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LETTER CCXLII. To Lady STEELE.

DEAR PRUE,

Feb. 5, 1716-17.

WRITE without having any thing new to fay. I am going to be very eafy, God be thanked, in my affairs; to throw off all hangerson, put my debts in a regular way of payment, which I cahnot immediately discharge; and try to behave myself with the utmost circumfpection and prudence in all the duties of life, efpecially of being, dear Prue, your most obliged husband, and obedient humble fervant,

RICH. STEEle.

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LETTER CCXLIII. To Lady STEELE.

DEAR PRUE,

Feb. 9, 1716-17. SHALL obferve your directions concerning Dick Philips; but it gives me great indignation to observe that you are forced to go to law for the balance of your accompt. I hope you take care of your health, and let nothing difcompofe you, that, when we meet, we may have healthy bodies and easy minds, and enjoy the comforts of life with tranquillity. I am ever yours, RICH. STEELE.

LETTER

LETTER CCXLIV. To the Lady STEELE, at Carmarthen, South Wales Frank, Richard Steele.

DEAR PRUE,

Feb. 23, 1716-17. HAVE not any thing particular to fay tonight, but that I am informed there will be, within a few days, further changes at court. Your children are all very well. I wait with great impatience for the receipt of my money. There is forfeited money in town, but it is not yet in the Exchequer. I am, dear Prue, ever yours, RICH. STEELE.

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LETTER CCXLVI. To Lady STEELE. DEAR PRUE,

Feb. 28, 1716-17.

AM very well pleafed with the behaviour

of David* at Oxford, who has rendered himself very agreeable to all the Whig world, on a very proper occafion, at Oxon. He spoke contemptibly of the Pretender in a public speech, and the Proctor thought fit to reprove him

* David Scurlock, probably, a fon of Lady Steele's uncle.

thereupon

*

thereupon. The Bishop of Bangor takes occafion to espouse him in this juncture.

Your daughter Moll is noify, Betty very grave, and Eugene very ftrong and lufty. We are not yet paid a farthing; when we are, I fhall fend you down a receipt for Betty's fchooling. Ever yours, RICH. STEELE.

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LETTER CCXLVII. To Lady STEELE.

DEAR PRUE,

March 2, 1716-17.

USUALLY write to you the first thing I do on a post-day; but to-day company came in, and made me neglect it. Afterwards I was called abroad; then came home, and Budgell†, Benfont, and Fuller§, came in upon me to dinner. The two last stayed till the evening; and Fuller carried me with him to the play, from whence I am now returned home. Your friend Keck || was the fineft, gayeft figure there, and Captain Ferrers gallantly attending behind her. All your family is well. Good-night. I am, dear Prue, ever thine, RICH, STEELE.

Bishop Hoadly.

+ Euftace Budgell.

William Benfon, efq. Auditor of the Impreft.

See p 121, note.

This lady afterwards proved herfelf an excellent friend to one of Steele's daughters, as appears from fome fubfequent Letters.

LETTER

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LETTER CXLVIII. To Lady STEELE.

MY DEAREST PRUE, and BELOVED WIFE, &c. [undated.] HAVE yours of the 7th inftant, which turns wholly upon my taking care of my health, and advice to forbear embarking too deeply in public matters, which you enforce by reminding me of the ingratitude I have met with. I have as quick fenfe of the ill-treatment I have received as is confiftent with keeping up my own fpirit and good-humour. Whenever I am a malcontent, I will take care not to be a gloomy one, but hope to keep fome ftings of wit and humour in my own defence. I am talking to my wife, and therefore may speak my heart and the vanity of it. I know, and you are witness, that I have ferved the Royal Family with an unreservedness due only to Heaven, and I am now (I thank my brother Whigs) not poffeffed of twenty fhillings from the favour of the Court. The Playhouse it had been barbarity to deny at the players' request, and therefore I do not allow it a favour. But I banish the very memory of these things, nor will I expect any thing but what I must strike out of myself. By Tuesday's poft I think I fhall be able to guess when I fhall leave the town, and turn all my thoughts to finish my comedy. You will find

* If this was his "Confcious Lovers," it remained unfinished till 1721.

I have got fo much conftancy and fortitude as to live my own way (within the rules of goodbreeding and decency) where-ever I am; for I will not facrifice your husband, and the father of the poor babes, to any one's humour in theworld. But to provide for, and do you good, is all my ambition.

I have a list of 21 leafes for the setting out 1991. 8s. per annum. I have not yet heard of Mr. Philips. I am, dear Prue, ever yours,

RICH. STEELE.

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LETTER CCXLIX. To Lady STEELE.

DEAR PRUE, Hampton-court, March 16, 1716-17. IF you have written any thing to me which I fhould have received last night, I beg your pardon that I cannot answer till the next poft. The Houfe of Commons will be very busy the next week; and I had many things, public and private, for which I wanted four-and twenty hours retirement, and therefore came to vifit your fon. I came out of town yesterday, being Friday, and fhall return to-morrow. Your fon, at the present writing, is mighty well employed, in tumbling on the floor of the room, and sweeping the fand with a feather. He grows a moft delightful child, and very full of play and spirit. He is also a very great scholar: he can read his

Primer;