I LETTER CCCIII. To Lady STEELE. DEAR PRUE, [Aug. 28, 1717.] RETURNED laft night from Tunbridge, whither my laft told you I was going on Sunday morning, to be back on Wednesday night, which I did accordingly, and found yours of the 22d, and that of 24th. Yours, 22d, fpeaks again of Dymock. I give that matter up, and believe you in the right. Yours, 24th, concerning Mrs. Philips; I lament the poor lady's fate, and fhare in the uneafiness the reflection upon it gives you. Pray do not give way to fancies about your health, but bear up and expect good days, negligent of this world as to its duration, careful as to its uncertainty. The inclosed letter I fend you, to fhew you a prefent difficulty I labour under; and fhall be determined by you. When the commiffioners parted, they resolved to meet at Edinburgh on the 10th of the next month. But that I am not able to do, for many reasons. The gentleman who writes the inclosed, Sir Harry Houghton, will be ready to relieve me the middle of November, provided I haften thither now; if not, I muft ftay till the latter end of January. The staying in Scotland till then would break all my measures. If I followed my own inclinations, I fhould go to Wales Wales though I stayed but two days, and cross the country into the Lancashire road. I got on horfeback at Tunbridge, and am confident I can ride thirty miles a day with eafe; however, I defign to take the method you propofe of a chaife. Suppose I should bring Madam Clark down with me, only to attend your journey; it would, I think, be right. Your opinion of these great points, next poft, will be very welcome. Your daughter Betty, who is here two or three days for the holidays of Bartholomew-tide, defires to know whether I am writing to you or not; if I am, fhe defires her duty. Molly cannot endure any kindness I fhew this vifitant, and I am not a little delighted to fee a young lady jealous of my favour. If you and I were together, and all our children with us, I should never be a leisure moment out of my own houfe. I am refolved, God willing, to have it so; and, for the future, even travel with my whole family. I will get the better of you in this matter; and you must submit to have me fond of you and yours at what place, and in what way, I think fit. This is the harfheft piece of arbitrary power I will be ever guilty of. Yours RICH. STEELE. ever, LETTER I LETTER CCCIV. To Lady STEELE. DEAR PRUE, [undated.] Do not know how to give you an account of my prefent profpects; but can only fay, that the commiffioners of Scotland demand me there with so much impatience, that go I muft. However, it is lefs painful to me because Benfon is now in town, and will take care in my ab fence of the greatest concern of all, which is now brought to perfection*. If I can value myfelf upon the half-year's pay plready due to me, I fhall leave the town without any. murmur against me. God fend us an happy meeting, and that the reft of our days may be free from debt, I am, faithfully, affectionately, yours, RICH. STEELE. LETTER CCCV. To Lady STÉELE. DEAR PRUE, T [undated.] HE laft I received from you, which was laft night, had no date. It is indeed, as you observe, a ftrange kind of life we lead, and the feparation is painful to me for one reafon more than it is to you. If you think fit to go to the Bath, I cannot imagine but a woman of your eftate will find *The Fish-pool. See p. 205. friends friends enough, to raise as much money as will carry you thither. I alter the manner of taking my journey every time I think of it. My prefent difpofition is, to borrow what they call a post-chaise of the Duke of Roxborough. It is drawn by one horse, rurs on two wheels, and is led by a servant riding by. This rider and leader is to be Mr. Willmot, formerly a carrier, who anfwers for managing on a road to perfection, by keeping tracks, and the like. I think alfo at prefent to be off my new house, and let things be as they are till we meet, when you shall chufe for yourself an house which I will like because you like it. ; As to your defire of contriving plenty of money, I have made a bargain with our paymaster for fo much, whether it is come out of the Treafury, to pay always within ten days after quarterday from Chriftmas next; fo that we will not want any more. I fhall contrive alfo to have a quarter beforehand, and never let family tick more for victuals, cloaths, or rent. I know this is better talk to you, than if it were a paper of Wit, written by your beloved Cowley. But all fhall, God willing, be punctually performed by, dear Prue, your moft obfequious husband, and most humble fervant, RICH. STEELE. LETTER LETTER CCCVI. To Lady STEELE. DEAR PRUE, Saturday, Aug. 31, 1717. A MAN of quality, going to town, waits to take this with him, fo that I cannot say more till Tuesday. Yours ever, RICH. STEELE. I LETTER CCCVII. To Lady STEELE. DEAR PRUE, Hampton-court, Aug. 31, 1717. WISH you would once fay, you would like a thing, because I like it. I know not whe ther what I have taken is to be called in a court. It is a fore door, at which a coach can fet down at the very threshold, in Hart-ftreet, Coventgarden; and behind it a little court, in which there is but one houfe, into King's street, Covent-garden. I have taken no leafe, and can part with it when I please to Mr. Wilks *, who defigns to buy it of the landlord. As to all other matters, I am contriving for the best. You talk of the cheapest way, &c. to get to town. I beg of you to be easy in fuch points; you fhall have every thing your heart can wish, in the reach of a moderate fortune. Pray be *Then one of the managers of Drury-lane theatre. |