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If the post should this night not bring me money, I find I can have money in the countrey and draw a bill on Mr. Castleman 1 at London.

DEAR PRUE,

SPEAKER'S CHAMBERS, Aug. 14, 1715.

I WRITE this before I go to Lord Marleborough's to let you know that there was no one at the treasury but Kelsey, with whome Welsted left the order, and he is to be at the treasury again to-morrow between two and three when, without doubt, the money will be payd. I have no hopes from that or anything else; but by dint of riches to get the government of your ladyship.

Yours,

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You may observe, in those excellent books which your polite cousin reads to you, that necessaries are often wanting to the heroes and heroines for want of stowing their portmanteaus with proper materials.

1 The treasurer at Drury Lane Theatre.

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The bearer brings you, with this, a case of instruments for eating and drinking, that may be upon the road both of ornament and use to,

Madam,

Your obedient husband,

RICHARD STEELE,

Dec. 13, 1716.

MY DEAR PRUE,

MRS. SECRETARY BEVANS has acquainted me by the 7th instant that you are well, and very much my freind and servant. Mrs. Evans went to see Betty yesterday who, she says, is grown a very fine lady. Moll sate by me a little as I was writing yesterday, she will not be at all marked, but is a dear child. Eugene is grown a very lively gentleman. After all this news, which takes in all the compasse of whatever you care for, you will not much regard politicks if I should write any. But it seems, my Lord Townshend is out, and Stanhope and Methuen the two secretaryes for England, and Duke Roxborough made a third secretary for Scotland, for which place I intend to sett out this day with an opportunity of a gentleman's coach going down.

I am, dear Prue, your most affectionate
Obedient languishing relict,

RICHARD STEELE.

The machine is almost ready.

Christmas-Day.

DEAR PRUE,

I WENT the other day to see Betty at Chelsea, who

represented to me in her pretty language that she seemed helplesse, and freindlesse without any bodye's taking notice of her at Christmas, when all the children but she and two more were with their relations. I have invited her to dinner to-day, with one of the teachers, and they are here now in the room Betty and Moll very noisy and pleased together. Besse goes back again as soon as she has dined to Chelsea. I have stay'd in to get a very advantageous affair dispatched, for I assure you I love money at present as well as your ladyship and am intirely yours,

RICHARD STEELE.

I told Betty I had writ to you and she made me open my letter again and give her humble duty to her mother, and desire to know when she shall have the honour to see her in town. Mrs. Bevans and all her cousins.

DEAR DEAR PRUE,

She gives her love to

ST. JAMES'S STREET, Jan. 1, 1716-17.

I WISH you from my soul an happy new year, and many very different from what we have hitherto had. In order thereunto I have taken a resolution, which, by the blessing of God, I will stedfastly keep, to make my children partners with me in all my future gain, in the manner I have before described to you. That you may be convinced of this happy change, you shall be your self the keeper of what I lay up for them by quarterly portions from this day. I am, with the tenderest affection,

Your faithful husband and most humble servant, RICHARD STEELE.

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