that, that be it never so certain, I shall not act upon it in my expences till I am actually in poffeffion of the growing profits. Excellent reformation! You fhall be obeyed about Mrs. Clark, and Mrs. Keck, and every thing else in my power. The children are the most amiable things in the world, and I will keep them very gay and prettily dreffed, for I grow a dull family creature. All my public-spirit and gallantry is turned into the care of a wayward beauty called a wife, and a parcel of brats called children. Laft night my Lord of Oxford was acquitted by the Lords without coming to a trial. The Commons exhibited articles of impeachment against him: when they came to the place of trial, the Lords infifted that the articles of treason should be firft tried; the Commons infifted on their own method, and would not come to the Hall on those terms, upon which the Lords acquitted their peer. But the Commons immediately went into a debate to bring in a bill to punish him another way; which debate is adjourned till to-morrow morning, and it is poffible my Lord Oxford's triumph may be but short. Yours ever, RICH. STEELE.

LETTER

I

LETTER CCXC. To Lady STEELE.

DEAR PRUE,

July 4, 1717.

HAVE yours of the 30th of last month,

full of concern and care for me, for which I am infinitely obliged to you. As to my journey, I cannot tell what to fay as to the time of fetting out; but can by no means think of the stagecoach: I must travel so as to have my hours my fo own, and halt when I please; for, you must know, I begin to take great care of your husband, as knowing he grows a very good one every way. As to money for our expences, I affure you I will take care of that, and much approve your scheme as to the Bath, before, and after, Carmarthen vifit.

1 believe Madam Evans is not with child, fo that you may have hopes of feeing her; but the House of Commons were at a committee of elections till twelve o'clock; at the end of which, instead of waiting in the cold for a coach, and other inconveniencies in that wearied condition, I bid Willmot get me a bed in Palaceyard; he did get one next to St. Margaret's church, from whence I now write to you. And now, at ten o'clock, the Houfe are coming together, the next morning, about an addrefs * to his Majefty.

*The purpose of this address was, "to except the Earl of "Oxford out of an act of grace," which had been recommended from the Throne. See pp. 178, 179. N

The

The Lords have been fo careful of that great patriot, the Earl of Oxford, as to acquit him, upon a pretence of privilege which they never exerted before. The Commons have much indignation at this ufage, and address the King not to pardon him, that they, the next feffion, may profecute him in a parliamentary way.

But what are these things to us and brats? [ am entirely devoted to you and yours. Your moft obedient husband, RICH. STEELE.

LETTER CCXCI. To Lady STEELE.

Ten thousand times my dear, dear, pretty PRUE,

I

July 11, 1717.

pain for having You know the

HAVE been in very great omitted writing laft poft. unhappy gaiety of my temper when I have got. in; and indeed I went into company without having writ before I left my house in the morning, which I will not do any more. It is impoffible to guess at all the views of courtiers; but, however, I am of opinion that the Earl of Oxford is not in fo triumphant a way as his friends imagine. He is to be profecuted by way of bill, or act of parliament, next feffion, in order to punish him according as he fhall appear to deferve; and, in the mean time, to be excepted out of the act of grace which comes out next week.

Please

Please to take the advice you give me on this fubject, and keep your conversation out of the dispute. Your letter has extremely pleased me with the gaiety of it; and, you may depend upon it, my ambition is now only turned towards keeping that up in you, and giving you reasons for it in all things about you. Two people who are entirely linked together in intereft, in humour, and affection, may make this being very agreeable; the main thing is, to preferve always a difpofition to please and be pleased. Now as to your Ladyship, when you think fit, to look at you, to hear you, to touch you, gives delight in a greater degree than any other creature can bestow; and indeed it is not virtue, but goodfenfe and wife choice, to be conftant to you. You did well not to dwell upon one circumstance in your letter; for, when I am in good health, as I thank God I am at this prefent writing, it awakes wishes too warmly to be well borne when you are at fo great a distance. I do not fee any mention of your man Sam; I hope the Doctor's prescription has been useful to him.

Think, dream, and wifh for nothing but me, who make you a return in the fame affection to you for ever. Your moft obfequious, obedient RICH. STEELE.

husband,

Pray date your letters *.

Which Sir Richard himself too often neglected to do.

LETTER CCXCII. To Lady STEELE. DEAR PRUE, St. James's-ftreet, July 16, 1717. OURS of the 10th inftant lies before me.

YOU

You are very good in thanking me for, what is my duty, being in pain when any thing disturbs you. You recommend care of health and money. God will, in his due time, restore me to the former by the use of my limbs, which is all I want of perfect health. As to money, I am grown very fond of it; but, as you are a good keeper of it, I defign your estate shall conftantly be laid up after the mortgage is paid off; and the allowance for you and children fhall come from me, over and above what your eftate brings. This will enable us to put our children. into the world, if God shall please to continue us to fee them difpofed of. The conteft of the Bishop* has ended in the confufion of his adverfaries. Dr. Edwards is, I fuppofe, of Bangor's fide of the question in the main argument. I cannot tell what to answer you about the Bath but, when I leave this town, my fervants fhall have board-wages, and I will take a snap any how; for I must keep myself to myself, and have my play ready this enfuing winter, in order to be quite out of debt.

I approve your reflection, from what you see

* Dr. Hoadly, Bishop of Bangor. See pp. 173, 189. "The Confcious Lovers;" not acted till Nov. 7, 1722.

;