LETTER CCCXLV. To Mrs. ELIZ. STEELE. I MY DEAR CHILD, July 15, 1723. HAVE received a letter from you, but without a date; which, my dear, was a great omiffion. I ought not to find faults in fo kind and so affectionate an epiftle; but exactness is an excellent quality, which every one may be mistress of, and therefore I would not have you want it. I am much better than I was, and attribute my recovery to the prayers of my dear' children. I have taken a great deal of pains to serve the world, and hope God will allow me fome time to ferve my own family. My good girl, employ yourself always in fome good work, that you may be as good a woman as your mother. Pray remember me to dear little Molly; and know me for, Madam, your affectionate father, and humble fervant, RICH. STEELE. LETTER CCCXLVI. To Mrs. ELIZ. STEELE. MY DEAR CHILD, TH Oct. 1, 1723. HIS confefles to my dear children, that I came to this place three weeks ago with a very heavy heart; but I hope I am now better, and defire Betty to write to me, and let me know what the hears from Mrs. Bullock, and the like accounts, for my foul is wrapped up in your welfare; 227 welfare; and I am, dear children, your moft affectionate father, and moft humble fervant, RICH. STEELE. Direct To Sir Richard Steele, Member of "Parliament, at Bath." LETTER CCCXLVII. To Mrs. ELIZ. STEELE. Bath, Nov, 2, 1723. I DEAR BETTY, HAVE your letter of the 3cth from Mrs. Snow. I writ to Mrs. Nazereau in great concern, not hearing from you, and defired her to chide you very feverely, if you were in health, for omitting to write to me in the distress you must needs think I was in when I heard nothing of you: your mourning* was no manner of excufe; for you might have found time to write to your father, whatever other bufiness you had. I defire you would give my moft humble fervice to Mrs. Snow; I know net how to behave myfelf under the obligation of your being fuch a trouble as you must needs be at her houfe. Let me know as foon as Mrs. Bullock comes to town. My fervice to Molly. I am, dear Betty, your affectionate father, and most humble fervant, LETTER CCCXLVIII. To Mrs. ELIZ. STEELE. Nov. 20, 1723. I MY DEAR CHILD, ACKOWLEDGE the receipt of your kind letters, and defire you to write to me once every week, which will be a great comfort to me, and, I hope, haften my recovery and our meeting. I am, dear child, your affectionate father, and most humble fervant, RICH. STEELE. Love to Molly. LETTER CCCXLIX. To Mrs. ELIZ. STEELE I HAVE your letter with the news of Eugene's death*, and your reflections thereupon. Do you and your fifter stay at home, and do not go to the funeral. Lord grant me patience! Pray write to me conftantly. Your affectionate father, and obedient servant, RICH. STEELE. Why do not you mention Molly? Is the dead too? LETTER CCCL. To Mrs. ELIZ. STEELE. Bath, Dec. 14, 1723. YOU muft pardon me if I write to you by a fervant's hand, because I have a great You *See Letter CCCXXXVII. p. 222. deal deal of business to do to night, and therefore cannot, under my present infirmity, do it in my own hand. I know nothing of the gentlewoman with whom you are left, but depend very much upon Mrs. Bullock's conduct and judgement. You say the gentlewoman who is your governess is a very well-bred wonian. If the proves fo to me, I fhall honour her as my fifter, for the justice and kindness fhe fhews to you. Pray fhew her this letter, and tell her fo. You fay she never was abroad in any dependent way before. Pray defire her to write to me, to let me know what terms she is upon, that I may proceed accordingly for her service. I am, my dear child, oft-tenderly affected with the kind and prudent expreffions in your letter; but cannot speak my mind to you till I fee you, which, I hope, will be about the time the Parliament meets. I am, dear Betty, your most affectionate father, and most hnmble servant, RICH. STEELE. Give my love to your fifter Molly, and service to Mr. Snow and Mrs. Snow. LETTER CCCLI. To Mrs. ELIZ. STEELE. Bath, Dec. 21, 1723. I My deareft dear CHILD, HAVE yours of the 19th, for which I thank you; am preparing to come to town. God grant a happy meeting between you and your most affectionate father, and most humble LETTER CCCLII. To Mrs. ELIZ. STEELE. DEAR BETTY, T Jan. 8, 1723-24. THIS is to let you and your fifter know I am in good health, and, dear creature, your affectionate father, and moft humble fervant, RICH. STEELE. My fervice to Mrs. Baker. LETTER CCCLIII. To Mrs. ELIZ. STEELE. MY DEAR LITTLE GIRL, April 5, 1724. RAY fend me word when Mrs. Evans and PRA you begin your journey, and let her know The fhall be well received here by all us country people. God fend us an happy meeting! Dear child, your affectionate father, and humble fervant, RICH. STEELE. Give my service to the good old man, and to his fon, and his fons, and his coufin Betty. |