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for you, accompanied by Mrs. Pugh. If you like this, I think it would clofe your negotiations with a good air, and drown all impertinencies about us.

LETTER CCCXXIV. To Lady STEELE.
DEAR PRUE, Eiton in Scotland, Nov. 11, 1717.
OURS of October 31 came to my hand

YOU

even

morning, I should say Monday the third morning, going into the coach on my return to London. I hope, God willing, to be at London Saturday come fe'nnight. I will pay off the news when I come to town, and forbid it. I defire you would answer as to my propofal of coming down for you in a coach and fix with Mrs. Clark, which, I think, will pin up your affairs with a good grace, and fhew your power over your most obedient hufband, RICH. STEELE.

I

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DEAR PRUE,

Friday, Nov. 15, 1717. Pearce Bridge, in the County of Durham. AM now at my inn in perfect good health,

with my limbs much better than usual, after feven days journey from Edinburgh towards London. You cannot imagine the civilities and honours I had done me there, and never lay better, ate or drank better, or converfed with men

of better fenfe than there. I grow very fond of waiting upon you, and bringing you from Wales, when the House is adjourned for a few days; and, fince you hear travelling agrees with me, I hope to receive your permiffion to attend you.. It will be a ridiculous thing for me to go down thither without you, and, when you are there, never come near the place; and I am firmly refolved to fee your territories the first leifure days from Parliament. Therefore you must confider whether you will let me bring you, or come alone, and go backward and forward with me again this winter: for, as for seasons and bad roads, I defpife thofe confiderations when I have a view for the good of my family or country. Yours ever, RICH. STEELE.

We fhall, God willing, be at York on Friday, and London the Saturday following.

LETTER CCCXXVI. To Lady STEELE.
DEAR PRUE,

You

[undated*]

OURS lies before me, I mean that of the 14th. I will add two horfes to your equipage. I did not think of a strange woman, but because you named no one of your acquaintance; I like Madam Clark as well as any body, and am glad fhe will go, for your children

This should have been placed fomewhat earlier. It is in answer to one from his wife, dated the 14th either of September or October.

heartily

heartily want you. I am glad you refolve to live well on the road. As to the coldnefs, on this fubject 1 answer very fincerely, that your Ladyfhip's coldness to me as a woman and a wife has made me think it neceffary to fupprefs the expreffion of my heart towards you, because it could not end in the pleasures and enjoyments I ought to expect from it, and which you obliged ' me to wean myfelf from, till I had fo much money, &c. and I know not what impertinence. God be thanked, this whimsey has not been fatal to our love! It is impoffible to decline going to Scotland for ten thousand reafons, as well as regard to honour and intereft. I am, dear Prue, ever yours, RICH. STEELE. I was going to clofe my letter, when Betty and Moll defire their duty to you.

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DEAR WIFE,

You

[undated*.]

YOU cannot imagine the rage yours put me into. How can you believe I can bear the treatment you tell me you receive, as being affronted and called fool to your face, by rude blockheads? I could not outlive fuch an injury done you, were I prefent at it; nor know I how to fuffer it as it is, with all the excutes which I make to keep myfelf in countenance from their

* This letter alfo is fomewhat out of place. It probably was written a day or two before Letter CCCXVII. p. 206.

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ftupidity

stupidity and brutality. If I had patience, I should debate with you on this subject, and ask, how it is poffible a woman of your fenfe could poffibly fall into a difpute with fuch ideots and favages? But my heart is too much raised to chaftise them, to enter into fuch cool expoftulations with you.

Take it for granted, it is impoffible to be eafy but with mere correfpondents and kind fervants. You never will be with relations, who are often apt to think your being in the world an injury. For the remainder of our days, let us have an entire confidence in each other, with a mutual complacency and defire to please each other and I fhall be a protection to you, and you a comfort to me against all that can happen from without.

Mrs. Evans is not to be expected down; and when I proposed to Mrs. Clark what you bid me, fhe did not receive it as the ought, I thought; but made fcruples, and feemed to be forming a merit in cafe the fhould comply, which fhewed she would have fhyneffes and airs that would have made you conftantly uneafy. Pluck up a refolute calm fpirit, and do not doubt but there are people enough to be had fit for your purpose, without courting any of your prefent acquaintance. I will confult Mrs. Keck on this fubject of a maid fit for you, and proper to go down to you, of which you fhall have an account

next poft. You bid me take care of my health; pray do you preferve yourself to your little ones, who are perfectly well, and your husband, who cannot be well except you are fo.

I love you with all my foul, poor dear Prue, and am for ever yours, RICH. STEEle.

LETTER CCCXXVIII. To Lady STEELE.

You

DEAR PRUE, Wednesday Night, Dec. 4, 1717. YOURS of Sunday was very late notice of your arrival. Willmot went to meet you that very day; but, left you should efcape him, I fend Mr. Evans to meet you on the day you hope to come. I write this after being in the House of Commons from one at noon to twelve at night, where King George begins to have true and real honest power.

You come in fmiles, and I will facrifice all to your good-humour. Obediently yours, RICH. STEELE.

I am glad to find journeying agrees with you as well as me. I hope we fhall never part more.

Thursday Morn.

I went to bed laft night after taking only a little broth; and all the day before a little tea and bread-and-butter, with two glaffes of mum and a piece of bread at the House of Commons. Temperance

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