLOCK. 
 
 MADAM, [SATURDAY, AUG. 9,] 1 J Of If. 
 
 JL OUR wit and beauty are suggestions which may 
 easily lead you into the intention of my writing to 
 you. You may be sure that I cannot be cold to 
 so many good qualities as all that see you must ob- 
 
 * Mrs. Mary Scurlock, afterwards Lady Steele, daughter 
 and sole heiress of Jonathan Scurlock, esq. of the county of 
 Caermarthen, was at this time a beautiful young lady about the 
 age of eight or nine-and-twenty. Sir Richard has drawn a very 
 amiable character of her in a dedication prefixed to the third 
 volume of " The Ladies Library." She is styled here, accord- 
 ing to the mode of the time when this letter was written, not 
 Miss, but Mistress Scurlock, though her mother was still liv- 
 ing. The appellation of Miss was then appropriated to the 
 daughters of gentlemen under the age of ten, or given oppro- 
 briously to young gentlewomen reproachable for the giddiness 
 or irregularity of their conduct. See " The Tatler," 1 ' vol. I. 
 N 10, note; and No 13, and note. 
 
 f The day of the month is cut out from this and a few of the 
 following letters ; and in some others the figures have been 
 altered, in order to disguise the exact dates. Many concurring 
 circumstances, however, confirm the conjectural dates here in- 
 serted in hooks. In the Muse6 Mercury for January 1706-7, 
 are some humorous lines by Steele, " to a young lady who had 
 married an old man ," and in that for February is the following 
 lively Song by him : 
 
 " Me Cupid made a willing slave, 
 
 A merry wretched man ; 
 I slight the Nymphs I cannot hav< 
 
 Nor doat on those I can. 
 This constant maxim still I hold, 
 
 To baffle all despair ; 
 The absent ugly are and old, 
 The present young arid fair." 
 
 #erve
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. Q 
 
 serve in you. You are a woman of a veiy good un- 
 derstanding, and will not measure my thoughts by 
 any ardour in my expressions, which is the ordi- 
 nary language on these occasions. 
 
 I have reasons for hiding from my nearest rela- 
 tion any purpose I may have resolved upon of wait- 
 ing on you if you permit it ; and I hope you have con- 
 fidence from mine as well as your own character, 
 that such a condescension should not be ill used by, 
 Madam, your most obedient servant, 
 
 Rich. Steele. 
 
 7. TO MRS. SCURLOCK*. 
 
 MADAM, [AUG. 11,] 1707. 
 
 JL WRIT to you on Saturday by 3Irs. Warren, 
 and give you this trouble to urge the same request I 
 made then ; which was, that I may be admitted to 
 
 * The admirers of Steele will recognise this letter, which 
 they have read so frequently in the Tatler, N 35 ; where it is 
 thus introduced as an article from White's Chocolate-house : 
 ," I know no manner of news from this place, but that Cynthio, 
 having been long in despair for the inexorable Clarissa, lately 
 resolved to fall in love the good old way of bargain and sale, 
 and has pitched upon a very agreeable young woman. He will 
 undoubtedly succeed ; for he accosts her in a strain of familia- 
 rity, without breaking through the deference that is due to a 
 woman whom a man would choose for his life. I have hardly 
 ever heard rough truth spoken with a better grace than in this 
 his letter." Mrs. Warren, in the Tatler, is changed to Mrs. 
 Lucy ; and so it is in the MS, whence the letter is now printed. 
 
 wait
 
 94 SIR RICHARD STEELE'* 
 
 wait upon you. I should be veiy far from desiring; 
 this, if it were a transgression of the most severe 
 rules to allow it. I know you are very much above 
 "the little arts, which are frequent in your sex, of giv- 
 ing unnecessary torment to their admirers ; there- 
 fore hope you will do so much justice to the gene- 
 rous passion I have for you, as to let me have an 
 opportunity of acquainting you upon what motives 
 I pretend to your good opinion. I shall not trou- 
 ble you with my sentiments till I know how they 
 will be received ; and as I know no reason why dif- 
 ference of sex should make our language to each 
 other differ from the ordinary rules of right reason, 
 I shall affect plainness and sincerity in my discourse 
 to you, as much as other lovers do perplexity and 
 rapture. Instead of saying " I shall die for you," I 
 profess I should be glad to lead my life with you. 
 You are as beautiful, as witty, as prudent, and as 
 good-humoured, as any woman breathing; but I 
 must confess to you, I regard all these excellencies 
 as you will please to direct them for my happiness 
 or misery. With me, Madam, the only lasting 
 motive to love, is the hope of its becoming mutual. 
 I beg of you to let Mrs. Warren send me word 
 when I may attend you. I promise you I will talk 
 of nothing but indifferent things ; though, at the 
 same time, I know not how I shall approach you 
 in the tender moment of first seeing you after this 
 declaration which has been made by, Madam, 
 Your most obedient 
 
 and most faithful humble servant, 
 
 Rich. Steele. 
 
 8. TO
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. <}> 
 
 8. TO MRS. SCURLOCK. 
 
 MADAM, [AUG. 14,] 170/. 
 
 CAME to your house this night to wait on you ; 
 but you have commanded me to expect the happi- 
 ness of seeing you at another time of more leisure. 
 I am now under your own roof while I write ; and 
 that imaginary satisfaction of being so near you, 
 though not in your presence, has in it something 
 that touches me with so tender ideas, that it is im- 
 possible for me to describe their force. All great 
 passion makes us dumb ; and the highest happiness, 
 as well as highest grief, seizes us too violently to be 
 expressed by our words. 
 
 You are so good as to let me know I shall have 
 the honour of seeing you when I next come here. I 
 will live upon that expectation, and meditate on 
 your perfections till that happy hour. The vainest 
 woman upon earth never saw in her glass half the 
 attractions which I view in you. Your air, your 
 shape, your every glance, motion, and gesture, 
 have such peculiar graces, that you possess my 
 whole soul, and I know no life but in the hopes of 
 your approbation: I know not what to say, but 
 that I love you with the sincerest passion that ever 
 entered the heart of man. I will make it the busi- 
 ness of my life to find out means of convincing you 
 that I prefer you to all that is pleasing upon earth. 
 
 I am, Madam, your most obedient, most faithful 
 humble servant, Rich. Steele. 
 
 9- TO
 
 Q6 SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 9. TO MRS. SCURLOCK. 
 
 H( 
 
 MADAM, FRIDAY MORNING [AUG. 15, I7O7]. 
 
 OPING you are in good health, as I am at this 
 present writing, I take the liberty of bidding you 
 good-morrow, and thanking you for yesterday's ad- 
 mission. To know so much pleasure with so much 
 innocence is, methinks, a satisfaction beyond the 
 present condition of human life ; but the union of 
 minds in pure affection is renewing the first state of 
 man. 
 
 You cannot imagine the gratitude with which I 
 meditate on your obliging behaviour to me, and 
 how much improved in generous sentiments I re- 
 turn from your company. At the same time that 
 you give me passion for yourself, you inspire me 
 also with a love of virtue. 
 
 Mrs. Warren informed me of your intention # on 
 Sunday morning. I forbear indulging myself in a 
 style which my eager wishes prompt me to, out of 
 reverence to that occasion. 
 I am, Madam, 
 
 Your most obliged, most faithful servant, 
 
 Rich. Steele. 
 
 * To receive the sacrament ; see p. 102. 
 
 10. TO
 
 Epistolary correspondence. 97 
 
 10. TO MRS. SCURLOCfc. 
 
 MADAM, AUG. \6*, I7O7. 
 
 JlJEFORE the light this morning dawned upon 
 the earth, I awaked, and lay in expectation of its 
 return ; not that it could give any new sense of joy 
 to me, but as I hoped it would bless you with its 
 chearful face, after a quiet which I wished you last 
 night. If my prayers are heard, the day appeared 
 with all the influence of a merciful Creator upon 
 your person and actions* Let others, my lovely 
 charmer, talk of a blind being that disposes their 
 hearts ; I Contemn their low images of love. I 
 have not a thoi. ^ht which relates to you, that I can- 
 not with confidence beseech the All-seeing Power 
 to bless me in. May he direct you in all your 
 steps, and reward your innocence, your sanctity of 
 mariners, your prudent youth, and becoming piety, 
 with the continuance of His grace and protection ! 
 This is an unusual language to ladies ; but you have 
 a mind elevated above the giddy notions of a sex 
 insnared by flattery, and misled by a false and short 
 adoration, into a solid and long contempt. Beauty, 
 my fairest creature, palls in the possession ; but I 
 love also your mind : your soul is as dear t6 me as 
 
 * The date in the original has been twice altered ; in the first 
 place, Aug. 16" is changed to " Aug. 33 ;" and under it is 
 written [' Sept. 3, 1671 ;" and this remark : " Though 1 made 
 him no declarations in his favour, you see he had hopes of me 
 "When he writ this in the month following obedient ser- 
 vant !" See the Spectator, N" CXLII. Aug. 13, 1711. 
 
 h my
 
 $% SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 my own ; and, if the advantage of a liberal educa- 
 tion, some knowledge, and as much contempt of 
 the world, joined with endeavours towards a life of 
 strict virtue and religion, can qualify me to raise 
 new ideas in a breast so well disposed as yours is, 
 our days will pass away with joy, and old age, in- 
 stead of introducing melancholy prospects of decay, 
 give us hope of eternal youth in a better life. I 
 have but few minutes from the duty of my employ- 
 ment to write in, and without time to read over 
 what I have writ ; therefore beseech you to pardon 
 the first hints of my mind, which I have expressed 
 in so little order. I am, dearest creature, your 
 most obedient, most devoted servant, 
 
 Rich. Steele. 
 
 1 1 . MRS. MARY SCURLOCK TO HER 
 MOTHER. 
 
 DEAR MADAM, [UNDATED]. 
 
 XjY a letter I had from Cousin Betty Scurlock, I 
 find you are resolved to winter in Wales, which is 
 the cause of this speed in my writing ; having kept 
 a secret from you, through fear that a letter might 
 (by the usual impertinent curiosity of people) make 
 a discovery of what is proper for your own ear only, 
 and not to divert any in that tattling place where 
 that wretched impudence H. O. resorts, who (lest 
 we should think God had not wholly forsaken him) 
 
 had
 
 Epistolary correspondence. 09 
 
 had the boldness to send me a letter, which I had 
 the very last post. I tore it without once reading 
 it, he being beneath my scornful laugh. 
 
 But the matter in hand is this. Yotir frequent 
 declarations of your earnest wishes that I might 
 happily please you in obliging myself by my choice 
 of a companion for life, has emboldened me, now 
 Fate has put it in my power, to give so far encou- 
 ragement, as to promise speedy marriage upon con- 
 dition of your consent; which' I do not question 
 having, when I tell you I not only make use of the 
 most weighing consideration I am mistress of, but 
 also hope my inclination is the direction of Provi- 
 dence, whose guidance, in every particular of this 
 nice affair more particularly, I cease not to implore 
 continually *. I cannot recommend the person to 
 you, as having a great estate, title, &c. which are 
 generally a parentis chief care but he has a com- 
 petency in worldly goods, to make easy, with a mind 
 
 * From circumstances this letter must have been written on or 
 about Aug. 16, 1707- It is addressed, "This For Mrs. Scurlock, 
 at her Lodgings in Carmarthen, South Wales " It cannot well 
 escape the motice of an attentive reader, that Mrs. Mary Scur- 
 lock soon made up her own mind on the subject of marrying 
 Steele j and it does not appear that her determination was less 
 peremptory for having been expeditious. She appears from 
 various circumstances to have been coy, rather a prude, and 
 unwilling to let it be known that Steele did not sue her a 
 long time in vain. She certainly was desirous to prolong 
 the time of the courtship, which was wondrous short, not ex- 
 ceeding, so far as I can rind, the space of one short moMh. Let 
 it however be remembered, that this disdainful, capricious 
 beauty was besieged by a master of the art of love,, and at the 
 time,, as she testifies, as agreeable and pleasant a man as any in 
 England. See pp. 109, 110. 
 
 II 2 SO
 
 100 SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 so richly adorned as to exceed an equivalent to the 
 greatest estate in the world, in my opinion: in 
 short, his person is what I like; his temper is 
 what I am sure will make you, as well as myself, 
 perfectly happy, if the respect of a lover, with the 
 tender fondness of a dutiful son, can make you so ; 
 and, for his understanding and morals, I refer you 
 to his " Christian Hero # ," which I remember you 
 seemed to approve. By this, I believe, you know 
 his name ; but, lest memory may not befriend me, 
 it is the survivor of the person -}- to whose funeral I 
 went in my illness. 
 
 Enquiries about him, any farther than I have 
 made, are altogether needless ; for I am fully satisfied, 
 and do not question but you will be so when busi- 
 ness will permit you to be an eye-witness and par- 
 taker of my happiness. In the mean time, what I 
 desire is, your consent and blessing to my putting 
 it out of my power to delay, and so perhaps to lose, 
 my first and only inclination ; for I shall never 
 meet with a prospect of happiness if this should 
 vanish. You doubtless wonder at the assurance of 
 my style, for really I do myself ; but then, if you 
 consider the necessity of it, it will palliate the bold- 
 ness. For, first, the distance between us is so great, 
 that the speediest answer to a letter terminates an 
 age of days ; then the constant visits, in the form 
 fit for a lover, make a mighty noise in an idle, pry- 
 ing neighbourhood ; so will cause the uneasiness of 
 an endless nine days wonder, as they call it. But 
 
 * See p. 77- 
 
 f We no where find the name of Steele's first wife, nor the 
 time of her marriage. 
 
 the
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 101 
 
 the main matter of all, since Fate I believe has or- 
 dained him mine, is the neglect of his business, 
 which his coming in the manner he does must 
 cause. These considerations, with several more 
 when known, though now too tedious to write, 
 will, I hope, lessen the censure this comprehensive 
 letter may at first sight cause. 
 
 There is nothing I should more desire than your 
 presence at the giving my hand, with that part of 
 my heart you can spare : but the misfortune of your 
 lameness, if you were here, would deny me that 
 happiness, unless public doings were intended, 
 which is what I abhor ; insomuch, if you consent 
 to my changing the name of lover for husband, it 
 shall not be in the power of the town to more than 
 guess there may be such a thing, until your affairs 
 will permit you to come and be a witness to our 
 manner of living and appearing in the world, which 
 God Almighty direct us in the way of, and also 
 * , . . , this letter to your dutiful Molly ; 
 
 . , there being no room for 
 
 long consideration under- 
 stood, 
 
 12. TO MRS. SCURLOCK. 
 
 MADAM, [AUG. 17,] 1707. 
 
 A COULD not omit writing to you, though on 
 Sunday morning, when I know I interrupt your 
 
 * The original is here torn. 
 
 mediation
 
 102 SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 meditation on higher subjects * ; there is nothing 
 but Heaven itself which I prefer to your love, which 
 shall be the pursuit of my life ; and I hope there 
 will not a day appear to our lives end, wherein there 
 will not appear some instance of an affection, not 
 to be excelled but in the mansions of eternity, to 
 which we may recommend ourselves by our beha-r 
 viour to each other here. 
 
 lam, my lovely charmer, your obedient .,....-{- 
 
 13. A PRAYER BY MR, STEELE. 
 
 O ALMIGHTY Lord God and Saviour, look 
 down with compassion on me, and give me grace to 
 approach the mysterious ordinance of salvation with 
 fear and reverence. O Lord, I love, I adore, I be- 
 lieve in thee. Give me, O Lord, a life suitable to 
 my faith ; and let me not cast away, with a soul 
 conscious of, and adoring, thy unspeakable good- 
 ness. But wash out my offences ; and give me the 
 benefit of this cup, in order to a good mortal, and 
 a glorious immortal, life ; through the merits and 
 mediation of Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour J ! 
 
 * The sacrament ; see p. 96. 
 
 f The name is here cut out. 
 
 % This striking instance of our Author's piety was transcribed 
 from the original, in the possession of the late Rev. David 
 Scurlcck, 
 
 14. TO
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 103 
 
 14. TO MRS. SCURLOCK. 
 
 MADAM, LORD SUNDERLAND'S OFFICE, I7O7. 
 
 W ITH what language shall I address my lovely- 
 fair, to acquaint her with the sentiments of an heart 
 she delights to torture ? I have not a minute's quiet 
 out of your sight ; and, when I am with you, you 
 use me with so much distance, that I am still in, a 
 state of absence heightened with a view of the 
 charms which I am denied to approach. In a word, 
 you must give me either a fan, a mask, or a glove, 
 you have wore, or I cannot live ; otherwise you 
 must expect I'll kiss your hand, or, when I next 
 sit by you, steal your handkerchief. You yourself 
 are too great a bounty to be received at once ; there- 
 fore I must be prepared by degrees, lest the mighty 
 gift distract me with joy. Dear Mrs. Scurlock, I 
 am tired with calling you by that name ; therefore 
 say the day in which you will take that of, Madam, 
 your most obedient, most devoted humble servant, 
 
 Rich. Steele. 
 
 15. TO MRS. SCURLOCK. 
 
 MADAM, SMITH-STREET, WESTMINSTER, I7O7. 
 
 A TAKE up pen and ink to indulge the sensibility 
 of mind I am under, in reflecting upon the agree- 
 able company in which I passed yesterday evening. 
 
 The
 
 104 SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 The day hangs heavily upon me ; and the whole 
 business of it is an impertinent guilty dream, in 
 comparison of the happiness of a few moments of 
 real life at your house, which go off in privacy ancj 
 innocence. Were it possible the concern I have 
 for you were mutual, how tedious would be the 
 moments of each other s absence, how fleeting the. 
 hours we should be together ! How would my mirth 
 be heightened ! how my sorrow banished by the 
 appearance of a smile in that countenance, where 
 are so charmingly painted complacency, good -sense, 
 innocence, honour, and truth ! Since this is the 
 figure you bear in my imagination, you cannot 
 blame my desire of haying those good qualities my 
 constant companions, and for ever engaged in my 
 interests. My heart overflows with the pleasing 
 prospects which throng into my mind when I think 
 of you. What shall I say? Pr'ythee, Mrs. Scur- 
 lock, have pity on, Madam, your most obedient, 
 most faithful servant, Rich. Steele. 
 
 i6\ TO MRS. SCURLOCK. 
 
 MADAM, SMITH-STREET, WESTMINSTER, 170?- 
 
 X LAY down last night with your image in my 
 thoughts, and have awaked this morning in the 
 same contemplation. The pleasing transport with 
 which I am delighted, has a sweetness in it, at- 
 tended with a train of ten thousand soft desires, 
 
 anxieties.
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 105 
 
 anxieties, and cares. The day arises on my hopes 
 with new brightness ; youth, beauty, and inno- 
 cence, are the charming objects that steal me from 
 myself, and give me joys above the reach of ambi- 
 tion, pride, or glory. Believe me, fair-one, to 
 throw myself at your feet, is giving myself the 
 highest bliss I know on earth. Oh, hasten ye mi- 
 nutes ! bring on the happy morning wherein to be 
 ever her's will make me look down on thrones! 
 Dear Molly, I am passionately, faithfully thine, 
 
 Rich. Steele. 
 
 17. TO MRS. SCURLOCK. 
 
 MADAM, AUG. 22, 1707 *. 
 
 XF my vigilance, and ten thousand wishes for your 
 welfare and repose, could have any force, you last 
 night slept in security, and had every good angel in 
 your attendance. To have my thoughts ever fixed 
 on you, to live in constant fear of every accident to 
 which human life is liable, and to send up my 
 hourly prayers to avert them from you; I say, 
 Maolam, thus to think, and thus to suffer, is what 
 I do for her who is in pain at my approach, and 
 calls all my tender sorrow impertinence. You are 
 
 * This date is in part cut out, and supplied with ** Aug. 7> 
 1671." Over " Madam," at the beginning, is written " An- 
 dromache," and " Madam" substituted for '* dear Mi's. Scur- 
 lock" at the end. 
 
 now
 
 l06* SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 now before my eyes, my eyes that are ready to flow 
 with tenderness, but cannot give relief to my gush- 
 ing heart, that dictates what I am now saying, and 
 yearns to tell you all its achings. How art thou, 
 oh my soul, stolen from thyself! how is all thy at- 
 tention broken ! My books are blank paper, and 
 my friends intruders. I have no hope of quiet but 
 from your pity : to grant it, would make more for 
 your triumph. To give pain, is the tyranny to 
 make happy, the true empire of beauty. If you 
 would consider aright, you would find an agreeable 
 change, in dismissing the attendance of a slave, to 
 receive the complaisance of a companion. I bear 
 the former, in hopes of the latter condition. As I 
 live in chains without murmuring at the power 
 which inflicts them, so I could enjoy freedom with- 
 out forgetting the mercy that gave it. Dear Mrs. 
 Scurlock, the life which you bestow on me shall be 
 no more my own. I am your most devoted, most 
 obedient servant, Rich, Steele, 
 
 18. TO MRS. SCURLOCK, 
 
 MADAM, CHELSEA, AUG. 25, I7O7. 
 
 1 AM observed, by a friend who is with me, in 
 every gesture and motion I make. I have stole a 
 moment, while he is in next room, to tell the 
 charmer and inspirer of my soul, I am her devoted, 
 obedient servant, Rich. Steele. 
 
 19. TO
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 107 
 
 19. TO MRS. SCURLOCK. 
 
 THURSDAY, AUG. 27, I7O7. 
 MY DEAREST CREATURE, 
 
 X BEG the favour of you to let me pass this day 
 in your company. I have contrived my business so, 
 that I have till eight at night, at my own disposal. 
 I can come in a coach ; and Mrs. Warren being in 
 the way, may let me in without observation. My 
 loved creature, do not deny this request, nor think 
 I am capable of being allowed that liberty without 
 a true sense of your goodness to me in it. Your 
 generous condescension in all your carriage towards 
 me, shall always give you a powerful and lasting 
 influence upon the thoughts and actions of him who 
 hopes to be, Madam, your most obliged and grate- 
 ful husband, Rich. Steele, 
 
 20, TO xMRS. SCURLOCK, 
 
 MADAM, AUG. 29, I7O7. 
 
 1 FEAR it will be an hour later than usual that I 
 wait upon you to-night ; for I have an appointment 
 which will detain me, and which concerns both 
 you, .and, Madam, your most obliged, most obe- 
 dient humble servant, Rich. Steele. 
 
 21. TO
 
 108 SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 21, TO MRS. SCURLOCK. 
 
 MADAM, AUG. 30, 1707. 
 
 A BEG pardon that my paper is not finer, but I 
 am forced to write from a coffee-house where I am 
 attending about business *, There is a dirty crowd 
 of busy faces all around me, talking of money ; 
 while all my ambition, all my wealth, is love ! 
 Love, which animates my heart, sweetens my hu- 
 mour, enlarges my soul, and affects every action 
 of my life. It is to my lovely charmer I owe, that 
 many noble ideas are continually affixed to my 
 words and actions ; it is the natural effect of that 
 generous passion, to create in the admirer some 
 similitude of the object admired. Thus, my dear, 
 am I every day to improve from so sweet a com- 
 panion. Look up, my fair-one, to that Heaven 
 which made thee such ; and join with me to implore 
 its influence on our tender innocent hours, and be- 
 seech the Author of love, to bless the rites he has 
 ordained, and mingle with our happiness a just 
 sense of our transient condition, and a resignation 
 to His will, which only can regulate our minds to 
 a steady endeavour to please Him and each other. 
 I am for ever your faithful servant, 
 
 Rich. Steele. 
 
 * t{ He was, when he writ the following letters, as agree- 
 able and pleasant a man as any in England." See p. 99 ; and 
 Spectator, No CXLII. 
 
 82. TO
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 10^ 
 
 22. TO MRS, SCURLOCK. 
 
 DEAR, LOVELY MRS. SCURLOCK, 
 
 SATURDAY-NIGHT [AUG, 3> 177]* 
 
 HAVE been in very good company, where your 
 health, under the character of the woman I loved 
 best, has been often drunk ; so that I may say I am 
 dead drunk for your sake, which is more than / 
 die for you. Rich. Steele. 
 
 I 
 
 23. TO MRS. SCURLOCK. , 
 
 MADAM, SEPT. 1, I7O7 *. 
 
 IT is the hardest thing in the world to be in love, 
 and yet attend business. As for me, all who speak 
 to me find me out, and I must lock myself up, or 
 other people will do it for me. 
 
 A gentleman asked me this morning, i( What 
 news from Lisbon -f- ?" and I answered, " She is 
 exquisitely handsome." Another desired to know 
 (f when I had been last at Hampton-court J ?" I re- 
 plied, " It will be on Tuesday come se'nnight." 
 
 * The date of this letter is altered to " Sept. 25, 1G71 f and 
 this remark added, " The two next were written after the day 
 for our marriage was fixed." 
 
 f Altered to Holland." 
 
 X Altered to " Windsor " and the reply in the next line is 
 changed to, " She designs to go with me." 
 
 Pr'ythee
 
 110 SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 Pr'ythee allow me at least to kiss your hand before 
 that day *, that my mind may be in some compo- 
 sure. -j~ Oh Love ! 
 
 A thousand^torments dwell about thee, 
 Yet who would live, to live without thee ? 
 
 Methinks I could write a volume to you ; but all 
 the language on earth would fail in saying how 
 much, and with what disinterested passion, 
 
 I am ever yours, Rich. Steele. 
 
 24. TO MRS. SCURLOCK. 
 
 DEAR CREATURE* 
 
 SEPT. 2, 1707, BETWEEN ONE AND TWO. 
 
 JLjVER since seven this morning I have been in 
 company ; but have stole a moment, to pour out 
 the fulness of my thoughts, and complain to you of 
 the interruption that impertinent amusement called 
 business has given me, amidst my contemplation 
 on the best of women, and the most agreeable ob- 
 ject that ever charmed the heart of man. I am, 
 dearest, loveliest creature, eternally thine, 
 
 Rich. Steele. 
 
 * Altered to " the appointed day." 
 
 f These two words and the following couplet are struck out. 
 
 25. TO
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. U I 
 
 25. TO MRS. SCURLOCK. 
 
 DEAR CREATURE, 
 
 SEPT. 3, 1707, SEVEN IN THE MORNING-*. 
 
 .lN EXT to the influence of Heaven, I am to thank 
 you that I see the returning day with pleasure. To 
 pass my evenings in so sweet a conversation, and 
 have the esteem of a woman of your merit, has in 
 it a particularity of happiness no more to be ex* 
 pressed than returned. But I am, my lovely crea- 
 ture, contented to be on the obliged side, and to 
 employ all my days in new endeavours to convince 
 you, and all the world, of the sense I have of your 
 condescension in choosing, Madam, your most 
 faithful, most obedient humble servant, 
 
 / Rich. Steele. 
 
 T 
 
 26. TO MRS. SCURLOCK. 
 
 lord Sunderland's office, 
 madam, whitehall, sept. 3, i7o7-j-. 
 
 HE young lady, your daughter, told me she 
 had a letter from you of 2 2d instant J, wherein you 
 gave her the highest marks of your affection, and 
 
 * Date changed to " Oct. 23, 1671.'' 
 
 f The date of this letter is altered, from Sept. 3, to Sept. 
 
 so, 1707. 
 
 X Read " the 22d of August." 
 
 anxiety
 
 1 12 SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 anxiety for her welfare, in relation to me. The 
 main prospect on these occasions is that of fortune ; 
 therefore I shall very candidly give you an account 
 of myself as to that particular. My late wife had 
 so extreme a value for me, that she, by fine, con- 
 veyed to me her whole estate, situate in Barbadoes, 
 which, with the stock and slaves (proper securities 
 being given for the payment of the rent), is let for 
 eight hundred and fifty pounds per annum, at half- 
 yearly payments ; that is to say, 425/. each first of 
 May, and 425/. each first of December. This 
 estate came to her incumbered with a debt of 3000/. 
 by legacies and debts of her brother, whose execu- 
 trix she was, as well as heiress. I must confess, it 
 has not been in my power to lessen the incum- 
 brance, by reason of chargeable sicknesses, and not 
 having at that time any employment of profit. But 
 at present, and ever since May last, I have been 
 appointed by the Secretaries of State to write the 
 Gazette, with a salary of 300/. a-year, paying a tax 
 of 45/. lam also gentleman- waiter to his Royal 
 Highness the Prince, with a salary of 100/. a-yeaf, 
 not subject to taxes. 
 
 Thus my whole income is at present gg. s. d. 
 per annum - - 1250 
 
 Deduct the interest of 3000/. 180 1 rt _ _ a 
 
 Taxes for my employment 45 
 
 01 
 5 0J 
 
 Remains after these deductions 1025 
 
 This is, Madam, the present state of my affairs ; 
 and, though this income is so large, I have not 
 taken any regard to lay up any thing further than 
 just what pays the interest abovementioned. If I 
 
 mav
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 113 
 
 may be so happy to obtain your favour, so as we 
 may live together with singleness of mind, I shall 
 readily go into such measures as shall be thought 
 most advisable for our mutual interest; and, if it is 
 thought fit, will sell what I have in the Plantations^ 
 Your daughter acquaints me, there is a demand of 
 1400/. upon your estate, the annual income of which 
 is better than 40o7. per ami. You have now the 
 whole view of both our circumstances before you ; 
 and you see there is foundation for our living in an 
 handsome manner, provided we can be of one mind, 
 without which I could not propose to myself any 
 happiness or blessing, were my circumstances ever 
 so plentiful. I am at a present juncture in my af- 
 fairs, and my friends are in great power ; so that it 
 would be highly necessary for us to be in the figure 
 of life which we shall think convenient to appear in, 
 as soon as may be, that I may prosecute my expec- 
 tations in a busy way while the wind is for me, 
 with just consideration that about, a Court it will not 
 always blow one way. Your coming to town is 
 mightily to be wished. I promise myself the plea- 
 sures of an industrious and virtuous life, in studying 
 to do things agreeable to you. But I will not en- 
 large into professions. I assure you, I shall always 
 contend with you who shall lay the greater obliga- 
 tions on the other ; and I can form to myself no 
 greater satisfaction than having one day your per- 
 mission to subscribe myself, Madam, your most 
 obedient son and most humble servant, R. Steele. 
 Writing is painful to me. 
 
 If you inclose your letters to your daughter, 
 they will come free, " To Richard Steele, 
 Esq. at the Secretary's Office, Whitehall." 
 1
 
 114 , SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 27. TO MRS. SCURLOCK. 
 
 DEAR MISS * MOLLY, SEPT. 4, 1707 -f~. 
 
 A AM loth to interrupt your prayers, or my indis- 
 pensable business, with a long epistle this morning ; 
 therefore forgive me that I only just say, 
 
 I am ever yours, Rich. Steele. 
 
 I shall come at night ; and make all the dispatch 
 here I can, not to be wanted. 
 
 28. TO MRS. SCURLOCK. 
 
 dear madam, sept. 5, 1707. 
 
 JL HE pleasing hope with which my mind is pos- 
 sessed, is too delicate a touch of the soul to be ex- 
 plained ; but it is founded on so solid and lasting 
 motives, that I am sure it will actuate the behaviour 
 of my whole life ; for I do not entertain my imagin- 
 ation with those transports only which are raised 
 by beauty, but fix it also on the satisfactions which 
 flow from the reverence due to virtue. Thus I am 
 not only allured by your person, but convinced by 
 your life, that you are the most amiable of women. 
 Let us go on, my lovely creature, to make our re- 
 gards to each other mutual and unchangeable, that, 
 
 * Miss seems here used as a term of endearment. 
 
 f The date is here altered from Sept. 4, to Sept. 14, 1707. 
 
 while
 
 EPISTOLARY' CORRESPONDENCE. 115 
 
 while the world around us is enchanted with the 
 false satisfactions of vagrant desires, our persons 
 may be shrines to each other, and sacred to conju- 
 gal faith, unreserved confidence, and heavenly so- 
 ciety. While we live after this manner, Angels will 
 be Iso far from being our superiors, that they will 
 be our attendants. Every good being guard my 
 fairest ; and conduct her to that bosom that pants to 
 receive her, and protect her from all the cares and 
 vicissitudes of life with an eternal tenderness ! 
 I am ever most obligedly yours, Rich. Steele. 
 
 29. TO MRS. SCURLOCK. 
 
 MADAM, SATURDAY, SEPT. 6*, I7O7. 
 
 J. AM at a friend's house, where they have given 
 me, as you see, but very ordinary instruments to 
 write with. However, I hope the sincerity of my 
 heart is not to be measured by the dress in which I 
 cloath it. My thoughts hurry upon me, in con- 
 sideration of the approach of the moment in which 
 those fair lips are to give me in one monosyllable 
 more than all the eloquence in the world can ex- 
 press, when you say Yes to the accepting of, 
 Madam, 
 Your most obliged, most grateful, 
 
 most obedient servant, Rich. Steele. 
 
 1 2 30. TO
 
 116 SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 30. TO MRS. SCURLOCK *. 
 
 MADAM, SEPT. 7, I7O7. 
 
 XN obedience to your commands by your daughter, 
 of hearing every post from this town of her health 
 and welfare, I do myself the honour to inform you 
 of it, and humbly desire you would accept of my 
 own duty -j~. 
 
 I hope you have before now received a letter from 
 me, wherein I laid before you at large the state of 
 my affairs ^ ; and that, when we come to be ac- 
 quainted, you will not esteem it a disadvantageous 
 accident that I have the honour of being, 
 Madam, 
 
 Your most obedient son, and most humble servant. 
 
 Rich. Steele. 
 
 31. [TO MRS. STEELE.] 
 
 MADAM, SEPT. . 
 
 1 HOPE your denying what I urged with so much 
 passion, and which I complained of in too vehe- 
 ment a manner, has not been a grief to my tender 
 companion; for, upon reflection this .morning, I 
 
 * To Mrs. Scurlock's mother. t 
 
 f This probably was the wedding-day. 
 J See Letter XXVI. 
 
 The date is altered from Sept. 9, to Sept 11. See Letter 
 XXXIII. and note. 
 
 extremely
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 117 
 
 extremely approve your conduct, and take your be- 
 haviour to proceed from an inclination to come to 
 my arms hallowed by your parent's blessing. I 
 comply with your measures in bringing that happi- 
 ness about, and shall behave myself as if only in- 
 the beginning of a sacred love made at the altar. I 
 promise to myself sincere felicity in a woman that 
 can sacrifice all desires to her duty ; and I assure 
 you, whatever appearance of care and disturbance 
 you may observe now and then in my countenance, 
 it is not the image of spleen, ill-nature, or dissatis- 
 faction, but a strong propensity to make you the 
 happiest of your sex ; which I shall endeavour to 
 do, rather by an industrious ambition to promote 
 your fortune, than by a mere dalliance of , your per- 
 son only, to show a greater regard to the beauty 
 than the wife. 
 
 I beg of you to show my letters to no one living; 
 but let us be contented with one another's thoughts 
 upon our words and actions, without the interven- 
 tion of other people, who cannot judge of so deli- 
 cate a circumstance as the commerce between man 
 and wife. 
 
 I am eternally yours, Rich. Steele. 
 
 Pray write me a line. 
 
 32. TO
 
 11 8 SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 32. [TO MRS. STEELE.] 
 
 MADAM, SEPT. 10, I7O7*. 
 
 JjEING very uneasy when absent from you, I de- 
 sire you would give me leave to take coach and 
 come to your house ; in order to which, pray let 
 Warren be in the way to admit your most obliged 
 humble servant, R. Steele. 
 
 33 f- TO MRS. SCURLOCKJ. 
 
 LORD SUNDERLAND'S OFFICE, 
 MADAM, WHITEHALL, SEPT. 20, 1/0/. 
 
 XjY Tuesday's post I took the liberty to write to 
 you on the most important occasion, and have been 
 in ten thousand anxieties ever since that time, for 
 
 * The date of this letter, which is directed " to Mrs. War- 
 ren," seems to have been altered from Sept. 10, to Sept. IS. 
 
 f Thus directed, To Mrs. Scurlock at her lodgings, Carmar- 
 then, South Wales. See the next note. 
 
 X " It seems to me that the two preceding letters to Mrs. 
 Scurlock's mother (No XXVI. and NXXX.) were not sent ac- 
 cording to their real original dates. Perhaps Miss Scurlock, who 
 probably became Mrs. Steele on the 7th of September 1707, pre- 
 vented these two letters from being dispatched. There appeals 
 to have been an intention, on her part, to have kept her mar- 
 ringe private, and to have abstained from her husband's bed, 
 till her mother came from Caermarthen to her London house 
 in Swallow-street. This supposition throws some bght on the 
 
 letter
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 119 
 
 the reception which that letter is to find. The cir- 
 cumstance is so tender, and my happiness hangs so 
 much upon it, that I could not forbear seconding 
 my first address to you with a second, though, I 
 protest to you, I set pen to paper with as much 
 diffidence as if I had the same passion for yourself 
 as for your daughter. I do not entertain you with 
 an account of my fortune, and those particulars 
 which will naturally be enquired into by a parent, 
 because I doubt not but you have so good an opinion 
 of Mrs. Scurlock's prudence, that you do not believe 
 she would throw herself away. As to your favour 
 to rny pretensions, I hope it upon no other founda- 
 tion, than making it appear to you that, as to your 
 own part in the affair, there is not that man breath- 
 ing that could come into your alliance, who should, 
 in all the offices of life, and peculiar esteem for 
 yourself, exceed the gratitude of, Madam, your most 
 obedient humble servant, Rich. Steele. 
 
 letter marked XXXI. and is countenanced by similar instances 
 of prudery, mentioned in the course of Steele's correspondence. 
 His first letters to his wife are not directed to hex-, but to Mrs. 
 Warren; witness the two following, dated Sept. c 21, and Oct. 6, 
 1707. Steele, it seems, did by no means relish this way of pro- 
 ceeding. It appears from No. XXXI. that he opposed it warmly j 
 and I suspect that he wrote several letters on the subject, which 
 have not escaped the wreck of time and chance. An attention 
 to the dates of the letters about this time confirms me in this 
 opinion. On the 7th of October 1707, Steele went into open 
 rebellion, and directs his letter to his wife, to Mrs. Steele, and 
 persevered in his obstinacy. On the 13th of the same month he 
 begs pardon for every act of rebellion ; but then he seems to have 
 carried his points, or persisted nevertheless. See No. XXXVI. 
 et seq." I owe this note to my good friend Dr. Calder. 
 
 34. TO
 
 120 SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 34. [TO MRS. STEELE.] 
 
 DEAR CREATURE, SEPT. 21, I7O7. 
 
 X OUR letter gave me a great deal of satisfaction. 
 "I hasten my business *, to see you early in the 
 evening. In the mean time, I recommend myself 
 to your prayers and kind thoughts ; and am ever 
 vours, Rich. Steele. 
 
 35. [TO MRS. STEELE.] 
 
 DEAR CREATURE, OCT. 6, I7O7. 
 
 1 WRITE to tell you beforehand, that I am not 
 in a very good humour ; but all shall vanish at her 
 sight whom Providence has given me for the banish- 
 ment of care, and the improvement of delight to 
 your most obliged husband, and most humble 
 servant, Rich. Steele. 
 
 * The author of " The Muses .Mercury for September 1707," 
 speaking of the New Plays then preparing for the Theatre, says, 
 " As for Comedies, there is no great expectation of any thing of 
 that kind since Mr. Farquhar's death ; the two gentlemen, who 
 would probably always succeed in the comic vein, Mr. Congreve 
 and ( aptain Steele, having affairs of Orach greater importance to 
 take up their time and thoughts. In the same month's Mercury 
 js '* A Prologue to the University of Oxford by Captain Steele." 
 
 36. TO
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 121 
 
 36. TO MRS. STEELE *. 
 
 MY DEAR, OCT. 7, I7O7. 
 
 v^OUSIN PEN is much in the same conditiori 
 we left her last night. I am going with great chear- 
 fulness and industry about my business to-day, in 
 order to pass my time hereafter, without interrup- 
 tion, with the most agreeable creature living, which 
 you are to the most obliged man living. 
 
 Your obedient husband, Rich. Steele. 
 
 37. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 MY LOVED CREATURE, r OCT. 7, I7O7. 
 
 1 WRITE this only to bid you good-night, and 
 assure you of my diligence in the matter I told you 
 of. 
 
 You may assure yourself, I value you according to 
 your merit ; which is saying that you have my 
 heart, by all the ties of beauty, virtue, good-nature, 
 and friendship. I find, by the progress I have 
 made to-night, that I shall do my business effectu- 
 ally in two days time. Write me word you are in 
 
 * This is the first letter so directed. The former ones are 
 either to Mr*. Scurlock, or Mrs. Warren, or without any address. 
 
 good-
 
 Ill SIR RICHARD STEELE 'f 
 
 good-humour, which will be the highest pleasure to 
 your obliged husband, Rich. Steele. 
 
 I shall want some linen from your house to-mor- 
 row. 
 
 38. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 MY DEAR WIFE, OCT. 8, l/OJ. 
 
 X OU were not, I am sure, awake so soon as I 
 was for you, and desired the blessing of God upon 
 you. After that first duty, my next is, to let you 
 know I am in health this morning, which I know 
 you are solicitous for. I believe it would not be 
 amiss if, some time this afternoon, you took a coach 
 or chair, and went to see an house next door to 
 I^ady Bulkley's, towards St. James's-street, which 
 is to be let. Ihave a solid reason for quickening 
 my diligence in all affairs of the world ; which is, 
 that you are my partaker in them, and will make 
 me labour more than any incitation of ambition or 
 wealth could do. After I have implored the help 
 of Providence, I will have no motive to my actions 
 but the love of the best creature living, to whom I 
 am an obedient husband, Rich. Steele. 
 
 39- A
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 123 
 
 S9- A PRAYER *. 
 
 v_/H, Almighty Lord God, who hast been pleased, 
 out of thy righteous mercy and careful providence, 
 to place us two in the state of marriage, according 
 to thy own institution and guidance of the first 
 mortals ; grant, we beseech Thee, that we may 
 live in that state with mutual love, and endeavour 
 to accommodate ourselves to each other's just de- 
 sires and satisfactions ; that we may be a mutual 
 help in all the vicissitudes of life through which 
 Thou hast designed us to pass, in such manner as 
 we may contribute to each other's virtue in this 
 world, and salvation in that which is to come. Pro- 
 tect us, oh Lord most mighty ; bless us, oh merci- 
 ful Father ; and redeem us, oh holy Saviour. 
 Guard our paths from error, and keep our eyes 
 from introducing wandering desires ; but grant such 
 peace and tranquillity of mind, and such a steady 
 course of virtue and piety, that we may be at thy 
 altar never-failing communicants ; and, by a wor- 
 thy receipt of the elements representing thy meri- 
 torious passion, we may through that be partakers 
 of eternal life ; which permit us to beseech of Thee 
 in the words which thou hast taught us : 
 " Our Father," &c. 
 
 * This and the subsequent instance of our Author's piety, 
 written soon after his marriage to his second wife, are offered to 
 - the reader without one word by way of comment. 
 
 40. ANO-
 
 124 SIR RICHARD STKELE 9 
 
 40. ANOTHER PRAYER. 
 
 ALMIGHTY GOD, who, of thy infinite good- 
 ness and mercy didst create, and dost preserve all 
 things both in Heaven and earth ; look down with 
 an eye of mercy on us, whom thy good providence 
 has ordained to live together in holy matrimony. 
 Grant, oh God, that no allurement, passion, jea- 
 lousy, plenty, or want, may so far transport us, 
 as to make us forget a sacred vow, made to each 
 other, and before thee. Let us, oh Lord, with a 
 lively, chearful, and habitual sense of such our ob- 
 ligation, check the first motives to anger and dis- 
 tress ; and cherish all, and omit none the least in- 
 stances of tenderness and good-will: so shall we 
 enjoy and pass through this human transient life, 
 in a daily preparation for one that is celestial and 
 eternal ; not regarding posterity so as to forget eter- 
 nity ; yet believing it is not displeasing in thy sight, 
 that in our way to a certain and unchangeable being, 
 we neglect not a provision for such, as thou may'st 
 make us instruments to introduce into one that 
 is various and uncertain. This, and whatever else 
 thy omnipresent wisdom sees necessary for us, with 
 relation to ourselves and the whole race of mankind, 
 we beseech thee, oh Father of all things, bestow 
 upon us. All which we beg in the name, and 
 through the mediation of Jesus Christ, who hath 
 taught us, in a perfect, and an unblameable' man- 
 ner to approach thee, saying, 
 '' Our Father," &o. 
 
 41. TO
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 125 
 
 41. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR MADAM, , OCT. 8, lJOJ. 
 
 JL COULD not forbear letting you know, that I 
 have received letters this moment from Barbados, 
 which will facilitate my business ; so natural is it 
 that all things must grow better by your conde- 
 scending to be partner to your most obliged hus- 
 band, and most humble servant, Rich. Steele. 
 
 42. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR MADAM, 
 
 MONDAY MORNING, OCT. 1$, I7O7. 
 
 JL HIS comes to beg your pardon for every act of 
 rebellion I have ever committed against you, and 
 to subscribe myself in an error for being impatient 
 of your kind concern in interesting yourself with so 
 much affection in all which relates to me. I do 
 not question but your prudence will be a lasting 
 honour and advantage to me in all the occurrences 
 of my life ; the chief happiness in it is, that I have 
 the honour of being, your most obliged husband, 
 and most humble servant, Rich. Steele. 
 
 43- MRS,
 
 \26 SIR RICHARD STEELE^ 
 
 43. MRS. STEELE TO HER HUSBAND. 
 
 IT is but an addition to our uneasiness to be at va- 
 riance with each other. I beg your pardon if I 
 have offended you. God forgive you for adding to 
 the sorrow of an heavy heart, that is above all sor- 
 row but for your sake. 
 
 44. MRS. STEELE TO HER HUSBAND. 
 
 x\.H ! Dick Steele, that I were sure 
 Your love, like mine, would still endure ; 
 That time, nor absence, which destroys 
 The cares of lovers, and their joys, 
 May never rob me of that part 
 Which you have given of your heart : 
 Others unenvy'd may possess 
 Whatever they think happiness. 
 Grant this, O God, my great request ; 
 In his dear arms may I for ever rest ! 
 
 45. TO
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 127 
 
 45- TO MRS. SCURLOCK. 
 
 HONOURED MOTHER, OCT. 14, I7O7, 
 
 X AM very sorry to find, by Mr. Scurlock's letter, 
 that you keep your bed ; which makes me almost 
 in despair of seeing you so soon as I promised my- 
 self. 
 
 I have taken an house in Berry-street, St. James's, 
 and beg your leave to remove your goods thither ; 
 where I hope we shall live all together in the 
 strictest love and friendship. Whatever better pro- 
 spects your daughter might well have given herself, 
 from her great merit and good qualities ; I shall take 
 care to have it said, that she could not have married 
 more advantageously with regard to her mother, 
 who shall always find me her most obedient son, 
 and most humble servant, Rich. Steele. 
 
 Your daughter gives her duty to you. 
 
 46. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 dearest being on earth, oct. 16*, 1707. 
 
 JT ARDON me if you do not see me till eleven 
 o'clock, having met a schoolfellow from India, by 
 whom I am to be informed in things this night 
 which extremely concern your obedient husband, 
 
 Rich. Steele. 
 
 47- TO
 
 128 SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 47- TO MRS. STEELE, WITH SPEED. 
 
 MY DEAR, OCT. 22, IJOJ. 
 
 X RAY send word where your landlord of the 
 house in Swallow street lives, that my friend Col. 
 Borr may treat with him for the house. 
 
 Your obedient husband, Rich. Steele. 
 
 48. TO MRS. STEELE*. 
 
 EIGHT O'CLOCK, FOUNTAIN 
 MY DEAR, TAVERN, OCT. 22, I7O7. 
 
 J. BEG of you not to be uneasy ; for I have done a 
 great deal of business to-day very successfully, and 
 Wait an hour or two about my Gazette. 
 
 Your obliged husband, Rich. Steele. 
 
 49. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 CHARING-CROSS, ALMOST THREE IN 
 MY DEAR, THE AFTERNOON, OCT. 28, 1 707. 
 
 X HAVE been detained all this morning soliciting 
 some business between the Treasury and our Office ; 
 
 * At Mrs. Scurlock's, last house, right-hand, in Swallow- 
 street. 
 
 and
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 12<) 
 
 and my boy slipping out of the way, I have not 
 had any one to send that you might not stay din- 
 ner. Mr. Addison does not remove till to-morrow ; 
 therefore I cannot think of moving my goods out of 
 his lodgings. I am come to a tavern alone to eat a 
 steak, after which I shall return to the Office, whi- 
 ther I desire you would send Will. I am, with the 
 most tender affection, your obedient husband, 
 
 Rich. Steele. 
 . Send by Will the receipt. 
 
 50. TO MRS. SCURLOCK. 
 
 LORD SUNDERLAND'S OFFICE, 
 HONOURED MADAM, OCT. 28, I7O7. 
 
 X WAS very glad to find last post that my wife 
 had a letter, which informed her of the amendment 
 of your health. She tells me there is, at the same 
 time, a message sent her, that my hand is required 
 for the payment of some money in the country. I 
 accordingly inclose such a direction ; and, in any 
 thing that it may be necessary to have my concur- 
 rence, you have it without reserve ; for I sincerely 
 rely upon your prudence and goodness, both in 
 acting for me, and in favour to me. If you think 
 it convenient that I do this in a more formal way, 
 be pleased to command, Madam, your most obedient 
 son, and most humble servant, Rich. Steele. 
 
 k 51. TO
 
 130 SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 51. TO MRS. SCURLOCK. 
 
 , HONOURED MADAM, NOV. 4, I7O7. 
 
 A AM sorry your indisposition continues, and 
 keeps you in the country ; I have myself been un- 
 der a very severe illness for some days, but- am now 
 almost recovered. This is my wife's birth-day *, 
 and I am come down-stairs to celebrate it with as 
 much good-humour as my present health will per- 
 mit. Your health is not omitted hi our chearful 
 moments, and your company will extremely im- 
 prove them. I am, Madam, your most obedient 
 son, and most humble servant, Rich. Steele. 
 
 Your daughter has been very ill till this day. 
 She gives her duty. 
 
 52, TO MRS. SCURLOCK. 
 
 HONOURED MADAM, NOV. 1$, I7O7. 
 
 1 AM very glad to hear, by uncle Scurlock's last 
 
 letters, that you have taken-in you* horses in order 
 
 to your journey. Since my last to you, I have had 
 
 an affliction which was perfectly new to me ; a fit 
 
 of the gout. I am a little awkward at my crutches, 
 
 and have been not so patient as longer experience of 
 
 this sort of evil usually makes us. Our new house 
 
 * 
 
 * See Letter I. note 1. 
 
 will
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE* 13 1 
 
 will be ready for our goods next week ; and, as 
 soon as it is so, we will remove to it. I am out of 
 pain, though I cannot stir ; in the mean while your 
 daughter is dancing at the other end of the room. 
 She gives her duty to you. 
 
 I am extremely obliged to my uncle Scurlock for 
 his kind present, which will be in town to-morrow 
 night. 
 
 I am, Madam, your most obedient son, and most 
 humble servant, Rich. Steele. 
 
 53- TO MRS. SCURLOCK. 
 
 lord Sunderland's office, 
 honoured madam, nov. 20, l/oj. 
 
 1VJ.Y wife shewed me a letter of the 15th from 
 Mrs. Pugh, wherein there are the general com- 
 plaints under which every body at present is sigh- 
 ing, whose concerns are wholly in land. Chearful 
 and ingenuous tempers may agree so well, and con- 
 cert their affairs in such a manner, as to make all 
 things easy. I extremely long to see you ; and 
 hope to be on my legs to receive you, when I first do 
 myself the honour of kneeling to you, and telling 
 how much I am, Madam, your most obedient son, 
 and most humble servant, Rich. Steele. 
 
 My absolute Governess gives her duty to you. 
 
 k 2 54. TO
 
 132 SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 54. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR RULER, DEC. 8, I7O7. 
 
 JL CANNOT wait upon you to-day to Hampton- 
 Court. I have the West-Indian business on my 
 hands *, and find very much to be done before 
 Thursday's post. I shall dine at our table at Court, 
 where the bearer knows how to come to me with 
 any orders for your obedient husband, and most 
 humble servant, Rich. Steele. 
 
 My duty to my mother. 
 
 55. TO MRS. STEELE f. 
 
 MY DEAR, DEAR WIFE, DEC. 22, I7O7. 
 
 X WRITE to let you know I do not come home 
 to dinner, being obliged to attend some business 
 abroad, of which I shall give you an account (when 
 I see you in the evening), as becomes your dutiful 
 and obedient husband, Rich. Steele. 
 
 * The plantation in Barbados, left to Steele by his first wife, 
 f " At her house, 3d door from Germain-street, left hand in 
 Berry-street. 
 
 56. TO
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 133 
 
 56*. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEVIL TAVERN, TEMPLE-BAR, 
 DEAR PRUE, JAN. 3, I7O7-8. 
 
 J. HAVE partly succeeded in my business to-day, 
 and inclose two guineas as earnest of more. Dear 
 Prue, I cannot come home to dinner. I languish 
 for your welfare, and will never be a moment care- 
 less more. 
 
 Your faithful husband, Rich. Steele. 
 
 Send me word you have received this. 
 
 57. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, 11 AT NIGHT, JAN. 5, I7O7-8. 
 
 A WAS going home two hours ago, but was met 
 by Mr. Griffith, who has kept me ever since meet- 
 ing me as he came from Mr. Lambert's. I will 
 come within a pint of wine. Rich. Steele. 
 
 We drink your heaith, and Mr. Griffith is your 
 sei*vant. 
 
 58. TO
 
 134 SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 58. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR WIFE, JAN. 14, I7O7-8. 
 
 1VJ.R. Edgecomb, Ned Ash, and Mr. Lumley, 
 have desired me to sit an hour with them at the 
 George in Pali-Mall, for which I desire your pa- 
 tience till twelve o'clock, and that you will go to- 
 bed. I am ever thine, Rich. Steele. 
 
 59- TO MRS. STEELE *. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, GRAY'S-INN, FEB. 3, I708. 
 
 J.F the man who has my shoemaker's bill calls, let 
 him be answered, that I shall call on him as I come 
 home. I stay here in order to get Tonson -j~ to 
 discount a bill for me, and shall dine with him for 
 that end. He is expected at home every minute. 
 Your most humble, obedient husband, R. Steele. 
 
 60. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR WIFE, FEB. 11, I7O7-8. 
 
 JlJ AVING your absolute commands to make an 
 end to-day, I stay to dine with Mr. Try on in order 
 
 * " Third door, right-hand, Berry-street." 
 
 -}- The bookseller, who then lived in Grays-Inn. 
 
 there-
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 135 
 
 thereunto *. I will be at home early, and desire 
 you would make much of yourself, which is the 
 greatest favour you can do your affectionate husband, 
 and dutiful servant, Rich. Steele. 
 
 61* TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR, DEAR PRUE, APR. 9, i;tf6. 
 
 x HAVE sent Dawson thirty pounds, and will 
 not rest till I have enough to discharge her. In 
 the mean time I thought fit to let you know this, 
 that you may see I cannot forbear making you ac- 
 quainted with any thing that concerns us, without 
 your asking. Yours ever, Rich. Steele. 
 
 62. TO MRS. STEELE f. 
 
 tennis-court coffee-house, 
 dear wife, may 5, i7o8. 
 
 JL HOPE I have done this day what will be plea- 
 sing to you ; in the mean time shall lie this night 
 at a barber's, one Leg, over-against the Devil tavern 
 at Charing-cross. I shall be able to confront the 
 
 * This refers to the business of the plantation in Barbados, 
 f " At her house, the last house but two on the left-hand, 
 Berry-street, St. James's." 
 
 fools
 
 136 SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 fools who wish me uneasy, and shall have the satis- 
 faction to see thee chearful and at ease. 
 
 If the printers boy be at home, send him hither ; 
 and let Mrs. Todd send by the boy my night-gown, 
 slippers, and clean-linen. You shall hear from me 
 early in the morning. Rich. Steele, 
 
 63. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR TRUE, MAY 10, l/08. 
 
 X DINE at the Gentleman-ushers table at St. 
 James's. I have done a great deal of business this 
 morning. Pray send Richard to me as soon as he 
 Jias dined. Yours ever, Rich. Steele. 
 
 64. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 lord sunderland's office, 
 dear prue, may 10, i70s, 11 o'clock. 
 
 1 DESIRE of you to get the coach and yourself 
 ready as soon as you can conveniently, and call for 
 me here, from whence we will go and spend some 
 time together in the fresh air in free conference. 
 Let my best periwig be put in the coach-box, and 
 my new shoes, for it is a comfort to be well-dressed 
 
 in
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 137 
 
 in agreeable company. You are vital life to your 
 obliged, affectionate husband, and humble servant, 
 
 Rich. Steele. 
 
 TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 ST. JAMES'S, GENTLEMAN-USHER'S TABLE, 
 MY DEAR PRUEj MAY 24, lJOS. 
 
 X CANNOT dine at home, but am in haste to 
 speak with one about business of moment. Dear 
 Prue, be chearful, for I am in pursuit of what will 
 be good news to you. I am, your most affection- 
 ate, obliged husband, Rich. Steele. 
 Think of going with me in the afternoon. 
 
 66. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 lord Sunderland's office, 
 dear prue, may 24, 1708. 
 
 1 BEG the favour of you to put my night-gown, 
 slippers, a clean shirt, and cravat, into the coach- 
 box, and make my apology to my mother for stay- 
 ing out to-night. We shall be back to-morrow 
 evening. To-morrow shall be spent in free confer- 
 ence between you and me at Mrs. Bradshaw's. Give 
 strict orders to Mrs. Watts about her care and 
 
 attendance
 
 138 sir richard Steele's 
 
 attendance on my mother. I am taking pains in 
 removing into my new office. 
 
 I am your most obedient husband, R. Steele. 
 I love the country most mightily, indeed I do ; so 
 you say, so I think. 
 
 Who are you ? 
 I am true. 
 
 6*7. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, JUNE 1, [I7O8.] 
 
 1 SHALL be at the office exactly at seven, in 
 hopes of seeing the beautifullest object that can pre- 
 sent itself to my eyes your fair self. Pray be well 
 dressed. 
 
 Your obedient servant, and affectionate husband,' 
 
 Rich. Steele. 
 
 We shall stay in town. 
 
 68. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, JUNE 5, I7O8. 
 
 W HAT you would have me do I know not. All 
 that my fortune will compass you shall always en- 
 joy ; and have nobody near you that you do not like, 
 except I am myself disapproved by you for being 
 devotedly your obedient husband, Rich. Steele. 
 I shall not come home till night. 
 
 69. TO
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. ,S^39 
 
 69. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, JUNE J, I7O8. 
 
 1 INCLOSE to you a guinea for your pocket. I 
 dine with Lord Halifax. 
 
 I wish I knew how to court you into good-hu- 
 mour.; for two or three quarrels more will dispatch 
 me quite. If you have any love for me, believe I 
 am always pursuing our mutual good. Pray con- 
 sider that all my little fortune is to [be] settled this 
 month, and that I have inadvertently made myself 
 liable to impatient people, who take all advantages. 
 If you have [not] patience, I shall transact my 
 business rashly, and lose a very great sum to 
 quicken the time of your being rid of all people you 
 do not like. 
 
 Yours ever, Rich. Steele. 
 
 70. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, JUNE 11, I7O8. 
 
 1 CANNOT dine with you to-day ; but shall, I 
 hope, be able to wait upon you at five o'clock, or a 
 little after. 
 
 Your most obedient husband, Rich. Steele. 
 
 71. TO
 
 140^ SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 71. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, ST. JAMES'S, JUNE 20, 6 O'CLOCK. 
 
 iVlY Lord Sunderland has ordered me to wait 
 here at Council, therefore cannot tell when I shall 
 he released ; as soon as I am, I will come home. 
 Yours ever, Rich. Steele. 
 
 72. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR WIFE, AUG. 11, I70S. 
 
 JL HAVE ordered Richard to take your directions, 
 whether you will have the chariot with two or four 
 horses to set you and your friend down at your 
 house at Hampton-Court *. Watts is gone over 
 the water, and says she has your commands to fol- 
 low in the stage-coach. I shall make it the busi- 
 ness of my life to make you easy and happy. Con- 
 sult your cool thoughts, and you will know that it 
 is the glory of a woman to be her husband's friend 
 and companion, and not his sovereign director. 
 
 I am, with truth, sincerity, and tenderness, ever 
 your faithful husband, Rich. Steele. 
 
 Pra}' let the gardener put the place in order. 
 
 * This house is not mentioned in any of the former Letters ; 
 but see p. 142. Steele seems to have taken possession of it 
 some time between June 11, and Aug. 11, 1708. 
 
 73. TO
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. HI 
 
 73. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 MADAM, AUG. 12, I708. 
 
 X HAVE your letter, wherein you let me know, 
 that the little dispute we have had is far from being 
 a trouble to you ; nevertheless, I assure you, anv 
 disturbance between us is the greatest affliction to 
 me imaginable. You talk of the judgement of the 
 world ; I shall never govern my actions by it, but 
 by the rules of morality and right reason. I love 
 you better than the light of my eyes, or the life- 
 blood in my heart ; but, when I have let you know 
 that, you are also to understand, that neither my 
 sight shall be so far inchanted, or my affection so 
 much master of me, as to make me forget our com- 
 mon interest. To attend my business as I ought, 
 and improve my fortune, it is necessary that my 
 time and my will should be under no direction but 
 my own. Pray give my most humble service to 
 Mrs. Binns. I write all this, rather to explain my 
 own thoughts to you than answer your letter dis- 
 tinctly. I inclose it to you, that, upon second 
 thoughts, you may see the disrespectful manner in 
 which you treat your affectionate, faithful husband, 
 
 Rich. Steele, 
 
 74. TO
 
 142 SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 74. TO MRS. STEELE *. 
 
 MADAM, AUG. 13, 1708.- 
 
 X HOPE this will find you in good health, as I 
 am at this present writing, thanks be to God for it. 
 I have not only rebelled against you, but all the 
 rest of my governors, from yourself, whom I ac- 
 knowledge to have the right of partnership, to the 
 lowest person who had to do with me. I have a 
 very just sense of your merit ; and think, when I 
 have put you into the proper methods which you 
 ought to follow, I shall be the happiest man living 
 in being your most affectionate husband, and hum- 
 ble servant, Rich. Steele. 
 
 75. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 4 IN THE AFTERNOON. 
 DEAR PRUE, AUG. 13, I708. 
 
 X SEND you some tea, which I doubt not but 
 you will find is very good. I am your very affec- 
 tionate husband, and most humble servant, 
 
 Rich. Steele. 
 This is my second letter to-day. 
 
 * Directed " To Mrs. Steele, at her house in the Wick, near 
 Hampton Court." Steele was still at this house when he dedicated 
 the fourth volume of the Tatler to Lord Halifax from the Hovel 
 at Hampton-wick. See the Letters dated Aug. 28, 1708, April 7, 
 171L 
 
 76. TO
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 143 
 
 76. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, MONDAY MORNING;, AUG. l6*, l/OS. 
 
 1 HOPE you have composed your mind, and are 
 convinced that the methods I have taken were abso- 
 lutely necessary for our mutual good. I do assure 
 you, there is not that thing on earth, except my 
 honour, and that dignity which every man who 
 lives in the world must preserve to himself, which 
 I am not ready to sacrifice to your will and inclina- 
 tion. 
 
 I dined yesterday with my Lord Halifax, where 
 the beauties in the garden were drunk to. I have 
 settled a great deal of business within these few 
 days, of all which I will give you an account when 
 we meet. I am with the most sincere affection, 
 your obliged husband, Rich. Steele. 
 
 I sent you some tea on Friday last. My most 
 humble service to Mrs. Binnsr. 
 
 77. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, AUG. l8, I7O8. 
 
 I HAVE your letter; and all the great severity 
 you complain of is, that you have a husband who 
 loves you better than his life, who has a great deal 
 of troublesome business, out of the [fatigue] of 
 
 which
 
 144 SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 which he removes the dearest thing alive. Yours 
 faithfully, in spite of yourself, Rich. Steele. 
 
 78. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, AUG. 20, I7O8. 
 
 A OURS by penny-post came to my hands but 
 just now. You extremely mistake me, in believing 
 me capable of any cruelty or unkindness to you. I 
 scorn that any man living should have more honour 
 and regard to his wife than myself. You speak 
 with heat to me ; but I will not answer you in that 
 style, but make it my utmost aim to make you 
 easy and happy, to which you * nothing but doing 
 me the justice to believe me, with all the attention 
 imaginable, 
 
 Your faithful husband, Rich. Steele. 
 
 I have paid Mr. Addison the whole thousand 
 pound -j~ ; and have settled every man's payment 
 except one, which I hope to perfect to-morrow. 
 Desmaiseaux J is gone to the Bath for his health. 
 
 * So the Original. 
 
 f See the Letter to Lord Halifax, April 7, 17 H. 
 
 J Peter Desmaiseaux, secretary of the Royal Society of Lon- 
 don, was the son of a French Protestant minister, and born at 
 Auvergne in 1666. He retired early, probably as a refugee, 
 into England 3 and died there in 1745. He had intimate con- 
 nexions with St. Evremond and Bayle. He gave a handsome 
 edition of the works of the former, in 3 vols. 4to, with a life of 
 the author prefixed : and he drew up the life of the latter, which 
 xfas printed before the edition of his " Dictionary" in 1730, 
 and separately at the Hague, 1732;, 2 vols. 12mo. He published 
 
 also,
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 145 
 
 I inclose a guinea and a half, and will send more 
 to-morrbw or Monday, if I do not come myself. 
 I am Mrs. Binns' servant. 
 
 1 
 
 70. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, AUG. 21, I708. 
 
 HOPE this will find you in good health, as I 
 am at this present writing. I design when I come 
 down to let Kerwin ride your little horse to Hamp- 
 ton-Court, where I think to leave hirn at grass ; for 
 he costs jfo;e shillings a-week in town. 
 
 There is no manner of news in town : and I send 
 this with out any other business than to repeat to 
 you that I am your affectionate faithful husband, and 
 most humble servant, Rich. Steele. 
 
 80. TO MRS. STEELE, 
 
 DEAR PRUE, AUG. 23, I708. 
 
 1 HAVE your letter, and will take care to do as ypii 
 desire in every particular of it. I hope' in the mean 
 
 also, the same year, the " Miscellaneous Works of Bayle," in 4 
 volumes, folio. He was the editor of other things ; and whatever 
 he published, he always accompanied with remarks, full of li- 
 terary anecdotes. He was very exact and curious in his ac- 
 counts ; but somewhat prolix and tedious, by running out into 
 tpp ,8vuch detail and minute discwsicx**. 
 
 i tim^
 
 146 SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 time, the cook's husband may go of errands till the 
 servant eomes down. 
 
 I am your affectionate and faithful husband, 
 
 Rich. Steele. 
 
 My most humble service to Mrs. Binns. 
 
 81. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, AUG. 28, 170S. 
 
 J. HE afternoon coach shall bring you ten pounds. 
 Your letter shews you are passionately in love 
 with me. But we must take our portion of life as 
 it runs, without repining ; and I consider that good- 
 nature, added to that beautiful form God has given 
 you, would make an happiness too great for human 
 life. 
 
 Your most obliged husband, and most humble 
 servant, Rich. Steele. 
 
 82. TO MRS. STEELE*. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, AUG. 28, I7O8. 
 
 J. SEND you with this ten pounds; and should 
 come to see you, as ungodly as you are, but that a 
 mail is every moment expected, as you may gather 
 
 W * <' At her house in Hampton-wick, with ten pounds. Car- 
 riage paid, U. n 
 
 from
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 147 
 
 from reading the last Gazette, which I inclose ; and 
 am, dear, dear Prue, sincerely. 
 
 Your fond husband^ Rich. Steele. 
 
 83. TG MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR PRUEj AUG. 30, I7O8. 
 
 A SENT ten pounds by the afternoon coach of 
 Saturday, and hope you received it safe. The 
 manner in which you write to me might perhaps to 
 another look like neglect and want of love ; but I 
 will not understand it so, but take it to be only the 
 uneasiness of a doating fondness, which cannot bear 
 my absence without disdain. 
 
 I hope we shall never be so long asunder more ; 
 for it is not in your power to make me otherwise 
 than your affectionate, faithful, and tender husband, 
 
 Rich. Steele. 
 
 84. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, WHITEHALL, SEPT. 4, 1708. 
 
 JL OU will receive by Watts some wine. I had 
 not the good fortune to see her, because I lay last 
 night at Addison'^, and she was in haste for fear of 
 
 L 2 losing
 
 14$ SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 losing her tide to-day, therefore could not stay till 
 I came to the Office out of the City. 
 
 I did not receive your letter writ on Sunday till 
 Wednesday night. You may think what you please ; 
 but I know you have the best husband in the world 
 in your most affectionate, faithful, humble servant, 
 
 Rich. Steele. 
 
 85* TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, SEPT. 8, I708. 
 
 2, AFTERNOON, SANDY-END. 
 
 .HAVING reached London about eleven, dis- 
 patched what was further necessary after what 
 papers Mr. Addison had before sent to the press, I 
 am just now arrived here to dinner. You desire 
 me to make submissions in my epistles, which I 
 think is not to be insisted upon ; but, if acknow- 
 ledgements will satisfy you, I cannot but own to 
 you, what you too well know, that you have a 
 power almost sovereign over your most enamoured 
 husband, and humble servant, Rich. Steele. 
 
 Mr. Addison is your humble servant. 
 
 86. TO
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 149 
 
 S6\ TO MRS. STEELE.. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, 
 
 7 IN THE MORNING, SEPT, 9, 1708. 
 
 AM going this morning to visit Mr. Sartr * at 
 his country-house, to which place Mr. Addison 
 conveys me in a coach and four. 
 
 Mr. Clay-{~, who is now at Thistleworth, will 
 not be in town till to-morrow ; and I want to con- 
 sult him in some dispatches I am making for the 
 West-Indies. 
 
 I am Mrs. Binns's humble servant; and your 
 most affectionate, obedient husband, 
 
 Rich. Steele. 
 
 My service to Ally. 
 
 * James Sartre", M. A. formerly a minister at Montpelier, and 
 prebendary of Westminster, from May 17, 1688, till his death, 
 Sept. 5, 1713. Swift, in his Journal to Stella, Oct. 25, 1710, 
 says, " I dined to-day with Mr. Addison and Steele, and a sister 
 of Mr. Addison, who is married to one Mons. Sartre, a French- 
 man, prebendary of Westminster, who has a delicious house 
 and gardens ; yet I thought it was a sort of monastic life in 
 those cloisters, and I liked Laracor better. Addison's sister is 
 a sort of wit, very like him. I was not fond of her." This 
 lady was afterwards married to Daniel Combs, esq. 
 
 f Afterwards one of Steele's literary coadjutors. See the 
 Tatler, N 83, and notes. 
 
 87. TO
 
 ISO sir Richard Steele's 
 
 87. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, SEPT. 1$, I708. 
 
 1 WRITE to you in obedience to what you or- 
 dered me ; but there are not words to express the 
 tenderness I have for you. Love is too harsh a 
 word for it ; but, if you knew how my heart akes 
 when you speak an unkind word to me, and springs 
 with joy when you smile upon me, I am sure you 
 would place your glory rather in preserving my 
 happiness like a good wife, than tormenting me 
 like a peevish beauty. Good Prue, write me word 
 you shall be overjoyed at my return to you ; and 
 pity the awkward figure I make when I pretend to 
 resist you, by complying always with the reason- 
 able demands of your enamoured husband. 
 
 Rich. Steele, 
 P. S. I am Mrs. Binns's servant.. 
 
 88. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 dear prue, sept. J4> 170S. 
 
 X FEAR I shall not be so happy as to see you till 
 Thursday, having some business which keeps me 
 in town. I shall to-day visit my mother, in order 
 to discourse about proper methods for paying off, 
 or laying the debt on your estate into one hand. I 
 hope God will bless my sincere endeavours, so as 
 
 that
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 15 1 
 
 that we may live without the cares of this life, with 
 a cheerful prospect of a better. It is in no one's 
 power but Prue's to make me constant in such a 
 regular course. Therefore will not doubt but you 
 will be very good-humoured, and be a constant 
 feast to your affectionate husband, Rich. Steele. 
 My obedient service to Mrs. Binns. 
 
 89. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR PRVE, 
 
 5 IN THE EVENING, SEPT. 10, I708. 
 
 I SEND you seven-pennyworth of walnuts at five 
 a penny ; which is the greatest proof I can give you 
 at present of my being, with my whole heart, 
 
 Yours, Rich. Steele. 
 
 f he little horse comes back with the boy, who 
 returns with him for me on Wednesday evening ; 
 in the mean time, I believe, it will be well that he 
 runs in the Park. 
 
 I am Mrs. Binns's servant. 
 
 Since I writ this, I came to the place where the 
 boy was ordered with the horses ; and, not finding 
 him, sent this bearer, lest you should be in fears, 
 the boy not returning. 
 
 P. S. There are but 29 walnuts. 
 
 ,90. TO
 
 l5'2 SIR RICHARD STEELE^ 
 
 90. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 
 DEAR PRUE, SEPT. 20, I7O8. 
 
 lF a servant I sent last night got to Hampton- 
 court, you received 29 walnuts and a letter from 
 me. I inclose the Gazette ; and am, with all my 
 soul, --___ 
 
 Your passionate lover, and faithful husband, 
 
 Rich. Steele. 
 
 Since I writ the above, I have found half an hun- 
 dred more of walnuts, which I send herewith. 
 
 My service to Binns. 
 
 91. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 E>EAR, DEAR PRUE, SEPT. 21, I70S. 
 
 X OUR pretty letter, with so much good-nature 
 and kindness, which I received yesterday, is a per- 
 fect pleasure to me. I am at present very much 
 out of humour upon another account, Tryon having 
 put off the payment of my 800/. which I ought to 
 have received yesterday, till further time. But I 
 hope, when Mr. Clay comes to town to-morrow, he 
 will see me justified. 
 
 I am, with the tenderest affection, 
 
 Ever yours, Rich. Steele. 
 
 92. TO
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 1$$ 
 
 92. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, SANDY-END, SEPT. 22, 1708. 
 
 ,/jLFTER being very busy all this day, I am come 
 hither to dinner with Mr. Addison and Mr. Clay, 
 who are your servants ; and I take this time from 
 eating, while others are busy at it at the table. 
 Yours, yours, ever, ever, Rich. Steele. 
 
 9S- TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 MONDAY, 7 AT NIGHT, 
 DEAR PRUE, SEPT. 27, I7O8. 
 
 A OU see that you are obeyed in every thing, and 
 that I write over-night for the day following. I 
 shall now in earnest, by Mr. Clay's good conduct, 
 manage my business with that method as shall 
 make me easy. The news, I am told, you had 
 last night, of the taking of Lille, does not prove 
 true ; but I hope we shall have it soon. I shall 
 send by to-morrow's coach. 
 
 I am, dear Prue, a little in drink, but at all times 
 your faithful husband, Rich. Steele. 
 
 94. TO
 
 154 SIR RICHARD STEELE^ 
 
 94. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 secretary's office, 
 between 6 and j at night, 
 dear f-rue, sept. 28, 1708. 
 
 1 THOUGHT it better to inclose this thus, than 
 to direct so small a sum to you. I have but half as 
 much left in my pocket ; but shall b,e nmch richer, 
 n Thursday morning. 
 
 My dear wife, it is not to be imagined by you 
 the tender akings my heart is frequently touched 
 with when I think of you. 
 
 Mr. Clay has shown himself a man of address in 
 settling my affairs, in spitq of the tricks and arti- 
 fices of those I have to deal with. 
 
 I recommend hee, my heart's desire, to the 
 good God who made thee that amiable creature thou 
 art, to keep thee safe and happy. My service tar 
 your companion Binns. 
 
 I am your devoted, affectionate husband, 
 and humble servant, Rich. Steele. 
 
 95- TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 HALF-HQUR AFTER TEN, 
 DEAR PRUE, SEPT. 28, I708. 
 
 IT being three hours since I writ to you, I send 
 
 ^his to assure you I am now going very soberly to- 
 
 .!. and that you shall be the last thing in my 
 
 thoughts
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 155 
 
 thoughts to-night, as well as the first to-morrow 
 morning. I am, with the utmost fondness, 
 
 Your faithful husband, Rich. Steele, 
 
 96. TO MRS. STEELE, 
 
 ST. james's coffee-house, 
 
 DEAR PRUE, 8 IN THE MORNING, OCT. 2, I7O8. 
 
 i\xR. GERVASE * going this morning to Hamp- 
 ton-court, I desire him to throw this over our wall. 
 I have much difficulty to accomplish every thing 
 necessary to be done here, which makes me fear I 
 cannot come till Tuesday noon. If it pleases God 
 that I can be so happy as to live cheerfully with 
 thee, and in thy favour, it is the utmost of good 
 pan arrive to, dear Prue, eternally thine, 
 
 Rich. Steele. 
 
 07. TO MRS. STEELE f. 
 
 BERRY-STREET, 7 AT NIGHT, 
 DEAR WIFE, OCT. 5, I708. 
 
 X SEND this to beg pardon for not coming to- 
 night ; but I have some good glimpse in my affairs ; 
 
 * Mr. Jervas, probably, the famous painter. 
 
 -f " At Mrs. Hardfesse's house, in Kensington-square." 
 
 and,
 
 15*> SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 and, if I do not fail to-morrow, we shall be out of 
 difficulties hereafter. I come into waiting on the 
 Prince * to-morrow ; and am, my dear Prue, 
 
 Yours, with the utmost kindness and duty, 
 
 ' Rich. Steele. 
 
 I hope to see you before twelve to-morrow. 
 
 98. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 secretary's office, near ten 
 dear prue, at night, oct. 5, i7o8. 
 
 1 GOT to town about six, found all things well, 
 and have just dispatched the proof -\~ for to-morrow. 
 I wish you a good-night; and shall always keep 
 myself in a capacity of taking the oaths that I am, 
 with the strictest fidelity and love, your enamoured 
 husband^ and humble servant, Rich. Steele. 
 
 99- TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, OCT. 7, I708. 
 
 I SEND, directed to Watts, a bottle of tent. You 
 must not expect me to-night ; but I will write by 
 the penny-post. 
 
 I am yours faithfully, Rich. Steele. 
 
 * He was gentleman-usher to the Frincc of Denmark. See p. 64. 
 t Of the Gazette. 
 
 100. TO
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 157 
 
 100. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, THURSDAY, OCT. 7, 1708. 
 
 1 FEAR I shall not be able to come out of town 
 till Saturday morning. I am, my dear creature, 
 thine for ever, Rich. Steele. 
 
 101. TO JOSEPH KEALLY, ESQ. DUBLIN. 
 
 SIR, OCT. 7, 1708. 
 
 A THANK you for the kind part you take in my 
 affairs, and understand I am to wish you joy upon 
 the happiness of being an husband, which is at 
 least a snug, if not a rapturous, condition. Harry * 
 lives still a knight-errant ; by what means it is im- 
 possible to tell you. But I now and then meet 
 him, and give him the proper compliment, that I 
 am glad to see him alive. The paragraph you men- 
 tion, was very much censured in the town ; but i 
 acted so as to answer it where I am accountable. 
 As to the rest, I take my employment in its very 
 nature to be what is the object of censure, since so 
 many interests are concerned in the matters that I 
 am to relate twice a week : but I am armed cap-a- 
 ptfe with old sentences ; among which I prefer that 
 of Horace with 300/. per annum -J* salary 
 
 * Harry KeaHy. 
 
 f This was the salary attached to his office of Gazetteer. 
 
 " Populus
 
 158 SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 " Populus me sibilat ; at mihi plaudo 
 
 Ipse domi j simul ac nummos contemplor," &c. 
 
 The taste for Plays is expired. We are all for 
 Operas, performed by eunuchs every way impotent 
 to please. Lord Manchester is returning from Ve- 
 nice with a singer of great expectation. My way 
 of life should make me capable of entertaining with 
 much politics ; but I am not a bit wiser than you 
 knew me. 
 
 Yours, &c. Rich. Steele. 
 
 102. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 dear prue, oct. 8, 1708. 
 
 X HIS brings you a quarter of a pound of bohea, 
 and as much of green tea, both which I hope you 
 will find good. To-morrow morning your favourite 
 Mr. Addison and I shall set out for Hampton- 
 court ; he to meet some great men there j I to see 
 you, who am but what you make me, 
 
 Yours with the utmost fondness, Rich. Steele. 
 
 103. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, OCT. 8, I7O8. 
 
 X WRITE according to order ; and hope, before 
 the receipt of this, you will have had the tea which 
 
 I sent
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 159 
 
 I sent by the morning-coach. I shall be at Hamp- 
 ton-court, God willing, before twelve to-morrow. 
 Your faithful husband, Rich. Steele. 
 
 104. TO xMRS. STEELE. 
 
 HYDE-PARK CORNER, 
 S IN THE MORNING, 
 DEAR PRUE, WEDNESDAY, OCT. 13, I7O8. 
 
 A HE bearer is one I propose to be our footman. 
 He is, as you see, very queer, and fit for, what I 
 often heard you call it, a thorough servcuit ; be- 
 sides which, he speaks the Welsh tongue fluently. 
 I believe he will be a proper fellow enough ; for he 
 lived a great while with one Dr. Price, an acquaint- 
 ance of mine, at Richmond. I hope he will be 
 approved by you ; if he is, the livery shall be fitted 
 for his shape against the time that he and I can at- 
 tend the chariot to bring Mrs. Binns and you to 
 town, which shall be done with all suitable cere- 
 mony. In the mean time, I am busy about the 
 main chance. I have ordered him to be here again 
 this evening, except you direct otherwise. 
 
 I hope I shall see you to-morrow. 
 
 I am, with every dictate of my affections, and 
 'every pulse of my heart, dear Prue, sincerely yours, 
 
 Rich. Steele. 
 
 105. TO
 
 16'0 SIR RICHARD STEELE^ 
 
 105. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, THURSDAY, OCT. 14, l/OS. 
 
 1 INTENDED to have certainly gone to Hamp- 
 ton-court to-day ; but the West-Indian post going 
 on Saturday, and Mr. Clay having leisure but this 
 day, I am forced to prepare my letters for his peru- 
 sal before night. I am in haste, as you see by this 
 scribble. 
 
 I am your faithful, and most affectionate husbancf, 
 
 Rich. Steele. 
 
 I shall observe what you desire about James, and 
 eveiy thing else. 
 
 sac 
 
 106*. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 BERRY-STREET, J AT NIGHT. 
 DEAR PRUE, OCT. 14, I7O8. 
 
 J. WRIT to you before, this day, by the coach ; 
 and send this to tell you that Mr. Clay has been 
 here since that, and I find I must stay in town this 
 whole week to attend my business, or leave some 
 things undone, which it is as bad to do as to neglect 
 the whole. You may be sure, if I find I may be 
 six or seven hours employed where I please, it shall 
 be at Hampton-court. 
 
 Pray keep yourself warm , be chearful ; and be- 
 lieve me, dear creature, sincerely thine, 
 
 Rich. Steele. 
 107. TO
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. l6"l 
 
 107. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, OCT. it), 1/08. 
 
 A SHOULD have rid down to Hampton-court 
 this evening, but that I am to be with my mother 
 about a mortgage to be made for paying off the 
 bonds which stand out, that we may be easy on all 
 hands. We must write this night to Mr. Thomas, 
 for the title, &c. 
 
 The Queen comes next week to Hampton-court, 
 and stays a fortnight. I am, with my whole heart, 
 your faithful husband, Rich. Steele. 
 
 108. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, OCT. 20, I7O8. 
 
 A HAD yours last night, with an inclosed to my 
 mother, which I do not design to deliver. You 
 accuse me of unkindness for I cannot imagine what. 
 If you want for any thing, it is that you will not 
 supply yourself with it ; for I very regularly send 
 you wherewithal. 
 
 My Lord Chamberlain is expected this night in 
 town, from whom I hope for an order for a very 
 handsome apartment in Whitehall. As soon as I 
 receive it, I will immediately remove into it, where 
 I hope you will be pleased. I am sure it is the 
 
 M utmost
 
 G\2 SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 utmost of my ambition to make you so. I am your 
 faithful and affectionate husband, Rich. Steele. 
 
 My mother has altered her mind about the mort- 
 gage. 
 
 I think to come down to-morrow night, to give 
 you an account of every thing ; in the mean time, 
 send by your countryman two guineas. 
 
 loo. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, OCT. 2$, I70S. 
 
 IF you do not hear of me before three to-morrow 
 afternoon, believe I am too fuddled to take care to 
 observe your orders ; but, however, know me to 
 be your most faithful, affectionate husband and 
 servant, Rich. Steele. 
 
 110. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 7 IN THE MORNING, 
 DEAR PRUE, OCT. 26, I7O8. 
 
 Jl DESIRE you would put yourself in a readiness 
 to come away on Thursday, on which day the coach 
 shall come, and, if I can, attended by me. Mr. 
 Harrison, a gentleman-usher of the privy-chamber, 
 is dead ; tl>e employment is 200/. a year salary, and 
 
 100/.
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. l6$ 
 
 100/. perquisites: it is a place for life, and I am 
 putting in for it this morning with all the force I 
 have. I shall send down inclosed money by to- 
 morrow morning's post, directed to Watts. 
 
 You cannot imagine the difficulties I am put to ; 
 but I can go through any thing, provided I have the 
 happiness of being esteemed by you as 
 
 Your affectionate husband, and humble servant, 
 
 Rich. Steele. 
 
 I am very sick with too much wine last night. 
 
 ill. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 KENSINGTON, 3, AFTERNOON, 
 DEAR WIFE, OCT. 28, I7O8. 
 
 1 CAME hither according to my [duty], to at- 
 tend the Prince my master *, by whose dead body 
 I sit while I am writing this. He departed this 
 life half-an-hour after one. I am ordered to wait 
 here, tnd believe I shall not be relieved till to-mor- 
 row mcrning. As soon as I can get to town, I 
 
 * His Royal Highness Prince George of Denmark, her British 
 Majesty's consorc, ciied at the time here mentioned, at Kensing- 
 ton, of an asthma. He was born at Copenhagen in April 1653 ; 
 married the Princess Anne in July 1683 ; and was an illustrious 
 instance of conjugal affection among the great. On the 11th of 
 November his corpse was brought from Kensington to West- 
 minster 5 and, having lain in state in the Painted Chamber till 
 the 13th of that month, was privately interred in the Abbey. 
 
 ' M 2 will
 
 16*4 SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 will dispatch the coach for you. I am, my dear 
 wife, your obliged husband, and humble servant, 
 
 Rich. Steele. 
 
 112. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR WIFE, KENSINGTON, OCT. 29, I7O8. 
 
 X INCLOSE all the cash I can well spare, which 
 is four guineas. I writ you word by the penny-post 
 last night, that I was detained here to sit up with the 
 Prince's body *, and must do so every third night 
 till he is interred. I am still kept bare of money 
 by the men I have to deal with ; but, as soon as I 
 can get to town, I will send away the coach for 
 you. Please to come to Mrs. Hardresse's house in 
 the square at Kensington ; where it will be conve- 
 nient for you to be, till all things are ready for our 
 greater ease in town. More I cannot say till we 
 meet. 
 
 I am, with the sincerest affection, your obliged 
 husband, and humble servant, Run. Steele. >. 
 
 Send the bearer back with an account how you 
 do. 
 
 My service to Mrs. Binns. 
 
 * See p. 1C3. After the death of the Prince, the Queen be- 
 stowed annuities on all his attendants. Of this bounty Steele's 
 portion ^Yas 100/. a year, which he some time after gave up. 
 
 113. TO
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. l6?5 
 
 113. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 ALMOST .9 AT NIGHT, 
 DEAR PRUE, OCT. 29, I7O8. 
 
 X BEG the favour of you to take care to wrap 
 yourself up very warm for your journey to-morrow. 
 The coachman has his orders ; and I have agreed 
 with him to bring you to Kensington-square, and 
 carry Mrs. Binns home, in hopes she will dispense 
 with your waiting upon her, and returning after- 
 wards to your lodgings. 
 
 I shall take care to have your lodgings fit for 
 your reception ; and will never omit any thing in 
 my power to make your hours agreeable. 
 
 Your affectionate husband, Rich. Steele. 
 
 114. TO MRS. STEELE*. 
 
 BOW-STREET, COVENT-GARDEN, 
 MY DEAR WIFE, NOV. 10, I708. 
 
 X WRITE this to do my duty in complying with 
 your desire of hearing from me this night. I am 
 heartily tired, and go on with hope and persever- 
 ance. There is nothing troubles me so much, as 
 the consideration that the most amiable and most 
 deserving of her sex is obliged to suffer all the un- 
 
 * " At Mrs, Hardresse's, in Kensington-square." 
 
 easiness
 
 \66 SIR RICHARD STEELE'? 
 
 easiness that -I do. But, my dear life, be of good 
 comfort ; and continue to be the only happiness of, 
 dear Prue, your faithful husband, Rich. Steele. 
 You know I must come to-morrow evening to 
 Kensington ; but you shall hear from me before. 
 
 115. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR WIFE, HOUSE OF LORDS, NOV. 12, lJOS, 
 
 I SEND this, to desire you would think of com- 
 ing to-morrow to town. There is a room at my mo- 
 ther's, where you may be for a few days. I am to 
 be here till after the funeral. You shall have this 
 bearer to wait on you to town to-morrow, with ne- 
 cessaries for your change of abode. 
 
 I am, my dear creature, your most enamoured 
 husband, Rich. Steele, 
 
 ll6\ TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, NOV. 13, I708. 
 
 1 SEND you all the money I have, which I hope 
 will bring you to town. Since you have an incli- 
 nation to see the funeral, I have spoken for a place 
 at the housekeeper's of the House of Lords to place 
 you in, till I can get a more convenient one, for see-
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 1 6*7 
 
 ing the procession ; and I take it that it will be 
 best to be in the Abbey itself, for which end you 
 must come soon. 1 am ordered to stay here, or 
 should come for you. 
 
 Yours, with all my soul, Rich. Steele. 
 
 The fleet is come in. 
 
 117. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, GARTER TAVERN, NOV. 16", I708. 
 
 1 AM sorry I cannot come to sit an hour with you 
 to-night, being detained by business with Mr. Hug- 
 gins *, which you know of. I have to-day been 
 with Mr. Tryon, who does not now deny his hav- 
 ing effects, but pretends to complain of hard usage 
 in sueing him. Within a day or two I doubt not 
 but we shall have our money, which will be the 
 introduction to that life we both pant after with so 
 much earnestness. 
 
 Your obliged husband, Rich. Steele. 
 
 * An attorney, probably, employed at this time by Mrs. Van- 
 deput, to recover from Steele sqme arrears of rent for his house 
 in Berry-street, of which she appeal's to have been the landlady, 
 and the insufferable brute in p. 179. Steele mentions, p. I70, his 
 going in quest of this Mr. Hug-gins in Westminster-hall. 
 
 118 TO
 
 1 68 SIR RICHARD STEELfc's 
 
 118. TO MRS. STEELE*. 
 
 PEAR WIFE, NOV. 1J, I708. 
 
 .fclOW can you add to my cares, by making so 
 unjust complaints against me as in yours of last 
 night ? I take all the pains imaginable to bring you 
 home to ease and satisfaction ; and made a great 
 step in it yesternight, which I could not had I spent 
 my time elsewhere than where I did, 
 
 My dear, be chearful, and expect a good account 
 of things this evening from, dear wife, 
 
 Your most affectionate and most obliged husband, 
 
 Rich. Steele. 
 
 110. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR WIFE, NOV. l8, I708. 
 
 X AM going this morning into the City, to make 
 my demand of the money long due to me. I shall 
 hasten thence to you ; and am, with the tenderest 
 love, ever yours, Rich. Steele. 
 
 * " At Mrs. Scurlock's lodgings, last house left-hand in, 
 Bromley-street, Holborn." 
 
 120. TO
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 16^ 
 
 120. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR WIFE, NOV. 26, I708. 
 
 X AM, by applying to my Adversary *, prepared 
 for ending my present calamity ; but was denied by 
 my Friend -j-. 
 
 I am, dear creature, your constant, faithful lover, 
 and obliged husband, Rich. Steele. 
 
 I am making it my business to find out Mr. Hug- 
 gins, in order to withdraw his officer. 
 
 121. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR WIFE, NOV. 28, 1~08. 
 
 x AKE confidence in that Being who has pro- 
 mised protection to all the good and virtuous when 
 afflicted. Mr. Glover % accommodates me with the 
 money, which is to clear this present sorrow, this 
 evening. I will come to Mrs. Binns's exactly at 
 eight. 
 
 I am your most affectionate husband, 
 and obedient servant, 
 
 Rich. Steele. 
 
 * His landlady possibly; see p. 167. 
 
 f Addison seems to be the friend who reftised to bail Steele 
 on this distressful occasion or at least avoided being seen by 
 him. 
 
 t jQuery> Who was " honest Glover I* See p. 170. 
 
 122. TO
 
 I7<* SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 B 
 
 122. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR WIFE, NOV. 30, I708. 
 
 E of good chear ; for I find friendship among 
 the lowest, when disappointed by the highest. I 
 have called at Mr. Eldertons *, to keep things at a 
 stand till I come to him at ten o'clock. 
 
 Dear creature, be chearfu). God be your com- 
 fort and your protection. While that is so, and 
 you are safe, nothing can disturb Rich. Steele. 
 
 123. TO MRS. STEELE +. 
 
 DEAR WIFE, 10 O'CLOCK, NOV. 30, 1 708. 
 
 Jl HIS is to acquaint you, that honest Glover^ has 
 effectually served me. I am now in search of Mr. 
 Huggins, in Westminster-hall. Elderton, without 
 my knowledge, has also removed the other storm 
 to some distance, so that we prepare in time to 
 weather. 
 
 Be of good chear ; God will bless me, and make 
 me a better provider hereafter for my wife and dear 
 child $. 
 
 Yours ever, Rich. Steele. 
 
 * Steele's attorney. 
 
 f " At her house in Berry-street." 
 
 % See p. 169. 
 
 She was then pregnant with Elizabeth, her first child. 
 
 124. TO
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. ljl 
 
 124. TO MRS. STEELE *. 
 
 MY DEAR WIFE, DEC. 6*, I708. 
 
 1 WILL not defer telling you that there is a thing 
 in agitation that will make me happy at once. 
 Your rival, Addison -j~, will be removed ; and, if I 
 can succeed him in his office, it will answer all 
 purposes. This will be determined before to-mor- 
 row at noon. I cannot see Mr. Glover till six 
 o'clock. I am your faithful, loving husband, 
 
 Rich. Steele. 
 Keep this to yourself. I will come to you as soon 
 as I have dined. 
 
 125. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 HALF-HOUR AFTER 5 O'CLOCK, 
 DEAR PRUE, DEC. 14, IJOS. 
 
 Mr. ADDISON is just now gone to Lord Whar- 
 ton ; and I wait his return, to know my own next 
 steps. 
 
 My heart is as much disturbed as yours can be 
 on the same occasion ; but this seasonable hope 
 breaking in upon me will, I hope, cure all, and 
 
 * " At Mrs. Scurlock's lodgings, Bromley-street, Holbom." 
 f Mr. Addison (at that time under-secretary of state, an 
 office to which he had been appointed in 170G under sir Charles 
 Hedges, and retained under lord Sunderland) was then on the 
 eve of being appointed Secretary to Lord Wharton, the new 
 Lord-lieutenant of Ireland. See the next Letter. 
 
 refresh
 
 1?2 SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 refresh our spirits. I wish you would come directly 
 to the garret ; where you can, from time to time, 
 hear from me what passes this evening. 
 
 I send this moment to my mother; and am 
 Yours faithfully, Rich. Steele. 
 
 I26\ TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, DEC. l8, I7O8. 
 
 IVjLr. ADDISON has engaged me about extraor- 
 dinary business all this day. I hope I have en- 
 gaged him to take Desmaiseaux *. 
 
 I am obliged to go to supper where he treats to- 
 night, to help him in doing the honours to his 
 friends. Yours tenderly, Rich. Steele. 
 
 127. TO MRS. STEELE f. 
 
 dear prue, cockpit, dec. 22, 1708. 
 
 X DESIRE you to take a coach, and come to this 
 lodgings. I am obliged to wait hereabouts. James 
 will find me at Mr. Delafaye's ^ house in Downing- 
 street, or at the Coffee-house. 
 
 Yours faithfully, Rich. Steele. 
 
 * See Letter LXXVIII. p. 144. 
 f At her house in Berry-street 
 
 X Charles Delafaye, esq. one of the clerks in the secretary of 
 state's office, and afterward? himself undcr-secretary of state . 
 
 128. TO
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 173 
 
 12S. TO MR. REALLY. 
 
 SIR, JAN. 20, 1708-5. 
 
 1 HAVE communicated your friendly design to 
 the Secretary *, relating to his being chosen a 
 member. He gives you his hearty thanks ; and 
 desired me to tell you he believed that matter al- 
 ready provided for ~j~. 
 
 Since he had the honour to be named himself for 
 this post in Ireland, a brother of his has been 
 chosen, by the Directors of the East India Com- 
 pany, Governor of Fort St. George, in the room of 
 Mr. Pitt J. 
 
 I had hopes of succeeding him in this office ; 
 but things are ordered otherwise in favour of the 
 North Britons, one of whom is to come into that 
 
 * Mr. Addison, then Secretary to Lord Wharton ; see p. in. 
 Archbishop King, in a letter to Dr. Swift, Feb. 10, 1708-9, says, 
 "I am wonderfully pleased at the good character, you give Mr. 
 Addison. If he be the man that you represent him to be (and I 
 have confidence in your judgment), he will be able to serve his 
 Lord effectually, and procure himself love and respect here. I 
 cannot say it will be in my power to do him any service ; but 
 my good wiohes and endeavours shall not be wanting." 
 
 f The salaiy of Keeper of the Records in Ireland was aug- 
 mented, and the place given to Addison. 
 
 X " On the 20th of December, 1709, the Directors of theEast- 
 India Company chose Mr. Gulston Addison, an eminent Mer- 
 chant, residing at Fort St. George, Governor and President of 
 that place, in the room of Thomas Pitt, esq. who, it is said, 
 has obtained leave to come home." Postman, Jan. 1, 1709-1O. 
 Mr. Gulston Addison, who was born in August 1673, died at 
 Fort St. George in the office of Governor and President. 
 
 employment
 
 174 SIR RICHARD STEELE^ 
 
 employment very suddenly. In the mean time, 
 something additional will be given to, dear Sir, 
 Your most affectionate friend and humble servant, 
 
 Rich. Steele. 
 
 12Q. TO MRS. STEELE*. 
 
 MY DEAR WIFE, JAN. 31, lJOS-Q. 
 
 J. AM with young Mr. Tonson at the Griffin ta- 
 vern, where I shall dine on a scrap, and afterwards 
 go to Mr. Longueville -f~, to appoint the meeting of 
 Tryon to-morrow, to make a final end. 
 
 I shall come home before eight o'clock ; and am, 
 dear creature, eternally yours, Rich. Steele. 
 
 130. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, FEB. 5, I7O8-O. 
 
 J. WAS coming home; but am indispensably 
 obliged to dine at Tonson's, where, after dinner, 
 some papers ^ are to be read, whereof, among 
 others, I am to be a judge. 1 have the money for 
 you and the other occasions. 
 
 This absence I hope you will excuse in your 
 affectionate, faithful, Dick Steele. 
 
 * " At her house in Berry-street." 
 
 f Of whom I wish I was able to have given some account. 
 X jQueiy, What were these? He began the Tatler on the 
 12th of April following. 
 
 131. TQ
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 175 
 
 131. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 MY DEAR WIFE, MARCH 2, l/OS-^. 
 
 1 INCLOSE a guinea, lest you should want. I 
 am resolved to do something effectually to-day 
 with Tryon ; therefore do not expect me at dinner. 
 My life is bound up in you. I will be at home 
 before six. Rich. Steele. 
 
 132. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, MARCH 11, I7O8-9. 
 
 X INCLOSE five guineas, but cannot come home 
 to dinner. Dear little woman, take cake of thy- 
 self, and eat and drink chearfully. 
 
 Rich. Steele. 
 
 133. TO MRS. STEELE*. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, MARCH 21, 1708-0. 
 
 1 SEND you this by the boy I have a mind to 
 take, if you like him. Things go pretty well. I 
 shall dine at Court. If there are any letters, let the 
 
 * " At her house in Berry-street." 
 
 boy
 
 I76 SIR RICHARD STEELES 
 
 boy bring them to me thither, at the Gentleman- 
 usher's table. Yours unreservedly and faithfully, 
 
 Rich. Steele. 
 
 134. TO MRS. STEELE*. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, MARCH 23, 1 J0S~9. 
 
 JLIAVING some doubt about Tilden, I dine at 
 Court, and will look into all things between this 
 and six o'clock. The bearer is a boy well recom- 
 mended, whose father has been with me, and whom 
 I approve (as I do all other things) as you like him. 
 Yours faithfully, Rich. Steele. 
 
 135. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, APRIL 1Q, lJOQ. 
 
 1 HAVE been with Tryon ; he owns some effects, 
 which will be of assistance to me-)-. I call Heaven 
 to witness, I value nothing but as you are partaker 
 of it. Do not cast yourself down ; but depend 
 upon it that I shall bring you home what will make 
 things have a chearful aspect, and will do that may 
 contribute to your satisfaction ; which is all the am- 
 bition of, yours eternally, Rich. Steele. 
 
 * " At her house in Berry-street." 
 
 f In his Barbados business ; of which hereafter. 
 
 136. TO
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. I77 
 
 136. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAREST CREATURE, APRIL 23, 1700. 
 
 J. HIS matter must be deferred till some hour in 
 the evening, or to some other day, for I cannot 
 have money till after Chapel. 
 I am, 
 
 Your faithful, tender husband, , 
 
 Rich.' Steele. 
 
 137- TO MRS. STEELE \ 
 
 dear wife, may 5, 1709. 
 
 1 DESIRE you would pluck up a good spirit if 
 possible, and come in a chair, the boy with you, 
 who shall find me at the Coffee-house under Scot- 
 land-yard gate, from whence we will go see a con- 
 venient place. 
 
 Do not be dejected, if you value the life and 
 happiness of your faithful, 
 
 Rich. Steele. 
 I inclose ten shillings. 
 
 * u At her house in Berry-street." 
 
 n 138. TO
 
 \f8 SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 138. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, MAY 5, * 7 0$ . 
 
 1 DESIRE you would go to the assignation be- 
 tween us in Westminster. Mr. Montague* has 
 desired me to go with him to the Park ; after I come 
 from thence, I will come to you with good news. 
 Yours eveTj ever, Rich. Steele. 
 
 139. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR WIFE, MAY 5, 1/00. 
 
 X CANNOT express to you the real sorrow the 
 inequality of my behaviour gives me, when I reflect 
 that I am in passion before the best of women. 
 Dear Prue, forgive me : I will neglect nothing 
 which may contribute to our ease together ; and 
 you shall always find me 
 
 Your affectionate, faithful, and tender husband, 
 
 Rich. Steele, 
 
 * Wortley Montague, Esq. of whom hereafter. 
 
 140. TO
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 17B 
 
 140. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR WIFE, MAY 5, 1709. 
 
 JL HERE is no doubt but we shall be easy and 
 happy in a few days. My dear life, nothing trou- 
 bles me sorely, but the affront that insufferable 
 brute * has put upon you, which I shall find ways 
 .to make her repent. I am, my deaf creature, en- 
 ; tirely yours, Rich. Steele. 
 
 You shall hear from me in the morning;. 
 
 141. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR PRUEj MAY 7, 1J09. 
 
 X HAVE been with Mr. Compton, and have his 
 order to be at the Office, wiih a request to keep it 
 very secret that he does me this favour, for fear of 
 his being importuned on the .same account by others 
 of the family '(-. I am your most affectionate and 
 tender husband, Rich. Steele. 
 
 * This seems to have been the landlady of the house in Berry- 
 street ; to which place the first of the letters of this day's date is 
 addressed. He took the house in October 170S. See p. 167. 
 
 f This wants an explanation ; which I confess myself not 
 able at present to give. Other circumstances may perhaps clear 
 it up ; either by shewing who Mr. Compton was, what was his 
 office, what the favour, or what is meant by the family. Mean- 
 time, let the Curious form their own conjectures. 
 
 N 2 142. TO
 
 j80 SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 142. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, MAY ~, 170. 
 
 JL AM just drinking a pint of wine, and will come 
 home forthwith. I am with Mr. Elliott, settling 
 things. Yours ever, ever, Rich. Steele. 
 
 143- TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, 12 O'CLOCK, MAY 28, 1700. 
 
 X HAVE received money, but cannot come home 
 till about four o'clock, having appointed Mr. Mills 
 here at Moore's chambers at two o'clock. 
 
 Yours ever, Rich. Steele. 
 
 144. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, JUNE 9, I7O9. 
 
 X PUT myself to the pain of absence from you at 
 dinner, by waiting to speak with Salkeild ; there- 
 fore I hope you will forgive me for what I am 
 punished in commiting. 
 
 Dear Prue, I am unreservedly and faithfully yours, 
 
 Rich. Steele. 
 
 145. TO
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. l8l 
 
 145. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, SAVOY, NUTt's *, JULY 10, I7O9. 
 
 X SEND this, to let you know that I am come 
 hither, and am obliged to dispatch the main of the 
 business -j- of this place to-night. As soon as I 
 have done, I will come to my dearest companion. 
 I am wholly yours, Rich. Steele. 
 
 146. TO MRS. STEELE:*;. 
 
 - 
 
 DEAR PRUE, FROM MR. NUTT's, JULY 25, I7O9, 
 
 1 HAVE finished the Gazette at the office ; and 
 am here ending the other business , in order to 
 have the evening with my wife and mistress Prue. 
 
 Here is next door a fellow that makes old wigs new; 
 therefore pray send both mine in the bed-chamber, 
 by this boy, to 
 
 Your loving, devoted, obedient husband, 
 
 Rich. Steele. 
 
 * The well-known printer of the original Tatler. 
 f See Tatler, No 44 and 45. 
 
 X "At Mr. Sewell's, in King-street, near Whitehall Coffee- 
 house." 
 
 Sec Tatler, N 46. Aurengezebe. 
 
 147. TO
 
 1 82 SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 147- TO MRS. STEELE *. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, JULY 2%, lJO^. 
 
 L INCLOSE two guineas, and wilt come home 
 exactly at seven. 
 
 Yours tenderly, Rich. Steele. 
 
 148. TO MRS. MANLEY f. 
 
 MADAM, [SEPT. 6, 1/0$.] 
 
 1 HAVE received a letter from you, wherein you 
 tax me, as if I were Bickerstaff, with falling upon 
 you as author of " Atalantis," and the person who 
 
 * * At Mr. Sewell's, King-street." 
 
 f This letter, which is printed here from Steele's autograph, 
 has no date ; but in the imperfect copy of it published by Mrs. 
 Manley, in her " Memoirs of Europe towards the Close of 
 the Eighth Century," dedicated to Isaac Bickerstaff, esq. it is 
 dated Sept. 6, 1709. Mrs. Manley affirms that she transcribed 
 the letter verbatim ; but it appears, from comparing her tran- 
 script with the original, that she thought proper to omit the 
 two paragraphs relative to what had happened between Steele 
 and her, and his refusal of a certain sum of money which she 
 had asked in loan ; and also to change the emphatical word 
 " kindnesses" to " services." A note on the Tatler, N 65, to 
 which the curious reader is referred, throws much light on this 
 letter. See Tatler, N 63. It is at present sufficient to mention, 
 that her friend Dr. Swift was the real author of the two most 
 mighty Tatlers to which Mrs. Manley refers in her furious dedi- 
 cation of the book above mentioned. Steele disavowed theni 
 with great truth ; and with admirable magnanimity concealed 
 
 the
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. I83 
 
 who honoured me with a character in that cele- 
 brated piece. What has happened formerly be- 
 tween us can be of no use to either to repeat. I 
 solemnly assure you, you wrong me in this, as 
 much as you know you do in all else you have been 
 pleased to say of me. I had not money when you 
 did me the favour to ask a loan of a trifling sum of 
 me. I had the greatest sense imaginable of the 
 kind notice you gave me when I was going on to 
 my ruin * ; and am so far from retaining an incli- 
 nation to revenge the inhumanity with which you 
 have treated me, that I give myself a satisfaction in 
 that you have canceled with injuries a friendship -j~, 
 which I should never have been able to return. 
 This will convince you how little I am an ingrate ; 
 for I believe you will allow, no one that is so mean 
 as to be forgetful of kindnesses, ever fails in re- 
 turning injuries. As for the verses you quote of 
 mine J, they are still my opinion ; and your sex, 
 as well as your quality of a gentlewoman (a justice 
 you would not do my birth and education), shall 
 always preserve you against the pen of your pro- 
 voked most humble servant, Rich. Steele. 
 
 the real writer to the last, though beyond measure provoked to 
 the discovery of these and some other obnoxious papers, produo 
 tions of the same pen. 
 
 * A good turn is given to this circumstance by Mrs. Manley, 
 in her letters in the year 1717- 
 
 f It is but justice to add, that Steele was afterwards recon- 
 ciled to Mi's. Manley, who made him a handsome apology in 
 1717, in a letter which may be seen in a future page. 
 
 X The verses Of Steele here alluded to, according to Mrs. 
 Manley' s account of them, are as follows : 
 
 " Against a woman's wit 'tis full as low, 
 " Your malice as your bravery to shew." 
 
 149- TO
 
 184 SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 149. TO MRS. STEELE *. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, SEPT. 25, 170$. 
 
 1 SEND this, to put thy tenderness at rest ; and 
 acquaint you, that Mr. Margate had been so friendly 
 as to take effectual care before he saw me. 
 
 I am yours eternally, Rich. Steele. 
 
 150. TO MRS. STEELE f. 
 
 king's-head, pall-mall, 
 
 DEAR PRUE, OCT. 4, 1709- 
 
 X HAVE done every thing effectually which I 
 went about. Mr. Hopkins is coming to me hither, 
 where we shall stay till a little after ten. 
 
 Yours faithfully, Rich. Steele. 
 
 151. TO DR. SWIFT. 
 
 LORD SUNDERLAND'S OFFICE, 
 DEAR SIR, OCT. 8, I7O9. 
 
 iVlR. Secretary Addison went this morning out of 
 town, and left behind him an agreeable command 
 
 * " At her lodging, over against the King's-head, in Down- 
 ing-street." 
 f ." Last door but two, left-hand, Berry-street." 
 
 for
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 1 85 
 
 for me, viz. to forward the inclosed, which Lord 
 Halifax sent him for you. I assure you, no man 
 could say more in praise of another than he did in 
 your behalf at that noble Lord's table on Wed- 
 nesday last. I doubt not but you will find by the 
 inclosed the effect it had upon him. No opportu- 
 nity is omitted among powerful men, to upbraid 
 them for your stay in Ireland. The company that 
 day at dinner were, lord Edward Russel, lord Essex, 
 Mr. Maynwaring, Mr. Addison, and myself. 
 
 I have heard such things said of that same Bi- 
 shop of Clogher # with you, that I have often said he 
 must be entered ad eundem in our House of Lords. 
 
 Mr. Philips -\- dined with me yesterday ; he is still 
 a shepherd, and walks very lonely through this un- 
 thinking crowd in London. I wonder you do not 
 write sometimes to me. 
 
 The Town is in great expectation from Bicher- 
 stajf: what passed at the election for his first table 
 being to be published this day sevennight. I have 
 not seen Ben Tooke a great while, but long to 
 
 * Dr. St. George Ashe, formerly a fellow of Trinity college, 
 Dublin (where he was tutor to Swift) ; afterward bishop of 
 Clogher 1697- In 1710-11 he preserved his seat at the Coun- 
 cil board by the interest of Swift. He was translated to Derry 
 in 1716-17} in which year he married his friend Dean Swift to 
 Mrs. Johnson, the ceremony being performed in a garden. He 
 died in 1718. Both the Bishop and his brother the Rev. Dillon 
 Ashe were celebrated Punsters ; and in that character occur fre- 
 quently in Swift's Works. In the Tatler, N 230, written by 
 Swift, tire Bishop is alluded to ; see the edition of 1S0G, vol. IV. 
 p. 296. 
 
 f Ambrose Philips, the author of " Tire Distressed Mother," 
 a. tragedy, and some pastorals, &c. 
 
 % See Tatler, N* 81, and notes. 
 . Swift's bookseller ; who died May 21, 1724. 
 
 usher
 
 186 SIH RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 usher you and yours into the world. Not that 
 there can be any thing added by me to your fame, 
 but to walk bare-headed before you. I am, Sir, 
 Your most obedient, and most humble servant, 
 
 Rich. Steele. 
 
 [ 
 
 152. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR WIFE, NOV. 20, 1709* 
 
 HAVE been in great pain of body and mind 
 since I came out. You are extremely cruel to a 
 generous nature, which has a tenderness for you 
 that renders your least dis-hamoiir insupportably 
 afflicting. After short starts of passion, not to be 
 inclined to reconciliation, is what is against all rules 
 of Christianity and justice. When I come home, 
 I beg to be kindly received, or this will have as ill 
 an effect upon my fortune, as on my mind and body. 
 
 Rich. Steele. 
 
 153. TO MRS. STEELE*. 
 
 DEAR WIFE, FEB. 15, 1709-10. 
 
 1 RELIEVE I am the first that ever rejoiced at 
 the flight of one he loved. After I was done writ" 
 
 * " At Mrs. Binns's lodgings in Silver-street, near Golden- 
 square.'* 
 
 ing,
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. iS? 
 
 ing *, I went up to visit my sick wife, and found 
 she was herself gone a-visiting. I wish you had 
 given me the pleasure of knowing you were so well, 
 it would have given what I was writing # a more 
 lively turn. I am your affectionate, tender, ob- 
 servant, and indulgent husband, Rich. Steele* 
 
 154. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, APRIL 7, 1710. 
 
 1 INCLOSE to you a receipt for the saucepans 
 and spoon, and a note of 23/. of Lewis's, which will 
 make up the 50/. I promised for your ensuing oc- 
 casion *f~. 
 
 I know no happiness in this life in any degree 
 comparable to the pleasure I have in your person 
 and society. I only beg of you to add to your other 
 charms, a tearfulness to see a man that loves you in 
 pain and uneasiness, to make me as happy as it is 
 possible to be in this life. Rising a little in a morn* 
 
 ing, and being disposed to a chearfulness % 
 
 would not be amiss. I am your most affectionate 
 husband, and obedient servant, Rich. Steele. 
 
 There are papers in the parlour window, dated 
 from Hamburgh and other places, which I want . 
 
 * This was the Tatter, N 134. 
 
 f Mrs. Steele was then pregnant with her son Richard. 
 
 X A few words are here cut out. 
 
 i See the Gazette of Saturday, April 8, 1710. 
 
 155- MR.
 
 1 88 SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 155. MR. ADDISON TO MR. REALLY. 
 
 SIR, LONDON, APRIL 13, I7IO. 
 
 W E are here in a great puzzle of politics. Little 
 Ben * winks, speaks half sentences, and grows 
 more mysterious than ever. Dick Steele is entirely 
 yours. Lord Halifax, after having talked of you in 
 a very friendly manner, desired me to give you his 
 humble service when I writ to you -{-. 
 
 156\ TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, MAY 3, 1710. 
 
 1 SHALL stay at Tonson's till towards four 
 o'clock ; for, having made up this day my account 
 with Nutt J, I am doing the same here, being re- 
 solved to understand my affairs, and communicate 
 them to you for your ease and convenience from 
 this hour forward. 
 
 Yours eternally, Rich. Steele. 
 
 * Mr. Hoadly ; afterwards the celebrated Bishop. 
 
 j- Mr. Addison writes to Dr. Swift, from Dublin, June 3, and 
 July 23, 1710. The North Briton, who succeeded him in Lord 
 Sunderland's office, as under-secretary of state, (r. 173) ma 
 Robert Pringle, esq. 
 
 % Printer of the Tatler. 
 
 157. ISAACO
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 1<) 
 
 157. ISAACO BICKERSTAFF, armigero, 
 
 MAGN,E BRITANNLE CENSORI, S. 
 
 Mori 
 
 9 CAL. JUNII [JUNE 23], 1710. 
 
 iIJE Encomium Thomae Moro, cui nil erat 
 magis alienum quam Mori nomen, Erasmus in- 
 scripsit: nee ergo quis miretur has Obscurorum 
 Virorum Epistolas Viro Clarisslmo, hos Morologos 
 Moria ipsa stultiores Tibi mitti, Isaaee gravissime ; 
 qui unus, inter tot nugivendos potiiis quam scrip- 
 tores ubique nunc temporis ad nauseam obvios, 
 nosti non ineptire : qui scis exfumo (ut ait Flaccus) 
 dare lucem ; in gracili materia sterilique argumento 
 copiose juxta atque sapienter disserere, inter ludicra 
 serius, inter jocos philosophus; qui ridiculum acri, 
 dulci utile miscendo, junctis ingenii simul et argu- 
 mentorum viribus, Britannos potes tarn feliciter a 
 vitiis deterrere, ad virtutem hortari. 
 
 Patere, Cato Britannice, ex obsoietis seculi su- 
 perioris ruderibus altaque quam superstitio intulerat 
 ignorantia, istud Arcadicum hominum specioso 
 Theologorum Magistronimve nomine insolenter glo- 
 riantium pecus accersi ; et aeterna licet nocte dignos, 
 a. tenebris tamen ad lucem, a mortuis ad vivos pro- 
 vocari, tibique pro tribunali sisti ; ut post nostri 
 seculi ineptias, et ineptos, illas explosas, hos sepul- 
 tos, non etiam desint, quas explodas, quos sepelias : 
 
 * On the subject of this letter to Steele, which was prefixed 
 to " Epistolarum Obscurorum Virorum, ad Dm. Ortuinum Gra- 
 tium, Volumina IV see the Notes on the Tatler, ed, 1806, 
 vol. IV. pp. 55, 95. 
 
 eum
 
 IQQ SIR RICHARD STEELS'* 
 
 eum nempe volo Magnae Britanniae Censorem, qui 
 non solum in praesentem sed et praeteritas aetates 
 ultro eitroque jus censoriae authoritatis exerceat. 
 
 Nolim autem mihi id vitio verti, qudd Theologos 
 hie in medium protraham, et deridendos propinem. 
 Cum enim Theologia omnium Disciplinarum Re 
 gina ab ipso Numine jus in se derivaverit, proeul 
 absit, ut illius cultores despicatui habeam, ut potiiis 
 ex omni non modo Republica, sed ex finibus hu- 
 manae naturae exterminandos arbitrer, quotquot 
 Theologiam aut ejus Ministros divino illo jure ac 
 dignitate spoliare contendunt. Si aliter sentirem, 
 nae tuum patrocinium defugissem, Vir integerrime, 
 cui curae fuit, ut morum bonorum ac pietatis jura 
 sarta ac tecta ab omni piaculo conservares. At vero 
 credo me culpam minime commeruisse, si eos in- 
 serter, qui majori ignorantia an malitia. freti in 
 Theologiam involani; qui venerabili Theologiae 
 gradu, et optimis beneficiis tumidi, novis, et hac- 
 tenus inauditis opinionibus, Reipublicae statum con-^ 
 vellunt ; qui eo quod Theologorum titulo magls 
 quam meritis ornentur, ideo tantum sibi arrogant, 
 itt omnem abjiciant ac relinquant obedientiam, ne 
 modo rationi pareant, cui ipsa naturae lege sub- 
 ject! sunt ; qui pro Magistrali sua dignitate in cunc- 
 tos inferiores ferulain vibrant ; quique longo quan- 
 tumvis togce syrmate ferocientes juillium tamen 
 brevius indui debuerunt, quo minus incautos fallant. 
 
 Hujusmodi Theologos tanto quod per sum mum 
 tlecus usurpaverunt nomine exui, et loco moveri 
 dignos in conspectum adduxi, lepidissime Morum 
 Castigator, ut ab omnibus publicitus exibilentur. 
 Ilanc ineptiarum farraginem duxi nunquain com- 
 modi us
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 19 1 
 
 modius extrudi posse, quam cum Natio in risum 
 prona, morionibus et nugis magls impense delecte- 
 tur. Nationis equidem patientiam nequeo non obi- 
 ter suspicere, et mecum stomachari, quae libellos 
 istos quotidie impune libertate plusquam vernili 
 vagantes, affaniis puris putis refertos, legere susti- 
 neat; feratque illud Ohservatorum, Revisorum, et 
 caeterorum scurrarum vulgus, vocibus nonnisi Bar- 
 baris efferendum. JEtas profectd Censore dignis- 
 sima, qui hanc effraenem scribendi licentiam virga 
 notet, et reprimat ; istosque nugatores, nisi inter 
 vivos * mwrari ulterius desinant, ad Vespillones 
 damnet ! Age, Vir insignissime ; prodeat tandem 
 tamdiu desideratus tuarum lucubrationum liber, fa- 
 cundo illo silentii, quod in ipsis tarn diserte ex~ 
 pressisti, praeconio celebrandus. Ex illis discant 
 Lectores scriptoresque, illi quid legi, hi quid scribi 
 potissimum cum fructu non minori quam voluptate 
 deceat. Interea dum illas expectamus, praeludant 
 has obscurorum Epistolae -j~, quarum elaborata bar- 
 baries, et soloecismi, legentem in cachinnos sol- 
 vant, et quicquid ridiculi vanaeque levitatis in pec- 
 
 * Suetonius, in Vita Neronis Claudii, cap. 33. 
 
 f " The purpose of the work," says Steele, Tatler, N 197, 
 " is signified in the dedication, in very elegant language, and 
 fine raillery. It seems this is a collection of letters which some 
 profound blockheads, who lived before our times, have written 
 in honour of each other, and for their mutual information in 
 each other's absurdities. They are mostly of the German Na- 
 tion, whence, from time to time, inundations of writers have 
 flowed, more pernicious to the learned world, than the swarms 
 of Goths and Vandals to the publick." What would Steele or 
 Addison have said of Kotzebue, and other modern Germans ? 
 
 tore
 
 10.' SIR RICHARD STEELED 
 
 tore resi det, adeo exhau riant, ut ad tuas postea 
 Lucubrationes perlegendas, animus defaeeatior, et 
 a nugis expurgatior accedat : quippe medici solent 
 corpus aegrum medicamentis purgare, quo melius 
 ad victum salubriorem sumendum preparetur. De- 
 nique obscuri isti homunciones, quibus nil quic- 
 quam vixit insulsius, longopost tern pore jam tandem 
 resipiscunt ; famam, quam oliin non potuerunt, 
 conantur nunc aucupari ; a coeetaneis suis audiri vix 
 meruerunt, nunc in spem et lectores et emptores 
 sibi conciliandi veniunt: vivi pro mortuis merito 
 habebantur ; mortui vero nunc vivere et inclarescere 
 incipient, ubi primiim eorum Epistolae nomine tuo 
 insignitae praefulgebunt. 
 
 Vale, Vir eruditissime ; nostrisque moribus diu 
 ac feliciter consule. 
 
 158. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, JULY 3, I7IO. 
 
 X SHALL not dine with you ; but will be with 
 you before five, in order to take the air with you. 
 Yours ever, Rich. Steele. 
 
 I59> TO
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 13 
 
 159.* TO MR. MAYNWARINGf. 
 
 SIR, JULY 22, lJlO. 
 
 X HE state of conversation and business in this 
 town having been long perplexed with pretenders 
 in both kinds ; in order to open men's eyes against 
 such abuses, it appeared no unprofitable undertak- 
 ing to publish a Paper, which should observe upon 
 the manners of the pleasurable, as well as the busy 
 part of mankind. To make this generally read, it 
 seemed the most proper method to form it by way 
 of a Letter of Intelligence, consisting of such parts 
 as might gratify the curiosity of persons of all con- 
 ditions, and of each sex. But a work of this na- 
 ture requiring time to grow into the notice of the 
 world, it happened very luckily, that, a little be- 
 fore I had resolved upon this design, a gentleman 
 had written Predictions, and two or three othet 
 
 * Prefixed to the first volume of " The Tatler" in 8vo. 
 
 f Arthur Maynwaring, esq. " His works set the character 
 of his genius above the reach of the criticism of others, and he 
 was himself allowed universally to be the best critic of his times." 
 Biogr. Brit. art. Hughes. " His learning was without pedantry ; 
 tiis wit without affectation ; his judgment without malice ; his 
 friendship without interest ; his zeal without violence ; in a word, 
 he was the best subject, the best friend, the best relation, the 
 best master, the best critic, and the best political writer in 
 Great Britain." Egerton, Memoirs of Mrs. Oldfield. He died 
 in 1712., aged 44 ; and left his estate to be equally divided be- 
 tween his sister, his son, and his son's mother. It amounted 
 to little more than 3000/. His "life and Posthumous Works" 
 were published by Mr. Oldmixon, 171 5 rf Svo ; whence a full 
 account of him has been inserted in the " Biographical Diction- 
 ary." 
 
 o piecep
 
 194 SIR Richard Steele's 
 
 pieces in my name, which rendered it famous 
 through all parts of Europe ; and, by an inimitable 
 spirit and humour, raised it to as high a pitch of 
 reputation as it could possibly arrive at *. 
 
 By this good fortune the name of Isaac Biclcer- 
 stajf^ gained an audience of all who had any taste 
 of wit ; and the addition of the ordinary occurrences 
 of common Journals of News brought in a multi- 
 tude of other readers. I could not, I confess, long- 
 keep up the opinion of the town, that these Lucu- 
 brations were written by the same hand with the 
 first works which were published under my name + ; 
 but, before I lost the partition of that Author's fame, 
 I had already found the advantage of his authority, 
 to which I owe the sudden acceptance which my 
 labours met with in the world. 
 
 The general purpose of this Paper is, to expose 
 the false arts of life, to pull off the disguises of cun- 
 ning, vanity, and affectation, and to recommend a 
 general simplicity in our dress, our discourse, and 
 our behaviour. No man has a better judgment for 
 the discovery, or a nobler spirit for the contempt 
 of all imposture, than yourself; which qualities 
 render you the most proper patron for the Author 
 
 * Dr. Swift. See the Dean's " Works,'" ed. 1808, vol. III. 
 p. 21 7> and Steele's Original Preface to the Tatler. 
 
 + " Although the Tatler joined an odd surname to no very 
 common Christian one, there 'was a man found in this large 
 town, who owned both the names. Swift's f Works, vol. III. 
 p. 218. 
 
 % " During the prevalence of parties and prejudices, lie that 
 would be believed by every body, should be known to nobody ; 
 lest, instead of listening to the good advice of the censor, the 
 censured should endeav our, by retorting -on hit frailties, to ex- 
 tenuate or justify their oam." 
 
 of
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 195 
 
 of these Essays. In the general, the design, how- 
 ever executed, has met with so great success, that 
 there is hardly a name now eminent among us for 
 power, wit, beauty, valour, or wisdom, which is 
 not subscribed * for the encouragement of these 
 volumes. This is, indeed, an honour, for which 
 it is impossible to express a suitable gratitude ; and 
 there is nothing could be an addition to the plea- 
 sure I take in it, but the reflection, that it gives me 
 the most conspicuous occasion I can ever have, of 
 subscribing myself, Sir, your most obliged, most 
 obedient, and most humble servant, 
 
 Isaac Bickerstaff. 
 
 160. MR. ADDISON TO DR. SWIFT. 
 
 DEAR SIR, DUBLIN CASTLE, JULY 23, I7IO. 
 
 ixBOUT two days ago I received the inclosed, 
 that is sealed up ; and yesterday that of my friend 
 Steele, which, requiring a speedy answer, I have 
 sent you express. In the mean time I have let 
 him know, that you are out of town, and that he 
 may expect your answer by the next post. I fancy 
 he had my lord Halifax's authority for writing. I 
 hope this will bring you to town. For your amuse- 
 ment by the way, I have sent you some of this 
 day's news; to which I must add, that Doctors 
 
 * See the list of Subscribers prefixed to the first volume of 
 the Tatler in Svo. 
 
 o 2 Bisse
 
 1$6 SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 Bisse * and Robinson ~\- are likely to be the Bishops 
 of Bristol and St. David's : that our politicians are 
 startled at the breaking off the Negociations, and 
 fall of stocks ; insomuch that it is thought they 
 will not venture at dissolving the Parliament in such 
 a crisis. 
 
 I am ever, dear Sir, yours entirely, 
 
 J. Addison. 
 
 Mr. Steele desires me to seal yours before I de- 
 liver it : but this you will excuse in one who wishes 
 you as well as he, or any body living can do. 
 
 161. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 HALF-HOUR AFTER 8, 
 DEAR WIFE, JULY 20, I7IO. 
 
 1 STAY in town to-night very much against my 
 inclination, having business of consequence with 
 Mr. Montague -J~, who goes out of town to-morrow 
 irt order to take a voyage. 
 
 I am yours entirely, Rich. Steele. 
 
 * Philip, first made bishop oi* .St. David's, and then of Here- 
 ford. 
 
 f John : he was consecrated bishop of Bristol, November 19, 
 1710> and translated i<> the sec of London in March 1713-14. 
 
 f To settle the Dedication to the second volume of the Tatler} 
 soep. ]<>?. 
 
 rti to
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 1$7 
 
 1 62. * TO EDWARD WORTLEY 
 MONTAGUE, ESQ. f 
 
 SIR, JULY 30, I7IO. 
 
 VV HEN I send you this volume, I am rather to make 
 you a request than a Dedication. I must desire, that 
 if you think fit to throw away any moments on it, you 
 would not do it after reading those excellent pieces 
 
 * Prefixed to the second volume of " The Tatler." 
 + Second son of the Hon. Lady Wortley Montague, and grand- 
 son of Edward Montague, the first earl of Sandwich. He was 
 chosen a member of parliament for Huntingdon in the 4th year of 
 Queen Anne ; and in all other parliaments but two to the end 
 of her reign. On the accession of George I. he was constituted 
 one of the Lords Commissioners of tiie Treasury : and being 
 sent Ambassador-extraordinary to the Grand Signior, he set out 
 for Vienna, Jan. 27, 1/16, and proposed to be at Peterwaradin 
 in eight days ; and, having finisher? his negotiations, he, with 
 his lady, arrived at Leghorn, Aug. 93,, 1718, in the Preston 
 man of war, from Constantinople. He sailed the next day for 
 Toulon j and, travelling through Prance, arrived in England, 
 and waited on his Majesty at Hampton-court, Oct. 4 following, 
 and was graciously received. In the first parliament called by 
 King George I. he was chosen for the city of Westminster, and 
 aftenvards served for Huntingdon, and was a member for the 
 city. of Peterborough when he died, it is said, veiy suddenly, 
 Jan. *2"2, 1;6"1, aged SO years, without being able to alter his 
 will, as he intended, in favour of his son, an extraordinary and 
 ingenious man, author of the " Reflections on the Rise and 
 Fall of ancient Republicks," &c. of whom see several new and 
 Interesting particulars in the Notes on the Tatler, ed. 1806, 
 vol. II. p. iv. Mr. Montague married the Lady Mary Pierre- 
 pont, eldest daughter to his Grace Evelyn Duke of Kingston, an 
 uncommonly fine woman, of very superior understanding, au- 
 thoress of a little volume of excellent Poems, and some volumes 
 
 of
 
 19$ SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 with which you are usually conversant. The images 
 which you will meet with here will be very faint, 
 after the perusal of the Greeks and Romans, who 
 are your ordinary companions. I must confess, I 
 am obliged to you for the taste of many of their 
 excellencies, which I had not observed until you 
 pointed them to me. I am very proud that there 
 are some things in these papers which I know you 
 pardon ; and it is no small pleasure to have one's 
 labours suffered by the judgment of a man, who 
 so well understands the true charms of eloquence 
 and poesy. But I direct this address to you, not 
 theft I think I can entertain you with my writings, 
 but to thank you for the new delight I have, from 
 your conversation, in those of other men. 
 
 May you enjoy a long continuance of the true 
 relish of the happiness Heaven has bestowed upon 
 you ! I know r not how to say a more affectionate 
 thing to you, than to wish that you may be always 
 what you are ; and that you may ever think, as I 
 know you now do, that you have a much larger for- 
 tune than you want. 
 I am, Sir, 
 
 Your most obedient, 
 
 and most humble servant, 
 
 Isaac Bickerstafp. 
 
 of curious Letters 5 and by her (who died August 21, 1762), he 
 had issue the abovementioned only son Edward- Wortley Mon- 
 tague, who was representative in three parliaments for Bossiney 
 in Cornwall ; and a daughter Mary, married to John Stuart, 
 the late Earl of Bute, Aug. 24, 1736. 
 
 163. MR.
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. l$ 
 
 1G3. MR. ADDISON TO MR. KEALLY, 
 
 SIR, AUG. 5, 1710. 
 
 A HE Bank have represented that they must shut 
 up upon the first issuing out of new writs ; and Sir 
 Francis Child, with the rest of the moneyed citizens 
 on the Tories' side, have declared to the duke of 
 Shrewsbury, that they shall be ruined if so great a 
 blow be given to the public credit as would inevita- 
 bly follow upon a Dissolution. We hear from all 
 parts of England that the 'people daily recover their 
 senses, and that the tide begins to turn so strongly, 
 that it is hoped the next Parliament will be of the 
 same stamp with this in case of a Dissolution. 
 
 J. Addison. 
 
 164. TO MRS. STEELE *. 
 
 COCKPIT, SECRETARY'S-OFFICE, 
 MY DEAR, 8 O'CLOCK, AUG. 8, I7IO. 
 
 W HEN I was going out of town, I heard my 
 Lord Treasurer *f- had this day resigned his staff, 
 and was to [be succeeded] by my lord Halifax. 
 The resignation I find confirmed here ; but others 
 
 * " At Mrs. Bradshaw's, at Sandy-end." 
 f Lord Godolphin. The office was put into commission Aug. 
 10, and earl Powlet at the head. 
 
 are
 
 200 SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 are said to succeed him. I stay in town to-night 
 to see a friend, who will be able to give me proper 
 lights into the present affairs. 
 
 Good night, dear Prue, and sleep pleased, for all 
 will do well ; for God will bless us. 
 
 Your faithful, affectionate husband, 
 
 Rich. Steele. 
 
 16*5. TO MRS. STEELE*. 
 
 berry-street, half-hour after 6, 
 
 DEAR PRUE, WEDNESDAY, AUG. 9, lyiO. 
 
 X HOU art such a foolish tender thing, that there 
 is no living with thee. 
 
 I have broke my rest last night, because I knew 
 you would be such a fool as not to sleep. Pray 
 come home by this morning's coach, if you are im- 
 patient: but, if you are not here before noon, I 
 will come down to you in the evening ; but I must 
 make visits this morning, to hear what is doing. 
 Yours ever, Rich. Steele. 
 
 "At Mrs. Bradshaw's house, at Sandy-end, over-against the 
 Bull Alehouse in Fulham-road." 
 
 160*. TO
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 201 
 
 16U TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, COCKPIT, AUG. 0, 17 10. 
 
 1 CANNOT possibly come, expecting orders here, 
 which I must overlook, and having not half done 
 my other business at the Savoy *. 
 
 Dear creature, come in the morning coach ; and, 
 if I can, I will return with you in the evening. 
 Pray wrap yourself very warm. 
 
 Yours ever, Rich. Steele, 
 
 16*7. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 BULL-HEAD-}", CLARE-MARKET, 
 DEAR PRUE, AUG. 24, 17 10. 
 
 X BEG of you to meet your Brother Whig Mar- 
 tyn J and myself here. Ask for me. 
 
 Yours faithfully, Rich. Steele. 
 
 * At Mr. Nutt's. See Tatler, No 209. 
 t See p. 202. 
 
 X Richard Martyn, esq. one of Steele's colleagues, was a 
 Commissioner of the Stamp-office. 
 
 168. TO
 
 202 SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 168. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, AUG. 29, I7IO. 
 
 1 AM doing my business, and cannot come home 
 
 to dinner ; but stay to come home more chearfully. 
 
 Yours, Rich. Steele, 
 
 160. TO MRS. STEELE, 
 
 VERE-STREET *, 
 MY DEAR PRUE, AUG. 30, l/lO. 
 
 IF you can be so good as to forgive all that is. 
 past, you shall [not] hereafter know any suffer- 
 ing from indiscretion or negligence. I have taken 
 care of the matter mentioned in the letter you 
 opened yesterday. Pray let me know how Lugger 
 does. I am waiting here for a third person, to go 
 and receive money. Martyn sent an excuse yester- 
 day that he was sick, and promises to come at ten 
 to-day ; but I shall not wait or depend on that, 
 though I dare say he would do all he could. 
 
 Your affectionate and tender husband, 
 
 Rich. Steele. 
 
 Pray send linen, for I am to meet the parties 
 before nine. 
 
 * From this and the two preceding letters, it seems as if 
 Steele was locked-up at the Bull-head in f'tre-strcet. 
 
 X70. TO
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 20$ 
 
 170. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 MY DEAR, AUG. 31, I7IO. 
 
 1 HAVE sent a message by Cave a little way off. 
 As soon as he returns, I will come home. I have 
 almost done one paper *. 
 
 Yours ever, Rich. Steele. 
 
 171. (A FRAGMENT f.) - 
 
 Mrs. Prichard just now tells me, we 
 
 have crowned Charles King of Spain at Madrid, 
 and all Spain submits to him. She gives her ser- 
 vice to you. Give mine to all friends. I shall be 
 glad to hear what part Mrs. Oakley has in what my 
 aunt Oakley has left her brother who is dead. 
 
 Moll Pugh gives you her service. She knows 
 not how she has disobliged, that you do so Madam 
 her. She is very busy with the still, and many 
 other matters. 
 
 For the teeth, take half-a-pint of claret, a penny- 
 worth of myrrh, and mastick in powder, one top of 
 rosemary, half a nutmeg cut. Boil them all to- 
 gether ; then put in a small bit of alum. 
 
 * See Tatler, N 219, Sept. 2, 1710. 
 
 f This small fragment, in the hand-writing of Mrs. Steele, is 
 undated; but was probably written in October 1710. 
 
 172. TO
 
 I 
 
 20-J ' SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 172. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, OCT. 2, I7IO. 
 
 x\.S soon as you have dined, if you please, come 
 to Nutt's, where I am gone for haste sake to dis- 
 patch my paper * ; and I will go from thence with 
 you to see Dick*f- at Lambeth. 
 
 Yours ever, Rich. Steele. 
 
 175. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, OCT. 12, 1~10. 
 
 X DESIRE you to go to dinner. Be chearful and 
 beautiful, and I will come to you to your mother's 
 between six and seven this evening. 
 
 Faithfully yours, Rich. Steele. 
 
 174. TO MR. REALLY. 
 
 SIR, APRIL 2, 1711. , 
 
 X HE bearer hereof, Mr. John Bateman, is x\v 
 nearest of blood to my uncle Gascoigne ^ ; to whose 
 
 * See Tatler, N<> 232. 
 
 t Their first-born son, named Richard, who died in his- in- 
 fancy. 
 
 + It appears then that tlie maiden name of Sir Richard 
 Steele's mother was Gascoigne ; and probably his father mar- 
 ried this lady in Ireland, when he went over with tbe Duke o 
 Ormond, as the property of her family seems to have been there. 
 
 bounty
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 205 
 
 bounty I owe a liberal education. He has a de- 
 mand upon my Lord Longford, as administrator to 
 my said uncle, together with some other debts 
 which lie out in Ireland. I earnestly recommend 
 his affairs to your favour and patronage ; and de- 
 sire you would stand by him, and appear for him, 
 in order to his obtaining speedy justice. He is of 
 himself an helpless ; and your goodness herein will 
 be the highest obligation to, Sir, 
 
 Your most obedient and most humble servant, 
 
 Rich. Steele. 
 
 175. TO WILLIAM LORD COWPER, 
 
 BARON OF WINGHAM *. 
 MY LORD, [l71l]. 
 
 xxFTER having long celebrated the superior graces 
 and excellencies among men, in an imaginary cha- 
 
 * William Cowper, esq. soon after being called to the bar, 
 was appointed one of King William's Counsel ; he succeeded Sir 
 Nathan Wiighte, as Lord Keeper of the Great Seal, Oct. 11, 
 1/05 j was created Baron Cowper of Wingham, Nov. 9, 1706 ; 
 and appointed Lord Chancellor, May 4, 1707 ; which post he 
 held till Sept. 25, 1710. On the accession of King George, he 
 was appointed again Lord Chancellor, Sept. 21, 1714 ; and, on 
 resigning the great seal, was created Earl Cowper, and Viscount 
 Fordwich, March 18, 1717-18. He generously declined accept- 
 ing New-year's-gifts from the Counsellors at law, which had 
 been long given to his predecessors ; and, what is still more to 
 his honour, foresaw and opposed the destructive measures of the 
 
 South-
 
 806 SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 racter *, I do myself the honour to shew my venera- 
 tion for transcendent merit under my own name, 
 in this address to your Lordship. The just appli- 
 cation of those high accomplishments of which you 
 are master, has been an advantage to all your fellow- 
 subjects ; and it is from the common obligation you 
 have laid upon all the world, that I, though a pri- 
 vate man, can pretend to be affected with, or take 
 the liberty to acknowledge, your great talents and 
 public virtues. 
 
 It gives a pleasing prospect to your friends, that 
 is to say, to the friends of your Country, that you 
 have passed through the highest offices, at an age 
 when others usually do but form to themselves the. 
 hopes of them. They may expect to see you in 
 the House of Lords as many years as you were 
 ascending to it. It is our common good, that your 
 admirable eloquence can now no longer be em- 
 ployed, but in the expression of your own senti- 
 ments and judgment. The skilful Pleader is now 
 for ever changed into the just Judge ; which latter 
 character your Lordship exerts with so prevailing an 
 impartiality, that you win the approbation even of 
 those who dissent from you ; and you always ob- 
 tain favour, because you are never moved by it. 
 
 South-sea bubble in 1720. He died Oct. 10, 1723. It is re- 
 corded, and ought always to be mentioned to the honour of 
 Lord Cowper, that when he was Chancellor, though in friend- 
 ship with the Duke of Marlborough, and of the same political 
 principles, he nobly refused, and persisted in his refusal, to put 
 the broad seal of his office to a tremendous commission for mak- 
 ing his Grace Generalissimo for life. 
 
 * This was prefixed to the third volume of " The Tatler." 
 
 This
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 207 
 
 This gives you a certain dignity peculiar to your 
 present situation * ; and makes the equity, even of 
 a Lord High Chancellor, appear but a degree to- 
 wards the magnanimity of a Peer of Great-Britain. 
 
 Forgive me, my Lord, when I cannot conceaL 
 from you, that I shall never hereafter behold you, 
 but I shall behold you, as lately, defending the brave 
 and the unfortunate ^-, 
 
 When we attend to your Lordship engaged in a 
 discourse, we cannot but reflect upon the many re- 
 quisites which the vain-glorious speakers of Anti- 
 quity have demanded in a man who is to excel in 
 oratory ; I say, my Lord, when we reflect upon the 
 precepts by viewing the example, though there is 
 no excellence proposed by those rhetoricians want- 
 ing, the whole art seems to be resolved into that one 
 motive of speaking, sincerity in the intention. The 
 graceful manner, the apt gesture, and the assumed 
 concern, are impotent helps to persuasion, in com- 
 parison of the honest countenance of him who utters 
 what he really means. From whence it is, that all 
 the beauties which others attain with labour, are in 
 your Lordship but the natural effects of the heart 
 that dictates. 
 
 It is this noble simplicity which makes you sur- 
 pass mankind in the faculties wherein mankind are 
 distinguished from other creatures, reason and 
 speech. 
 
 If these gifts were communicated to all men in 
 proportion to the truth and ardour of their hearts, I 
 
 * He had not long before resigned the office of Lord Chan- 
 cellor. 
 
 f The brave means the Duke of Marlborough. But who was 
 the unfortunate? 
 
 . should
 
 SOS SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 should speak of you with the same force as you ex- 
 press yourself on any other subject. But I resist 
 my present impulse, as agreeable as it is to me ; 
 though indeed, had I any pretensions to a fame of 
 this kind, I should, above all other themes, attempt 
 a panegyric upon my Lord Cowper : for the only 
 sure way to a reputation for eloquence, in an age 
 wherein that perfect Orator lives, is to choose an 
 argument, upon which he himself must of necessity 
 be silent. I am, my Lord, your Lordships most 
 devoted, most obedient, and most humble servant, 
 
 Rich. Steele*. 
 
 176. TO LORD HALIFAX f. 
 
 FROM THE HOVEL AT HAMPTON-WICK, 
 MY LORD, APRIL 7, 1711^. 
 
 W HEN I first resolved upon doing myself this 
 honour, I could not but indulge a certain vanity in 
 
 * " When Steele's patent, as Governor of the Theatre-royal, 
 passed the Great Seal, Lord Chancellor Cowper, in compliment 
 to Sir Richard, would receive no fee." Life of C. Cibber, 1%o6j 
 vol. II. p. 47- 
 
 f Prefixed to the fourth volume of " The Tatler." 
 % Steele built, and inhabited for a few years, an elegant house 
 adjoining to the side of the Palace, which he called by this 
 name. Not long after the date of this letter, being embarassed 
 by his vanity of profusion, or his imprudence of generosity, he 
 borrowed IOOOZ. of Addison on this house and its furniture, 
 giving bond and judgment for the re-payment of the money at 
 the end of twelve montlxs. On the forfeiture of the bond, Ad- 
 dison's
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 209 
 
 dating from this little covert, where I have fre- 
 quently had the honour of your Lordship's com- 
 pany, and received from yOu very many obligations. 
 The elegant solitude of this place, and the greatest 
 pleasures of it, I owe to its being so near those 
 beautiful manors wherein you sometimes reside. It 
 is not retiring from the world, but enjoying its 
 most valuable blessings, when a man is permitted 
 to share in your Lordship's conversations in the 
 country. All the bright images which the Wits of 
 past ages have left behind them in their writings, 
 the n.oble plans which the greatest Statesmen have 
 laid down for administration of affairs, are equally 
 the familiar objects of your knowledge. But what 
 is peculiar to your Lordship above all the illustrious 
 personages that have appeared in any age, is, that 
 
 dison's attorney proceeded to execution, '* the house and furni- 
 ture were sold, the surplus Addison remitted to Steele, with a 
 genteel letter, stating the friendly reason of this extraordinary 
 procedure, viz. to awaken him, if possible, from a lethargy that 
 must end in his inevitable ruin." Steele received the letter with 
 his wonted composure and gaiety, met his friend as usual, and 
 the friendship subsisted to the end of Addison's life, with a few 
 little bickerings [says Dr. Birch] on ivconomical occasions. Addi- 
 son, it seems, dealt at this time with his friend, as he did after- 
 wards with his favourite Sir Roger de Coverley, whom he de- 
 liberately killed, through fair that somebody might murder 
 him. But this is not the place to enter farther into the parti- 
 culars, or the discussion of this story, &c. It is only necessary 
 to say here, that it makes part of a letter to Mr. Garrick, from 
 a man of reputed veracity, who professes that he had his rela- 
 tion first from the celebrated actor Mr. Wilks, and afterwards a 
 full confirmation of it from Steele's own lips, who, it is said, 
 always considered this step as meant by his friend " to do him 
 service." Victor's " Original Letters, &c." 1776, vol I. p. 328 
 and 329. See Letter LXXII. p. 140, and Letter LXXVIII. p. 144. 
 
 P Letter
 
 210 SIR RICHARD STEELE S 
 
 wit and learning have from your example fallen into 
 a new sera *. Your patronage has produced those 
 
 Letter LXX1V. p. 142, is addressed " To Mrs. Steele, at her 
 house in Tht Hick, near Hampton Court." Steele was still at 
 this house '* April 7, 1711 ; when he addressed the present 
 letter to Ixird Halifax " from the Hovel at Hampton Wick." 
 This adds some degree of credibility to the relation given by 
 Victor ; and makes it probable, that when Steele says, in one 
 of these letters (p. 144), that he had paid Addison his 1000/. he 
 might mean that he had given him a bond and judgment on that 
 kouse and its furniture, as his security for the payment of it, it 
 may be in a twelvemonth ; and possibly Addison might wait for 
 three or four years before he entered up his execution. 
 
 * " Of hiln," says Dr. Johnson, " who from a poet became 
 a patron of poets, it will be readily believed that the works 
 would not miss of celebration. Addison began to praise him 
 early, and- was followed or accompanied by other poets ; per- 
 haps by almost all except Swift and Pope, who forbore to flatter 
 him in his life, and after his death spoke of him, Swift with 
 slight censure, and Pope, in the character of JJufo, with acri- 
 monious contempt. He was, as Pope says, fed with dedications ; 
 for Tickell affirms, that no dedicator was unrewarded. Many 
 a blandishment was practised upon Halifax, which he would ne- 
 ver have known had he had no other attractions than those of 
 his poetry, of which a short time has withered the beauties. It 
 would now be esteemed no honour, by a contributor to the 
 monthly bundles of verses, to be told that, in strains either fa- 
 miliar or solemn, he sings like Montague." Dr. Johnson's 
 Lives of English Poets," vol. II. p. 298, &c. ed. 8vo, 1781. 
 
 The character of Halifax, how ever, is not to be estimated by 
 his verses only. His Lordship's great good-nature and modera- 
 tion, his distinguished eminence and usefulness as a statesman, 
 his signal proficiency in literature and taste, his general patron- 
 age of men of wit and letters, and his marked attention to sci- 
 ence, which is a plant that cannot thrive, even in the apt soil of 
 England, without watering, deservedly entitled him to the 
 praises of scholars, which are not always given with nice judg- 
 ment, or in due proportion ; and, in a way not dishonourable 
 to the givers or the receivers, account sufficiently for what Dr. 
 . Johnson
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 211 
 
 arts, which before shunned the commerce of the 
 world, into the service of life ; and it is to you we 
 owe, that the man of wit has turned himself to be 
 a man of business. The false delicacy of men of 
 genius, and the objections which others were apt to 
 insinuate against their abilities for entering into 
 affairs, have equally vanished : and experience has 
 shewn, that men of letters are not only qualified 
 with a greater capacity, but also a greater integrity 
 in the dispatch of business *. Your own studies 
 
 Johnson calls " the blandishments that were practised upon 
 Halifax." Mr. Stepney, himself no bad poet, bequeathed " to 
 Prior 50 pounds, and to Lord Halifax a golden cup and 100 
 tomes of his library." This nobleman, to his great honour, was, 
 to the end of his life, peculiarly kind and serviceable to Steele, 
 who was of congenial political principles, and lived long with 
 him in habits of familiarity and friendship. If the accomplish- 
 ments of Lord Halifax had even been fewer, and his merit less 
 than the generality of his contemporary writers lead us to be- 
 lieve, our author's account of him claims particular regard and 
 credit. Steele, who knew him well, had a penetrating under- 
 standing, and an independent spirit. His pen was always ready 
 at the service of his friends and his party ; but it was always 
 guided by a strict regard to truth, and a nice sense of honour ; 
 and though gratitude, or friendship, might induce him to lavish, 
 nothing could have swayed him to prostitute, praise. These 
 considerations are surely sufficient to exempt what is said here, 
 and in Letter 190 from the imputation of intentional flatter)-, 
 and to furnish, so far as Steele's testimony goes, a strong pre- 
 sumption, if not a decisive proof, in favour of Lord Halifax. 
 To the last mentioned letter, and the note upon it, the reader 
 i9 referred for a more particular account of this amiable 
 and respectable nobleman. See also Theobald's account of 
 him, soon after his Lordship's death, which was caused by an 
 inflammation in his lungs, May 19, 1715. " Censor," vol. I. 
 N 28, pp. 197, 198, &c. 
 
 * Apparently an intended compliment to several of Steele's 
 friends, and particularly to Addison, who, though he never re- 
 
 * 2 mitted
 
 212 SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 have been diverted from being- the highest orna- 
 ment, to the highest use to mankind ; and the ca- 
 pacities which would have rendered you the greatest 
 Poet of your age, have, to the advantage of Great 
 Britain, been employed in pursuits which have 
 made you the most able and unbiassed Patriot. A 
 vigorous imagination, an extensive apprehension, 
 and a ready judgment have distinguished you in 
 all the illustrious parts of administration, in a reign 
 attended with such difficulties, that the same ta- 
 lents, without the same quickness in the possession 
 of them, would have been incapable of conquering. 
 The natural success of such abilities has advanced 
 you to a seat in that illustrious House *, where you 
 were received by a crowd of your relations. 
 
 Great as you are in your honours, and personal 
 qualities, I know you will forgive an humble neigh- 
 bour the vanity of pretending to a place in your 
 friendship, and subscribing himself, my Lord, 
 Your Lordship's most obliged, 
 and most devoted servant, 
 
 Rich. Steele. 
 
 mitted the fees of his office, never would accept of any more 
 than was stated and customary. A remarkable instance of this 
 integrity was, his refusal of a bank note of 300/. and afterwards 
 of a diamond ring of the same value, from a Major Dunbar, 
 ascertained by an original letter of Addison himself, for which 
 the publick were originally Indebted to the publications of Ed- 
 mond Curll. 
 * He was made a peer in 1700. 
 
 177. TO
 
 EPISXOLAR.Y (^CORRESPONDENCE. 21& 
 
 177. TO MR. HUGHES. 
 
 DEAR SIR, [aPRIc] 1711. 
 
 CLAYTON and I desire you, as soon, as you 
 ran conveniently, to alter this poem * for musick, 
 preserving as many of Dryden's words and verses as 
 you can. It is to be performed by a voice well 
 skilled in recitative ; but you understand all these 
 matters much better than 
 
 Your affectionate humble servant, High. Steele. 
 
 Mr 
 
 178. FROM MR, HUGHES. 
 
 DEAR SIR, [APRIL l/ll.] 
 
 OINCE you have asked my opinion about the 
 musick, I take it for granted you would have me 
 
 * ( * Alexander's Feast, or the Power of Music, an Ode for St. 
 Cecilia's Day." Agreeably to this request, Mr. Hughes matle 
 several alterations in that admired ode ; which are pointed out 
 by Mr, Malone, in his Life of Dryden, vol. I. p. 303. But what 
 his opinion was of the musick both of that and of " Sappho's 
 Ode by Philips," will appear from the following letter. The 
 honour of doing justice to Dryden, as well as to Milton, was 
 reserved for Handel, who composed " Alexander's Feast" in 
 1736. " It is to be regretted," says Dr. Warton, in his f Essay 
 on Pope,' " that Mr, Handel has not set to musick Pope's < Ode* 
 as well as Dryden's." But should it not be observed, that that 
 excellent Poet, as well as judge of music, Mr. Hughes, was the 
 first who altered " Alexander's Feast" for music ? Duncombe.
 
 S14 SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 give it you ; and therefore I will shew how faithfully 
 I intend always to obey you, in doing it with a 
 freedom, which I would be loth to use to one for 
 whom I had less friendship, and in whose candour 
 and integrity I did not think myself safe. 
 
 I shall therefore, without taking any hints from 
 others, just give you some few observations which 
 have occurred to me, as well as I could judge upon 
 the first hearing. 
 
 That which seems to me to strike most are the 
 prelude-bases, some of which are very well fancied ; 
 but I am afraid they are in themselves too long, 
 especially when repeated ; for prelude-bases are only 
 to begin the subject of the air, and do not shew any 
 composition (which consists in the union of parts) ; 
 so that, if they are not artfully worked afterwards 
 with the voice-part, they are no proof of skill, but 
 only of invention. 
 
 The symphonies in many places seem to me per- 
 plexed, and not made to pursue any subject or 
 point. 
 
 The last air of Sappho begins too chearfully for 
 the sense of the words. As well as I can guess, 
 without seeing the score, it is in D sharp, from 
 which it varies (in another movement of time) into 
 B flat 3d, and so ends, without returning to the 
 same key either flat or sharp. This being one con- 
 tinued air (though in two movements of time), let 
 some master be asked, " Whether it is allowable (I 
 am sure it is not usual) to begin an air in one key 
 sharp, and end it in a different key flat?" For 
 though the passage is natural, the closing so is, \ 
 believe, always disallowed. 
 
 The
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 215 
 
 The overture of Alexander ought to be great and 
 noble ; instead of which, I find only a hurry of the 
 instruments, not proper (in my poor opinion) and 
 without any design, or fugue, and, I am afraid, 
 perplexed and irregular in the composition, as far 
 as I have any ideas or experience. Enquire this of 
 better judgments. 
 
 The duet of Bacchus is chearful, and has a good 
 effect ; but that beginning ' Cupid, Phoebus," &c. 
 I cannot think shews any art, and is, in effect, no 
 more than a single air. Nothing shews both genius 
 and learning more than this sort of composition, 
 the chief beauty of which consists in giving each 
 voice different points, and making those points 
 work together, and interchange regularly and sur- 
 prisingly, or one point following itself in both the 
 voices, in a kind of canon, as it is called. These 
 artfulnesses, when well executed, give infinite de- 
 light to the ear : but that which I have mentioned 
 is not formed after those designs ; but where the 
 voices join, they move exactly together in plain 
 counterpoint, which shews little more than a single 
 air. 
 
 I think the words in general naturally enough ex- 
 pressed, and, in some places, pathetically : but, 
 because you seem to think this the whole mystery 
 of setting, I take this opportunity to assure you, 
 that it is as possible to express words naturally and 
 pathetically in very faulty composition, as it is to 
 hit a likeness in a bac\ picture. If the musick in 
 score, without the words, does not prove itself by 
 the rules of composition, which relates to the har- 
 mony -and motion of different notes at the same 
 
 time,
 
 21(5 SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 time, the notes in the singing parts will not suffice, 
 though they express the words ever so naturally. 
 This is properly the art of composition, in which 
 there is room to shew admirable skill, abstracted 
 from the words ; and in which the rules for the 
 union of sounds are a kind of syntaxis, from which 
 no one is allowed to err. I do not apply this last 
 particular to any thing, but only to give you a 
 general idea of what is composition. Yet, upon the 
 whole, as far as I am able to judge, the musick of 
 Sappho and Alexander, though in gome places 
 agreeable, will not please masters. 
 
 Having thus given you my thoughts freely and 
 impartially (in which perhaps I may be mistaken) 
 I will trust your good sense for the use that may be 
 made of this ; and I beg it may not prejudice me 
 with Mr. Clayton or yourself, and that you will not 
 let him know of this, but only inform yourself far- 
 ther from others, on the hints here given. 
 
 I should not, you may be sure, give you or my- 
 self this trouble, but that I do not know how far it 
 may concern your interest to be rightly informed, 
 which is the only regard I have in shewing you this 
 way how much I am, Sir, 
 
 Yours, &c. John Hughes. 
 
 179- TO
 
 I 
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE, 217 
 
 179. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, JUNE 2, 1711, 
 
 CANNOT come home to dinner. I dine with 
 Xonson, at an ordinary near the Temple, with Mr, 
 Addison and another gentleman. A gentleman met 
 me to-day, and acquainted me that John had been 
 with him to be hired ; so that you will be rid Of 
 him, and I will pay him when I come home. 
 
 I would have you go out and divert yourself, and 
 believe I love you better than life. 
 
 Yours, Rich. Steele. 
 
 I write from Mr. Edward Lawrence's, whose 
 sister would be glad of your company. 
 
 180. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, JUNE 14, 1711. 
 
 1 AM obliged to go with Mr. Glanville to Sir 
 Harry Furnasse's *, and cannot be home till nine at 
 night. Thank God, all will now be done. 
 
 Your most obedient husband, Rich. Steele. 
 
 I will come to Berry-street at nine. 
 
 * This was Sir Harry Furnese, the rich Alderman 5 of whom 
 Swift says, in " The Examiner," N 40, " I know a citizen, 
 who adds or alters a letter in his name with every plumb he ac- 
 quires } he now wants only the change of a vowel to be allied to 
 a sovereign prince in Italy ; and that, perhaps, he may contrive 
 to be done by a slip of the graver on his tomb-stone." He died 
 Nov. 30, 1712. 
 
 181. TO
 
 21 8 SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 181. TO MRS. STEELE*, 
 
 MADAM, JUNE 20, IffXU 
 
 J. HEARTILY beg your pardon for my omission 
 to write yesterday. It was no failure of my tender 
 regard for you ; but, having been very much per- 
 plexed in my thoughts on the subject of my last, 
 made me determine to suspend speaking of it until 
 I came myself. But, my lovely creature, know it 
 is not in the power of age, or misfortune, or any 
 other accident which hangs over human life* to take 
 from me the pleasing esteem I have for you, or the 
 memory of the bright figure you appeared in, when 
 you gave your hand and heart, to, Madam, 
 Your most grateful husband 
 
 and obedient servant, Rich. Steele^ 
 
 182. TO MRS. STEELE, 
 
 DEAR PRUE, JUNE 21, 1711. 
 
 1 AM going about your commands ; and will send 
 word, or come home to dinner. 
 
 Yours ever, Rich . Steele. 
 
 * This Letter, with the omission only of the name, was printed 
 verbatim in the Spectator, N CXLII. He had then been mar- 
 ried nearly four, not for ty years. 
 
 183. TO
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCES 219 
 
 183. TO MRS. STEELE*. 
 
 JUNE 22, I.7II. 
 
 x RAY, on the receipt of this, go to Nine-Elms ; 
 and I will follow you within an hour. 
 
 Yours, Rich. Steele. 
 
 184. TO MR. POPE. 
 
 SIR, JULY 26, 1711. 
 
 X WROTE to you the other day, and hope you 
 have received my letter. This is for the same end, 
 to know whether you are at leisure to help Mr. 
 Clayton -f~, that is, me, to some words for musick 
 against winter. 
 
 * " Last door left-hand, Bromley-street," the lodgings of 
 Mrs. Scurlock; " or Berry-street," their own lodgings. 
 
 f Thomas Clayton was one of the royal band of musicians in 
 the time of king William and queen Mary. He set to music the 
 first opera, properly so called, ever exhibited on the English 
 stage, " Arsinoe, Queen of Cyprus," performed at Drury-lane, 
 Jan. 16, 1704-5, the pit and boxes being open only to subscrib- 
 ers. Though formed in the Italian mould, it was written in 
 English. " It is scarcely to be credited," says Dr. Burney, 
 " that in the course of the first year, this miserable performance, 
 which neither deserved the name of a drama by its poetry, nor 
 an opera by its musick, should sustain twenty-four representa- 
 tions ; and the second year eleven." Clayton likewise set Addi- 
 son's opera of Rosamond, which first appeared March 4, 1706-7 ; 
 but the musick was so extremely bad, that, notwithstanding Ad- 
 dison's
 
 $2ti SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 Your answer to me at Will's will be a great fa- 
 vour to, Sir, your most obedient, humble servant, 
 
 Rich, Steele. 
 
 185*. TO LORD 
 
 MY LORD, ._ . , -tac* 
 
 J. HAVE for some time, according to the duty of 
 my station -j~, taken very particular notice of what 
 reception the Gazettes and other papers have among 
 the readers of those weekly histories, in order to 
 raise the value of the paper written by authority, 
 and lessen the esteem of the rest among the gene- 
 
 dison's high reputation, Rosamond, after three representations, 
 was dismissed from the scene." Malone's Life of Dryden, ^ol. I. 
 p. 302. 
 
 In the Spectator, N 258, Dec. 2fi, 1711, is a letter, signed, 
 " Thomas Clayton, Nicolino Haym, and Charles Dieupart," an- 
 nouncing the plan of their intended concerts in York-buildings, 
 and the terms of the subscription. 
 
 * This letter is without date ; nor docs it appear certainly to 
 what Lord it was addressed, though most probably it was written 
 to Lord Halifax. 
 
 f The station Steele speaks of was what he elsewhere calls 
 that of " the lowest Minister of State, the office of Gazetteer ? 
 where he worked faithfully according to order, without ever 
 erring against the rule observed by all Ministries, to keep that 
 paper very innocent and very insipid. It is believed," he add.-, 
 " it was to the reproaches he heard every Gazette-day against 
 the writer of it, that he owed the fortitude of being remarkably 
 negligent of what people say, which he does not deserve." Apo- 
 logy, p. Q 97. 
 
 rality
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 221 
 
 rality of the people ; which I am almost confident 
 to effect, if I may presume upon the following 
 assistances * : 
 
 M 
 
 186. TO MR. KEALLY. 
 
 SIR, JULY 26, 1711. 
 
 APPENING to be now at Mr. Addison's lodg- 
 ings, and talking of you (which we often do with 
 great affection), I recollected that I had not yet 
 thanked you for your great kindness to Mr. Bate- 
 man. The poor man acknowledges he should have 
 made nothing of his journey without your assist- 
 ance ; for which you will ever have the blessings of 
 his numerous family. You have laid an infinite 
 obligation upon me in it. 
 
 My most humble service to Mr. Thomas Vesey, 
 who, I am sorry to hear, mistakes me. 
 I am, Sir, 
 
 Yours, &c. 
 
 Rich. Steele. 
 
 * Here the letter breaks off abruptly. 
 
 187. TO
 
 222 JSIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 187. TO THE SPECTATOR. 
 
 I 
 
 AUG. 2, 1711. 
 
 WENT this evening to visit a friend, with a 
 design to rally him, upon a story I had heard of 
 his intending to steal a marriage without the privity 
 of us his intimate friends and acquaintance *. I came 
 
 * This extract from the Spectator, No CXXXIII. is selected 
 to do justice to the memory of a friend of Steele, whose kind- 
 ness he acknowledges in several passages of the preceding letters 
 (see pp. 149, 152, 153, &c). On good authority it may be now 
 told, that the character here so affectionately drawn, is that of 
 Stephen Clay, esq. This gentleman was the son and heir of 
 Edmund Clay, a haberdasher in London : was admitted of the 
 honourable Society of the Inner Temp'e, Nov. 16, 1G93; and 
 called to the Bar, Nov. 24, I70O. 
 
 Great pains have been taken to recover some account of this 
 ingenious Lawyer ; but they have not been attended with much 
 success. The two following short poems may probably incline 
 the reader to sympathize in the regret that this enquiry has not 
 been more fixiitful of discoveries : 
 
 The Maid's Complaint ; a Song, by Stephen Clay, Esq. 
 Custom, alas ! does partial prove, 
 
 Nor gives us even measure j 
 A pain to maids it is to love, 
 But 'tis to men a pleasure. 
 
 They freely can their thoughts explain, 
 
 But ours must burn within j 
 We have got eyes and tongues in vain, 
 
 And truth from us is sin. 
 
 Men to new joys and conquests fly, 
 
 And yet no hazards run ; 
 
 Poor we are left if we deny, 
 
 / And if we yield, undone. 
 
 Then
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 22J 
 
 into his apartment with that intimacy which I have 
 done for very many years, and walked directly into 
 his bed-chamber, where I found my friend in the 
 agonies of death. What could I do? The inno- 
 cent mirth in my thoughts struck upon me like the 
 most flagitious wickedness : I in vain called upon 
 him ; he was senseless, and too far spent to have 
 the least knowledge of my sorrow, or any pain in 
 himself. Give me leave then to transcribe my soli- 
 loquy, as I stood by his mother, dumb with the 
 weight of grief for a son who was her honour, and 
 
 Then equal laws let Custom find, 
 
 Nor thus the sex oppress ; 
 More freedom give to womankind, 
 
 Or give to mankind less. 
 
 Song, in Imitation of an Ode of Horace to Barine. 
 By Stephen Clay, Esq. 
 
 Oh ! that I could one blemish find, 
 
 To moderate my pain ! 
 On that alone I *d fix my mind, 
 
 And you shall charm in vain. 
 
 I ran thy face and body o'er, 
 
 But thou art lovely there j 
 Thy speech, thy mind, I did explore, 
 
 Thou 'rt lovely every where. 
 
 Through all mankind you spread desires, 
 
 Old age no freedom knows ; 
 And as eaeh youth to man aspires, 
 
 Your empire larger grows. 
 
 But all that 's female you must shun, 
 
 Their envy sooths your pride, 
 You rob the mother of her son, 
 
 And of her spouse the bride. 
 
 See Roscommon's Miscellaneous Works, 1709, 8vo, Part VIII. 
 
 her
 
 224 SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 her comfort, and never till that hour, since his 
 birth, had been an occasion of a moment's sorrow 
 to her. 
 
 " How surprising is this change ! from the pos- 
 session of vigorous life and strength, to be reduced 
 in a few hours to this fatal extremity ! Those lips, 
 which look so pale and livid, within these few days 
 gave delight to all who heard their utterance ! It 
 was the business, the purpose of his being, next to 
 obeying Him (to whom he is going), to please and 
 instruct, and that for no other end but to please 
 and instruct. Kindness was the motive of his ac- 
 tions ; and, with all the capacity requisite for mak- 
 ing a figure in a contentious world, moderation, 
 good-nature, affability, temperance, and chastity, 
 were the arts of his excellent life. There as he lies 
 in helpless agony, no wise man, who knew him so 
 well as I, but would resign all the world can be- 
 stow, to be so near the end of such a life. Why 
 does my heart so little obey my reason as to lament 
 thee, thou excellent man! Heaven receive him, or 
 restore him! Thy beloved mother, thy obliged 
 friends, thy helpless servants, stand around thee 
 without distinction. How much wouldst thou, 
 hadst thou thy senses, say to each of us ! 
 
 " But now that good heart bursts, and he is at 
 rest ! With that breath expired a soul who never 
 indulged a passion unfit for the place lie is gone to ! 
 Where are now thy plans of justice, of truth, of 
 honour? of what use the volumes thou hast collated, 
 the arguments thou hast invented, the examples 
 thou hast followed ? Poor were the expectations of 
 the studious, the modest, and the good, if the 
 
 regard
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 225 
 
 reward of their labours were only to be expected 
 from man. No, my friend, thy intended plead- 
 ings, thy intended good offices to thy friends, 
 thy intended services to thy country, are already 
 performed (as to thy concern in them) in His 
 sight before whom the past, present, and future, 
 appear at one view. While others with thy 
 talents were tormented with ambition, with vain 
 glory, with envy, with emulation, how well didst 
 thou turn thy mind to its own improvement in 
 things out of the power of fortune, in probity, in 
 integrity, in the practice and study of justice! How 
 silent thy passage ! how private thy journey ! how 
 glorious thy end ! Many have I known more fa- 
 mous, some more knowing, not one so innocent. ." 
 
 188. TO THE DUKE OF xMARLBOROUGH. 
 
 MY LORD, JAN. 1, 1711-12. 
 
 IT was with the utmost consternation I, this day, 
 heard your Grace had received a dismission from all 
 your employments * : and lest you should, out of 
 
 * " On the 30th of December, the Queen declared in Council, 
 that her Majesty being acquainted, that an information against 
 the Duke of Marlborough was laid before the House of Com- 
 mons by the Commissioners of the public accounts j her Ma- 
 jesty thought fit to dismiss him from all employments, that that 
 matter might take an impartial examination. And the next day 
 her Majesty sent his Grace a letter, written with her own hand, 
 signifying her royal pleasure to resume all the employments she 
 had intrusted him with." Life of Queen Anne, p. 415. 
 
 a the
 
 226 SIR RICHARD STEELE' S 
 
 the softness which is inseparable from natures truly 
 heroic, believe this a diminution of your glory, I 
 take the liberty to express to you, as well as I can, 
 the sense which mankind has of your merit. 
 
 That great genius with which God has endowed 
 you, was raised by Him, to give the first notion 
 that the Enemy was to be conquered : till you were 
 placed at the head of armies, the Confederates 
 seemed contented to shew France that she could not 
 overcome Europe ; but it entered not into the heart 
 of man, that the rest of Europe could conquer 
 France. When I have said this, my Lord, there 
 arise in my soul so many instances of your having 
 been the ministering angel in the cause of Liberty, 
 that my heart flags, as if it expected the lash of 
 Slavery, when the sword is taken out of his hand 
 who defended me and all men from it. Believe me, 
 immortal Sir, you have a slighter loss in this 
 change of your condition than any other man in 
 England. Your actions have exalted you to be the 
 chief of your species ; and a continued chain of suc- 
 cesses, resulting from Wise counsels, have denomi- 
 nated you the first of mankind in the age which 
 was blessed with your birth. Enjoy what it is not 
 in the power of Fate itself to take from you, the 
 memory of your past actions. Past actions make 
 up present glory. It is in the power of mortals to 
 be thankless to you for doing them ; but it is not 
 in their power to take from you that you have done 
 them. It is in the power of man to make your ser- 
 vices ineffectual in consequences to your country ; 
 but it is not in their power to make them inglorious 
 to yourself. Be not therefore you concerned ; but 
 
 let
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 22J 
 
 let us lament, who may suffer by your removal. 
 Your glory is augmented by comparison of your 
 merit to the reward it meets with : but the honour 
 of your country 
 
 It is as impossible to do you dishonour, as to re- 
 call yesterday ; your character is indelible in the 
 book of Fame : and though, after a few turbulent 
 years, it will be said of us, the rest of mankind, 
 " they were ;" it will be to the end of time said, 
 " Marlborough is." My Lord, you are possessed 
 of all the English glory of the whole age in which 
 you live ; and all who shall be transmitted to poste- 
 rity, must pass down only memorable, as they have 
 exerted themselves in concert with you, or against 
 you, with endless honour as your friends, or infamy 
 as your enemies. The brightest circumstance that 
 can be related of the Queen herself will be, it was 
 she for whom Marlborough conquered. Since it is 
 thus, my Lord, if even the glorious Edifice which 
 your Country decreed should be erected to perpetu- 
 ate your memory stand unfinished, let it stand so 
 a monument of the instability of human affairs. 
 Your glory is not changed because the rest of man- 
 kind are changeable. It is not your fault that other 
 Generals have received a greater reward for escaping 
 your valour, than you have for making them fly 
 before it. 
 
 Had it pleased God that we had lost you by your 
 mortality, the greatest man next to you would have 
 had the mitigation of his inferior desert, that the 
 same age could not produce such another ; but how 
 will he do to avert the eyes of all mankind, upon all 
 exigencies, from looking towards you yet living ? 
 
 a 2 My
 
 228 Kit RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 My noble Lord, be convinced that you cannot be 
 disgraced ; that your stand in human life is immu- 
 table ; that your glory is as impassive as the fame 
 of him who died a thousand years ago. Whence is 
 it that we thus love you, that we thus honour you t 
 It is from the very qualities which lay you open to 
 the assaults of your enemies. That sweet compla- 
 cency, that admirable spirit, which is so tempered 
 for the arts of common life, makes us lose our won- 
 der in love. Is that amiable man, with that easv 
 gesture, that gentle, beseeching mien, the man 
 terrible in battle, the scourge of Tyrants ! My Lord 
 Marlborough, do not think there are not men who 
 can see your several accomplishments, your excel- 
 lencies, that expose you to the possibility of being 
 ill-treated. We understand vou too well not to see, 
 and to thank you, that you conic home, as if you 
 had never heard the acclamations of the Universe ; 
 that your modesty and resignation have made your 
 transcendent, your heroic, your god-like virtue, ca- 
 pable of being blended in societv with other men. 
 And, my Lord, do you think we can let that virtue 
 be dangerous to you, which only makes your other 
 qualities not dangerous to us ? Accept, O familiar, 
 O amiable, O glorious man, the thanks of every 
 generous, every honest man, in (ireat-Britain. Go 
 on in your easy mien of life ; be contented we sec 
 you, we admire you, we love you the more. While 
 you are what you cannot cease to be, that mild 
 virtue is your armour; the shameless ruffian that 
 should attempt to sully it, would find his force 
 against it as detestable as the strength of a ravisher 
 in the violation of chastity, the testimonies of a 
 
 perjured
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 229 
 
 perjured man confronting truth, or clamour drown- 
 ing the voice of innocence. I am, my Lord, 
 Your grateful fellow-subject, and faithful friend, 
 
 Scoto-Britannus *. 
 
 189. TO LORD SOMERSf. 
 
 MY LORD, [17II-I2.] 
 
 JL SHOULD not act the part of an impartial Spec- 
 tator, if I dedicated the following papers to one 
 who is not of the most consummate and most ac- 
 knowledged merit j. 
 
 None but a person of a finished character can be 
 the proper patron of a work, which endeavours to 
 cultivate and polish human life, by promoting vir- 
 tue and knowledge, and bv recommending what- 
 soever may be either useful or ornamental to 
 society. 
 
 I know that the homage I now pay you is offer- 
 ing a kind of violence to one who is as solicitous to 
 shun applause, as he is assiduous to deserve it. But, 
 my Lord, this is perhaps the only particular in 
 which your prudence will be always disappointed. 
 
 * Should it be said, this is a name which Steele was not 
 likely to have adopted ; let it be remembered, that he published 
 the letter as his own in his " Political Writings." 
 
 f This distinguished Lawyer was born at Worcester in 1G52 j, 
 and was first taken notice of at the trial of the Seven Bishops, 
 for whom he was one of the counsel. See p. c 230. 
 
 X This was prefixed to the first volume of " The Spectator." 
 
 While
 
 230 SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 While justice, candour, equanimity, a zeal for 
 the good of your country, and the most persuasive 
 eloquence in bringing over others to it, are valuable 
 distinctions ; you are not to expect that the publick 
 will so far comply with your inclinations, as to for- 
 bear celebrating such extraordinary qualities. It is 
 in vain that you have endeavoured to conceal your 
 share of merit in the many national services which 
 you have effected. Do what you will, the present 
 age will be talking of your virtues, though posterity 
 alone will do them justice *. 
 
 Other men pass through oppositions and contend- 
 ing interests in the ways of ambition ; but your 
 great abilities have been invited to power, and im- 
 portuned to accept of advancement. Nor is it 
 strange that this should happen to your Lordship, 
 who could bring into the service of your Sovereign 
 the arts and policies of antient Greece and Rome ; 
 as well as the most exact knowledge of our own 
 constitution in particular, and of the interests of 
 Europe in general ; to which I must also add, a 
 certain dignity in yourself, that (to say the least of 
 it) has been always equal to those great honours 
 which have been conferred upon you. 
 
 It is veiy well known how much the Church 
 owed to you, in the most dangerous day -j~ it ever 
 
 * Mr. Walpole has done them ample justice, in his " Cata- 
 logue of Royal and Noble Authors." 
 
 | This most dangerous day was June 29, 1688, the very day 
 on which the Seven Bishops, who had been committed to the 
 Tower by that wicked chancellor, Jefferys, for modestly peti- 
 tioning King James II. to excuse them from reading his decla- 
 ration of his dispensing power in matters of religion, were tried 
 in Westminster-hall, and acquitted, to the universal joy of the 
 
 nation.
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 2$ I 
 
 saw, that of the arraignment of its Prelates ; and 
 how far the civil power, in the late and present reign, 
 has been indebted to your counsels and wisdom. 
 
 But to enumerate the great advantages, which 
 the publick has received from your administration, 
 would be a more proper work for an history, than 
 for an address of this nature *. 
 
 Your Lordship appears as great in your private 
 life, as in the most important offices which you 
 have borne. I would, therefore, rather choose to 
 speak of the pleasure you afford all who are ad- 
 mitted into your conversation, of your elegant taste 
 
 nation. In this famous trial, our Author's patron, then only 
 Mr. Somers, was one of the learned counsel for the Bishops ; and, 
 for his noble defence of those prelates, who were then generally 
 styled the seven golden candlesticks, he was, by King William, 
 made Solicitor-general, May 7, 1689 ; then Attorney-general, 
 May 2, 1692, and knighted ; and Lord Keeper, 1693. April 
 21, 1697> he was created Lord Somers, Baron of Evesham, and 
 made Lord Chancellor of England ; from which post he was re- 
 moved in 1?00, and in 1701 impeached by the Commons, but 
 acquitted on his trial by the Lords. He then retired to his 
 studies, and was chosen President of the Royal Society. In 
 1706, he projected the Union. In 1703, Cjueen Anne made 
 him Lord President of the Privy Council ; but, on the change 
 of her ministry in 1710, he was also displaced. Towards the 
 latter end of the Queen's reign he grew very infirm ; which 
 probably was the reason why he had no other post than a seat 
 at the council- table at the accession of King George I. He died 
 of an apoplectic fit, April 26, 1716, after having for some time 
 unfortunately survived the powers of his understanding. 
 
 * This letter of Steele gives a lively sketch of his character ; 
 but surely no man's was ever better depicted by a pen than this 
 nobleman's is by Mr. Addison in that admirable paper, intituled, 
 " The Freeholder," published on the 1th of May (the day of his 
 Lordship's interment), to which the curious are referred. His 
 writings are too well kjaown to need enumeration. 
 
 in
 
 252 SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 in all the polite parts of learning, of your great hu- 
 manity and complacency of manners, and of the sur- 
 prising influence which is peculiar to you in making 
 every one who converses with your Lordship prefer 
 you to himself, without thinking the less meanly 
 of his own talents. But, if I should take notice of 
 all that might be observed in your Lordship, I 
 should have nothing new to say upon any other 
 character of distinction. I am, my Lord, 
 
 Your Lordship's most devoted, most obedient, 
 hunble servant, . The Spectator v 
 
 loo. TO CHARLES LORD HALIFAX *. 
 
 MY LORD, 
 
 SIMILITUDE of manners and studies is usually 
 mentioned as one of the strongest motives to aftec-r 
 
 * In a note on a former epi.-tle to this nobleman, p. 211, 
 this further account of him was promised. 
 
 Mr. Charles Montague, grrndson to an carl of Manchester, 
 Was taken much notice of at Cambridge, for his " City and 
 Country Mouse," a satire on Mr. Dryden. Being brought to 
 Court at the Revolution, he was constituted one of the Lord s 
 Commissioners of the Treasury, March 2, 1691-2; Chancellor 
 of the Exchequer, in May 169-1. The coin being exceedingly 
 debased and diminished, he formed the design of, calling-in the 
 money, and re-coining it, in 1695 ; which was effected in two 
 to supply the immediate want of cash, he projected the 
 issuing of Exchequer bills. For this service, he had the thanks 
 of the House of Commons in 16*97. He w;i> next year appointed 
 First Lord Commissioner of the Treasury j and, resigning that 
 
 post
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 2S3 
 
 tion and esteem ; but the passionate veneration I 
 have for your Lordship, I think, flows from an ad- 
 miration of qualities in you, of which, in the whole 
 course of these papers *, I have acknowledged my- 
 self incapable. While I busy myself as a stranger 
 upon earth, and can pretend to no other than being 
 a looker-on, you are conspicuous in the busy and 
 polite world, both in the world of men, and that of 
 letters. While I am silent and unobserved in pub- 
 lic meetings, you are admired by all that approach 
 you as the life and genius of the conversation. 
 What an happy conjunction of different talents 
 meets in him whose whole discourse is at once ani- 
 mated by the strength and force of reason, and 
 adorned with all the graces and embellishments of 
 wit ! When learning irradiates common life, it is 
 then in its highest use and perfection ; and it is to 
 euch as your Lordship, that the sciences owe the 
 esteem which thev have with the active part of man- 
 kind -j\ Knowledge of books, in recluse men, is like 
 
 post in Jane 1700, obtained a grant of the office of Auditor of 
 the Receipt of the Exchequer ; and the same year, Dec. 13, was 
 created Baron Halifax. On the accession of King George I. he 
 was a member of the regency ; was appointed First Lord Com- 
 missioner of the Treasury, Oct. 5, 1714; created Viscount Sun- 
 bury and Karl of Halifax, Oct. 15 ; and died May 15, 1715. 
 
 * This Letter was originally prefixed to the second volume of 
 " The Spectator." 
 
 f " Addison has celebrated this Lord in his Account of the 
 greatest English Poets. Steele has drawn his character in the 
 second volume of the Spectator, and in the fourth of the Tatler ; 
 but Pope, in the portrait of Bufo, in the Epistle to Arbuthnot, 
 has returned the ridicule which his Lordship, in conjunction with 
 Prior, had heaped on Drydca's Hind and Panther." Walpole's 
 Catalogue, vol. II. p. 110*. 
 
 that
 
 234 sir riciiard Steele's 
 
 that sort of lantern which hides him who carries it, 
 and serves only to pass through secret and gloomy 
 paths of Ills own ; but, in the possession of a man 
 of business, it is as a torch in the hand of one who 
 is willing and able to shew those who are bewil- 
 dered, the way which leads to their prosperity and 
 welfare. A generous concern for your countpy, 
 and a passion for every thing which is truly great 
 and noble, are what actuate all your life and ac- 
 tions ; and I hope you will forgive me that I have 
 an ambition this book may be placed in the library 
 of so good a judge of what is valuable ; in that li- 
 brary where the choice is such, that it will not be 
 a disparagement to be the meanest author in it. 
 Forgive me, my Lord, for taking this occasion of 
 telling all the world how ardently I love and ho- 
 nour you ; and that I am, with the utmost grati- 
 tude for all your favours, my Lord, your Lordship's 
 most obliged, most obedient, and most humble ser- 
 vant, The Spectator. 
 
 191. TO MR. POPE. 
 
 DEAR SIR, JAN. 20, 1711-12. 
 
 J. HAVE received your very kind letter. That 
 part of it which is grounded upon your belief that I 
 have much affection and friendship for you, I re- 
 ceive with great pleasure. That which acknow- 
 ledges
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 235 
 
 ledges the honour done to your " Essay *," I nave 
 no pretence to ; it was written by one whom I will 
 make you acquainted with, which is the best return 
 I can make to you for yout favour to, Sir, 
 Your most obliged humble servant, 
 
 Rich. Steele. 
 
 I 
 
 192. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 FROM MR. ASHURST'S -j", 
 DEAR PRUE, JAN. 21, 1711-12. 
 
 STAY dinner here ; but shall come home as 
 soon as I have dined. 
 
 In the mean time I desire you would order Mi- 
 chael to carry the inclosed to Mr. Gibbs's % lodgings, 
 and bid him afterwards be in the way to wait for me. 
 
 Your obliged husband, Rich. Steele. 
 
 * This relates to the Spectator, N CCLIII. which was written 
 by Addison, and pays a handsome compliment to Pope's '} Es- 
 say on Criticism." Pope's Messiah was first published in the 
 Spectator, after being submitted to the perusal of Steele, and 
 corrected in compliance with his criticisms. See Johnson's Life 
 of Pope, ed 1739, p. 21. 
 
 f This was at the house of his friend sir William Ashurst, 
 who was elected alderman of Billingsgate-ward, 16S8 ; sheriff 
 1692 5 and lord-mayor 1694. He was appointed a commissioner 
 of Excise in November 17 14 j and died, after a long indisposi*. 
 tion, Jan. 12, 1719-20. He was at that time Father of the City, 
 President of the Artillery Company, and Governor of the Corpo- 
 ration for propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts. 
 
 X A butcher. See the next Letter. , 
 
 193- TO
 
 236 SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 193- TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, JAN. 22, i;il-12. 
 
 VTlVE me till ten o'clock to-morrow without dun- 
 ning for your payments ; for Diggle insists upon 
 paying butcher Gibbs, and settling two or three 
 things, before my domestick comes. 
 
 Yours, Rich. Steele. 
 
 104. TO MR. POPE. 
 
 I 
 
 SIR, JUNE 1, 1712. 
 
 AM at a solitude % an house between Hamp- 
 stead and London, wherein Sir Charles Sedley died -J~. 
 This circumstance set me a-thinking and ruminat- 
 ing upon the employments in which men of wit j; 
 exercise themselves. It was said of Sir Charles, 
 who breathed his last in this room, 
 
 " Sedley has that prevailing gentle art, -\ 
 
 Which can with a resistless charm impart > 
 
 The loosest wishes to the chastest heart ; J 
 
 * It is to be feared there were too many pecuniary reason- for 
 this temporary solitude. 
 
 -j- About eight or nine years before the date of this letter. 
 
 X Pope said of Steele, that though he led a Careless and 
 vicious life, yet he had, nevertheless, a love and reference of vir- 
 tue. It is said George I. sent 500 guineas to Steele for the de- 
 dication of his Conscious Lovers. Dennis wrote against this 
 comedy, and called Steele a two-penny author, alluding to the 
 price of his Tatlex. Warton. 
 
 Raise
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 237 
 
 Raise such a conflict, kindle such a fire 
 Between declining virtue and desire, 
 Till the poor vanquish'd maid dissolves away, 
 In dreams all night, in sighs and tears all day." 
 
 This was an happy talent to a man of the town ; 
 but, I dare say, without presuming to make un- 
 charitable conjectures on the authors present con- 
 dition, he would rather have had it said of him that 
 he prayed, 
 
 C( Oh thou my voice inspire, 
 
 Who touclVd Isaiah's hallow'd lips with fire!" 
 
 I have turned to every verse and chapter, and 
 think you have preserved the sublime heavenly 
 spirit throughout the whole, especially at " Hark 
 a glad voice" and " The lamb with wolves shall 
 graze/' 
 
 There is but one line * which I think below the 
 original : 
 
 " He wipes the tears for ever from our eyes." 
 
 You have expressed it with a good and pious, but 
 not so exalted and poetical a spirit as the prophet, 
 " The Lord God will wipe away tears from off all 
 faces." If you agree with me in this, alter it by 
 way of paraphrase or otherwise, that, when it 
 comes into a volume, it may be amended. 
 Your poem is already better than the Pollio. 
 I am yours, &c. Rich. Steele. 
 
 * In consequence of tills objection, this line was altered 
 thus ; 
 
 From every eye he wipes off every tear. 
 I own I cannot forbear thinking that this repetition of the word 
 every is a quaint and pretty modernism, unsuited to the subject, 
 
 Warton. 
 
 195. FROM
 
 2$8 SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 195. FROM MR. POPE. 
 
 SIR, JUNE 18, 1712. 
 
 x OU have obliged me with a very kind letter, by 
 which I find you shift the scene of your life from 
 the town to the country, and enjoy that mixed state 
 which wise men both delight in and are qualified for. 
 Methinks the Moralists and Philosophers * have 
 generally run too much into extremes, in commend- 
 ing entirely either solitude, or public life. In the 
 former, men for the most part grow useless by too 
 much rest ; and in the latter, are destroyed by too 
 much precipitation ; as waters, lying still, putrify, 
 and are good for nothing, and running violently on 
 do but the more mischief in their passage to others, 
 and are swallowed up and lost the sooner them- 
 selves. Those indeed, who can be useful to all 
 states, should be like gentle streams, that not only 
 glide through lonely vallies and forests amidst the 
 flocks and the shepherds, but visit populous towns 
 in their course, and are at once of ornament and 
 service to them. But there are another sort of peo- 
 ple who seem designed for solitude ; such, I mean, 
 as have more to hide than to shew. As for my own 
 part, I am one of those of whom Seneca says, 
 " tarn umbratiles sunt, ut putent in turbido esse 
 quicquid in luce est." Some men, like some pic- 
 
 * There are too many common-place sentences and reflec- 
 tions in this Letter, and an air of solemn declamation, unsuited 
 to a familiar epistle. The same may be said of the next letter 
 but two. Warton. 
 
 tures,
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 2J9 
 
 tureSj are fitter for a corner than a full light ; and, 
 I believe, such as have a natural bent to solitude (to 
 carry on the former similitude) are like waters, 
 which may be forced into fountains, and, exalted 
 into a great height, may make a noble figure, and 
 a louder noise ; but, after all, they would run more 
 smoothly, quietly, and plentifully, in their own 
 natural course upon the ground *. The considera- 
 tion of this would make me very well contented 
 with the possession only of that quiet which Cowley 
 calls the companion of obscurity. But whoever 
 has the Muses too for his companions, can never 
 be idle enough to be uneasy. Thus, Sir, you see 
 I would flatter myself into a good opinion of my 
 own way of living. Plutarch just now told me, 
 that it is in human life as in a game at tables, where 
 a man may wish for the highest cast, but, if his 
 chance be otherwise, he is e'en to play it as well as 
 he can, and to make the best of it. 
 
 I am your, &c. A. Pope. 
 
 * The foregoing similitudes Mr. Pope had put into verse some 
 years before, and inserted into Mr. Wycherley's poem on 
 " Mixed Life." We find them in the versification very distinct 
 from the rest of that poem. See his Posthumous Works, Svo. 
 pp. 3 and 4. 
 
 1Q6\ TO
 
 40 SIR RICHARD STEELE*!* 
 
 196. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, JUNE 28, 1712. 
 
 X CANNOT come home till the evening. All is 
 safe and well. My disappointment has produced a 
 good, of which you will be glad ; to wit, a certainty 
 of keeping my office *, for resigning so great a pro- 
 spect. I am, dear thing, 
 
 Yours ever, Rich. Steele. 
 
 197. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, JULY 15, 1 7 1 2. 
 
 J. THANK you for your kind billet. The nurse 
 shall have money this week. I saw your son Dick ; 
 but he is a peevish chit. You cannot conceive how 
 pleased I am that I shall have the prettiest house -j~ 
 to receive the prettiest woman, who is the darling 
 of Rich. Steele. 
 
 * He was then a commissioner in the Stamp-office. 
 
 f A house in Bloomsbury-sxjuare. See Letters 202, 203. 
 
 108. FROM
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 241 
 
 198. FROM MR. POPE. 
 
 JULY 15, 1712. 
 
 X OU formerly observed to me, that nothing 
 made a more ridiculous figure in a man's life, than 
 the disparity we often find in him sick and well : 
 thus one of an unfortunate constitution is perpetually 
 exhibiting a miserable example of the weakness of 
 his mind, and of his body, in their turns. I have 
 had frequent opportunities of late to consider my- 
 self in these different views ; and, I hope, have re- 
 ceived some advantage by it, if what Waller says 
 be true, that 
 
 " The soul's dark cottage, batter'd and decay'd, 
 Lets in new light thro' chinks that Time has made." 
 
 Then surely sickness, contributing no less than old 
 age to the shaking down this scaffolding of the 
 body, may discover the inward structure more 
 plainly. Sickness is a sort of early old age : it 
 teaches us a diffidence in our earthly state, and in- 
 spires us with the thoughts of a future, better than 
 a thousand volumes of Philosophers and Divines. It 
 gives so warning a concussion to those props of our 
 vanity, our strength and youth, that we think of 
 fortifying ourselves within, when there is so little 
 dependence upon our out- works. Youth, at the 
 very best, is but a betrayer of human life in a gen- 
 tler and smoother manner than age : it is like a 
 stream, that nourishes a plant upon a bank, and 
 causes it to flourish and blossom to the sight, but 
 
 R at
 
 242 SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 at the same time is undermining it at the root in 
 secret. My youth has dealt more fairly and openly 
 with me : it has afforded several prospects of my 
 danger, and given me an advantage not very com- 
 mon to young men, that the attractions of the world 
 have not dazzled me verv much ; and I begin, 
 where mo c t people end, with a full conviction of 
 the emptiness of all sorts of ambition, and the un- 
 satisfactory nature of all human pleasures. When 
 a smart fit of sickness tells me this scurvy tenement 
 of my body will fall in a little time, 1 am e'en as 
 unconcerned as was that honest Hibernian, who, 
 being in bed in the great storm some years ago, and 
 told the hfcWse would tumble over his head, made 
 answer, " What care I for the house ? I am only a 
 lodger !'* I fancy it is the best time to die, when 
 one is in the best humour ; and so excessive weak 
 as I now am, I jnxy say with conscience, that I am 
 not at all uneasy at the thought that many men, 
 whom I never had any esteem for, are likely to en- 
 joy this world after me. When I reflect what an 
 inconsiderable little atom every single man is, with 
 respect to the whole creation, methinks it is a shame 
 to be concerned at the removal of such a trivial ani- 
 mal as I am. The morning after my exit the sun 
 will rise as bright as ever, the flowers smell as 
 sweet, the plants spring as. green, the world will 
 proceed in its old course : people! will laugh as 
 heartily, and marry as fast, as they were used to 
 do. " The memory of man," as it is elegantly ex- 
 pressed in the Book of Wisdom, " passeth away, as 
 the remembrance of a guest that tarrieth but one 
 day.'' There are reasons enough, in the fourth 
 
 chapter
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 243 
 
 chapter of the same book, to make any young man 
 contented with the prospect of death. " For ho- 
 nourable age is not that which standeth in length of 
 time, or is measured by number of years. But 
 wisdom is the grey hair to men, and an unspotted 
 life is old age. He was taken away speedily, lest 
 wickedness should alter his understanding, or de- 
 ceit beguile his soul *," &c. 
 I am your, &c, A. Pope. 
 
 199. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR CREATURE, JULY 24, 1712. 
 
 ALL you desire shall be done. I beg of you to 
 compose yourself; for nothing else can [make] 
 happy one that doats on you so much, that he can- 
 not hide it, though he heartily wishes he could. 
 Yours unchangeably, Rich. Steele. 
 
 * Part of this letter has been beautifully versified by West, 
 the friend of Gray, and added to his elegant imitation of Tibul- 
 lus, " Vos tenet." The whole letter indeed is laboured, and 
 more properly poetical, than like a letter written to an ac- 
 quaintance. Bowles. 
 
 R 8 200. TO
 
 244 R RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 200, TO MR. LINTOTT *. 
 
 MR. LINTOTT, AUG. 4, 1712. 
 
 Mr. ADDISON desired me to tell you, that he 
 wholly disapproves the manner of treating Mr. 
 Dennis, in a little pamphlet by way of Dr. Norris's 
 Account -j". When he thinks fit to take notice of 
 Mr. Dennis's objections to his writings J, he will do 
 it in a way Mr. Dennis shall have no just reason to 
 complain of. But when the papers above men- 
 tioned were offered to be communicated to him, he 
 said he could not, either in honour or conscience, 
 be privy to such a treatment, and was sorry to hear 
 of it. 
 
 I am, Sir, 
 
 Your very humble servant, 
 
 Rich. Steele. 
 
 * This letter, written at the request of Mr. Addison, was 
 transmitted by Mr. Lintott to Mr. Dennis, who printed it in 
 " Remarks upon several Passages in the Preliminaries to the 
 Dunciad, 1729." 
 
 f Of the frenzy of Mr. John Dennis ; a Narrative written by 
 Mr. Pope. See his letter to Mr. Addison^ of July 20, 1713. 
 
 X Remarks upon Cato. 
 
 201. TO
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 245 
 
 201. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, AUG. 2l 9 JJfl2. 
 
 I BEG pardon that I am to dine with Mr. Mon- 
 tague *. 
 
 Yours ever, Rich. Steele. 
 
 202. TO MRS. STEELE f. 
 
 TUESDAY, SEPT. 2, 1712. 
 MY DEAR, DEAR WIFE, 
 
 1 HAVE sent my man to town, to carry a letter 
 of excuse to Mr. Berenger, about going out of tow* 
 with him. I hope this will find you and your 
 family [well] ; and I will be with you, God willing, 
 to-morrow dinner. 
 
 Your affectionate, faithful husband, 
 
 Rich. Steele. 
 
 * Lady Mary Wortley Montague was intimate with Mr*. 
 Steele ; and, in one of her letters to her Husband, sayg, I wish 
 you would learn of Mr. Steele to write to your Wife. 
 
 f " At her house in Bloomsbury-square." 
 
 203. TO
 
 146 SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 203. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 T 
 
 HAMPTON-COURT, THURSDAY NOON, 
 DEAREST WIFE, SEPT. 1 7, 1712. 
 
 HE finest women in nature should not detain 
 me an hour from you ; but you must sometimes 
 suffer the rivalship of the wisest men. 
 
 Lords Halifax and Somers leave this place after 
 dinner ; and I go to Watford, to speak with the So- 
 licitor-general *, and from thence come directly to 
 B loom sbury-square . 
 
 Yours faithfully, Rich. Steele. 
 
 204. FROM MR. POPE. 
 
 nov. 7, 1712. 
 
 1 WAS the other day in company with five or six 
 men of some learning ; where chancing to mention 
 the famous verses which the Emperor Adrian spoke 
 on his death-bed, they were all agreed that it was a 
 piece of gaiety unworthy of that Prince in those 
 circumstances. I could not but differ from this 
 opinion : methinks it was by no means a gay, but 
 a very serious soliloquy to his soul, at the point of 
 its departure ; in which sense I naturally took the 
 
 * Sir Robert Raymond 5 afterwards, in regular Hucccs?ion, 
 Attorney-general, a Serjeant at Law, Chief-justice of the King's 
 Hcnch, and a Commissioner of the Great Seal. 
 
 verses
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 247 
 
 verses at my first reading them, when I was very 
 young, and before I knew what interpretation the 
 world generally put upon them 
 
 " Animula vagula, blandula, 
 Hospes comesque corporis, 
 Quee nunc abibis in loca ? 
 Pallidula, rigida, riudula, 
 Nee (ut soles) dabis joca ?" 
 
 tc Alas, my soul ! thou pleasing companion of this 
 body, thou fleeting thing that art now deserting it ! 
 whither art thou flying r to what unknown scene ? 
 all trembling, fearful, and pensive! what now is 
 become of thy former wit and humour ? thou shalt 
 jest and be gay no more/ 
 
 I confess, I cannot apprehend where lies the tri- 
 fling in all this : it is the most natural and obvious 
 reflection imaginable to a dying man : and, if we 
 consider the Emperor was a Heathen, that doubt 
 concerning the future fate of his soul will seem so 
 far from being the effect of want of thought, that it 
 was scarce reasonable he should think otherwise ; 
 not to mention that here is a plain confession in- 
 cluded of his belief in its immortality. The dimi- 
 nutive epithets * of vagal, blandula, and the rest, 
 
 * These sort of epithets are carried to a great degree of af- 
 fectation by the modern Latin Poets of Italy, in their many imi- 
 tations of the Hendeca- syllabi of Catullus ; even by such charm- 
 ing writers as Naugerius, Cotta, and Flaminius, and many 
 others. Nothing can be more unlike Catullus than these lus- 
 cious, florid, and meretricious ornaments ; whose style is re- 
 markable for purity, simplicity, and a certain austerity that is 
 peculiarly charming. Mr. Wilkes has done honour to the 
 English press, and to his own exquisite taste and judgment in 
 
 polite
 
 248 snt richard Steele's 
 
 appear not to me as expressions of levity, but rather 
 of endearment or concern ; such as we find in Ca- 
 tullus, and the authors of Hendeca-syllabi after him, 
 where they are used to express the utmost love and 
 tenderness for their mistresses. 
 
 If you think me right in my notion of the last 
 words of Adrian, be pleased to insert it in the Spec- 
 tator * ; if not, to suppress it. 
 
 I am, &c. . A. Pope. 
 
 Adriaxi morientis ad Animam ; translated. 
 
 Ah, fleeting spirit ! wandering fire, 
 
 That long hast warm'd my tender breast, 
 
 Must thou no more this frame inspire ? 
 No more a pleasing, chearful guest ? 
 
 Whither, ah whither art thou flying ! 
 
 To what dark, undiscover'd shore ? 
 Thou seem 'st all trembling, shivering, dying, 
 
 And wit and humour are no more ! 
 
 polite literature, in giving us, a few years ago, the best and 
 most elegant edition of Catullus extant. London, 4to. 1788. 
 He lias since given us as elegant an edition of Theophrastus, 
 1790, which, from his wit and humour, and knowledge of life and 
 characters, it were to be wished he had enriched with notes and 
 illustrations. To the taste and erudition of Mr. Wilkes I was 
 indebted for many remarks in my edition of his favourite wri- 
 ter. Wartok. 
 
 t See Spectator, N DXXXH. Nov. 10, 1712. 
 
 205. TO
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 249 
 
 205. TO MR. POPE. 
 
 NOV. 12, 1712. 
 
 1 HAVE read over your " Temple of Fame" 
 twice ; and cannot find any thing amiss, of weight 
 enough to call a fault, but see in it a thousand, 
 thousand beauties. Mr. Addison shall see it to- 
 morrow : after his perusal of it, I will let you know 
 his thoughts. I desire you would let me know 
 whether you are at leisure or not ? I have a de- 
 sign *, which I shall open a month or two hence, 
 with the assistance of the few like yourself. If your 
 thoughts are unengaged, I shall explain myself fur- 
 ther. I am your, &c. Rich. Steele. 
 
 20. FROM MR. POPE. 
 
 nqv. 16*, 1712. 
 
 X OU oblige me by the indulgence yon have 
 shewn to the poem I sent you, but will oblige me 
 much more by the kind severity I hope for from 
 you. No errors are so -} trivial but -} they deserve 
 to be mended. But, since you say you see nothing 
 that may be called a fault, can you but think it so y 
 
 * This was ** The Guardian," in which Pope assisted, 
 f It is observed by Bp. Lowth, that these are improperly 
 used here as corresponding conjunctions. 
 
 that
 
 2j0 SIR RICHARD STEELE S * 
 
 that I have confined the attendance of guardian 
 spirits to Heaven's favourites only * ? I could point 
 you to several : but it is my business to be informed 
 of those faults I do not know ; and as for those I 
 do, not to talk of them, but to correct them. You 
 speak of that poem in a style I neither merit, nor 
 expect ; but, I assure you, if you freely mark or 
 dash out, I shall look upon your blots to be its 
 greatest beauties : I mean, if Mr. Addison -j~ and your- 
 self should like it in the whole ; otherwise the trouble 
 of correction is what I would not take ; for I was 
 really so diffident of it as to let it lie by me these 
 two years ;, just as you now see it. I am afraid 
 of nothing so much as to impose any thing on the 
 world which is unworthy of its acceptance. 
 
 As to the last period of your letter, I shall be 
 very ready and glad to contribute to any design that 
 tends to the advantage of mankind, which, I am 
 sure, all yours do ^. I wish I had but as much 
 
 * This is not now to be found in the " Temple of Fame," 
 which is the poem here spoken of. 
 
 f It appears from this passage how solicitous at the tune 
 Pope was of Addison's name and recommendation. Bowles. 
 
 % Hence it appears this poem was written before the author 
 was twenty-two years old, an early time of life for so much learn- 
 ing and so much observation as it exhibits. 
 
 In a subsequent letter to Mr. Addison, Pope says, " As I 
 hope, and would natter myself, that you know me and my 
 thoughts so entirely as never to be mistaken in either, so it is a 
 pleasure so me that you have guessed so right in regard to the 
 author of that Guar lian you mentioned. But I am sorry to find 
 it has taken air that I have some hand in those papers, because 
 I writ so very few, as neither to deserve the credit of such a 
 report with some people, nor the disrepute of it with others; 
 An honest Jacobite spoke to me the sense or nonsense of the 
 
 weak
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 2jl 
 
 capacity as leisure, for I am perfectly idle (a sign I 
 have not much capacity). 
 
 If you will entertain the best opinion of me, be 
 pleased to think me your friend. Assure Mr. Ad- 
 dison of my most faithful service ; of every one's 
 esteem he must be assured ahead}'. 
 
 I am your, &c. A. Pope. 
 
 weak part of his party very fairly, that the good people took it 
 ill of me that I writ with Steele, though upon never so indif- 
 ferent subjects. This, I know, you will laugh at, as well as I 
 do ; yet I doubt not but many little calumniators, and persons 
 of sour dispositions, will take occasion hence to bespatter me. I 
 confess, I scorn narrow souls of all parties ; and, if I renounce 
 my reason in religious matters, I v. ill hardly do it in any other. 
 I cannot imagine whence it comes to pass that the few Guar- 
 dians I have written are so generally known for mine : that in 
 particular which you mention I never discovered to any man 
 but the publisher, till very lately : yet almost every body told 
 me of it. As to his taking a more politic turn, I cannot any 
 way enter into that secret, nor far e 1 been let into it any more 
 than into the rest of his politicks ; though it is said, he will take 
 into these papers also several subjects of the politer kind, as be- 
 fore : but, I assure you, as to myself, I have quite done with 
 them for the future. The little I have done, and the great re- 
 spect I bear Mr. Steele as a man of wit, has rendered me a 
 suspected Whig to some of the violent j but (as old Dryden said 
 before me) it is not the violent I design to please." 
 
 307. ro
 
 #52 SI& RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 207. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, NOV. l8, 1J12. 
 
 I AM come from a Committee, where I have [been] 
 chairman, and drunk too much. I have the head- 
 ache ; and should be glad you would come to me in 
 good-humour, which would always banish any un- 
 easiness of temper from, dear Prue, 
 
 Your fond fool of a husband, Rich. Steele; 
 
 208. FROM MR. POPE. 
 
 NOV. 29, 1712. 
 
 _l AM sorry you published that notion about Adri- 
 an's verses * as mine : had I imagined you would 
 
 * In the Spectator above referred to, p. 248, Steele says, " I 
 claim to myself the merit of having extorted excellent produc- 
 tions from a person of the greatest abilities, who would not 
 have let them appeared by any other means ; to have animated a 
 few young gentlemen into worthy pursuits, who will be a glory 
 to our age ; and at all times, and by all possible mean3 in my 
 power, undermined the interests of Ignorance, Vice, and Folly, 
 and attempted to substitute in their stead Learning, Piety, and 
 Good-sense. It is from this honest heart, that I find myself 
 honoured as a gentleman-usher to the Arts and Sciences. Mr. 
 Tickell and Mr. Pope have, it seems, this idea of me. The for- 
 mer has written me an excellent paper of verses, in praise, for- 
 sooth, of myself ; and the other inclosed for my perusal an ad- 
 mirable poem, which, I hope, will shortly see the light." 
 
 use
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 2$$ 
 
 use my name, I should have expressed my senti- 
 ments with more modesty and diffidence. I only 
 sent it to have your opinion, and not to publish my 
 own, which I distrusted. But I think the suppo- 
 sition you draw from the notion of Adrian's being 
 addicted to magic, is a little uncharitable (" that he 
 might fear no sort of deity, good or bad"), since, 
 in the third verse, he plainly testifies his apprehen- 
 sion of a future state, by being solicitous whither 
 his soul was going. As to what you mention of his 
 using gay and ludicrous expressions, I have owned 
 my opinion to be, that the expressions are not so ; 
 but that diminutives are as often, in the Latin 
 tongue, used as marks of tenderness and concern. 
 
 Anima is no more than il my soul ;" animula has 
 the force of " my dear soul." To say virgo bella, 
 is not half so endearing as virguncida bellula ; and 
 had Augustus only called Horace lepidum hominem, 
 it had amounted to no more than that he thought 
 him a " pleasant fellow :" it was the homunciolum 
 that expressed the love and tenderness that great 
 Emperor had for him. And perhaps I should my- 
 self be m^ch better pleased, if I were told you 
 called me " your little friend," than if you com- 
 plimented me with the title of " a great genius," or 
 " an eminent hand," as Jacob * does all his authors. 
 
 I am your, &c. A. Pope. 
 
 * Jacob Tonson ; in allusion to his well-known Collection of 
 Miscellaneous Poems. 
 
 200. TO
 
 254 SIR RICHARD STEELE** 
 
 209. TO MR. POPE. 
 
 PEC. 4, 1712. 
 
 J. HIS is to desire of you that you would please to 
 make an ode as of a chearful dying spirit ; that is 
 to say, the Emperor Adrian's " animula vagula" 
 put into two or three stanzas for music. If you 
 comply with this, and send me word so, you will 
 very particularly oblige 
 
 Your, &c. Rich. Steele. 
 
 210. FROM MR. POPE, 
 
 DEC. , . . 1712, 
 
 X IX) not send you word I will do, but have al- 
 ready done the thing you desire of me. You have 
 it (as Cowley calls it) just warm from the brain. It 
 came to me the first moment I waked this morning : 
 yet, you will see, it was not so absolutely inspira- 
 tion *, but that I had in my head not only the 
 verses of Adrian, but the fine fragment of Sappho, 
 &c. 
 
 The Dying Christian to his Soul, 
 Vital spark of heavenly flame ! 
 Quit, oh quit this mortal frame j 
 
 * It has been suggested, that some part of what is here as- 
 cribed to inspiration, and said to have come warm from Pope's 
 brain, dropt originally from the pen of Flatman. 
 
 Trembling,
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 555 
 
 Trembling, hoping, lingering, flying, 
 Oh the pain, the bliss of dying ! 
 Cease, fond Nature, cease thy strife, 
 And let me languish into life. 
 
 Hark ! they whisper ; Angels say, 
 Sister Spirit, come away ! 
 What is this absorbs me quite, 
 Steals my senses, shuts my sight, 
 Drowns my spirits, draws my breath ? 
 Tell me, my soul, can this be Death ? 
 
 The world recedes ; it disappears ! 
 Heaven opens on my eyes ! my ears 
 
 With sounds seraphic ring ! 
 Lend, lend your wings ! I mount ! I fly I 
 O Grave ! where is thy victory ? 
 
 O Death ! where is thy sting ? 
 
 211. TO HENRY BOYLE, ESQ*. 
 
 SIR, [1712.] 
 
 1\S the professed design of this work is to enter- 
 tain its readers in general, without giving offence to 
 any particular person, it would be difficult to find 
 
 * Youngest son of Charles Lord Clifford. He was appointed 
 Chancellor of the Exchequer to King William in March 1701 j 
 was much esteemed by that Prince ; and continued in that post 
 till Feb. 12, 1707-8, when he was made one of the principal Se- 
 cretaries of State, in which station he remained till Sept. 20, 
 1710. On the accession of George I. Mr. Boyle was created 
 
 Lord
 
 25^ SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 out so proper a patron for it as yourself, there being 
 none whose merit is more universally acknowledged 
 by all parties, and who has made himself more 
 friends, and fewer enemies. Your great abilities, 
 and unquestioned integrity, in those high employ- 
 ments which you have passed through, would not 
 have been able to have raised you this general ap- 
 probation, had they not been accompanied with 
 that moderation in high fortune, and that affability 
 of manners, which are so conspicuous through all 
 parts of your life. Your aversion to any ostentati- 
 ous arts of setting to show those great services which 
 you have done the publick, has not likewise a little 
 contributed to that universal acknowledgement 
 which is paid you by your country. 
 
 The consideration of this part of your character. 
 is that which hinders me from enlarging on those 
 extraordinary talents, which have given you so 
 great a figure in the British Senate, as well as in 
 that elegance and politeness which appear in your 
 more retired conversation. I should be unpardon- 
 able if, after what I have said, I should longer de- 
 tain you with an address of this nature * : I cannot, 
 however, conclude it without acknowledging those 
 great obligations which you have laid upon, Sir, 
 
 Your most obedient, humble servant, 
 
 The Spectator. 
 
 Lord Carleton, and soon after made President of the Council. 
 He died unmarried, March 14, 1724-5. To the kindness of 
 Mr. Boyle, and the friendship of Lord Halifax, Mr. Addison was 
 indebted for his first introduction to Lord Godolphin. See 
 Budge!!, p. 153. 
 
 * This was prefixed to the third volume of " The Spectator.' 1 
 
 212. TO
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 257 
 
 212. TO THE DUKE OF MARLBOROUGH *. 
 
 MY LORD, [iT 1 ^.] 
 
 S it is natural to have a fondness for what has 
 cost us much time and attention to produce, I hope 
 
 A 
 
 * John Churchill, eldest son of Sir Winstan Churchill, of 
 Wooton-Basset, in the county of Wilts, wps born June 24, 1650. 
 The Duke of York obtained for him an ensigncy in the Guards 
 so early as 1656 ; and a company of grenadiers, under the Duke 
 of Monmouth, in 1672, at the siege of Maastricht. On his re- 
 turn, he was appointed a lieutenant-colonel, a gentleman of the 
 bed-chamber, and master of the robes to the Duke of York. 
 Attending the Duke into Scotland, he had a regiment of Dra- 
 goons ; and was created Baron of Aymouth in that kingdom, 
 Dec. 1, 1682. King James, on his accession, appointed him 
 gentleman of the bed-chamber, captain of a troop of his Life- 
 guard ; and created him Baron Churchill of Sandridge, May 14, 
 1685. At the Revolution, he was continued gentleman of the 
 bed-chamber ; sworn of the privy-council, Feb. 6, 1688-9 ; 
 created Earl of Marlborough, April 9, 1689 ; the same year 
 was commander of the English forces in Flanders, and in 1690 
 had the same employment in Ireland. He was, notwithstand- 
 ing, dismissed from the King's service, and even committed to 
 the Tower on suspicion of a plot. On the death of jQueen Mary, 
 he was re-called to the privy-council ; and appointed, June 19, 
 1698, governor to the Duke of Gloucester, with this extraordi- 
 nary compliment from the King, " My Lord, make him but 
 what you are, and my nephew will be all I wish to see him." 
 He was three times one of the lords justices in the King's ab- 
 sence j and, in 1701, commander in chief of the English forces 
 in Holland, and ambassador extraordinary to the States General. 
 King William having warmly recommended him to the Princess 
 Anne, he was, about a week after her Majesty's accession, 
 elected Knight of the Garter ; and, soon after, appointed cap- 
 tain-general of all the forces, and ambassador to The States. In 
 1702, he commanded the army in Flanders ; and, at his return, 
 
 S was
 
 558 SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 your Grace will forgive my endeavour to preserve 
 this work from oblivion, by affixing to it your me- 
 morable name *. 
 
 I shall not here presume to mention the illustri- 
 ous passages of your life, which are celebrated by 
 the whole age, and have been the subject of the 
 most sublime pens ; but, if I could convey you to 
 posterity in your private character, and describe the 
 stature, the behaviour, and aspect, of the Duke of 
 Marlborough, I question not but it would fill the 
 reader with more agreeable images, and give him a 
 more delightful entertainment than what can be 
 found in the following, or any other book. 
 
 One cannot indeed without offence to yourself 
 observe, that you excel the rest of mankind in the 
 least, as well as the greatest endowments. Nor 
 were it; a circumstance to be mentioned, if the graces 
 
 was created, Dec. 22, Marquis of Blandford and Duke of Marl- 
 boroxigh. In 1704, in consequence of the memorable victory 
 at Hocksted, he was appointed a Prince of the Empire ; and 
 Kad Mildenheim assigned for his principality, Nov. 12, 1705. 
 On the 19th of January, 1710-11, finding the Queen's prepos- 
 session against his Duchess could not be overcome, he carried a 
 surrender of all her places to her Majesty ; and was himself dis- 
 missed, Dec. 30, 1711. Upon the Earl of Godolphin's death, 
 resolving to quit this kingdom, he embarked at Dover, Nov. 14, 
 1712 ; and the Duchess followed him in February. On the ac- 
 cession of King George I. he returned to London, Aug. 4, 1714 ; 
 and was again, Sept. 24, appointed captain-general of the land 
 forces, master-general of the ordnance, and colonel of the first 
 regiment of foot-guards. On the 28th of May 1716, he had an 
 apoplectic fit at St. Alban's ; and dying at Windsor Lodge, 
 June 16, 1722, in the 72d year of his age, was buried with 
 great solemnity in Westminster-abbey. 
 
 * This was prefixed to the fourth volume of " The Specta- 
 tor." See a former letter to the Duke, p. 225. 
 
 and
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 259 
 
 and attractions of your person were not the only 
 pre-eminence you have above others, which is left 
 almost unobserved by greater writers. 
 
 Yet how pleasing would it be to those who shall 
 read the surprising revolutions in your story, to be 
 made acquainted with your ordinary life and de- 
 portment ! How pleasing would it be to hear that 
 the same man, who had carried fire and sword into 
 the countries of all that had opposed the cause of 
 Liberty, and struck a terror into the armies of France, 
 had, in the midst of his high station, a behaviour 
 as gentle as is usual in the first steps towards great- 
 ness ! And if it were possible to express that easy 
 grandeur, which did at once persuade and com- 
 mand ; it would appear as clearly to those to come, 
 as it does to his contemporaries, that all the great 
 events which were brought to pass under the con- 
 duct of so well-governed a spirit, were the blessings 
 of Heaven upon Wisdom and Valour ; and all which 
 seem adverse fell out by divine permission, which 
 we are not to search into. 
 
 You have passed that year of life wherein the 
 most able and fortunate Captain, before your time, 
 declared he had lived enough both to Nature and to 
 Glory ; and your Grace may make that reflection 
 with much more justice. He spoke it after he had 
 arrived at Empire by an usurpation upon those whom 
 he had enslaved ; but the Prince of Mildenheim 
 may rejoice in a Sovereignty which was the gift of 
 him whose dominions he had preserved. 
 
 Glory established upon the uninterrupted success 
 of honourable designs and actions, is not subject 
 to diminution ; nor can any attempts prevail against 
 
 S2 it, 
 
 1
 
 260 SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 it, but in the proportion which the narrow circuit 
 of Rumour bears to the unlimited extent of Fame. 
 
 We may congratulate your Grace, not only upon 
 your high atchievements, but likewise upon the 
 happy expiration of your command, by which your 
 glory is put out of the power of Fortune ; and when 
 your person shall be so too, that the Author and 
 Disposer of all things may place you in that higher 
 mansion of bliss and immortality which is prepared 
 for good Princes, Law-givers, and Heroes, when HE 
 in his due time removes them from the envy of 
 mankind, is the hearty prayer of, my Lord, 
 
 Your Grace's most obedient, 
 
 most devoted, humble servant, 
 
 The Spectator. 
 
 213. TO SIR MILES WHARTON*. 
 
 SIR, FLEET-STREET, MARCH 5, 1 712-13. 
 
 X HAVE not the happiness to be in the least 
 known to you ; but have, with all England, obliga- 
 tions to you for the greatness of mind which you 
 exerted in refusing, not long ago -f~, to be made a 
 Peer of this realm in an hasty and surreptitious 
 manner : it was not so much as pretended that the 
 
 * See Reflections on a Paper lately printed, intituled, A Letter 
 to Sir Miles Wharton, concerning Occasional Peers ; addressed 
 to the Guardian and Examiner, 1713, Svo. 
 
 t In January 1711-12. 
 
 dozen
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 2f7l 
 
 dozen of Nobles were then introduced for any other 
 purpose, but to gain a question of the highest im- 
 portance, no less than a question of Peace and War. 
 Were the point obtained by it never so much con- 
 ducive to our good, the novelty, if not obviated for 
 the future, cannot but tend to the apparent danger 
 of the Queen and all her subjects. It is from a re- 
 port that there are another half dozen to be made 
 within a few days, that I am engaged to give you 
 this trouble. 
 
 You, Sir, who are adorned with more than title, 
 a superiority to it, from the refusal of it when you 
 thought it inconsistent with honour, are the pro- 
 perest man to be addressed, when I consider the 
 danger of making occasional Lords, and lay before 
 the world this fatal novelty, as it affects the Queens 
 most excellent Majesty, the House of Peers, and 
 the whole People of England. 
 
 Honour is the conscience of doing just and lau- 
 dable actions, independent of the success of those 
 actions. God is the fountain of this honour, and 
 animates and supports all who are actuated by 
 it ; he is an inexhaustible fountain, and cannot be 
 impaired by his creations. But, if it be not pro- 
 phane to mention, so near after his Omnipotence, 
 any distinctions we give one another here, I would 
 proceed to say, that it is not so with Sovereigns 
 upon earth, whom we phrase " fountains of ho- 
 nour." They, alas! are themselves diminished in 
 proportion to what they grant out of themselves. 
 An unguarded and lavish hand, in grants of this 
 kind, would very soon make the honour, flowing 
 from a Prince, of no value and consideration to 
 those on whom it is bestowed, and take away any 
 
 - power
 
 262 SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 power of giving more from the giver. To come im- 
 mediately to the point ; I assert, that the numerous 
 creation of Peers is the greatest wound that can be 
 given to the prerogative. A Peer and his heirs are 
 checks in the Legislature to the Queen and her 
 heirs ; that part of the Legislature which is in the 
 Queen, is apparently diminished by so much as 
 she gives out of it, from her own into other families. 
 This is equally destructive with relation to the 
 merit of the persons on whom honour is conferred ; 
 if they happen to be men who are barely unblame- 
 able, without talents or high qualifications, they do 
 but crowd that illustrious assembly, and, like all 
 other crowds, they are serviceable and hurtful but 
 just as they are inspired by those who have skill to 
 lead them. Thus the Crown is no way sure of 
 their concurrence any farther than by promise of 
 their first vote ; and they may ever after turn pa- 
 triots on the side of the people, to the constant in- 
 terruption of affairs ; for it generally happens, that 
 those who are conscious of an inability to promote 
 business, give themselves a figure, and fancy they 
 are considerable, from the power of retarding it. 
 Thus much as to what regards the Queen's most 
 excellent Majesty. 
 
 As to the House of Peers, it is visible to any 
 thing above a natural fool, that the power of each 
 Lord is so much less considerable as it is repeated 
 in other persons : but the great hardship to that 
 great and aweful body, whose privileges have so 
 often been a safety and protection to the rights of 
 us below them, I say, the great hardship to these 
 noble Patriots is, that when they are prepared with 
 
 the
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 26$ 
 
 the most strict honour and integrity to do their 
 duty in relation to their Prince and Country, all 
 their determinations may be avoided by a set of 
 people brought in the moment before they come to 
 a question. This has been done once, as I am cre- 
 dibly informed, in so frank a way, that there have 
 been above six at a time brought into that place, 
 without any farther preamble than, " This gentle- 
 man's name is so ; do not call him Mr. from this 
 time forward, but my Lord, for he is now one of 
 you : sit close there, let the gentleman sit down ; I 
 beg pardon, make way for his Lordship" 
 
 Now when we come to consider the introduction 
 of occasional Lords with regard to the people ; what 
 can be more plain, than that it is doing all that is 
 necessary to take from them both liberty and pro- 
 perty at once. If there were nothing in being a 
 Lord, but the advantage of being received with 
 more distinction and ceremony, let it be given to 
 any who are delighted with it ; they may be well 
 pleased, and we not hurt. But the case is much 
 otherwise ; for from the very moment a man has a 
 patent, and is introduced into the House of Peers 
 (though he was the day before notoriously ignorant 
 in our Laws), men appeal to him from the decree 
 of all the Judges. Besides this, the Lords are per- 
 petual Legislators, and have a hand in the repealing 
 as well as making Laws ; by which means the whole 
 constitution may be subverted by this one innovar 
 tion. And it is plain, that the Prince who should 
 place so entire a confidence in his Ministry, as to 
 give Peerage upon their recommendation, would 
 enable them by that power in the Legislature, joined 
 
 to
 
 264 SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 to the execution of the Regal authority as Ministers, 
 to give that Prince and Nation to the next Potentate 
 who should be powerful enough to receive and 
 maintain so vast a present. 
 
 However well disposed men's minds may be, 
 there are some things which are not to be committed 
 to their wills. 
 
 The whole constitution is in danger, if this mat- 
 ter is not prevented by some future law ; and I 
 think I have in my head a sufficient expedient, that 
 can no way impair the prerogative of the Crown, 
 the power of the Peers, or the liberty of the people ; 
 and that is, that a Bill be brought in, to disable any 
 Peer to vote in any case, till three years after the 
 date of his patent. 
 
 You see, noble Sir, that, without giving the 
 matter the least aggravation, I have shewn, that if 
 this avenue to the House of Lords is not shut, that 
 House must be blowu up by it as effectually as it 
 might have been by the combustible matter laid 
 under it an age ago by Guido Faux. 
 
 He that brings the torch into the room to fire it 
 in the midst of the company, differs from him who 
 undermines it only in point of modesty. 
 
 It is amazing that such care should be taken to 
 prohibit an occasional Conformist from being a Con- 
 stable, and nobody takes it in his head to prevent 
 an occasional Lord from being a Judge, nay, a Legis- 
 lator. I am very willing that a good and honoura- 
 ble Peace may expiate this step, which was made 
 in the eye of the world without the least deference to 
 a good and gracious Sovereign, to an illustrious 
 Nobility, to a learned and knowing Gentry^ to a 
 
 great
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 26*5 
 
 great and valiant People : I say, let even this step 
 be forgiven for a good Peace ; but let not that Peace 
 receive its sanction from the repetition of it. If 
 men cannot cany on the business of the Nation 
 without such helps, they may as well in plain terms 
 tell us they cannot maintain the constitution, but 
 they will alter it to one which they can. But how 
 is this received with so much indifference ? Why, 
 men qualified for power direct mankind by consult- 
 ing their interest, and managing their affections ; 
 but pretenders to administration indulge the passions 
 of the multitude at the expence of their real interest 
 and advantage. It is by this latter method all the 
 anarchical proceedings, which have of late distracted 
 this unhappy Nation, have been tolerated. When 
 the minds of men are prejudiced, wonderful effects 
 may be wrought against common-sense. One weak 
 step, in trying a fool for what he said in a pulpit, 
 with all the pomp that could be used to take down 
 a more dangerous and powerful man than ever 
 England yet has seen, cost the most able Ministry 
 that ever any Prince was honoured with, its being. 
 The judgment of the House of Lords was by this 
 means insulted and evaded, and the anarchical fury 
 ran so high, that Harry Sacheverell swelling, and 
 Jack Huggins laughing, marched through England 
 in a triumph more than military. Many extraor- 
 dinary things which have happened since, have 
 been brought about upon a maxim no deeper than 
 pax hello potior, " peace is better than war." A 
 great many lies, grafted upon this unquestionable 
 truth, could not but produce wonders among all 
 who pay taxes. But arithmetick is so common an 
 
 art,
 
 266 SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 art, that the very common people, now their pas- 
 sions are fallen, see their case in one sheet of paper, 
 called, (C A View of the Taxes, Funds, and public 
 Revenues of England. Printed for Timothy Child, at 
 the White Hart, at the West-end of St. Paul's *." 
 
 As for myself, what I have here suggested is from 
 a very honest heart ; and I have an armour in my 
 integrity against all gainsayers. My comfort is, 
 that the laws of England are still in force ; and, 
 though what I have said may be unacceptable, I 
 am sure it is not illegal. While the laws are in 
 being, I am safe ; and no man can be safe who out- 
 lives them. May I, whenever they expire, die 
 with them ! 
 
 I wish you the long possession of the honour in 
 which your generous behaviour has placed you in 
 the minds of all true Englishmen ; and am, with 
 great respect, 
 
 Your most obedient servant, 
 
 Francis Hicks -J\ 
 
 * In a paper called " The Protester," by Mr. Ralph, pub- 
 lished in 1753, N 6, this piece is quoted as the production of 
 Mr. Walpole. 
 
 f This letter was acknowledged by Steele as his own in 1715. 
 
 214. TO
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 26j 
 
 214. TO THE EARL OF WHARTON *. 
 
 MY LORD, [1712-13.] 
 
 X HE author of the Spectator, having prefixed be- 
 fore each of his volumes the name of some great 
 person to whom he has particular obligations, lays 
 his claim to your Lordship's patronage upon the same 
 account -^. I must confess, my Lord, had not I 
 
 * Thomas Wharton was appointed by King William Comp- 
 troller of the Household, Justice in Eyre South of Trent, and 
 Lord-lieutenant of Oxfordshire ; created Viscount Winchendon 
 and Earl of Wharton, Dec. 23, 1706 5 appointed Lord-lieute- 
 nant of Ireland, Nov. 25, 1708 (when Mr. Addison became his 
 Secretaiy) ; Lord Privy-seal, Sept. 24, 1714 ; and, Dec. 24, 
 Marquis of Wharton and Malmesbury, in England ; and Earl of 
 Rathfarnham and Marquis of Catherlough, in Ireland. He died 
 April 12, 1715, in the 76th year of his age. He was succeeded 
 by his son Philip, whom King George I. in 1718, created Duke 
 of Wharton, purely in consideration of the merits of his noble 
 father, as appears from the patent of his creation, which men- 
 tions " King William's obligations to Lord Wharton, for his 
 constant and vigorous defence of the public liberty, and the 
 Protestant Religion j" and states, " how vigorously he supported 
 the interest of King George, by the weight of his counsels, the 
 force of his wit, and the firmness of his mind, when his said 
 Majesty's title to the succession to this realm was in danger.'* 
 An eminent Historian says, " he had as many friends as the con- 
 stitution, and that only its enemies were his ; that he made no 
 merit of his zeal for his country ; and that he expended above 
 80,000/. for its service in elections," &c. There is in the Bri- 
 tish Museum a transcript, by Dr. Birch, of a most curious letter 
 of Lord Wharton to King William, copied, it is said, from an 
 original, communicated to that indefatigable transcriber by Mr. 
 Astle, which I do not recollect to have seen in print, though 
 it well deserves publication. See MSS. Birch. 4107. 
 
 f This was prefixed to the fifth volume of " The Spectator." 
 
 already
 
 2ti8 SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 already received great instances of your favour, I 
 should have been afraid of submitting a work of this 
 nature to your perusal. You are so thoroughly ac- 
 quainted with the characters of men, and all the 
 parts of human life, that it is impossible for the 
 least misrepresentation of them to escape your no- 
 tice. It is your Lordship's particular distinction 
 that you are master of the whole compass of busi- 
 ness, and have signalized yourself in all the differ- 
 ent scenes of it. We admire some for the dignity, 
 others for the popularity of their behaviour ; some 
 for their clearness of judgment, others for their hap- 
 piness of expression ; some for the laying of schemes,, 
 and others for the putting of them in execution. 
 
 It is your Lordship only who enjoys these several 
 talents united, and that too in as great perfection as 
 others possess them singly. Your enemies acknow- 
 ledge this great extent in your Lordship's character, 
 at the same time that they use their utmost industry. 
 aiid invention to derogate from it. But it is for 
 your honour, that those who are now your enemies 
 were always so. You have acted in so much con- 
 sistency with yourself, and promoted the interests, 
 of your country in so uniform a manner, that even 
 those who would misrepresent your generous de- 
 signs for the public good, cannot but approve the 
 steadiness and intrepidity with which you pursue 
 them. It is a most sensible pleasure to me that I 
 have this opportunity of professing myself one of 
 your great admirers, and, in a very particular man- 
 ner, my Lord, your Lordship's most obliged, and 
 r**& obedient, humble servant, 
 
 Toe Spectator. 
 215. TO
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 26$ 
 
 215. TO THE EARL OF SUNDERLAND *. 
 
 \ 
 
 MY LORD, [1712-13.] 
 
 ERY many favours and civilities (received from 
 you in in a private capacity) which I have no other 
 way to acknowledge, will, I hope, excuse this pre- 
 sumption jf ; but the justice I, as a Spectator, owe 
 your character, places me above the want of an ex- 
 cuse. Candour and openness of heart, which shine 
 in all your words and actions, exact the highest 
 esteem from all who have the honour to know you ; 
 and a winning condescension to all subordinate to 
 you, made business a pleasure to those who exe- 
 cuted it under you, at the same time that it height- 
 ened her Majesty's favour to all who had the hap- 
 piness of having it conveyed through your hands- 
 A Secretary of State in the interest of mankind, 
 joined with that of his fellow-subjects, accomplished 
 with a great facility and elegance in all the modern 
 as well as antient languages, was a happy and pro- 
 per member of a Ministry, by whose services your 
 
 * Charles Spencer, Earl of Sunderland, who succeeded te 
 that title, Sept. 21, 1702, on the death of his father Robert. 
 He was made Secretary of State, Dec. 5, 1706 ; and dismissed, 
 June 14, 1710. Sept. 1, 1715, he had a pension of 1200Z. par 
 annum settled on him. April 16, 1717, he was again appointed 
 Secretary of State ; March 16, 1717-18, Lord President of the 
 Council; Feb. 6, 1718-19, Groom of the Stole ; and died April 
 19, 1722. He married Lady Anne Churchill, second daughter 
 af John Duke of Marlborough 5 to whose titles her eldest sur- 
 viving son, Charles, succeeded in 1733. 
 
 f This was prefixed to the sixth volume of " The Spectator.* 
 
 Sovereign
 
 270 SIR RICHARD STEELE 3 
 
 Sovereign is in so high and flourishing a condition, 
 as makes all other Princes and Potentates powerful 
 or inconsiderable in Europe, as they are friends or 
 enemies to Great-Britain. The importance of those 
 great events which happened during that admi- 
 nistration, in which your Lordship bore so important 
 a charge, will be acknowledged as long as time shall 
 endure. I shall not, therefore, attempt to rehearse 
 those illustrious passages ; but give this application 
 a more private and particular turn, in desiring your 
 Lordship would continue your favour and patronage 
 to me, as you are a gentleman of the most polite 
 literature, and perfectly accomplished in the know- 
 ledge of books * and men, which makes it neces- 
 sary to beseech your indulgence to the following 
 leaves, and the Author of them : who is, with the 
 greatest truth and respect, my Lord, 
 
 Your Lordship's obliged, obedient, and humble 
 servant, , The Spectator. 
 
 216. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, .MARCH 28, 17 13. 
 
 JL WILL do every thing you desire your own way. 
 Yours ever, Rich. Steele. 
 
 * His Lordship was the founder of a truly valuable library at 
 Althorpe j since most magnificently and splendidly improved by 
 the present Earl Spencer. 
 
 217. TO
 
 I 
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 2.JI 
 
 217. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, APRIL 22, I7I3. 
 
 HAVE met with Doggett *, and we shall fall 
 into a discourse which will turn to account. I shall 
 dine with him at some eating-house. 
 
 If you will be exactly at five at Button's }-, we 
 will go together to the Park, or elsewhere ; and be 
 with you all night, if you condescend to take me 
 out of my truckle-bed. 
 
 Yours faithfully, Rich. Steele. 
 
 * Thomas Doggett, an author and an actor, who had, not 
 long before the date of this letter, thrown up in disgust his 
 office of joint-manager of Drury-lane theatre, which he had 
 tome time held with Wilks and Gibber. By his frugality he se- 
 cured a sufficient competence to retire from the hurry of busi- 
 ness whilst in the height of his reputation. In political princi- 
 ples, to use the words of Steele, he was " a Whig up to the 
 head and ears " and so strictly was he attached to the interests 
 of the House of Hanover, that he never let slip any occasion that 
 presented itself of demonstrating his sentiments in that respect. 
 The year after George I. came to the throne, Doggett gave a 
 waterman's coat and silver badge, to be rowed for by six water- 
 men, on the 1st day of August, being the anniversary of the 
 accession ; and at his death bequeathed a certain sum of money, 
 the interest of which was to be appropriated annually, for ever, 
 to the purchase of a like coat and badge, to be rowed for in 
 honour of the day. The ceremony continues to be annually per- 
 formed; the claimants setting out on a signal given at that time 
 of the tide when the current is strongest against them, and 
 vowing from the Old Swan near London-bridge, to the White 
 Swan at Chelsea. 
 
 f A famous coffee-house in Covent Garden, frequented at that 
 time by all the Wits. 
 
 218. TO
 
 2f2 SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 218. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 9 IN THE MORNING, 
 DEAR PRUE, MAY 5, I7I3. 
 
 JL HAVE sent Will to get a place in the coach for 
 your new maid ; and am going out to visit the com- 
 pany I invited to Hampton-court, to know their re- 
 solution. Your maid may be always with the chil- 
 dren. If the appointment holds, I will send Will 
 also this afternoon with further directions. 
 
 I value a person you are fond of too much to ride 
 late in the evening ; therefore shall set out myself 
 early in the morning to-morrow. 
 
 Your obedient husband, Rich. Steele. 
 
 219. DR. SWIFT TO MR. ADDISON. 
 
 SIR, MAY 13, 1713. 
 
 1 WAS told yesterday, by several persons, that 
 Mr. Steele had reflected upon me in his Guar- 
 dian ; which I could hardly believe, until, send- 
 ing for the paper of the day, I found he had, in 
 several parts of it, insinuated with the utmost ma- 
 lice, that I was Author of the Examiner * ; and 
 
 * In the Guardian, N* LIII. Mr. Steele says, " Though some- 
 times I have been told by familiar friends, that they saw me 
 such a time talking to the Examiner ; others, who have raillied 
 
 me
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 273 
 
 abused me in the grossest manner he could possibly 
 invent, and set his name to what he had written. 
 Now, Sir, if I am not Author of the Examiner, 
 how will Mr. Steele be able to defend himself from 
 the imputation of the highest degree of baseness, 
 ingratitude, and injustice ? is he so ignorant of my 
 temper, and of my style ? has he never heard that 
 the Author of the Examiner (to whom I am altoge- 
 ther a stranger *) did, a month or two ago, vindi- 
 cate me from having any concern in it? should 
 not Mr. Steele have first expostulated with me as a 
 friend ? have I deserved this usage from Mr. Steele, 
 who knows very well that my Lord Treasurer -j- 
 has kept him in his employment upon my intreaty 
 and intercession % ? 
 
 me for the sins of my youth, tell me, it is credibly reported that 
 I have formerly lain with the Examiner. I have carried my 
 point ; and it is nothing to me whether the Examiner writes in 
 the character of an estranged friend, or an exasperated 7nistress. ,> 
 By the first of these appellations, Dr. Swift is to be under- 
 stood ; by the latter, Mrs. Manley, authoress of the Atalantis ; 
 who likewise, in conjunction with Oldisworth, wrote in the 
 Examiner, often under the direction, and with the assistance, 
 of Swift, but oftener without leading-strings. 
 
 * The reader will please to recollect the received opinion, 
 that Dr. Swift never wrote any Examiners after June 7, 1711. 
 The curious may see an accurate and satisfactory account of the 
 Examiner, and of this circumstance particularly, in the notes 
 on the Tatler, N 210. 
 
 f Robert Harley, Earl of Oxford. 
 
 X " I sat till ten in the evening with Addison and Steele : 
 Steele will certainly lose his Gazetteer's place, all the world 
 detesting his engaging in parties." Swift, Journal to Stella^ 
 Sept. io, 1710. 
 
 '.' I was this morning with Mr. Lewis, the under-secretary to 
 Lord Dartmouth, tWQ hours, talking politics, and contriving 
 
 T to
 
 2*4 sir richard Steele's 
 
 My Lord Chancellor [Harcourt] and Lord Bo- 
 lingbroke v ill be witnesses how I was reproached by 
 my Lord Treasurer, upon the ill returns Mr. Steele 
 made to his Lordship's indulgence, &c. 
 
 Jon. Swift. 
 
 to keep Steele in his office of stampt paper : he has lost his 
 place of Gazetteer, three hinui ed pounds a year, for writing a 
 Tatler some months ago against Mr. Harley, who gave it him 
 at first, and raised the Eatery from sixty to three hundred 
 pounds. This was dmilish ungrateful ; and Lewis was telling 
 me the particulars : but I had a hint given me, that I might 
 save him in the other employment ; and leave was given me tp 
 clear matters with Steele. Well, I dined with Sir Matthew 
 Dudley; and in the evening went to sit with Mr. Addison, and 
 offer the matter at distance to him as the discreeter person j but 
 found party had so possessed him, that he talked as if he sus- 
 pected me, and would not fall in with any thing T said. So I 
 stopt short in my overture, and we parted very dryly : and I 
 shall say nothing to Steele, and let them do as they will ; but, 
 if things stand as they are, he will certainly lose it, unless 1 
 save him ; and therefore I will not speak to him, that I may 
 not report to his dlsadi antnge. Is not this vexatious ? and is 
 there so much in the proverb of proffered service ? When shall 
 I grow wise ? I endeavour to act in the most* exact points of 
 honour and conscience, and my nearest friends will not under- 
 stand it so. What must a man expect from his enemies ? This 
 would vex me, but it shall not ; and so I bid you good-night, 
 &c." Ibid. Oct. 22. 
 
 " Lewis told me a pure thing. I had been hankering with 
 Mr. Harley to save Steele his other employment, and have a 
 little mercy on him and 1 had been saying the same thing to 
 ^Lewis, who is Mr. Harley's chief favourite. Lewis tells Mr. 
 Harley, how kindly J should take it, if he would be reconciled 
 to Steele, &c. Mr. Harley, on my account, falls in with it, 
 and appoints Steele a time to let him attend him ; which Steele 
 accepts with great submission ; but never comes, nor sends any 
 excuse. Whether it was blundering, sullenness, insolence, or 
 rancour of party, I cannot tell ; but I shall trouble myself no 
 
 more
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 2Jo 
 
 220. TO DR. SWIFT. 
 
 SIR, MAY 19, 1713. 
 
 iVlR. ADDISON shewed me your letter, wherein 
 you mention me. They laugh at you, if they make 
 you believe your interposition has kept me thus 
 long in my office. If you have spoken in my be- 
 half at any time, I am glad I have always treated 
 you with respect : though I believe you an accom- 
 plice of the Examiner. In the letter you are angry 
 at, you see I have no reason for being so merciful 
 to him, but out of regard to the imputation you lie 
 under. You do not in direct terms say you are not 
 concerned with him ; but make it an argument of 
 your innocence, that the Examiner has declared 
 you have nothing to do with him. I believe 1 
 could prevail upon the Guardian to say there was a 
 mistake in putting my name in his paper ; but the 
 English would laugh at us, should we argue in so 
 Irish a manner, 
 
 I am heartily glad of your being made Dean of 
 St. Patrick's. I am, Sir, 
 
 Your most obedient humble servant, 
 
 Rich. Steele. 
 
 more about him. I believe Addison hindered him out of mere 
 spite, being grated to the soul to think he should ever want my 
 help to save' his friend ; yet now he is soliciting me to make 
 another of his friends Queen's Secretary at Geneva ; and I will 
 do it if I can ; it is poor Pastoral Philips." Ibid. Dec. 16. 
 
 One story is good till another is heard. See a very different 
 account of the whole transaction pointed out in a note on the 
 Tatler, N 228. 
 
 T 2 221. FROM
 
 27^ SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 221. FROM DR. SWIFT. 
 
 SIR, 
 
 ,-* - 
 
 * I may probably know better, when they are dis- 
 posed The case was thus : I did, 
 
 with the utmost application, and desiring to lay all 
 my credit upon it, desire Mr. Harley (as he then 
 was called) to shew you mercy -f~. He said, " he 
 would, and wholly upon my account: that he 
 would appoint you a day to see him : that he would 
 not expect you should quit any friend or principle.'' 
 Some days after, he told me, " he had appointed 
 you a day, and you had not kept it ;" upon which 
 he reproached me, as engaging for more than I 
 could answer ; and advised me to more caution ano- 
 ther time. I told him, and desired my Lord Chan- 
 cellor J and Lord Bolingbroke to be witnesses, that 
 I would never speak for or against you as long as I 
 lived ; only I would, and that it was still my opi- 
 nion, you should have mercy till you gave farther 
 provocations. This is the history of what you 
 
 * " It has unluckily happened that two or three lines have 
 been torn by accident from the beginning of this letter ; and, 
 by the same accident, two or three lines are missing towards 
 the latter part, which were written on the back part of the 
 paper which was torn off. But what remains of this letter will, 
 I presume, be very satisfactory to the intelligent reader, upon 
 many accounts." For this note, and for the letter itself, we 
 are indebted to the late Deane Swift, esq. 
 
 f See above, p. 273. J Lord Harcourt. 
 
 think
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 277 
 
 think fit to call, in the spirit of insulting, " their 
 laughing at me :" and you may do it securely ,- for, 
 by the most inhuman dealings, you have wholly 
 put it out of my power, as a Christian, to do you 
 the least ill office. Next I desire to know, whether 
 the greatest services ever done by one man to ano- 
 ther, may not have the same turn as properly ap- 
 plied to them ? And, once more, suppose they 
 did laugh at me, I ask whether my inclinations to 
 serve you merit to be rewarded by the vilest treat- 
 ment, whether they succeeded or no ? If your in- 
 terpretation were true, I was laughed at only for 
 your sake ; which, I think, is going pretty far to 
 serve a friend. As to the letter I complain of, I 
 appeal to your most partial friends, whether you 
 ought not either to have asked, or written to me, 
 or desired to have been informed by a third hand, 
 whether I were any way concerned in writing the 
 Examiner ? And, if I had shuffled, or answered 
 indirectly, or affirmed, or said, I would not give 
 you satisfaction ; you might then have wreaked 
 your revenge with some colour of justice. I have 
 several times assured Mr. Addison, and fifty others, 
 u that I had not the least hand in writing any of 
 those papers ; and that I had never exchanged one 
 syllable with the supposed Author in my life, 
 that I can remember, nor even seen him above 
 twice, and that in mixed company, in a place 
 where he came to pay his attendance *." One thing 
 
 * It is clear that Swift all along alludes to Oldisworth as the 
 Author of the Examiner. Steele, on the contrary, sets out on 
 the supposition that those papers were still the production of 
 Swift and Mrs. Manley. 
 
 more
 
 2/8 SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 more I must observe to you, that, a year or two ago, 
 when some printers used to bring me their papers 
 in manuscript, I absolutely forbid them to give any 
 hints against Mr. Addison and you, and some 
 others ; and have frequently struck out reflections 
 upon you in particular, and should (I believe) have 
 done it still, if I had not wholly left off troubling 
 myself about those kind of things. 
 
 I protest, I never saw any thing more liable to 
 exception, than every part is of the letter you 
 were pleased to write me. You plead, " that I 
 do not, in mine to Mr. Addison, in direct terms, 
 say I am not concerned with the Examiner.' 7 
 And is that an excuse for the most savage in- 
 juries in the world a week before ? How far 
 you can prevail with the Guardian, I shall not 
 trouble myself to enquire ; and am more concerned 
 how you will clear your own honour and conscience 
 than my reputation. I shall hardly lose one friend 
 
 by what you * I know not any . 
 
 . . . laugh at me for any 
 
 absurdity of yours. There are solecisms in morals 
 as well as in languages ; and to which of the virtues 
 you will reconcile your conduct to nae, is past my 
 imagination. Be pleased to put these questions to 
 yourself: " If Dr. Swift be entirely innocent of 
 what I accuse him, how shall I be able to make 
 him satisfaction ? and how do I know but he may 
 be entirely innocent ? If he was laughed at only 
 because he solicited for me, is that sufficient reason 
 for me to say the vilest things of him in print, un- 
 
 * Here the manuscript is torn. See p. C Z7C. 
 
 der
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 2~Q 
 
 der my hand, without any provocation ? And how 
 do I know but he may be in the right, when he 
 says I was kept in my employment at his interpo- 
 sition ? If he never once reflected on me the least 
 in any paper, and hath hindered many others from 
 doing it, how can I justify myself, for endeavour- 
 ing in mine to ruin his credit as a Christian and a 
 clergyman ?" 
 I am, Sir, 
 
 Your most obedient humble servant, 
 
 Jon. Swift. 
 
 222. TO DR. SWIFT. 
 
 SIR, BLOOMSBURY, MAY 26, I7I3. 
 
 X HAVE received yours, and find it is impossible 
 for a man to judge in his own case. For an allusion 
 to you, as one under the imputation of helping the 
 Examiner *, and owning I was restrained out of 
 
 * When the curious reader has considered what is forcibly 
 alledged in the notes on the Tatler ut supra, he will probably be 
 convinced of three things : 1. That Steele's estranged friend was 
 really an accomplice of the Examiner, and an actual writer in 
 that paper, long after the time commonly supposed ; 2. That 
 Steele was not guilty of that ingratitude to Mr. Harley, of which 
 he has been accused; and, 3. That the disagreement of two 
 such men as Swift and Steele is a melancholy proof of the 
 
 lengths
 
 280 SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 respect to you, you tell Addison, under your hand, 
 " you think me the vilest of mankind," and bid him 
 tell me so. I am obliged to you for any kind things 
 said in my behalf to the Treasurer ; and assure you, 
 when you were in Ireland, you were the constant 
 subject of my talk to men in power at that time, 
 As to the vilest of mankind, it would be a glorious 
 world if I were : for I would not conceal my 
 thoughts in favour of an injured man, though all 
 the powers on earth gainsaid it, to be made the 
 first man in the Nation. This position, I know, 
 will ever obstruct my way in the world ; and I have 
 conquered my desires accordingly. I have resolved 
 to content myself with what I can get by my own 
 industry, and the improvement of a small estate, 
 without being anxious whether I am ever in a Court 
 again or not. I do assure you, I do not speak this 
 calmly, after the ill usage in your letter to, Addison, 
 out of terror of your wit, or my Lord Treasurer's 
 power ; but pure kindness to the agreeable qualities 
 I once so passionately delighted in, in you. 
 
 You know, I know nobody, but one that talked 
 after you, could tell " Addison had bridled me in 
 point of party." This was ill hinted, both with 
 relation to him, and, Sir, 
 
 Your most obedient humble servant, 
 
 Rich. Steele. 
 
 lengths to which party madness will cany even the best of men. 
 But peace be. to the manes of them both ! The publisher ef 
 this volume will be happy if, by any little endeavour of his, the 
 wreath of fame which they have so justly obtained should bloom 
 more brightly. 
 
 I know
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 28 1 
 
 I know no party ; but the truth of the question 
 is what I will support as well as I can, when any 
 man I honour is attacked. 
 
 223. FROM DR. SWIFT, 
 
 SIR, 1 MAY 21 y 1713. 
 
 .1 HE reason I give you the trouble of this reply 
 to your letter, is because I am going in a very few 
 days to Ireiand : and although I intended to return 
 towards winter, yet it may happen, from the com- 
 mon accidents of life, that I may never see ycu 
 again. 
 
 In your yesterday's letter, you are pleased to take 
 the complaining side, and think it hard I should 
 write to Mr. Addison as I did, nly for an allusion. 
 This allusion was only calling a clergyman of some 
 little distinction an infidel ; a clergyman, who was 
 your friend, who always loved you, who had en- 
 deavoured at least to serve you ; and who, when- 
 ever he did write any thing, made it sacred to him- 
 self never to fling out the least hint against you. 
 
 One thing you are pleased to fix on me, as what 
 you are sure of ; that the Examiner had talked after 
 me, when he said, " Mr. Addison had bridled you 
 in point of party." I do not read one in six of 
 those papers, nor ever knew he had such a passage ; 
 and I am so ignorant of this, that I cannot tell 
 what it means : whether, that Mr. Addison kept 
 
 you
 
 282 SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 you close to a party, or that he hindered you from 
 writing about party. I never talked or writ to that 
 Author in my life ; so that he could not have learned 
 it from me. And, in short, I solemnly affirm, 
 that, with relation to every friend I have, I am as 
 innocent as it is possible for a human creature to 
 be. And, whether you believe me or not, I think, 
 with submission, you ought to act as if you believed 
 me, till you have demonstration to the contrary. 
 I have all the Ministry to be my witnesses, that 
 there is hardly a man of wit of the adverse party, 
 whom I have not been so bold as to recommend 
 often and with earnestness to them ; for I think 
 principles at present are quite out of the case, and 
 that we dispute wholly about persons'*. In these 
 last you and I differ ; but in the other, I think, we 
 agree : for I have in print professed myself in poli- 
 ticks to be what we formerly called a Whig. 
 
 As to the great man -j~ whose defence you under- 
 take ; though I do not think so well of him as you 
 do, yet I have been the cause of preventing five 
 hundred hard things being said against him. 
 
 I am sensible I have talked too much when my- 
 self is the subject : therefore I conclude with sincere 
 wishes for your health and prosperity, and am, Sir, 
 
 Your, &c. Jon. Swift. 
 
 You cannot but remember, that, in the only 
 thing I ever published with my name, I took care 
 
 * Steele says, " I thought it was the shortest way to impar- 
 tiality, to put myself beyond farther hopes or fears, by declaring 
 myself at a time when the dispute is not about persons and par- 
 ties, but things and causes." Tatler, N 193. 
 
 f The Duke of Marlborough. 
 
 to
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. $8$ 
 
 to celebrate you as much as I could *, and in as 
 handsome a manner as I could, though it was in a 
 letter to the present Lord Treasurer. 
 
 #24. TO THE EARL OF OXFORD. 
 
 BLOOMSRURY-SaUARE, 
 MY LORD, JUNE 4, 1J13- 
 
 JL PRESUME to give your Lordship this trouble, 
 to acquaint you, that having an ambition to serve 
 in the ensuing Parliament, I humbly desire your 
 Lordship will please to accept of my resignation of 
 my office as Commissioner of the Stamp Revenue. 
 I should have done this sooner, but that I heard 
 the Commission was passing without my name in 
 jt -j~, and I would not be guilty of the arrogance of 
 
 * In his " Proposal for correcting the English Tongue," 
 Swift says, " I would willingly avoid repetition, having about a 
 year ago communicated to the publick much of what I had to 
 offer upon this subject, by the hands of an ingenious gentleman, 
 who for a long time did tiirice a week divert or instruct the 
 kingdom by his papers, and is supposed to pursue the same de- 
 sign at present under the title of Spectator. This Author, who 
 hath tried the force and compass of our language with so much 
 success, agrees entirely with me in most of my sentiments relat- 
 ing to it ; so do the greatest part of the men of wit and learn- 
 ing, whom I have had the happiness to converse with." 
 
 f " We see here," says the author of the Life of Steele in 
 the Biographia Britannica, "that our Author takes notice of 
 the design to dismiss him, which indeed he had reason to have 
 apprehended long before ; for he had frequently attacked the 
 
 Earl
 
 284 >IR RRHARD STEELE S 
 
 resigning what I could not hold. But, having heard 
 this since contradicted, I am obliged to give it up, 
 as with great humility I do by this present writing. 
 Give me leave on this occasion to say something 
 as to my late conduct with relation to the late 
 men in power, and to assure you whatever I 
 have done, said, or written, has proceeded from 
 no other motive, but the love of what I think 
 truth. For merely as to my own affairs, I could 
 not wish any man in the Administration rather than 
 yourself, who favour those that become your de- 
 pendants with a greater liberality of heart than any 
 man I have ever before observed. When I had the 
 honour of a short conversation with you, you were 
 pleased not only to signify to me, that I should re- 
 main in this office, but to add, that if I would 
 name to you one of more value, which would be 
 more commodious to me, you would favour me in it. 
 I am going out of any particular dependance on 
 your Lordship ; and will tell you with the freedom 
 of an indifferent man, that it is impossible for any 
 man who thinks, and has any public spirit, not to 
 tremble at seeing his country, in its present circum- 
 stances, in the hands of so daring a genius as yours. 
 If incidents should arise, that should place your 
 own safety, and what ambitious men call greatness, 
 in a balance against the general good, our all de- 
 pends upon your choice under such a temptation. 
 You have my hearty and fervent prayers to Heaven, 
 
 Earl of Oxford under borrowed names, and particularly in 
 *' The Medley," where the pleasant narrative of the ball at Trap- 
 ping, N XXV. was written by him." 
 
 to
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 25 
 
 to avert alt such dangers from you. I thank your 
 Lordship for the regard and distinction which you 
 have at sundry times shewed me ; and wish you, 
 with your country's safety, all happiness and pros- 
 perity. Share, my Lord, your good fortune with 
 whom you will ; while it lasts, you will want no 
 friends ; but, if any adverse day happens to you, 
 and I live to see it, you will find I think myself 
 obliged to be your friend and advocate. This is 
 talking in a strange dialect from a private man to 
 the first of a Nation ; but to desire only a little, 
 exalts a man's condition to a level with those who 
 want a great deal. But I beg your Lordship's par- 
 don ; and am, with great respect, my Lord, 
 Your Lordship's most obedient, 
 and most humble servant, 
 
 Rich. Steele. 
 
 225. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 dear prue, tonson's, june 6*, 1713. 
 
 JL SHALL not come home to dinner ; but, if you 
 will call here at six o'clock, we will take the air to- 
 gether. 
 
 Yours, more than you can imagine, or I express, 
 
 Rich. Steele. 
 
 226. TO
 
 $86 8IR RICHARD BZBEUSfa 
 
 226: TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, JUNE 10, 1715. 
 
 X SEND herewith the copy of the settlement, which 
 lay at Froden's ; but cannot find my deed among his 
 papers which relates to Barbados. He himself is 
 light-headed. 
 Your affectionate, obedient, Rich. Steele. 
 
 227. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, JUKE 20, I7I3. 
 
 J. O keep things in order from that quarter, I am 
 gone to Highgate to dinner ; have been pretty suc- 
 cessful this morning. Send for Queer-ones to keep 
 you company. At night we will talk over all. 
 
 Your faithful, affectionate husband, 
 
 Rich. Steele. 
 
 Since the above, I have received a message from 
 Mr. Addison, who put off the meeting with Mr. 
 Ashurst, and has engaged me to meet some Whig 
 Lords. In the evening, at six, you shall know 
 where I am. 
 
 228. TO
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 2Sj 
 
 228. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, _ JULY 1, I/I3. 
 
 IF you please to be in readiness about one o'clock, 
 I will send you word where I shall be, to go with 
 you to Mr. Hoole's ** to see the Entry -f~. 
 
 I have discharged Hugh, and have his receipt. 
 
 Your most affectionate, faithful, husband, 
 
 Rich. Steele. 
 
 J have given his black cloatlis i ; for I will never 
 strip a servant. 
 
 220. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, JULY 1, I7I3. 
 
 JLF you will please to come to Mr. Hoole's, a sta- 
 tioner's, next door to Ludgate church, you will 
 there find your ever obliged husband, 
 
 Rich. Steele. 
 
 * A stationer, in Ludgate-street. 
 
 j- This was the public entry of the Duke D'Aumont, the 
 French Ambassador, who came on this day in state from Green- 
 wich to the Tower by water, and afterwards paraded, in a style 
 of great splendour, through the City, to Somerset-house ; where 
 he was magnificently entertained till the day of his public audi- 
 ence, the 4th of July, when he proceeded to St. James's in the 
 same form as was observed at his entry. A full and curious ac- 
 count of the whole solemnity may be seen in the *' Political 
 State" for 1713, vol. VI. p. 34. 
 
 X The mourning, probublv, for his mother. 
 
 230. TO
 
 .23$ SfR RICHARD STEEL*,'* 
 
 230. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, JULY 2, 17 I3. 
 
 X WISH you a good journey ; take care of your- 
 self, and expect to find me at home to receive you 
 to-morrow evening. 
 
 Your most humble servant, Rich. Steele. 
 
 231. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, JULY 10, I7I3. 
 
 J. HIS is only to acquaint you that I have almost 
 finished my vexations ; and I shall, from to-mor- 
 row, be in a regular and methodical way. 
 
 You are my pride, my pleasure, my ambition, 
 and all that is agreeable to 
 
 Your affectionate and faithful husband, 
 
 Rich. Steele. 
 
 232. TO
 
 I 
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 28$ 
 
 232. TO MR. METHUEN *.- 
 
 sir, [1713-i 
 
 T is with great pleasure I take an opportunity of 
 publishing the gratitude I owe you for the place 
 vou allow rne in your friendship and familiarity ~j~. 
 I will not acknowledge to you that I have often 
 had you in my thoughts, when I have endea- 
 voured to draw, in some parts of these discourses, 
 the character of a good-natured, honest, and ac- 
 complished gentleman. But such representations 
 give my reader an idea of a person blameless only,, 
 or only laudable for such perfections as extend no 
 farther than to his own private advantage and repu- 
 tation. 
 
 But when I speak of you, ' I celebrate one who 
 has had the happiness of possessing also those quali- 
 ties which make a man useful to society, and of 
 having had opportunities of exerting them in the 
 most conspicuous manner. 
 
 * Afterward Sir Paul Methuen, Knight of the Bath. This 
 very ingenious gentleman, whilst Ambassador at the Court of 
 Portugal, concluded the famous commercial treaty which bears 
 his name ; and, in the same capacity at the Court of Savoy, 
 exerted himself nobly as a military hero. On his return, he 
 was successively appointed to several important offices in the 
 State a Commissioner of the Admiralty, Nov. 8, 1709 ; of the 
 Treasury, Oct. 13, 1714 j Comptroller of the Household, June 
 4, 1720 ; Treasurer of the Household, 1725 ; and a Commis- 
 sioner for inspecting the Law, Sept. 15, 1732. He represented 
 the borough of Brackley in the several parliaments which met 
 in 1713, 1714, 1722, 1727, and 1734; and died April 11, 
 1757, aged SO. 
 
 4 f This was prefixed to the seventh volume of " The Spectator." 
 
 u The
 
 2$0 SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 The great part you had, as British Ambassador, 
 in procuring and cultivating the advantageous com- 
 merce between the Courts of England and Portugal, 
 has purchased you the lasting esteem of all who 
 understand the interest of either Nation. 
 
 Those personal excellencies which are over-rated 
 by the ordinary world, and too much neglected by 
 wise men, you have applied with the justest skill 
 and judgment. The most graceful address in horse- 
 manship, in the use of the sword, and in dancing, 
 has been employed by you as lower arts ; and as 
 they have occasionally served to cover, or introduce 
 the talents of a skilful Minister. 
 
 But your abilities have not appeared only in one 
 Nation. When it was your province to act as her 
 Majesty's Minister at the Court of Savoy, at that 
 time incamped, you accompanied that gallant 
 Prince through all the vicissitudes of his fortune, 
 and shared by his side the dangers of that glorious 
 day in which he recovered his capital. As far as it 
 regards personal qualities, you attained, in that one 
 hour, the highest military reputation. The beha- 
 viour of our Minister in the action, and the good 
 offices done the vanquished in the name of the 
 Queen of England, gave both the conqueror and 
 the captive the most lively examples of the courage 
 and generosity of the Nation he represented. 
 
 Your friends and companions, in your absence, 
 frequently talk these things of you ; and you canr 
 not hide from us (by the most discreet silence in 
 any thing which regards yourself) that the frank 
 entertainment we have at your table, your easy 
 condescension in little incidents of mirth and diver- 
 sion,
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 2.91 
 
 sion, and general complacency of manners, are far 
 from being the greatest obligations we have to you. 
 I do assure you, there is not one of your friends 
 has a greater sense of your merit in general, and of 
 the favours you every day do us, than, Sir, 
 Your most obedient, and most humble servant, 
 
 Rich. Steele. 
 
 233. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR TYRANT, JULY 13, 1J13- 
 
 X HAVE seen Carpenter this morning ; and he 
 says it is $dl one to him we may keep the wo- 
 man in the house ; so that what you have to do, is 
 only to get linen, &c. bundled up against evening. 
 You shall hear from me again about five o'clock. 
 
 I beg of you to govern me as gently as you can, 
 for you have full power over 
 
 Your affectionate, constant, obedient husband, 
 
 Rich. Steele. 
 
 u t 334. TO
 
 t$2 SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 234. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 JULY 22, IJIJ. 
 
 X WRITE because I hear you give yourself up to 
 lamentation *. You have, indeed, no cause for it ; 
 and I beseech you to repose the confidence in me, 
 which is deserved from you by 
 
 Your affectionate and tender husband. 
 
 Rich. Steele. 
 
 * In about six weeks after the date of this letter he was 
 elected member for Stockbridge ; on which subject the follow- 
 ing squib appeared in the Post-boy of Sept. 5, 1713. " Stock at 
 the Bridge formerly was at an Hundred, is now near 500. We are 
 informed, that Mr. Nestor, alias Birmingham Iron-side, designs 
 to make a Guardian upon the nature and usefulness of bribery, 
 who, instead of a motto, will dedicate it to the Electors of that 
 Stock, which is of late risen. The Guardian of Sept. 4, 1713, 
 telling a Story of a War, concludes thus : ' But as it is some- 
 times usual for several persons to dress themselves in the habit 
 of a great leader, Ambition had taken in them the garb and 
 habit of Love, by which means they often imposed on Hymen, 
 but putting into his hands several couples whom lite would never 
 have joined together, had it not been brought about by the de- 
 lusion of these two impostors,' We hear that R. Steele, and T. 
 Broderick, Esqrs. are chosen at Woodstock." But, strange to 
 tell, the election of poor Dick was followed up by a petition 
 against it on the score of Bribery ! See " Journals of the House 
 of Commons," March 3, 1713-14. As Steele was expelled the 
 House on the 17th (see p. 320) on another business, the peti- 
 tion was of course withdrawn, April 17, 1714. 
 
 335. TO
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 203 
 
 235. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR WIFE, JULY 27, I7I3. 
 
 IF you please to call at Button's *, we will go to- 
 gether to Brompton. 
 
 Yours ever, Rich. Steele. 
 
 236. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, JULY $0, I7I3. 
 
 JLF you have not secured Morgan Davies at dinner, 
 I would dine in Paul's church-yard, in order to go 
 to Tryon after Change. 
 
 Yours ever, Rich. Steele. 
 
 I will be at home at five, therefore do not send 
 for me here except Davies is with you. 
 
 * " Button, who had been a servant in the Countess of War- 
 wick's family, kept a coffee-house on the South-side of Russel* 
 street, about two doors from Covent-garden, and was under the 
 patronage of Addison. Here it was that the Wits of that time 
 used to assemble. It is said, when Addison had suffered any 
 vexation from the Countess, he withdrew the company from 
 Button's house." Johnson's Lives of the English Poets. 
 
 237- TO
 
 294 SIR RICHARD STEELE S 
 
 237. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 my dear, [undated.] 
 
 X DINE abroad to-day. Speak to Kerwin to an- 
 swer Mrs. Rosnell, the butcher in St. James's-mar- 
 ket. I have sent Will to the goldsmith's in Lom- 
 bard-street, for to discount some bills. I will come 
 home early. Since the death of my poor Mother *, 
 I find a growing melancholy increase upon me ; 
 but hope for every happiness in you. 
 
 Yours ever, Rich. Steele. 
 
 238. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, SEPT. 2<), 1713, 
 
 Jl HAVE settled all things to great satisfaction -} ; 
 and desire you would stay at home, but send the 
 coach for me to come to you, to take the air, and 
 talk further. 
 
 Your, &c. Rich. Steele. 
 
 * See the black cloaths, p. 2S7. 
 
 + This seems to allude to his resignation of the place of a 
 Commissioner of the Stamp-office, see his letter of June 4, 
 |713, p. 283. 
 
 939- TO
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 29$ 
 
 239. TO THE WORSHIPFUL MR. JOHN 
 SNOW*, BAILIFF OF STOCKBRIDGE f. 
 
 SIR, [SEPTEMBER, OR OCTOBER, I7I3.J 
 
 ACCORDING to my promise when I took my 
 leave of you, I send you all the pamphlets and 
 papers which have been printed since the dissolu- 
 tion of the last Parliament ; among these you will 
 find your humble servant no small man, but spoken 
 of more than once in print : you will find I take up 
 whole pages in the Examiner, and that there is a 
 little pamphlet written wholly upon me, and di- 
 rected to me J. As you are the magistrate of the 
 town wherein, of all places in the world, it concerns 
 me most to appear a different man from the person 
 whom these writers represent me, I address my vin- 
 dication to you, and, at the same time, to the 
 whole Borough 
 
 * This Letter is extracted from " The Importance of Dun- 
 kirk considered ; in Defence of the Guardian of August the 7th, 
 1713, in a Letter to the Bailiff of Stockbridge." For the poli- 
 tical part, which Is here omitted, the reader is referred to Steele's 
 Political Writings, p. 23, et seq. 
 
 f In a " Journey to Exeter, 1716," Gay says, 
 
 " Of all our race of mayors shall Snow alone 
 " Be by Sir Richard's dedication known ?" 
 
 X " The Honour and Prerogative of the Queen's Majesty vin- 
 dicated and defended against the unexampled Insolence of th 
 Author of the Guardian : In a Letter from a Country Whig to 
 Mr. Steele." 
 
 This Epistle was followed, Nov. 2, 1713, by one of the 
 severest productions of Swift, intituled, " The Importance of 
 the Guardian considered., in a second Letter to the Bailiff of 
 
 Stockbridge,
 
 2Q6 SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 What was urged concerning Dunkirk, in the 
 Letter to the Guardian, was apparently and pro- 
 fessedly laid before the Ministry, that they might 
 not be unmindful of what the British Nation ex- 
 pect from them. I say again and again, if once 
 men are so intimidated as not to dare to offer their 
 thoughts upon public affairs, without incurring the 
 imputation of offending against the prerogative of 
 their Prince : that Prince, whatever advantage his 
 Ministers might make of his prerogative, would 
 himself soon have no prerogative but that of being 
 deceived. As for my part, I have that sincere and 
 faithful duty to her Majesty, that I will never fear 
 to attempt any thing that I am able for her service, 
 however her favour may be intercepted from me *. 
 
 Stockbridge, by a Friend of Mr. Steele 3" in which " poor 
 Dick" is unmercifully belaboured by the Colossus of the oppo- 
 site party. 
 
 * " I am in a thousand troubles for poor Dick," (says Mr. Ad- 
 dison, in a letter to Mr. Hughes, October 12, 1713), " and wish, 
 that his zeal for the publick may not be ruinous to himself; but 
 he has sent me word, that he is determined to go on ; and that 
 any advice I can give him in this particular will have no weight 
 with him." Mr. Addison (as the event shewed) was too true a 
 prophet. In the eighth number of " The Englishman," Oct. 
 22, 1713, Mr. Steele inserted a letter, giving notice that " The 
 Crisis" was then ready for the press j and concluding in these 
 words: " The price of this discourse will be but one shilling; 
 and persons who are willing to subscribe for numbers of them, 
 are desired to leave their names and such numbers with Mr. 
 Samuel Buckley, at the Dolphin in Little Britain. I beg the 
 fiivour of you to insert this in your very next paper : for I shall 
 govern myself in the number I print according to the number 
 of subscriptions." After tha subscription had continued open 
 more than two months, " The Englishman," Number 26, 
 Dec. 26, acquainted the public, that, " at the desire of several 
 
 ladies
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE, 2#7 
 
 The Examiner accuses me of ingratitude, as being 
 actually under salary, when I writ the letter to the 
 Guardian ; but he is mistaken in that particular, 
 for I had resigned, not only my office in the Stamp 
 duties *, but also my pension as servant to his late 
 Royal Highness, which her Majesty hath been gra- 
 ciously pleased to continue to the whole family of 
 that excellent Prince. I divested myself of all that 
 I was so happy to enjoy by her Majesty's goodness 
 and favour, before I would presume to write any 
 thing, which was so apparently an advertisement to 
 those employed in her service. 
 
 I have thrown away all expectations of preferment, 
 for the happiness of serving in Parliament, and 
 for the hopes of having a vote in the Legislature in 
 the present great crisis of affairs. As long as I enjoy 
 this station (from which the Examiner takes the 
 liberty to suggest I shall be expelled) I shall follow 
 
 ladies of quality, the publication of " The Crisis" is put off till 
 the female world have expressed their zeal for the publick, by a 
 subscription as large as that made among the other sex." The 
 pamphlet at length appeared on the 19th of January, 1713-14. 
 
 * This he had done, June 4, 1713 j see p. 283. The " Guar- 
 disn" complained of, under the signature of " English Tory," 
 was not published till August 7. Swift on this occasion invidi- 
 ously says, ' r 1. A new commission was every day expected for 
 the stampt-paper, and he knew his name would be left out j 
 and therefore his resignation would be an appearance of virtue 
 cheaply bought. 2. He dreaded the violence of creditors, 
 against which his employments were no manner of security. 
 3. Being a person of great sagacit)', he hath some foresight of 
 a change, from the usual age of a ministry, which is now al- 
 most expired ; from the little misunderstandings that have been 
 reported sometimes to happen among the men in power ; from 
 the Bill of Commerce being rejected/' &c. &c. 
 
 no
 
 2<)S FTR RICHARD STEEEE'-J 
 
 no leader or leaders, but act, that is to say, vote, 
 according to the dictates of my conscience, in the 
 
 public service 
 
 Mr. Bailiff as there have been very unjust re- 
 presentations given of me in your town, as that a 
 man of so small fortune as I am must have secret 
 views or supports, which could move him to leave 
 his employments, and lose a crowd of well-wishers, 
 to subject himself, as he must know he has, not 
 only to the disesteem, but also the scorn and hatred 
 of very many, who, before he intermeddled with the 
 publick, had a partiality towards him : I answer, that 
 I indeed have particular views ; and, though I may 
 be ridiculous for saying it, I hope I am animated 
 in my conduct by a grace which is as little practised 
 as understood, and that is charity. It is the hap- 
 piness and comfort of all men, who have a regard 
 to their fellow-creatures, and desire their good-will 
 upon a proper foundation, that every thing which 
 is truly laudable is what every man living may at- 
 tain. The greatest merit is in having social virtues,, 
 such as justice and truth, exalted with benevolence 
 to mankind. Great qualifications are not praises to 
 the possessor but from the application of them ; 
 and all that is justly commendable among men is, 
 to love and serve them as much as it is in your 
 power, with a contempt of all advantages to your- 
 self (above the conveniencies of life) but as they tend 
 to the service of the publick. He who has warmed 
 his heart with impressions of this kind, will find 
 glowings of good-will, which will support him in 
 the service of his Country against all the calumny, 
 reproach, and invective, that can be thrown upon 
 
 him,
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 299 
 
 him. He is but a poor creature who cannot bear 
 being odious in the service of virtue. Riches and 
 honours can administer to the heart no pleasure, 
 like what an honest man feels when he is contend- 
 ing for the interests of his country, and the civil 
 rights of his fellow-subjects, without which, the 
 being of man grows brute, and he can never, under 
 it, give to Heaven that worship which is called a 
 reasonable sacrifice ; nor support towards his fellow- 
 creatures that worthy disposition, which we call 
 disinterested friendship. The highest pleasure of 
 the human soul consists in this charity ; and there 
 is no way of making it so diffusive, as by contend- 
 ing for liberty. 
 
 As to laying aside the common views by which 
 the mistaken world are actuated, a man of liberal 
 education can easily surmount those low considera- 
 tions ; and when he considers himself, from the 
 moment he was born into this world, an immortal, 
 though a changeable being, he will form his in- 
 terests and prospects accordingly, and not make 
 provision for eternity with perishable things. When 
 a man has deeply planted such a sentiment as this 
 for the rule of his conduct, the pursuits of avarice 
 and ambition will become as contemptible as the 
 sports of children ; and there can be no honours, 
 no riches, no pleasures laid in his way, which can 
 possibly come in competition with the satisfactions 
 of an enlarged and public spirit. 
 
 From this moment, therefore, I shall go on with 
 as much vigour and chearfulness as I am able, to 
 do all that is in my power, without the least par- 
 tiality to persons or parties, to remove the preju- 
 dices
 
 300 SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 dices which Englishman has against Englishman, 
 and reconcile wounded brethren, so far as to be- 
 hold each others actions with an inclination to ap- 
 prove them. 
 
 The man who will reduce himself to this temper, 
 will easily perceive how far his affections have been 
 wrought upon and abused, from an opposition to 
 particular men, to sacrifice the interests of his Coun- 
 try itself. 
 
 The prostituted pens which are employed in a 
 quite contrary service, will be very ready to enter- 
 tain a pretender to such reformations with a recital 
 of his own faults and infirmities , but I am very 
 well prepared for such usage, and give up myself 
 to all nameless authors, to be treated just as their 
 mirth or their malice directs them. 
 
 It is the disgrace of Literature, that there are such 
 instruments ; and to good government, that they 
 are suffered : but this mischief is gone so far in our 
 age, that the Pamphleteers do not only attack those 
 whom they believe in general disaffected to their 
 own principles, but even such as they believe their 
 friends, provided they do not act with as sincere a 
 prejudice as themselves. Upon the least deviation 
 from an implicit hatred to the opposite party, 
 though in a case which in the nearest concern af- 
 feets their Country, all their good qualities are 
 turned to ridicule ; and every thing, which was 
 before valued in them, is become contemptible. 
 
 Thus in one of the papers I send you, a gentleman, 
 who has distinguished himself by a becoming vene- 
 ration, in the House of Commons, for the assembly, 
 and has ever delivered himself with a regard to his 
 
 own
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 301 
 
 own dignity, and that of the place he was in, is repre- 
 sented frivolously as a declaimer : and a noble Lord, 
 who is conspicuously adorned with the knowledge 
 of letters, and is eminent for a lively sprightly elo- 
 quence, rectified by learning, is declared a com- 
 panion fit only for pert novices and sophisters. And 
 what is still more monstrous than all, a third man 
 of quality, for the like offence, is told, in this nice 
 age of proportioning rewards to merit and service, 
 that he has as much as he deserves. 
 
 But it is to be hoped Englishmen will at last con- 
 sider, and that the Ministry will see Dunkirk effec- 
 tually demolished. 
 
 It is as frivolous as unjust, to hope to stop our 
 mouths, when we are concerned for so great a point 
 as the business of Dunkirk, by mention of the pre- 
 rogative, and urging our safety in our good and 
 gracious Queen. 
 
 By her great example, religion, piety, and all 
 other public and domestic virtues, are kept in coun- 
 tenance in a very loose and profligate age. Ail the 
 hours of her precious life, which God long preserve, 
 are divided between the exercises of devotion, and 
 taking minutes of the sublime affairs of her govern- 
 ment. 
 
 Besides which, her Majesty has manifested her- 
 self the most affectionate wife, the most constant 
 friend, the most tender mother ; and has rilled every 
 duty with a virtue as superior to the rest of the 
 world as is her high condition. But I shall leave 
 what I have to say on this topick, to the time when 
 the consequence of it will be insignificant to me, 
 but which, I hope, will do her honour, that is, 
 
 justice,
 
 302 SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 justice, when I am no more, and the remains of 
 Iter sacred person are as common dust as mine. 
 
 But, as this bright example is in the person of a 
 Lady, it cannot be supposed that the general sense 
 of a people, the sub-divisions of affection and in- 
 terest among great men (to be learned only by con- 
 versation with them, even in their unguarded lei- 
 sure), can appear to her but from the information 
 of such as have the happiness and honour to lay 
 them before her. Her Majesty is therefore more 
 particularly necessitated to rely upon the intelli- 
 gence of her Ministry ; and, from that very reason, 
 their fellow-subjects may be the more solicitous for 
 what passes beyond the ordinary rules of govern- 
 ment. Thus all which they offer for our secu- 
 rity and implicit reliance upon what is transacted 
 by the Court of England, to wit, her Majesty's 
 care and goodness, are arguments for exerting 
 both our zeal and our gratitude; that at any 
 time artful men may not take advantage of the se- 
 curity we have in her virtue, to indulge too much 
 the power of any Foreign Prince whatsoever, espe- 
 cially that of the most warlike Potentate in Europe. 
 I cannot leave this subject without being still 
 anxious with relation to the disrespect they accuse 
 me of to my Royal Mistress. All that can be 
 wrested to my disadvantage is, that the Queen is 
 concerned when any thing is to be imputed to her 
 servants ; but I deny that, and persist in it, that it 
 is no manner of diminution of the wisdom of a 
 Prince, that he is obliged to act by the information 
 of others. 
 
 If
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 303 
 
 IF I might make an abrupt -digression from great 
 things to small, I should on this occasion mention 
 a little circumstance which happened to the late 
 King William. He had a Frenchman who took 
 care of the gun-dogs, whose business it was also to 
 charge and deliver the piece to the King. This 
 minister forgot to bring out shot into the field; 
 but did not think fit to let so passionate a man and 
 eager a sportsman as the King know his offence, 
 but gave his Majesty the gun loaded only with 
 powder. When the King missed his aim, this im- 
 pudent cur stood chattering, admiring, commend- 
 ing the King's skill in shooting, and, holding up 
 his hands, " he had never seen sa Majeste miss 
 before in his whole life." This circumstance was 
 no manner of argument to those (who afterwards 
 found out the fellow's iniquity) against the King's 
 reputation for a quick eye, and shooting very finely. 
 
 I am, with respect to the Borough and yourself, 
 Sir, 
 
 Your most humble, 
 
 and most obedient servant, 
 
 Rich. Steele. 
 
 240. TO
 
 304 SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 240. TO LIEUTENANT-GENERAL 
 CADOGAN *. 
 
 I 
 
 SIR, [1713.] 
 
 N the character of Guardian, it behoves me to da 
 honour to such as have deserved well of society, and 
 laid out worthy and manly qualities in the service 
 of the publick-j". No man has more eminently 
 distinguished himself this way than Mr. Cadogan. 
 With a contempt of pleasure, rest, and ease, when 
 called to the duties of your glorious profession, you 
 have lived in a familiarity with dangers, and, with 
 a strict eye upon the final purpose of the attempt, 
 have wholly disregarded what should befall yourself 
 in the prosecution of it. Thus has life risen to you 
 
 * William Cadogan, esq. Cjuarter-master-general in 1701 ; 
 Colonel of a regiment of horse in 1703 ; Brigadier-general 
 in 1704 j Plenipotentiary to the Spanish Netherlands, and 
 Major-general, in 1706 ; Lieutenant-general in 1709. No 
 officer was ever so much relied on by the Duke of Marlborough 
 as General Cadogan. He had the care of marking out almost 
 every camp during the war in the Netherlands and Germany ; 
 which he executed so skilfully, that, it was observed, the Duke 
 was never surprized or attacked in his camp during the whole 
 war. On the accession of King George, Master of the Robes, 
 and Colonel of the second regiment of horse-guards ; Knight of 
 the Thistle in 1715 ; Governor of the Isle of Wight, and Pleni- 
 potentiary to Holland, in 1716 j created Lord Cadogan, June 
 21, that year j Baron Oakley, Viscount Caversham, and Earl 
 Cadogan, April 17, 1718. On the death of the Duke of Marl- 
 borough in 1/22, he was made Master-general of the Ordnance, 
 and Colonel of the first regiment of foot-guards. He died July 
 17, 1726. 
 
 f This was prefixed to the first volume of f * The Guardian." 
 
 as
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 305 
 
 as fast as you resigned it ; and every new hour, for 
 having so frankly lent the preceding moments to the 
 cause of Justice and of Liberty, has come home to 
 you, improved with honour. This happy distinc- 
 tion, which is so very peculiar to you, with the 
 addition of industry, vigilance, patience of labour, 
 thirst and hunger, in common with the meanest 
 soldier, has made your present fortune unenvied : 
 for the publick always reap greater advantage from 
 the example of successful merit, than the deserving 
 man himself can possibly be possessed of. Your 
 Country knows how eminently you excel in the 
 several parts of military skill, whether in assigning 
 the encampment, accommodating the troops, lead- 
 ing to the charge, or pursuing the Enemy ; the re- 
 treat being the only part of the profession which 
 has not fallen within the experience of those who 
 learned their warfare under the Duke of Marlbo- 
 rough. But the true and honest purpose of this 
 epistle is, to desire a place in your friendship, with- 
 out pretending to add any thing to your reputation, 
 who, by your own gallant actions, have acquired 
 that your name through all ages shall be read with 
 honour, where-ever mention shall be made of that 
 illustrious Captain. 
 I am, Sir, 
 
 Your most obedient, 
 
 and most humble servant, 
 
 The Guardian. 
 
 241. TO
 
 306 SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 241. TO MR. PULTENEY *. 
 
 SIR, [1713.] " 
 
 X HE greatest honour of human life, is to live 
 well with men of merit ; and I hope you will par- 
 don me the vanity of publishing, by this means, 
 my happiness in being able to name you among my 
 friends'}-. The conversation of a gentleman that 
 has a refined taste of letters, and a disposition in 
 which those letters found nothing to correct, but 
 very much to exert, is a good fortune too uncom- 
 
 * William Pulteney, esq. born in 1682, had early a seat in 
 the House of Commons, and distinguished himself in opposition 
 to Queen Anne's last ministry. On the accession of King George, 
 he was appointed Secretary at War, Sept. 27, 1714 ; and after- 
 ward Cofferer of the Household. He was at this time the inti- 
 mate friend of -Sir Robert Walpole; but in 1/25, that Minister 
 being suspected of a desire to extend the bounds of Prerogative, 
 Mr. Pulteney entered steadily into Opposition ; and at last be- 
 came so obnoxious to the Crown, that, July I, 1731, King 
 George II. with his own hand, struck him out of the list of 
 Privy Counsellors, and ordered him to be put out of the list of 
 all commissions of the peace. A proceeding so violent in the 
 Ministry served only to inflame his resentment, and increase his 
 popularity. Sir Robert resigning his employments in 1741, Mr. 
 Pulteney was again sworn of the Privy Council ; and created 
 Baron of Heydon, Viscount Pulteney, and Earl of Bath. From 
 that moment his favour with the people was at an end ; and the 
 rest of his life was spent in contemning that applause which he 
 no longer could secure. William Viscount Pulteney, his only 
 son, who was a Lord of the Bedchamber, Aid-de-camp to the 
 King, and Colonel of the Royal Volunteers, going over with 
 his regiment in the defence of Portugal, died Feb. 16, 1763 j 
 and the Earl dying July 7, 1764, the titles became extinct. 
 
 f Prefixed to the, second volume of " The Guardian." 
 
 mon
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE* 30? 
 
 mon to be enjoyed in silence. In others, the greatest 
 business of Learning is to weed the soil ; in you, it 
 had nothing else to do but to bring forth fruit. 
 Affability, complacency, and generosity of heart, 
 which are natural to you, wanted nothing from 
 Literature, but to refine and direct the application 
 of them. After I have boasted I had some share in 
 your familiarity, I know not how to do you the 
 justice of celebrating you for the choice of an ele- 
 gant and worthy acquaintance, with whom you live 
 in the happy communication of generous senti- 
 ments, which contribute, not only to your own 
 mutual entertainment and improvement, but to the 
 honour and service of your country. Zeal for the 
 public good is the characteristick of a man of honour 
 and a gentleman ; and must take place of pleasures, 
 profits, and all other private gratifications. Who- 
 ever wants this motive, is an open enemy, or an 
 inglorious neuter, to mankind, in proportion to the 
 misapplied advantages with which Nature and For- 
 tune have blessed him. But you have a soul ani- 
 mated with nobler views ; and know that the distinc- 
 tion of wealth and plenteous circumstances is a tax 
 upon an honest mind, to endeavour, as much as 
 the occurrences of life will give him leave, to guard 
 the properties of others, and be vigilant for the good 
 of his fellow-subjects. 
 
 This generous inclination no man possesses in a 
 warmer degree than yourself; which that Heaven 
 would reward with long possession of that reputa- 
 tion into which you have made so early an entrance, 
 the reputation of a man of sense, a good citizen, 
 
 x 2 and
 
 308 SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 and agreeable companion, a disinterested friend, 
 and an unbiassed patriot, is the hearty prayer of, 
 Sir, your most obliged, 
 
 and most obedient, humble servant, 
 
 The Guardian. 
 
 Whi 
 
 242. TO MR. ADDISON *. 
 
 [1713.] 
 
 [ILE you the fierce divided Britons awe, 
 And Cato with an equal virtue draw, 
 While Envy is itself in wonder lost, 
 And factions strive who shall applaud you most ; 
 Forgive the fond ambition of a Friend, 
 Who hopes himself, not you, to recommend, 
 And join th' applause which all the Learn' d bestow 
 On one, to whom a perfect work they owe. 
 To my light scenes *f- I once inscrib'd your name, 
 And impotently strove to borrow fame ; 
 Soon will that die which adds thy name to mine ; 
 Let me then live, join'd to a work of thine ! 
 
 Rich. Steele. 
 
 * Prefixed to the Tragedy of " Cato." 
 t " The Tender Husband." See p. 88. 
 
 243. TO
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 309 
 
 243. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 BLOOMSBURY-SftUARE, 
 DEAR PRUE, DEC. 24, 17 13- 
 
 1 DINE with Lord Halifax ; and shall be at home 
 half-hour after six. 
 
 For thee I die, for thee I languish. 
 
 Rich. Steele. 
 
 244. TO THE CLERGY OF THE CHURCH 
 OF ENGLAND *. 
 
 GENTLEMEN, JAN. 19, 1713-14- 
 
 AT is with a just deference to your great power and 
 influence in this kingdom, that I lay before you the 
 following comment upon the laws which regard the 
 settlement of the Imperial Crown of Great Britain. 
 My purpose in addressing these matters to you is, 
 to conjure you, as Heaven has blessed you with 
 proper talents and opportunities, to recommend 
 them, in your writings and discourses, to your fel- 
 low-subjects. 
 
 In the character of pastors and teachers, you have 
 an almost irresistible power over us of your congre- 
 gations ; and, by the admirable institution of our 
 
 * Prefixed to the celebrated pamphlet called " The Crisis." 
 See pp. 296. 316, 317. 
 
 laws,
 
 310 SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 laws, the tenths of our lands, now in your posses- 
 sion, are destined to become the property of such 
 others as shall, by learning and virtue, qualify 
 themselves to succeed you. These circumstances 
 of education and fortune place the minds of the 
 people, from age to age, under your direction. As, 
 therefore, it would be the highest indiscretion in 
 Ministers of State of this kingdom to neglect the 
 care of being acceptable to you in their administra- 
 tion ; so it would be the greatest impiety in you, to 
 inflame the people committed to your charge, with 
 apprehensions of danger to you and your constitu- 
 tion, from men innocent of any such designs. 
 
 Give me leave, who have in all my words and 
 actions, from my youth upwards *, maintained an 
 inviolable respect to you and your order, to observe 
 to you, that all the dissatisfactions which have been 
 raised in the minds of the people, owe their rise to 
 the cunning of artful men, who have introduced the 
 mention of you and your interest (which are sacred 
 to all good men) to cover and sanctify their own 
 practices upon the affections of the people, for ends 
 very different from the promotion of Religion and 
 Virtue. Give me leave also to take notice, that 
 these suggestions have been favoured by some few 
 unwary men in holy orders, who have made the 
 
 * See his declaration, already cited in p. 80, in respect to 
 " The Christian Hero." He adds, however, that, ** finding 
 himself slighted, instead of being encouraged, for his declara- 
 tion as to Religion, it became incumbent on him to enliven his 
 character ; for which reason he wrote The Funeral,' in which, 
 though full of incidents that move laughter, Virtue and Vice 
 appear just as they ought to do." 
 
 Constitution
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 311 
 
 Constitution of their own Country a very little part 
 of their study, and yet made Obedience and Govern- 
 ment the frequent subjects of their discourses. 
 
 These men, from the pompous ideas of Imperial 
 greatness, and submission to absolute Emperors, 
 which they imbibed in their earlier years, have, 
 from time to time, inadvertently uttered notions of 
 power and obedience abhorrent from the laws of 
 this their native Country. 
 
 I will take the further liberty to say, that if the 
 Acts of Parliament mentioned in the following trea- 
 tise had been from time to time put in a fair and 
 clear light, and been carefully recommended to the 
 perusal of young gentlemen in Colleges, with a pre- 
 ference to all other civil institutions whatsoever ; 
 this Kingdom had not been in its present condition : 
 but the constitution would have had, in every mem- 
 ber the Universities have sent into the world, ever 
 since the Revolution, an advocate for our rights and 
 liberties. 
 
 There is one thing which deserves your most 
 serious consideration. You have bound yourselves, 
 by the strongest engagements that Religion can lay 
 upon men, to support that Succession which is the 
 subject of the following papers ; you have lied down 
 your souls by an oath to maintain it as it is settled 
 in the House of Hanover; nay, you have gone 
 much farther than is usual in cases of this nature, 
 as you have personally abjured the Pretender to this 
 Crown, and that expressly, without any equivoca- 
 tions or mental reservations whatsoever, that is, 
 without any possible escapes, by which the subtlety 
 of temporizing casuists might liope to elude the 
 
 force
 
 312 SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 force of these solemn obligations. You know much 
 better than I do, whether the calling God to wit- 
 ness to the sincerity of our intentions in these cases, 
 whether the swearing upon the holy Evangelists in 
 the most solemn manner, whether the taking of an 
 oath before multitudes of fellow-subjects and fellow- 
 Christians in our public courts of justice, do not 
 lay the greatest obligations that can be laid on the 
 consciences of men. This I am sure of, that if the 
 body of a Clergy, who considerately and voluntarily 
 entered into these engagements, should be made 
 nse of as instruments and examples to make the Na- 
 tion break through them, not only the succession 
 to our Crown, but the very essence of our Religion 
 is in danger. What a triumph would it furnish to 
 those evil men among us who are enemies to your 
 sacred order! what occasion would it administer to 
 Atheists and Unbelievers, to say that Christianity 
 is nothing else but an outward show and pretence 
 among the most knowing of its professors ! What 
 could we afterwards object to Jesuits ? What would 
 be the scandal brought upon our holy Church, 
 which is at present the glory and bulwark of the 
 Reformation ! How would our present Clergy ap- 
 pear in the eyes of their posterity, and even to the 
 successors of their own order, under a government 
 introduced and established by a conduct so directly 
 opposite to all the rules of honour and precepts of 
 Christianity ! 
 
 As I always speak and think of your holy order 
 with the utmost deference and respect, I do not in- 
 sist upon this subject to insinuate that there is such 
 a disposition among your venerable body, but to 
 
 shew
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 313 
 
 shew how much your own honour and the interest 
 of Religion is concerned, that there should be no 
 cause given for it. 
 
 Under colour of a zeal towards you, men may 
 sometimes act, not only with impunity but popula- 
 rity, what would render them, without that hypo- 
 crisy, insufferably odious to their fellow-subjects. 
 
 Under this pretence, men may presume to prac- 
 tise such arts for the destruction and dishonour of 
 their Country, as it would be impious to make use 
 of even for its glory and safety : men may do in 
 the highest prosperity, what it would not be ex- 
 cusable to attempt under the lowest necessity ! 
 
 The laws of our Country, the powers "of the Legis- 
 lature, the faith of Nations, and the honour of God, 
 may be too weak considerations to bear up against 
 the popular, though groundless, cry of the Church. 
 This fatal prepossession may shelter men in raising 
 the French name and Roman Catholic interest in 
 Great Britain, and consequently in all Europe. 
 
 It behoves you therefore, Gentlemen, to consider, 
 whether the cry of the Church's danger may not at 
 length become a truth ; and, as you are men of 
 sense and men of honour, to exert yourselves in 
 undeceiving the multitude, whenever their affec- 
 tionate concern for you may prove fatal to them- 
 selves. 
 
 You are surrounded by a learned, wealthy, and 
 knowing Gentry, who can distinguish your merit, 
 and do honour to your characters. They know 
 with what firmness as Englishmen, with what self- 
 denial as Prelates, with what charity as Christians, 
 the Lords the Bishops, Fathers of the Church, have 
 
 behaved
 
 31 4 SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 behaved themselves in the public cause : they know 
 what contumelies the rest of the Clergy have under- 
 gone, what discountenance they have laboured un- 
 der, what prejudice they have suffered in their 
 ministry, who have adhered to the cause of truth : 
 but it is certain that the face of things is now too 
 melancholy to bear any longer false appearances ; 
 and common danger has united men, who not long 
 ago were artfully inflamed against each other, into 
 some regard of their common safety. 
 
 When the world is in this temper, those of our 
 pastors, whose exemplary lives, and charitable dis- 
 positions, both adorn and advance our holy Religion, 
 will be the objects of our love and admiration ; and 
 those who pursue the gratifications of pride, am- 
 bition, and avarice, under the sacred character of 
 Clergymen, will not fail to be our contempt and 
 derision. 
 
 Noise and wrath cannot always pass for zeal ; and 
 if we see but little of the public spirit of English- 
 men, or the charity of Christians, in others, it is 
 certain we can feel but little of the pleasure of love 
 and gratitude, and but faint emotions of respect 
 and veneration in ourselves. 
 
 It will be an action worthy the Ministers of the 
 Church of England, to distinguish themselves for 
 the love of their Country. And as we have a Religion 
 that wants no assistance from artifice, or enlargement 
 of secular power, but is well supported by the wis- 
 dom and piety of its Preachers, and its own native 
 truth ; to let mankind see that we have a Clergy 
 who are of the people, obedient to the same laws, 
 and zealous not only of the supremacy and preroga- 
 tive
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 3I5 
 
 live of our Princes, but of the liberties of their fel- 
 low-subjects : this will make us, who are your 
 flock, burn with joy to see, and with zeal to imi- 
 tate, your lives and actions. It cannot be expected 
 but that there will be, in so great a body, light, 
 superficial, vain, and ambitious men, who, being 
 untouched with the sublime force of the Gospel, 
 will think it their interest to insinuate jealousies 
 between the Clergy and Laity, in hopes to derive 
 from their order a veneration which they know they 
 cannot deserve from their virtue. But while the 
 most .worthy, conspicuous, learned, and powerful, 
 of your sacred function, are moved by the noble 
 and generous incentives of doing good to the souls 
 of men, we will not doubt of seeing by your mini- 
 stry the love of our Country, due regard for our 
 laws and liberties, and resentment for the abuse of 
 truth, revive in the hearts of men. And as there 
 are no instruments under Heaven so capable of this 
 great work, that God would make you such to thia 
 divided Nation, is the hearty prayer of, 
 Gentlemen, 
 Your most dutiful, and most obedient, 
 humble servant, Rich. Steele. 
 
 S45. T
 
 3*6 SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 245. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 I 
 
 DEAR PRUE, JAN. 20, I7I3-I4. 
 
 AM. gone to Buckley's *, and from thence am 
 to go and dine at a place where I am to be with the 
 Elector's Envoy. From thence I shall again return 
 to Buckley's. I trust I shall bring home good 
 news. I want clean linen, being very dirty with 
 running about. I have left Mr. Craggs's subscrip- 
 tion-books -j~ at his house. I am, 
 
 Dear Prue, yours faithfully, Rich. Steele. 
 
 * Samuel Buckley, at the Dolphin in Little Britain, for whom 
 seven volumes of the original Spectator in folio had been 
 printed. The Spectator being discontinued at the close of the 
 7th volume, was succeeded by The Guardian ; and Pope informs 
 us, that Steele was engaged in articles of penalty to Jacob Ton- 
 son, tor all the papers he published under this last name. The 
 same Author says, " the true reason that Steele laid down The 
 Guardian was a quarrel between him and the bookseller above- 
 mentioned j" he adds, " that Steele, by desisting two days, and 
 altering the title of his paper to that of The Englishman, got 
 quit of his obligation." Additions to Pope's Works, 1776, 
 vol. II. p. 84, et seq. At the date of this letter, the periodical 
 paper to which Steele gave the title of The Englishman, was in 
 the course of publication ; it was printed by Samuel Buckley in 
 Amen-corner, and announced as The Sequel of the Guardian. 
 The title of Spectator was resumed some months after ; and the 
 first number of the VHIth volume, printed by Buckley in Amen- 
 corner, folio, is dated on the 18th of the June following, in 1714. 
 
 f Of Steele's celebrated political pamphlet, " The Crisis," 
 which was printed and published by Buckley. On the subject 
 of this subscription, see some severe remarks in Swift's " Pub- 
 lic Spirit of the Whigs." 
 
 246. TO
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 317 
 
 246. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, JAN. 26, I7I3-I4. 
 
 1 DINE abroad at Lord Halifax's. Mr. Craggs 
 I have written to, not having found him. I find 
 what I desire is transacting, and to be done by a 
 general subscription *, for divulging the Crisis all 
 over the kingdom. I shall not be at home till nine 
 o'clock, because I am to meet the Sheriff at six. 
 Yours ever, Rich. Steele. 
 
 * See before, pp. 296. 309. Not many days before the date 
 of this letter [Jan. 7> 1713-14,] Swift published a paraphrase 
 of an Ode of Horace, (Book I. Ode VII.) beginning-, 
 " Dick, thou'rt resolv'd, as I am told, 
 
 Some strange arcana to unfold, 
 And, with the help of Buckley's pen, 
 To vamp the good old cause again. 
 Which thou (such Burnet's shrewd advice is) 
 Must furbish up, and nickname Crisis," &c. &c. 
 See the whole poem in " Swift's Works," ed. 1808, vol. XVI. 
 p. 164. 
 
 " Richard Steele, Esq. is turned out of the office of Com- 
 missioner of the Stamp-office ; and Charles Vivian, Esq. suc- 
 ceeds him." Post-boy, Jan. 9, 1713-14. 
 
 247. TO
 
 318 SIR. RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 247- TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR PR'UE, JAN. 2?, 1/13-14* 
 
 I REPEAT, that I will do in all as you have de- 
 sired, so help me God. Rich. Steele. 
 I will be at Tonson's all the evening. 
 
 248. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, MARCH 11, I7I3-I4. 
 
 JL SEND this to let you know, that Lord Halifax 
 would not let me go to the House, but thought it 
 would be better to have the first attack made in my 
 absence. Mr. Foley * was the gentleman who did 
 me that honour; but they could not bring it to 
 bear so far as to obtain an order for my attending in 
 my place -f~, or any thing else to my disadvantage 
 than that all pamphlets are to come on Saturday. 
 
 Lord Halifax, in the House of Lords, told the Mi- 
 nistry, that he believed, if they would recommend 
 the Crisis to her Majesty's perusal, she would think 
 quite otherwise of the book than they do. 
 
 * The motion which Mr. Auditor Foley particularly leveled 
 at Steele, in a debate on the bill for limiting the number of Of- 
 ficers in the House of Commons, was, ** to take into considera- 
 tion that part of the Queen's Speech which related to the sup- 
 pressing seditious libels and factious rumours." 
 
 t They obtained it, however, on the next day. 
 
 i I think
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 31 
 
 I think they have begun very unhappily and un- 
 gracefully against me ; and doubt not but God will 
 turn their malice to the advantage of the innocent. 
 
 Your faithful husband, and humble servant, 
 
 Rich. Steele. 
 
 249- TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 BOW-STREET, 
 DEAR PRUE, MARCH 12, I7I3-I4. 
 
 J. AM going to Mr. Walpole's, to meet some 
 friends. There is nothing can arise to me * which 
 ought to afflict you ; therefore, pray be a Roman 
 lady, and assume a courage equal to your goodness. 
 The Queen is very ill. 
 
 Your faithful, very chearful husband, 
 
 Rich. Steele. 
 
 Do not mention, if you see Harris, the business 
 of the Queen. 
 
 * On this day a regular complaint was made to the House, 
 by Mr. Foley, of three pamphlets by Steele ("The Crisis," and 
 two single numbers of " The Englishman"), as containing "se- 
 veral paragraphs tending to sedition, highly reflecting upon her 
 Majesty, and arraigning her administration and government." 
 Mr. Steele was ordered to attend in his place on the 13th ; 
 which he did accordingly, and was then allowed four days for 
 making his defence. 
 
 250. TO
 
 3&0 SIR RICHARD STEELE'9 
 
 250. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 TEMPLE, 7 O'CLOCK, 
 DEAR PRUE, MARCH l8*, I7I3-I4. 
 
 X HAVE made my defence -f~, and am ordered to 
 withdraw. Addison was sent out after me, by my 
 friends, to bid me not be seen till I heard what 
 
 * The original is misdated, March If. 
 
 f He owned, in his place, " that he wrote and published the 
 pamphlets complained of;" and read the paragraphs to the 
 House, " with the same chearfulness and satisfaction with which 
 he abjured the Pretender." Steele spoke on this occasion with 
 such a temper, modesty, xmeoncern, easy and manly eloquence, 
 as gave entire satisfaction to all who were not inveterately pre- 
 possessed against him. He was strongly supported by Mr, Wal- 
 pole, General Stanhope, the Lord Finch, the Lord Hinchin- 
 . broke, and the Lord Lumley. His principal opponents were 
 Mr. Auditor Foley, Mr. Auditor Harley, Sir W. Wyndham, Sir 
 Edward Northey (the Attorney-general), and other Courtiers. 
 After a long and interesting debate, Steele was expelled the 
 House, by 254 voices against 152. He took ample revengp, 
 however, three days after, on the IJarlcys and the Foleys, under 
 the name of the Crabtrees and Brickdusts, in the eleventh num- 
 ber of '* The Lover." Mr. Pope, in a letter to Congreve, 
 March 19, 1713-14, says, " Yesterday Mr. Steele's affair was 
 decided. J am sorry I can be of no other opinion than you, as 
 to his whole carriage and writings of late. But certainly he has 
 not only been punished by others, but suffered much even from 
 his own party, in the point of character, nor (I believe) re- 
 ceived any amends in that of interest, as yet ; whatever may be 
 his prospects in future. This gentleman, among a thoiisand 
 others, is a great instance of the fate of all who are carried 
 away by party-spirit, of any side. I wish all violence may suc- 
 ceed as ill ; but am really amazed that so much of that sour and 
 pernicious quality should be joined with so much natural good- 
 humour as I think Mr. Steele is possessed of." In " The Post- 
 Boy,'*
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 321 
 
 will be the censure. If you please to go to Mrs. 
 Keek's, I will send to you thither by a porter an 
 hour or two hence. 
 
 Nothing can happen to my condition in private 
 the worse ; and I have busied myself enough for the 
 publick. The next is for you and yours 
 
 Rich. Steele. 
 
 251. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 MY DEAR LIFE, MARCH 19, 1713-14. 
 
 1 WILL take immediate care of what you send 
 about. Pray let nothing disquiet you ; for God will 
 protect and prosper your innocence and virtue, and, 
 for your sake, dear Prue, 
 
 Your faithful husband, and humble servant, 
 
 Rich. Steele. 
 
 Boy," April 27, 1714, is advertised, as just published, " John 
 Dennis the sheltering Poet's Invitation to R. Steele, the ex- 
 cluded Party- Writer and Member, to come and live with him 
 in The Mint. In Imitation of Horace, Ep. V. Lib. 1. Price 3d. 
 Fit to be bound up with the Crisis." This is preserved ia 
 " Swift's Works," ed. 1808, vol. XVI. p. 168. 
 
 25*. TO
 
 322 SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 252. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, MARCH 1Q, I7I3--I4. 
 
 J. AM in very good-humour, and in no concern 
 but fear of your being uneasy. I will go to the 
 Club to-night ; for, as you say, I must press things 
 well now or never. 
 
 Your faithful, Dick Steele. 
 
 253. TO MRS. STEELE*. 
 
 BLOOMSBURY-SaUARE, 
 DEAR PRUE, MARCH 20, I7I3-I4. 
 
 X WILL do all you desire ; and, after I have been 
 with Lord Wharton and the rest, in the morning, 
 I will come to Bloomsbury, where the Mayor of 
 Stockbridge dines with 
 
 Your most faithful husband, 
 
 Rich. Steele. 
 
 * Indorsed by Mrs. Steele, *' The crowd of worthy gentle- 
 men expected." 
 
 254. TO
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. $2$ 
 
 254. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, MARCH 24*, 1713-14. 
 
 J\hh I know farther is, that when I was a-bed 
 last night Ashurst called here, and left word he had 
 been about the business, and all would do beyond 
 expectation. 
 
 Your reprehended spouse, and humble servant, 
 
 Rich. Steele. 
 
 255. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, TONSON'S, MARCH 2$, I7I4. 
 
 ALL I hear now is this morning from Ashurst, 
 that 3000/. is to be paid in to Mr. Warner for my 
 use ; but when, and by what hand, I am still in the 
 dark. I suppose Ashurst will in the afternoon be 
 here, and I am to be in the evening with young 
 Minshull. 
 
 I am very impatient to have this matter ended 
 some way or other, that I might be with you and 
 the brats r 
 
 God will preserve us, and let us meet with joy. 
 
 Your most obedient husband, Rich. Steele. 
 
 * " The Case of Richard Steele, Esq. with an impartial Ac- 
 count of the Proceedings against him, in a Letter to a Friend," 
 was published on this day. 
 
 y 2 256. TO
 
 3*4 SIR RICHARD STEELE^ 
 
 256. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 EASTER SUNDAY, 
 DEAR PRUE, MARCH 28, 1714- 
 
 X WRITE this to acquaint you that I am going 
 to Dr. West's chapel *. 
 
 I cannot learn any thing of our great business 
 more than that it is a-doing, and my chief creditor 
 seems easy in expectation of his money that way. 
 
 I am going this morning to a very solemn work -j~, 
 and invoke Almighty God to bless you and your 
 little ones ; beseeching him to spare me a little life 
 to acquit myself to you and them, whom of all the 
 world I have hitherto least endeavoured to serve. 
 But you, and Betty, and Dick |', and Eugene, and 
 Molly, shall be henceforth my principal cares next 
 to the keeping a good conscience. 
 
 Yours, good Prue, Rich. Steele. 
 
 Service to Mrs. Keck. 
 
 - * Richard West, D. D. fellow of Magdalen college, Oxford, 
 archdeacon of. Berks, and prebendary of Winchester. He was a 
 popular preacher, and published eight single sermons, on public 
 occasions, between 1/06 and 1716. 
 
 f This is not the only instance of Steele's attention to religi- 
 ous duties. See pp. 96, 102, 123, 124. 
 t His eldest son ; who died soon after. 
 
 257- TO
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 32$ 
 
 257. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, MARCH 30, 1714. 
 
 1 SIT down to give you some account of our af- 
 fairs. The affair with Ashurst, he says, is in great 
 forwardness ; but I cannot dive into the secret by 
 what hands I am to be obliged. I had the good 
 fortune to be with Mr. Cadogan alone yesterday 
 after I had dined with him. His discourse was 
 much to my satisfaction, but I cannot write it ; 
 therefore, if you please to come hither in the even- 
 ing, between seven and eight, we will talk all over. 
 
 After I had been with Cadogan till six in the 
 evening, he carried me to a ball, where were his 
 mother, sister, and several relations, among whom 
 Lady Blundell. I did not come home till three in 
 the morning, which is the reason that you hear 
 from me so late as'now, at twelve o'clock. It is a 
 mighty silly thing for you and I to be melancholy ; 
 but let us chear one another, and be a comfort to 
 each other. 
 
 According to the situation of affairs, nothing but 
 Divine Providence can prevent a civil war within a 
 few years ; and against such disasters there can be 
 no remedy but preparing our minds for the inci- 
 dents we are to meet with, with chearfulness. 
 Dear Wife, 
 
 I honour, I love, I doat on you. 
 
 Rich. Steele. 
 
 258. TO
 
 226 SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 258. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, APRIL 1, 1/14. 
 
 X WANT the lease and all receipts about the 
 house in York-buildings, to which Mr. Reason is 
 landlord. Pray send them by Harris. I have 
 heard no news to-day ; but expect some by-and-by, 
 of which you shall have an account. 
 
 Your faithful husband, and humble servant, 
 
 Rich. Steele. 
 
 259. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEVEREUX-COURT, 
 DEAR PRUE, APRIL 3, I7I4. 
 
 JL CANNOT come home, having the Under-sheriff 
 to speak with first at five o'clock. From thence I 
 shall go to the Play, which I make a place of busi- 
 ness, for I am in hopes of seeing two or three peo- 
 ple in the boxes whom I cannot see elsewhere. 
 
 I desire Will may carry the three bottles of wine 
 of mine, at Tonson's, to Bloomsbury. 
 
 I will be at home as soon as the Play is done. 
 f Yours, yours, ever, ever, 
 
 ; Rich. Steele. 
 
 260. TO
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 3 2 7 
 
 260. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, MAY 21, 1714. 
 
 1 WILL come for you at six o'clock, to go by 
 land or water to Chelsea. I think things will go 
 pretty well. I am gone to Fox-hall. I must come 
 to London again before I go to Chelsea. 
 
 Yours ever, Rich. Steele. 
 
 261. TO MRS. STEELE *. 
 
 MY DEAR PRUE, MAY 21, 1714. 
 
 1 SEND this, to let you know that we do not go 
 out of town to-night. 
 
 I am your affectionate, faithful husband, - 
 
 Rich. Steele. 
 
 Pray pardon impatiencies, which have their foun- 
 dation in care and solicitude for you, and vexation 
 that I have not been so just as to prefer my family 
 to all the world. 
 
 * u Fifth door, Bloomsbmy-square." 
 
 *62. TO
 
 328 SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 262. TO LORD FINCH *. 
 
 MY LORD, MAY 25, 1714. 
 
 J. HIS first part of a narration, to which I have 
 given the title of (e A Roman Ecclesiastical His- 
 tory," is only an acconnt of some collateral and 
 
 * Daniel Finch, eldest son to Daniel Earl of Nottingham, 
 was elected one of the Knights of the Shire for Rutland in 171 1, 
 and served for the same county in all parliaments whilst he con- 
 tinued a commoner. In " The Monitor," N 2, April 24, 
 1714, he is thus characterized : " Young Dismal is a modern of 
 native eloquence, and of hereditary gravity, known in the coun- 
 try where he dwells, for a genius particularly inclined to speech- 
 making ; and, by a family propensity, more especially addicted 
 to it at those times when most may be said with the least signi- 
 fication." This ill-tempered introduction to a severe remark is 
 introduced for the purpose of contrasting with it the follow- 
 ing more pleasing anecdote in a succeeding note, p. 332. 
 
 On the accession of King George I. Lord Finch was ap- 
 pointed one of the Gentlemen of the Bed-chamber to the 
 Prince of Wales, when his father was declared Lord Presi- 
 dent of the Council ; October 10, 1715, he was constituted 
 one of the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury ; and re- 
 signed all his employments Feb. 29, 1715-16. He was made 
 Comptroller of His Majesty's Household, May 25, 1725 ; which 
 office he voluntarily resigned, after he succeeded his father as 
 Earl of Winchelsea and Nottingham (Jan. 1, 1729-30.) On 
 June 1, 1725, he was sworn of the Privy-council. On March 
 16, 1741, was constituted First Lord Commissioner of the Ad- 
 miralty ; and April 15, 1743, was appointed one of the Lords 
 Justices on his Majesty's absence in his German dominions. He 
 was one of the assistants to the Duke of Somerset, chief mourner 
 at the funeral of Frederick, Prince of Wales, April 13, 1751. 
 March 13, 1752, he was elected a Knight of the Garter, and 
 installed June 4. April 6, 1757, he was a second time ap- 
 pointed First Lord of the Admiralty ; but resigned in June fol- 
 lowing. At the accession of the present King, he was con- 
 tinued
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 3*3 
 
 contemporary circumstances and secret passages, 
 joined to an account of the ceremony of the last in- 
 auguration of Saints, by his Holiness the Pope *. 
 
 tinued of the Privy-council, and constituted President July 12, 
 1765, which office he resigned July 30, 1766. He was also one 
 of the Elder Brethren of the Trinity-house ; and died Aug. 2, 
 1769, in his 81st year. 
 
 * This was prefixed to " The Romish Ecclesiastical History of 
 late Years." It may be proper just to mention, that the dedica- 
 tion to " An Account of the State of the Roman Catholic Reli- 
 gion throughout the World," though published by Steele, was the 
 production of his friend Bishop Hoadly, and therefore not re- 
 published here. Its origination was a circumstauce of such pub- 
 lic notoriety, as ill deserved the malicious reflection it produced 
 from Swift ; that 
 
 " Steele, who own'd what others writ, 
 
 And flourish'd by imputed wit, 
 
 From perils of a hundred jails, 
 
 Withdrew to starve, and die in Wales." 
 It is added, on the written testimony of Dr. John Hoadly, 
 who put the same interpretation on the ill-natured lir.es above 
 quoted, that Swift, with his usual arrogance, was highly of- 
 fended with the publication of the fine piece of irony and grave 
 humour above mentioned, under the name of Steele, and thus 
 insolently resented it, as if forsooth it had been an invasion of a 
 province which he idly affected to monopolise, and of which he 
 dreamed that he was the only person in the world competent to 
 be the manager. See in Harrison's ' Spurious Tatler,' vol. V. 
 N 28, Swift's account of himself, under the fictitious name of 
 Hiereus. 
 
 The lines above quoted may likewise very well be supposed to 
 allude to Steele's publishing papers of other writers in the Tat- 
 ler, Spectator, and Guardian. These he generally, though not 
 always, distinguished from his own, by certain signatures ; and 
 as he ordinarily bought them, he had, unquestionably, a right 
 to publish and to vend them. Addison was paid, probably very 
 amply, for his papers; and Dr. Johnson says, he received his 
 payments for them with " avidity and great eagerness." It ap- 
 peal's, oh the testimony of (he Bishop's son, that Bp. Berkeley 
 
 had
 
 330 SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 It displays the utmost abuse of Christianity, and 
 that to the most fantastical degree. After the See 
 of Rome has usurped the dominion over the whole 
 earth, it goes on to dispose of Heaven also, and to 
 name the inhabitants of those blessed mansions. 
 These she employs to receive the importunities of 
 mortals, before they come at the Almighty. Is 
 this for His ease, who is all-sufficient, for His in- 
 formation, who is omniscient ? Gross ! prophane ! 
 ridiculous ! 
 
 This account gives us a lively idea of the pagean- 
 try used in that Church to strike the imaginations 
 of the vulgar ; and needs only to be repeated, to 
 give every serious man an abhorrence as well as 
 contempt of their idolatry. I take the liberty to 
 address it to your Lordship, in regard that you are 
 by birth, and imitation of your predecessors, obliged 
 to exert a firm and unshaken zeal to our Church, 
 which is reformed from such absurdities, and retains 
 every thing that is consistent with gravity, good 
 sense, true religion, virtue, and piety. Descrip- 
 tions wherein men, dedicated to the service of God, 
 bear a part, are never to be made to the derogation 
 of such his servants, except in cases wherein they 
 apparently abuse that respect which the Laity have 
 
 had always one guinea and a dinner with Sir Richard Steele for 
 every paper of his in the Guardian j and there is little doubt 
 but that, in all Steeles publications, the assistances he had from 
 others, when they would accept of pecuniary gratifications for 
 them, were well rewarded by a man who sometimes perhaps 
 might be vainly profuse, and too often imprudently generous. 
 See more of this in a note on the Tatler, N 271. 
 
 for
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE?. 331 
 
 for them, as conductors to a better life, to serve 
 their own power, vanity, and ambition in this. 
 When that happens to be the case, it is our busi- 
 ness to obviate such injuries in the first attempts of 
 imposing them on mankind : for we neglect our 
 duty to Heaver when we permit its interests to be 
 prostituted to ends unworthy. For this reason, I 
 dare acknowledge that any power affected by Cler- 
 gymen, above what the Laws of our Country allow 
 them, or independent of the Sovereignty of it, is to 
 me Popery. I cannot think the endeavour at tem- 
 poral power from the service at the Altar a less guilt, 
 than building a false superstructure upon that foun- 
 dation, which only can be laid for spiritual and 
 holy purposes. 
 
 Your noble Father has, in all his actions, main- 
 tained so unbiassed an affection to the Church of 
 England, that to his zeal, more than to that of any 
 other man, it owes the inhibition, " that any who 
 dissent from her shall bear office in these Realms *.*' 
 None can desire more, who do not think it reason- 
 able that they should also be excluded from pro- 
 perty, and deprived of life itself, for Noncon- 
 formity. 
 
 I have often asserted, that they who affect pro- 
 fessing their zeal for the Church on all occasions, 
 reduced themselves to an absurdity, and betrayed 
 the weakness of their cause, when they ranked his 
 Lordship among those whom they call Whigs. 
 
 * To the Earl of Nottingham the Church was afterwards in- 
 debted for an Answer to a pamphlet of Whiston's, 1721 ; for 
 which his Lordship was complimented by addresses from both 
 the Universities; and from the London Clergy. 
 
 By
 
 33 4 sir richard Steele's 
 
 By this one circumstance they acknowledge it is 
 not care of Religion I say, it is not respect to Re- 
 ligion, or to the persons of Clergymen, but joining 
 in a combination with the least known for virtue 
 and piety among them ; and adding the cry of the 
 Church to their common projects for power and 
 domination, which constitutes those (whom they 
 call) Churchmen. 
 
 Your Lordship has too good a discerning, to 
 want that these things should be pointed to you ; 
 and it is to the frank spirit of men of your age and 
 abilities among the Nobility and Gentry, we must 
 owe the amendment of such inveterate evils. 
 
 I congratulate your Lordship upon the early con- 
 spicuous figure you make in the business of the Na- 
 tion ; and doubt not but you will, every year of 
 your life, give new testimonies of your being a true 
 Son of the Church of England, and an exemplary 
 Patriot to your Country. 
 
 The noble motive which first produced your na- 
 tural eloquence * was what should be the great pur- 
 
 * An allusion to a circumstance in the life of this Nobleman, 
 not commonly known, that well deserves to be recorded to his 
 honour, and the relation of which is requisite to make what is 
 here said intelligible. In a paper of his in the Guardian, Steele 
 published a spirited defence of Lady Charlotte Finch, daughter 
 of the earl of Nottingham, and afterwards duchess of Somerset, 
 who had been treated with rudeness and ill-manners by an 
 anonymous writer in the Examiner, for alledged misbehaviour 
 in church ; and won by this the heart of her brother, probably 
 pre-disposed in favour of an amiable man, and, it may be, at- 
 tached to him by an antecedent friendship. Be this as it may, 
 when the question about Steele's expulsion was agitated in the 
 House of Commons, Lord Finch stepped foiward, and made 
 attempts to speak in Steele's behalf) but, being embarrassed by 
 
 an
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 333 
 
 pose of that charming force in all who are blessed 
 with it, the protection of the oppressed : and I 
 doubt not but your future conduct will be agreeable 
 to the manner of your setting out, to the nobility 
 of your birth, the dignity of your own good sense, 
 and the service of mankind in all their true interests, 
 both religious and civil. 
 
 This address is made to you in acknowledgment 
 of late favours to me, and to desire the continuance 
 of your good opinion and friendship. 
 I am, my Lord, 
 
 Your Lordship's most obliged, 
 
 most obedient, and most humble servant. 
 
 Rich. Steele. 
 
 an ingenuous modesty, and over-deference to an assembly in 
 which he had not yet been accustomed to speak, he sat down in 
 visible confusion, saying, so as to be over-heard, " It is strange 
 I can't speak for this man, though I could readily fight for 
 him." His words being whispered from one to another, ope- 
 rated in an instant like electrical fire ; and a sudden burst, 
 from all parts of the House, of " Hear him ! Hear him!" with 
 ineffable marks of encouragement, brought . Lord Finch again 
 on his legs, who, with astonishing recollection, and the utmost 
 propriety, spoke a speech on the occasion, in which, as it was 
 related to this writer, in the language of the Theatre, " there 
 was not a word which did not tell." " The eyes of the whole 
 company were upon him ; and though he appeared to have ut- 
 terly forgot what he rose up to speak, yet the generous motive, 
 which the whole company knew he acted upon, procured him 
 such an acclamation of voices to hear him, that he expressed him- 
 self with a magnanimity and clearness, proceeding from the in- 
 tegrity of his heart, that made his very adversaries receive him 
 as a man they wished their friend. Such was the noble mo- 
 tive which first produced this Nobleman's natural eloquence; 
 the force of which was charming, and irresistible, when exerted 
 in the protection of the oppressed." 
 
 263. TO
 
 334 sir richard Steele's 
 
 2S3. TO A MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT *. 
 
 SIR, LONDON, MAY 28, I7I4. 
 
 X HOUGH I have had the misfortune to appear 
 an unworthy Member of your House, and am ex- 
 pelled accordingly from my seat in Parliament ; I 
 am not by that vote (which was more important to 
 the People of England than I shall at this time ex- 
 plain) deprived of the common benefits of life, 
 liberty, or any other enjoyment of a rational being. 
 And I do not think I can better bestow my time, 
 or employ these advantages, than in doing all in 
 my power to preserve them to others as well as my- 
 self, and in asserting the right of my fellow-sub- 
 jects against any thing which I apprehend to be an 
 incroachment upon what they ought to enjoy as 
 men, and what they are legally possessed of as 
 Englishmen, or, if you will, as Britons. 
 
 This, Sir, is all the apology I shall make for ad- 
 dressing to you, in this public manner, my thoughts 
 concerning the Bill -j~, now making its way, with 
 all convenient expedition, through your House, 
 and the whole Legislature. I shall examine this 
 matter as well as haste will allow me ; and therefore 
 must recite as distinctly as I can what you gave me 
 in discourse as the substance of this intended Law |. 
 When these are the melancholy prospects before 
 our eyes ; when no one of the Family of Hanover, 
 
 * Supposed to have been Lord Finch. See p. 332. 
 f " For preventing the Growth of Schism." 
 X For the political part of this Letter the reader is referred to 
 Steele's " Political Writings." 
 
 though
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 335 
 
 though long expected, is yet arrived in this king- 
 dom ; and when many weak people are under 
 strange apprehensions, because the proclamation for 
 bringing the Pretender to justice, in case he should 
 land here, is put off; I say, when many things 
 pass every day, on which Jacobites make reflections 
 to their own advantage, and ordinary people, who 
 cannot judge of reasons of State, put all these things 
 together ; it creates in them a chagrin and uneasi- 
 ness, which will be mightily increased by the 
 passing of a Bill that may be to the mortification of 
 the meanest persons in the Protestant cause. 
 
 It is therefore no time to do a thing, which will 
 take off the hands and purses of half a million of 
 people, as friends to the House of Hanover ; half a 
 million of people, as enemies to the Pretender. 
 
 If this Bill passes, and the Pretender should come 
 upon our Coast ; I would fain know what could 
 move a Dissenter to lift an hand, or employ a shil- 
 ling against him ? He has at present no hopes of 
 preferment ; and would by this Bill be under daily 
 apprehensions of the loss of the toleration as to him- 
 self, as well as being wholly bereft of it as to his 
 posterity. He would have certainly promises from 
 the Pretender of liberty of conscience ; and he could 
 but have those promises broken, as in this case he 
 would have it to say they had been before ; and 
 must expect some sweetnesses at a new change, for 
 standing neuter, or exerting himself for the invader. 
 Thus he would rather, according to his own interest, 
 wish an invader success than disappointment. Add 
 to this, some pleasure in the revengeful hope of 
 
 seeing
 
 336 s iR Richard Steele's 
 
 -seeing us, who had persecuted him, fall into the 
 same calamity. 
 
 This, dear Sir, is all I have to trouble you with 
 on this occasion ; and, though you accused me of 
 being cast down with my expulsion, }^ou see I have 
 not dunned you to move, that the other pamphlets 
 may be examined, as well as the Ci^isis and the 
 Englishman. Give my service to poor Tom * and 
 Ned -f~. I must confess they were the last I for- 
 gave ; but I have forgiven them too now. I am 
 thoroughly convinced, since this Bill, that I was 
 not worthy : for now you have taken upon you Ec- 
 clesiastical matters, and I should not have known 
 how to behave myself among you, as a communion 
 of Saints. 
 
 I doubt not, Sir, hut your voice and excellent 
 talents will be employed against this pernicious Bill : 
 to oppose it strenuously, will be worthy that reso- 
 lution and modesty for which you are so remark- 
 ably conspicuous ; that modesty which cannot in- 
 cline you to bear hard against persons or things, 
 when you happen to be with a majority ; and that 
 resolution which prompts you to assert what you 
 think truth, though under the disadvantage of the 
 most inconsiderable minority. 
 I am, Sir, 
 
 Your most obedient, 
 
 obliged, humble servant, 
 
 Rich. Steele. 
 
 * Thomas Harley, Esq. 
 f Edward Foley, Esq. 
 
 264. TO
 
 [ 337* ] 
 
 ADDITIONS to the FIRST VOLUME. 
 
 The Originals of the following Letters were not 
 discovered in time to be incorporated in their 
 proper places. Some of them are material illus- 
 trations of Sir Richard Steele's personal His- 
 tory ; and the others, though domestic Trifles, 
 are the Trifles of a Man of Wit and a Gentle- 
 man. But they are in general without dates ; 
 and it would not be very easy to arrange them 
 with precision. 
 
 *264. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, 2 O'CLOCK, MAY 21, [iJOS.] 
 
 Mr. ADDISON being chosen for Lestwithiel f 
 in Cornwall ; I am obliged, with some persons con- 
 cerned, to go to him immediately. 
 
 Yours ever, Rich. Steele. 
 
 f Mr. Addison was at this period returned to Parliament for 
 Lostwithiel, together with James Kendall, esq. (though they had 
 not the majority of votes) either by the misunderstanding or the 
 partiality of Alexander Johns the Mayor, who was the Returning 
 Officer. But they were not permitted to take their seats j their 
 opponents (the Hon. Francis Robartes and the Hon. Russel Ro- 
 bartes) having proved that the right of election had been vio- 
 lated. See the Journals of the House of Commons, vol. XVI. 
 p. 14. Mr. Addison was afterwards chosen for Malmesbury. 
 
 vol I. *z *265. TO
 
 33 8* SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 *2ff5. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 almost one o'clock, 
 duke of Sunderland's office, 
 dear prue, [may 25, 1708.] 
 
 J. WISH sleeping so long this morning, after I 
 came out to work, may not do you harm. I design 
 to dine at Court ; after which I shall return to the 
 office ; and shall be glad of a visit there from so 
 agreeable a lady as yourself. 
 I am yours, unreservedly, 
 
 Rich. Steele. 
 
 *266. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, JUNE 4, [l708.] 
 
 1 HAVE been earnestly about the affairs we talked 
 of last night, and am to meet Mr. Foulerton at four 
 in the afternoon again. 
 
 Believe me to be, what I really am, 
 Your affectionate, tender, 
 
 obliged husband and lover, 
 
 Rich. Steele. 
 I shall dine abroad, and cannot go with you to 
 ttje Park. It would not be amiss if you visited 
 Mrs. Tryon in Lime-street. Be in good humour, if 
 you go. 
 
 +267. TO
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. *3$9 
 
 *267. TO MRS. SCURLOCK. 
 
 MADAM, JUNE 15, I708. 
 
 xjlFTER having been with Mr. Owen, I choose 
 this way of communicating to you my sense on that 
 occasion, rather than by word of mouth, in a case 
 wherein I am too nearly concerned, not to be fear- 
 ful of letting fall something which might appear too 
 negligent or too careful of my own interests, which 
 are faults I would equally shun. ' 
 
 The sum of the orders you have given your 
 Counsel, I take to be, that you would settle an 
 hundred and sixty pounds a-year, liable to certain 
 debts, upon us, and the survivor of us, and to our 
 children ; and reserve two hundred and forty in 
 yourself, to be given to whom you shall think fit 
 after your decease ; adding a very unexpected 
 clause in my behalf, of making the whole estate 
 liable to 2500/. after my death, in case I outlive my 
 wife without issue. After I have thanked you in the 
 humblest manner for this very great instance of 
 kindness to me, I beg leave to represent to you, 
 that I sincerely have no regards in this world (di- 
 vested as I am of all relations that might enjoy any 
 thing after me) but what have an immediate pro- 
 spect towards a plentiful maintenance of my wife 
 and children ; and therefore I can say with the 
 strictest truth, that, in case I shall live to a time 
 when I shall have neither, I should be very far 
 from desiring to turn the current of the estate out 
 of the channel it would have been in, had I never 
 come into the family. 
 
 *z 2 Forgive
 
 340* SIR RICHARD STEELE^ 
 
 Forgive me then, if I humbly desire, that you 
 would take it into your consideration to settle even 
 less, if you think fit, on us during your life ; but ab- 
 solutely fix the whole on your daughter and her 
 posterity ; which you will, upon reflection, find to 
 be giving less out of yourself (in case you survive us 
 both), than if at my death, after that of my wife, I 
 should lay upon you such a sum as you are inclined 
 to give me. 
 
 I am very confident you have no thoughts of 
 alienating any thing from your child ; and, however 
 too great a sensibility of spirit may sometimes 
 suspend your kindness to each other, you know na- 
 ture does recur, and all little bitternesses vanish into 
 tenderness. Now, Madam, if you duly weigh this, 
 I believe you will be convinced that there can be no 
 consequence of your reserving a power of alienation 
 in yourself, but laying yourself open to the sugges- 
 tions of sudden passion, to do what you would in 
 a deliberate temper not have it in your power to 
 recall. But, if you keep very plentifully for yourself 
 while living, and bestow the whole after your death, 
 you lay a foundation for your being always above 
 fears of any change in her, or disregard to you ; and 
 at the same time secure yourself against the tempta- 
 tions which all mortals are liable to ; that is to say, 
 to other people's designs, or our own infirmities. 
 
 I will not trouble you longer at this time, but leave 
 it to your own good nature, and good understanding, 
 to determine your resolutions towards me and mine ; 
 which I beseech God to conduct and reward. 
 
 I am, Madam, 
 Your most obedient son, Rich. Steele. 
 
 *-2S. TO
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. *34l 
 
 *268. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 1 BEG of you not to be impatient, though it be an 
 hour before you see 
 
 Your obliged husband and humble servant, 
 
 Rich. Steele. 
 
 *56*q. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 iVX Y attendant you mention is dismissed till night. 
 I am to meet the people I have to do with at such 
 hours as will consist with going to Mr. Boyle's -f~. 
 Pray be advised and content. I must go to know 
 what will become of us with relation to this office. 
 
 *270. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, HALF HOUR AFTER Q. 
 
 J. WAS coming home from the office, after having 
 received some money ; but am invited to supper to 
 Mr. Boyle's -}-. God be thanked, all will do well ; and 
 I rejoice that I had spirit to refuse what has been 
 lately offered me. 
 
 Dear Prue, do not send after me, for I shall be 
 ridiculous. I send you word to put you out of 
 frights. Rich. Steele. 
 
 f Then Secretary of State, See p. 255. 
 
 *27i. TO
 
 342* SIR RICHARD *TEELE*S 
 
 271. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 MY DEAR, 
 
 vJ PON my honour and salvation, I hide nothing. 
 Your generous declaration towards me makes me 
 melt into tears. Mr. Boyle has desired me to dine 
 with him, which at this time I must not deny. As 
 soon as I have dined, J will come to you. Pray send 
 not thither. 
 
 Dear Prue, talk thus, and govern yours, 
 
 Rich. Steele. 
 
 Pray be careful of Lugger, &c. 
 
 Tell Mr. Nutt I shall call upon him wherever 
 he is to be in the evening ; but do not enter into any 
 discourse with him, for reasons I will tell you. 
 
 *272. TO MRS. STEELE f. 
 
 TONSON'S, 9 AT NIGHT, 
 DEAR PRUE, [170.] 
 
 I TOOK Mr. Clay with me to Jryon's, and we 
 shall have justice done me as soon as possible, and 
 immediate money. 
 
 There are new orders come hither from the Se- 
 cretary's, which obliges me to wait for the proof J. 
 
 Yours ever, Rich. Steele. 
 
 f " At Mr. SeweU's house, in King-street, Westminster." 
 + Of the Gazette. 
 
 *273- TO
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. *343 
 
 *27$. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 [1709.] 
 
 JMr. TRYON and Mr. Water having desired to 
 meet me at three o'clock ; and the Gazette being not 
 quite finished, though now near two ; I have not 
 time to dine. Therefore can only wish you a good 
 stomach, and not come myself. 
 
 Dear Prue, you will find my service better than 
 that of Bhms, or any body else. 
 
 Yours ever, Rich. Steele. 
 
 *274. TO MRS. STEELE f. 
 DEAR prue, 
 
 X SHALL not come home till five o'clock, at 
 which time I have good news to tell you. 
 
 Rich. Steele. 
 
 *275. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 MY DEAR CREATURE, [l79-] 
 
 1 HAVE received some money, and I will send 
 you word in the morning of every thing, and con- 
 vince you of what you wish. I am, 
 Thou best of women, 
 
 Thy friend, servant, and husband, 
 
 Rich. Steele. 
 Be at rest, for all is well. 
 
 f " In Berry-street." 
 
 *27& TO
 
 344* sm richard Steele's 
 
 *276. TO MRS. STEELE f . 
 
 PEAR PRUE, [TUESDAY, JUNE . . . 170$.] 
 
 1 SEND this to tell you that I am going back 
 again into the City, in order to dine with the gen- 
 tleman who is to act between me and Tryon, and 
 hope to bring things to so much reason as to be at 
 ease in matters now pressing. 
 
 Dear Prne, I desire you to be careful of thy dear 
 self. If thou goest to Binns's, I will call for thee there. 
 
 Rich. Steele. 
 
 From Mr. Salkield's, one o'clock. 
 
 *277- TO MRS. STEELE f. 
 
 DEAR WIFE, OCT. 1, [17O0.] 
 
 x HAVE been so much employed in settling some 
 business, to prevent being cheated by a set of 
 shuffling fellows, that I could not get out of town. 
 To-morrow I will write at large, if I cannot come, 
 by a messenger on purpose on one of my horses. 
 In the mean time, beg pardon for sending so small 
 a sum. I am, 
 
 Your affectionate husband, 
 
 and faithful humble servant, Rich. Steele." 
 
 f ** At the third house, right hand, Berry-street, turning out 
 of Germain-street." 
 % "At Hampton-court." 
 
 *278. TO
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE." *345 
 
 *278. TO MRS. -STEELE. 
 
 DEAR MADAM, OCT. 15, [l70#.] 
 
 J. HAVjE received a letter from you this day by 
 your new man Jack, dated the 15th of last month. 
 I will wait upon you as soon as I can ; and wonder 
 at the question you sent me for who should inter 
 that gentleman but his executors ? 
 J am, your most obedient husband, 
 
 Rich. Steele. 
 
 *279. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR WIFE, DEC. 20, [l70Q.] 
 
 1 REG of you to go to the Cockpit, make my 
 apology to my mother ; and expect me as soon as 
 I can possibly be disengaged from some company 
 where I am settling some matters I have already 
 discoursed of to you. 
 
 Yours faithfully, Rich. Steele. 
 
 *2So. TO MRS. STEELE f. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, 
 
 DON'T be displeased that I do not come home 
 till eleven o'clock. 
 
 Yours ever, Rich. Steele. 
 
 + " At Mrs. Sewell's, in King-street, Westminster." 
 
 *28l. TO
 
 346* SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 **8i. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 MY DEAR, FRIDAY MORNING. 
 
 v^OUSIN is much as she was, but rather weaker. 
 Pray let the boy be immediately sent back with my 
 linen, after you have told me under your hand that 
 I am in your favour, and that you are well ; which 
 can only make happy 
 
 Your obedient husband, Rich. Steele. 
 
 *282. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, 
 
 Sj ORGIVE me dining abroad, and let Will carry 
 the papers to Buckley's immediately, and leave the 
 other letter at Ashurst's. 
 
 Your fond, devoted, Rich. Steele. 
 
 *283. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR, DEAR PRUE, 
 
 -T ORGIVE me that I do not dine at home, hav- 
 ing very particular business to concert with a gen- 
 tleman who is with me. I am yours, 
 Affectionately, constantly, tenderly, 
 
 Rich. Steele. 
 *284. TO
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. *347 
 
 *284. TO MRS. STEELE f. 
 
 TEAR PRUE, [SEPT. 30, 17 10.] 
 
 1 AM very sleepy and tired, but could not think 
 of closing my eyes till I had told you I am, 
 Dearest creature, i 
 
 Your most affectionate and 
 
 faithful husband, Rich. Steelb* 
 
 From the Press f, one in the morning. 
 
 *285. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 st. james's coffee-house, 
 dear prue, 10 at night. 
 
 J^END me word how you do ; I have not got the 
 money yet, but am going to try elsewhere. 
 Yours, with the utmost affection, 
 
 Rich. Steele. 
 
 *286\ TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, 6 O'CLOCK, TUESDAY. 
 
 A WISH our private affairs were as happy as the 
 inclosed will show you the publick are. I am going 
 
 -f- ** At her house at Hampton-court." 
 X The Gazette Printing-office. 
 
 to
 
 348* SIR RICHAFD STEELE'S 
 
 to the Temple. After I have been there a little 
 while, I '11 to you. 
 
 Yours faithfully, Rick. Steele. 
 
 *287. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR, dear prue, 
 
 JL RAY forgive me that I do not come to dinner. 
 Salkield goes out of town before three ; and I can- 
 not conclude with him if I miss this opportunity. 
 I am, 
 
 Your obliged husband, Rich. Steele. 
 
 *288. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 .INDEED you are ill-natured in talking to me at 
 this strange rate. The place -j- is of your own chusing 
 before one I liked better. I will come to you in the 
 afternoon; and, if you are able, bring you to town. 
 
 It is wonderful, when you know what I had to do 
 last night, that you will talk so to me thus. 
 
 Yours ever, Rich. Steele. 
 
 f Hampton-court. 
 
 *28o. TO
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE." *$49 
 
 *28g. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 PRUE, 
 
 IT is unworthy your virtue and merit to be diffi- 
 dent. I '11 warrant you all will be well before to- 
 morrow night. I will come home then with cash, 
 and every thing else that can please. 
 
 Yours faithfully, Rich. Steele. 
 
 *2Q0. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, SEPT. 20, [l710.] ] 
 
 VXO to dinner. I have sent Cave to Martyn, and 
 I wait till he or his brother brings me the money. 
 Yours ever, Rich. Steele. 
 
 Upon second thoughts, I will go and dine at the 
 Gentleman-usher's table. 
 
 *2Qi. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 dear prue, Buckley's, 8 o'clock. 
 
 1 HAVE yours, but cannot imagine what I omit 
 that is kind. I suppose you would not have had me 
 avoided the gentleman I named to-day. 
 
 I am come hither, and not one worcT-j** ready for 
 to-morrow. 
 
 In haste, yours, Rich. Steele, 
 
 f Of the Gazette. 
 
 *292. T0
 
 350* SIR RICHARD STEELE** - 
 
 N *292. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 Jr RAY, Prue, look a little dressed, and be beauti- 
 ful, or else every body will be entertained but the 
 entertainer ; but, if you please, you can outshine the 
 whole company, and my costly lustre. Come in 
 good humour. 
 
 Yours, Rich. Steele. 
 
 *293. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 WHETHER I deserve it or not, I humbly de- 
 sire you will smile upon me when I come into your 
 presence. I wait for your answer, who am, 
 Yours tenderly, Rich. Steele* 
 
 *294. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR CREATURE, 
 
 X GO away because you will have it so ; but I have 
 been guilty of nothing that ought to exclude me 
 from the happiness of being yours. 
 
 You will take this for an argument how much I 
 am, 
 
 Dear wife, yours, Rich. Steele. 
 
 *295. TO
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. *31 
 
 *295. TO MRS. STEELE f. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, 
 
 AT is a strange ^ing, because you are handsome, 
 that you will not behave yourself with the obedience 
 that people of worse features do but that I must 
 be always giving you an account of every trifle, and 
 minute of my time. 
 
 I send this to tell you, I am waiting to be sent for 
 again when my Lord Wharton is stirring. 
 
 Rich. Steele. 
 
 *296. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR PRUEj 4 O'CLOCK. 
 
 X AKE this boy to sit behind you in the boat ; and 
 put on your mask, and come to Somerset-stairs. 
 From whence send him to call me from Nutt's, 
 where your servant [waits] for your arrival to visit 
 my grand-daughter J. 
 
 Rich. Steele. 
 
 f " At Mrs. Binns's, at a mathematical instrument-maker, 
 Dean-street." 
 
 % This was probably the character under which Mrs. Aynston 
 (see pp. ix. 673.) was designated. 
 
 *297. TO
 
 352* SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 i 
 
 *297. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, 
 
 IS END word when you are ready, and hoods on, 
 and I '11 come for you. Rich. Steele. 
 
 *o8. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, YOUNG MAN'S COFFEE-HOUSE. 
 
 X HAVE not been yet at the Savoy -}- ; but stay 
 near the Devil-tavern till I see Will Elderton. 
 
 Do not be out of humour, for all will be easy in 
 an hour or two. 
 
 Yours ever, Rich. Steele. 
 
 *29&. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, 
 
 X DESIRE you to dress yourself decently before 
 you appear before me ; for I will [not] be so easily 
 pleased as I have been, being now in a fair way of 
 being a great man. 
 
 Yoursever, , Rich. Steele. 
 
 f Where the Gazette was printed. 
 
 *300. TO
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. *353 
 
 *300. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 PROPOSE setting off in the morning, at five 
 
 DEAR PRUE 
 
 I 
 
 o'clock, to Windsor ; at which time the coach will 
 be at our door. I stay at the Office now, to dispatch 
 as much of the Gazette as I can to-night. 
 I am your obliged husband, 
 
 Rich. Steele. 
 
 *30i. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, AFTER EIGHT. 
 
 JL SEND this to acquaint thee that I shall come 
 home about an hour hence ; and desire, in the mean 
 time, that the boy may rest, for he has been up ever 
 since five. 
 
 Yours tenderlv. Rich. Steele. 
 
 *J02. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 AT is now professedly point of party ; and I am 
 required to be here, because a great man advised it 
 yesterday. But the remainder of the money will 
 be ready, by means of Martyn and Elderton, before 
 vol. i. *a a two
 
 354* SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 two o'clock to-morrow. In the mean time I am 
 contented, and desire you not to come hither till 
 early to-morrow morning, between seven and eight, 
 at which time I would have you be with me pre- 
 cisely. I sent young Elderton to the nurse's ; and 
 the child is much better. 
 Yours with great truth now, 
 
 and with care hereafter, Rich. Steele. 
 
 *303. TO MRS. STEELE f. 
 
 RUMMER TAVERN, COVENT-GARDEN. 
 DEAR PRUE, 
 
 X AM just going to Jeffreys's ; have settled my 
 matter with Mr. Potter, who lends me the money. 
 
 I desire you would go to bed at home, and be of 
 good cheer. 
 
 Yours ever, Rich. Steele. 
 
 Martyn never came near me. 
 
 *304. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 X HAVE four tickets for the musick to-night. If 
 you will send for Mrs. Keck, we will go all toge- 
 ther ; or, if you please, only you and 
 Your most obedient servant, 
 
 Rich. Steele. 
 j- " Bcirv-strcet." 
 
 *305- TO
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. *355 
 
 *3&5. TO MRS. STEELE f. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, JUNE 14, 1711. 
 
 1 INCLOSE to you a guinea ; and desire you to go 
 before to Mrs. Simpson's if I am not ready to o-o 
 with you, and call at your mother's at eight o'clock 
 for Mr. Craggs and others do not come to us till 
 late in the evening. Therefore, pray be tractable to 
 Your enamoured husband , 
 
 and humble servant, Rich. Steele. 
 
 f " At Mrs. Scurlock's lodgings, Bromley-street, Holborn." 
 X Steele's marriage with Miss Scurloek seems rather to have 
 increased than diminished the ardour of his passion. Every day 
 produces some written declaration of his love ; and there are 
 several instances of his repeating it two or three times. The 
 billet-doux is sometimes dated from the Secretary of State's office 
 in Whitehall, where he then had an employment ; sometimes 
 from a Coffee-house, where he had gone to transact business ; 
 and occasionally from the house either of his printer or his 
 bookseller. They are always full of the most tender sentiments 
 and aftection ; and frequently accompanied with a small present 
 of fruit, or with a guinea for her pocket It is impossible to 
 read these short but numerous compositions, without being 
 obliged to acknowledge him one of the tenderest husbands that 
 ever lived. Yet it does not appear that the second marriage added 
 much to his happiness. Mis. Steele loved money ; and had the 
 usual companions of that foible, a coldness of affection as a wo- 
 man and a wife. But his attachment to her appears to have been 
 ardent and uniform. In the Theatre, No XII, he laments the 
 loss of her, as " the best woman that ever man had 5" and adds, 
 that " she frequently lamented and pined at his neglect of him- 
 self." Their correspondence throws considerable light on her 
 character. If she is to be blamed for a narrow, teazing, and 
 suspicious temper ; it is no less evident that her temper was oc- 
 casionally soured by the distresses in which her husband's im- 
 prudence involved him ; and she may be excused if the prospect 
 of want rendered her parsimonious, and unfriendly to the 
 schemes and projects by which he had often deceived himself as 
 well as her. 
 
 *aa 2 *306\ TO
 
 35#* SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 *S06. TO MRS. STEELE f. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, HAMPTON-COURT. 
 
 AM going to Watford, and shall be at home to- 
 morrow. The coach is passing, so can say no more. 
 Yours ever, Rich. Steele. 
 
 I 
 
 *307. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 PRUE, C^ 11 -] 
 
 ADDISON'S money J you will have to-morrow 
 noon. I have but eighteen shillings ; but have 
 very many reasons to be in good humour, except 
 you are angry w T ith me. 
 
 T " At her house in Bloomsbury-square." 
 
 X This was the loan which afterward* so unfortunately in- 
 terrupted a long and early friendship. " At the school of the 
 Chartreux," Dr. Johnson observes, " Mr. Addison contracted that 
 intimacy with Sir Richard Steele, which their joint labours have 
 so effectually recorded. Of this memorable friendship, the 
 greater praise must be given to Steele. It is not hard to love 
 those from whom nothing can be feared ; and Addison never 
 considered Steele as a rival: but Steele lived, as he confesses. 
 under an habitual subjection to the predominating genius of Ad- 
 dison, whom he always mentioned with reverence, and treated 
 with obsequiousness. Addison, who knew his own dignity, 
 could not always forbear to shew it, by playing a little upon his 
 admirer; but he was in no danger of retort: his je-t- were en- 
 dured without resistance or resentment. But the saeer of jocu- 
 larity was not the wo. st. Steele, whose imprudence of gene 
 rosity, or vanity of profusion, kept him always incurably n - 
 cessitous, upon some pressing exigence, in an evil hour, bor- 
 rowed an hundred pounds of his friend, probably w ithout much 
 
 purpose
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. *S57 
 
 If you can pay the woman for coals, you [may] 
 have it from Nutt in the morning. 
 Your obedient husband, lover, 
 servant, and paramour, 
 
 Rich. Steele. 
 
 1 
 
 *3o8. TO MRS. STEELE f. 
 
 MY DEAR, DEC. 2$. 
 
 SHALL not come home to dinner, but have 
 fixed every thing; and received money for present 
 uses. I desire, my dear, that you have nothing- 
 else to do but to be a darling ; the way to which is, 
 to be always in good humour ; and believe I spend 
 none of my time but to the advantage of you, and 
 
 Your most obedient husband, 
 
 Rich. Steele. 
 
 purpose of re-payment ; but Addison, who seems to have had 
 other notions of a hundred pounds, gre%v impatient of delay, 
 and reclaimed his loan by an execution. Steele felt with great 
 sensibility the obduracy of his creditor, but with emotions of 
 horrow rather than of anger." " This fact," Sir John Hawkins 
 adds, '* was communicated to Johnson in my hearing by a ]>erson 
 of unquestionable veracity, but whose name I am not at liberty 
 to mention. He had it, as he told us, from Lady Primrose, to 
 whom Steele related it with tears in his eyes. The late Dr. 
 Stinton confirmed it to me, by saying, that he had heard it from 
 Mr. Hooke, author of the Roman History ; and he, from Mr. 
 Pope." See before, p. 208 ; where, on the authority of Victor's 
 Letters, this story is somewhat differently related. 
 
 f " At her house, the last door but two on the left-hand in 
 Berry-street, St. James's. With a barrell ; porter paid." 
 
 *309. TO
 
 35* SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 *30Q. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 xF you have not a coach of your own, come to me 
 in a chair ; and we will be together all day ; which 
 .will be a very great favour to 
 
 Yours most obediently, Rich. Steele. 
 
 *3io. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, 
 
 X WILL be at Desmazeaux ; and if you will spend 
 the evening with me, please to call on me at the 
 corner of St. J:imes's Place, and I'll go with you. 
 If you do not like this proposal, send word. 
 Your humble servant, 
 
 and obedient husband, Rich. Steele. 
 
 *3ii. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 dear prue, [1711-12.] 
 
 Mr. ASHURST f is with me. The thing goes on 
 well, and you shall hear of me further in the morn- 
 'ing. God be with you. 
 
 Yours, Rich. Steele. 
 
 f This and the following Letter enable me to correct a mis- 
 take in p. 234^5 where Mr. Ashurst has been mistaken for the 
 Alderman. 
 
 *312. TO
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. *359 
 
 *312. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAREST WIFE, [l 7 1 1-1 2 J 
 
 xtlSHURST is just gone. He says, he thinks 
 himself sure of 2500/. ; and bids me be of comfort. 
 I have sent to Mr. Brodrick, to give me some covers 
 to Mr- John Scurlock at Carmarthen, South Wales. 
 I am charmed with your letter to Cousin. 
 Kiss Bess and Dick J for me, 
 
 Rich. Steele. 
 
 313. TO MRS. SCURLOCK. 
 
 bloom sbury-s6.u are, 
 dear Madam, aug. 8, 1712. 
 
 JCiVER since I had the honour to be of your family, 
 my heart has yearned to exert myself in a particular 
 manner towards you, and to make your life easy 
 and happy. The uneasinesses of my fortune have 
 hitherto made it impracticable to me, and some 
 little frowardnesses of Prue have also been an hin- 
 drance to it. But, I thank God, matters are now 
 settled after such a manner, and the renewal of my 
 _ employments in my favour has enabled me to invite 
 you hither, where you shall be attended with 
 plenty, chearfulness, and quiet. I shall wait on 
 you to talk farther on this subject ; and, if you are 
 averse to it, nothing shall be taken ill by, Madam, 
 Your most obedient son, 
 
 and most humble servant, Rich. Steele, 
 
 % Their two eldest children. 
 
 *314. TO
 
 ?>60* SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 *314. TO MRS. SCURLOCK. 
 
 HAMPTON-COURT, 
 HONOURED MADAM, SEPT. 2J, 1712. 
 
 J. HE increase -J- of my family, and reflection upon 
 what vast sums of money I have let slip through 
 my hands, since I have had opportunities of mend- 
 ing my fortune in the world, have made me very 
 anxious for the future. I understand there has 
 been some discourse between my wife and yourself 
 upon this subject ; but, if there has any thing past 
 too eager, I beseech you to attribute it to a lauda- 
 ble tenderness for a numerous family. All that I 
 intend by it is, to know what foundation I may 
 think I am upon with relation to posterity, which 
 are your offspring as well as mine. I ask nothing 
 of you ; but, by the blessing of God, will add to the 
 estate in the family, as well as provide for my 
 younger children, with as much haste as honour 
 and integrity will permit. I only want to "know, 
 for the encouragement of my industry in so great a 
 work, how all things stand now to a farthing. I 
 am very much above any distastes to any one you 
 may affect, but shall ever be ready to serve to my 
 utmost any one that you are inclined to do for or 
 favour. I send this before me, as a. preface to a 
 discourse of this kind when I have the honour to 
 see you, and am with great truth, Madam, 
 
 Your most obliged, , 
 
 and most humble servant, Rich. Steele. 
 
 f Eugene, Steele's third cliildj. was born in 171-- 
 
 *315. TO
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. *3^1 
 
 *315. TO MRS. SCURLOCK. 
 
 BLOOMSBURY-SGUJARE, 
 DEAR MOTHER, OCT. 25, 1712. 
 
 GIVE you thVij to lay before you, in the hum- 
 blest manner, what I think reasonable should be 
 done in favour of me and mine. You are well ac- 
 quainted that I have had no fortune with your 
 daughter ; that I have struggled through great diffi- 
 culties for our maintenance ; that we live now in the 
 handsomest manner, supported only by my industry. 
 I say, Madam, when you consider all this, and add 
 to it, that my posterity is yours also ; you will be, 
 I doubt not, inclined that your estate should pass to 
 them, I not having any view nor making the 
 least request of any support from you during your 
 life. The gentleman who brings this, will inform 
 you in what manner I desire this may be effected. 
 He is a sensible and good man ; and I hope you will 
 be prevailed upon to do me the reasonable favour I 
 ask you by his interposition between us. This pro- 
 vision made for my poor children, will make me 
 meet all the changes and chances of this life with 
 cheerfulness and alacrity ; for want of which, I have 
 many melancholy reflections. The main of the 
 estate is wholly in you ; and that part which is my 
 wife's I shall, I doubt not, find her ready to settle 
 in the manner my friend will acquaint you. 
 I am, dear Madam, 
 
 Your most obedient son, 
 
 and most humble servant, 
 
 Rich. Steele. 
 *3lfr. TO
 
 3&2* SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 *3i6. TO MRS. SCURLOCK. 
 
 DEAR MOTHER, OCT. 31, 1712, 
 
 A.S soon as I had left you this afternoon, I went 
 to Mr. Diggle, my friend, whom I sent to you in 
 my behalf about the settlement. I find the whole 
 is in you, and that the part which depends to 
 Prue is covered by assignments for debts you have 
 paid, so that I have nothing to do but to prevail 
 upon you. Please to put the anxiety of a father of 
 a numerous family in your thoughts ; and you will 
 pardon my importunity to preserve them from 
 want. When you have been thus kind to my poor 
 children, who descend from you," I can think of add- 
 ing to their fortune with some alacrity ; but to have 
 the matter to do wholly myself, makes it so great a 
 labour, that I am dispirited from beginning it. I 
 do not desire any consideration of me myself; but I 
 beseech God to put it in your heart to make a cer- 
 tainty for them. 
 
 I am in hopes, in your cool thoughts, you will 
 approve of what I ask ; which will ease the loaded 
 heart of, 
 
 Madam, 
 
 Your most obliged son, 
 and most humble servant, 
 
 Rich. Steele. 
 
 *317- TO
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. *$6$ 
 
 *3i7- TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR WIFE, 
 
 IT is an unspeakable trouble to me, that I ever let 
 fall a passionate word in return for any impatience 
 you show about the provision I make for you. I 
 am, indeed. 
 
 I take all the pains imaginable, and love you bet- 
 ter than tongue can express. 
 
 Yours faithfully, Rich. Steele. 
 
 *3i8. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, 
 
 T is impossible for me now to get a coach, and it 
 is very bleak and raw night. I must therefore stay 
 here, or lose all my pains for want of dispatching 
 what I have been about. 
 
 Except your uneasiness, I am perfectly well and 
 pleased. 
 
 Ever yours, Rich. Steele. 
 
 *31Q. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 MY DEAR, 
 
 JL HE coachmen were so very dear, that I have 
 taken places in the stage-coach, where we are to be 
 exactly half-hour after one. Pray give my duty to 
 
 my
 
 36'4* SIR RICHARD STEELE' S 
 
 my mother, and excuse that I cannot come to re- 
 ceive her commands. 
 
 Put money in your pocket. Give necessary orders 
 for the house to be in a readiness against our return. 
 
 Yours ever, Rich. Steele. 
 
 *320. FROM MR. JOHN SCURLOCKf. 
 
 dear sir, may 25, 1713. 
 
 -i AM informed that you have been threatened in 
 the purchase and possession of Pibur (an estate of 
 80/. a-year). Give me leave to assure you, that you 
 are not in any manner of danger ; and that Pibur 
 does not lie on the same footing with the rest of 
 Browne's estate ; but much prior to that. My father 
 was well advised when he bought it ; therefore you 
 may be easy : it is about 60 years ago. 
 
 I am impatient to know the certainty of yours 
 and your lady's coming to the country. Pray give 
 my service to her ; and be pleased to let me know 
 when or what week you intend to set out for Wales ; 
 and you will thereby very much oblige, good Sir, 
 Your affectionate kinsman, 
 
 and humble servant, whilst 
 
 John Scurlock. 
 
 f Directed " For Richard Steele, esq. at his house in Blooms- 
 bury-square, London." 
 
 *32l. TO
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. *3<>5 
 
 *32i. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, [OCT. . . . I7I3.J 
 
 I HAVE, on second thoughts, resolved to go to 
 the Club, and ask for a subscription -j~ myself ; and, 
 with as gay an air as I can, lay before them, that I 
 take it to be their constitution to do it, as I am la- 
 bouring in the common cause. 
 
 It frets my proud heart to do this ; but it must 
 be. 
 
 I will be at home early. Pray do you resolve to 
 be beautiful, as I do to be cheerful. 
 
 Yours ever, Rich. Steele. 
 
 *322. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, MARCH 13, 1713-14. 
 
 1 HEY have given me J till Thursday. The House 
 is in very good inclination to me. I will come 
 home to dinner, if Lord Halifax does not detain me. 
 Your merit is what saves 
 
 Yours, Rich. Steele. 
 
 f For the Crisis ; see p. 296. 
 
 X In the House of Commons 5 see p. 320. 
 
 *$23- TO
 
 66* SIR RICHARD STEELE'S 
 
 *323. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 [1713.] 
 
 JVlR. HOPKINS spoke to me to-day to go with 
 my Lord Godolphin to Putney. I stayed only to 
 finish my papers, and am gone thither in haste. 
 
 I shall now learn all that is necessary for my 
 conduct. 
 
 Yours ever, Rich. Steele. 
 
 *324. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, 
 
 JL CANNOT answer yours to all points, till I have 
 received answers to two or three letters ; but will 
 write in the afternoon. 
 
 Be sure to keep Mrs. Keck. 
 
 Yours, Rich. Steele. 
 
 *325. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, 
 
 XF you and Mrs. Edwards can make use of these 
 tickets, which were given me, I shall be glad ; if 
 not, send them back, and I will give them to other 
 people ; for I will not go myself to any public diver- 
 sion, except you are of the assembly. 
 Yours ever. Rich. Steele. 
 
 *326\ TO
 
 EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. *3$7 
 
 *S26. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, [1713-14.] 
 
 1 INCLOSE to you your letter, and think it need- 
 less to make any other answer chan what is a very 
 true one to your own knowledge. I never denied 
 you any thing in my power to give or do. When 
 I had not money, I have given promises, to keep 
 up your spirits, and keep you in good humour. 
 
 I do not pretend to reply to the severe things yoa 
 say to me, because I never did nor ever will mean 
 any thing but pleasing you ; therefore, I hope you 
 will continue to love 
 
 Your affectionate and obedient husband, 
 
 Rich. Steele. 
 
 *397- TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 DEAR PRUE, 
 
 X HAVE read yours concerning the Anniversary 
 Sermon, and the impertinent ill-bred behaviour 
 upon it, with great indignation ; and your mention 
 of tears that it drew from you put me in a rage, as 
 great as I have ever been in. We will take care to 
 be above the necessities of life ; and that will sup- 
 port our minds to contemn such low spirits, and all 
 their imaginations. I cannot but pity the way of 
 life you are in, without one body to converse with 
 whom you like. I do not know whether I have 
 
 told
 
 flGQ* EPISTOLARY CORRESPONDENCE. 
 
 o 
 
 told vou the news of Mrs. Sartre's marriage at 
 Bristol to one Mr. Combs, who is an Agent of the 
 Army. He is a very handsome fellow, and she has, 
 without much reserve, given herself wholly to him'; 
 without care of a settlement, even of her own, but in 
 very loose words. 
 
 Had I been present when the young gentleman 
 was so pert at table, I should, I believe, have spoiled 
 his stomach. I cannot but fancy, when you and I 
 come to talk, such vexations from such mean objects 
 will vanish. 
 
 I am, dear Prue, with the strictest truth, 
 Your faithful obsequious husband, 
 
 Rich. Steele. 
 
 *328. TO MRS. STEELE. 
 
 J.F you have that paper, keep it safe. It was offered 
 me but rejected. Nothing of yours is unsafe by me ; 
 and I contemn him. Rich. Steele. 
 
 END OF THE FIRST VOLUME. 
 
 John Nichols and Son, Printers, 
 Red Lion Passage, Fleet Street, London.
 
 
 
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