LETTER V. To Mrs. SCURLOCK.

MADAM,

B

Aug. 16, 1707. EFORE the light this morning dawned upon the earth, I awaked, and lay in expectation of its return; not that it could give any new fenfe of joy to me, but as I hoped it would blefs you with its chearful face, after a quiet which I wifhed you last night. If my prayers are heard, the day appeared with all the influence of a merciful Creator upon your perfon and actions. Let others, my lovely charmer, talk of a blind being that difpofes their hearts; I contemn their low images of love. I have not a thought which relates to you, that I cannot with confidence befeech the All-feeing Power to blefs me in. May he direct you in all your fteps, and reward your innocence, your fanctity of manners, 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 fex infnared by flattery, and

66

*The date in the original is here twice altered; in the first place, "Aug. 16" is changed to "Aug. 23;" and Mrs. S. (not thinking the difguife fufficient), has written under it Sept. 3, 1671" and added this remark: "Though I made "him no declarations in his favour, you fee he had hopes of me "when he writ this in the month following..... obedient "fervant'

mifled by a falfe and short adoration, into a folid and long contempt. Beauty, my faireft creature, palls in the poffeffion; but I love alfo your mind your foul is as dear to me as my own; and, if the advantage of a liberal education, 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 breaft fo well difpofed as yours is, our days will pafs away with joy, and, instead 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 employment to write in, and without time. to read over what I have writ; therefore befeech you to pardon the first hints of my mind, which I have expreffed in fo little order. I am, deareft creature, your most obedient, moft devoted feryant, RICH. STEELE.

LETTER VI. To Mrs. SCURLOCK.

MADAM,

[Aug. 17,] 1707. COULD not omit writing to you, though on Sunday morning, when I know I interrupt your meditation on higher fubjects *; there is nothing but Heaven itself which I prefer to your love, which fhall be the pursuit of

* The facrament; see p. 5.

my life; and I hope there will not a day appear to our lives end, wherein there will not appear fome inftance of an affection, not to be excelled but in the manfions of eternity, to which we may recommend ourfelves by our behaviour to each other here. I am, my lovely charmer, your obedient...

*

LETTER VII. To Mrs. SCURLOCK,

MADAM,

WIT

Lord Sunderland's Office, 1707.

ITH what language fhall I address my lovely fair, to acquaint her with the fentinents of an heart the delights to torture? I have not a minute's quiet out of your fight; and, when I am with you, you use me with so much distance, that I am ftill in a state of abfence 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 fit by you, fteal your handkerchief. You yourself are too great a bounty to be received at once; therefore I must be prepared by degrees, left the mighty gift diftract me with joy. Dear Mrs. Scurlock, I am tired with calling you by that name; therefore fay the day in

*The name is here cut out,

which you will take that of, Madam, your most obedient, most devoted humble servant,

RICH. STEELE.

I

LETTER VIII. To Mrs. SCURLOCK.

MADAM,

Smith-ftreet, Weftminster, 1707.

TAKE up pen and ink to indulge the senfibility of mind I am under, in reflecting upon the agreeable company in which I paffed yefter. day evening. The day hangs heavily upon me, and the whole bufinefs 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 and innocence. Were it pof fible the concern I have for you were mutual, how tedious would be the moments of each other's abfence, how fleeting the hours we fhould be together! how would my mirth be heightened! how my forrow banished by the appearance of a fmile in that countenance, where are fo charmingly painted complacency, goodfenfe, innocence, honour, and truth? Since this is the figure you bear in my imagination, you cannot blame my defire of having those good qualities my conftant companions, and for ever engaged in my interefts. My heart overflows with the pleafing prospects which throng into my mind when I think of you. What fhall I fay? Pr'ythee,

thee, Mrs. Scurlock, have pity on, Madam, your most obedient, most faithful fervant, RICH. STEELe.

LETTER IX. To Mrs. SCURLOCK.

MADAM,

Smith-ftreet, Westminster, 1707. LAY down last night with your image in my thoughts, and have awaked this morning in the fame contemplation. The pleafing tran fport with which I am delighted, has a sweetness in it, attended with a train of ten thousand foft defires, anxieties, and cares. The day arifes on my hopes with new brightness; youth, beauty, and innocence, are the charming objects that fteal me from myself, and give me joys above the reach of ambition, pride, or glory. Believe me, fair one, to throw myfelf at your feet is giving myself the higheft blifs I know on earth. Oh, haften ye minutes! bring on the happy morning wherein to be ever her's will make me look down on thrones! Dear Molly, I am paffionately, faithfully thine, RICH. STEELE,

LETTER