I LETTER LXXXI. To Mrs. STEELE. DEAR PRUE, Sept. 28, 1708, Secretary's Office, between Six and Seven at Night. THOUGHT it better to inclofe this thus, than to direct to fmal a fum to you. I have but half as much left in my pocket, but shall be much richer on Thurfday morning. My dear wife, it is not to be imagined by you the tender akings my heart is frequently touched with when I think of vou Mr. Clay has fhown himfelt a man of addrefs in fettling my affairs, in fpite of the tricks and artifices of those I have to deal with. I recommend thee, my heart's defire, to the good God who made thee that amiable creature thou art, to keep thee fafe and happy. My fervice to your companion Binns. I am, your devoted, affectionate husband, and humble fervant, RICH. STEELE. LETTER LXXXII. To Mrs. STEELE. DEAR PRUE, Half-hour after Ten, Sept. 28, 1708. T being three hours fince I writ to you, I IT fend this to affure you I am now going very foberly to-bed, and that you shall be the last thing in my thoughts to-night, as well as the first to morrow morrow morning. I am, with the utmoft fondfaithful husband, RICH. STEele. nefs, your LETTER LXXXII. To Mrs. STEELE. DEAR PRUE, MT Oct. 2, 1708. St. James's Coffee-houfe, Eight in the Morning. R. GERVASE* going this morning to Hampton-court, I defire him to throw this over our wall. I have much difficulty to accomplish every thing neceffary to be done here, which makes me fear I cannot come till Tuesday noon. If it pleafes God that I can be fo happy as to live chearfully with thee, and in thy favour, it is the utmost of good can arrive to, dear Prue, eternally thine,' RICH. STEELE. I LETTER LXXXIV. To Mrs. STEELE. DEAR WIFE, O& 5, 1708, Berry-ftreet, Seven at Night. SEND this to beg pardon for not coming to-night, but I have fome good glimpse in my affairs; and, if I do not fail to-morrow, we fhall be out of difficulties hereafter. I come into waiting on the Prince to-morrow, and Mr. Jervas, probably, the famous painter. He was gentleman ufher to the Prince of Denmark. See p. 64. am, am, my dear Prue, yours, with the utmost kind'nefs and duty, RICH. STEEle. I hope to see you before twelve to-morrow. LETTER LXXXV. To Mrs. STEELE. DEAR PRUE, Oct. 5, 1708, Secretary's Office, near Ten at Night. GOT to town about fix, found all things well, and have just dispatched the proof* for to-morrow. I wish you a good night, and fhall always keep myself in a capacity of taking the oaths that I am, with the ftricteft fidelity and love, your enamoured husband, and humble fervant, RICH. STEELE. I LETTER LXXXVI. To Mrs. STEELE. DEAR PRUE, Oct. 7, 1708. SEND, directed to Watts, a bottle of tent. You must not expect me to-night, but I will write by the penny-poft. I am, yours RICH. STEELE. faithfully, Of the Gazette. LETTER I LETTER LXXXVII. To Mrs. STEELE. DEAR PRUE, Thursday, Oct 7, 1708. FEAR I fhall not be able to come out of town till Saturday morning. I am, my dear creature, thine for ever, RICH. STEELE. LETTER LXXXVIII. To Mrs. STEELE. DEAR PRUE, O&, 8, 1708. brings you a quarter of a pound of Tbohea, and as much of green tea, both which I hope you will find good. To-morrow morning your favourite, Mr. Addison, and I, fhall fet out for Hampton court; he to meet fome great men there; I to fee you, who am but what you make me. Yours, with the utmost fondness, RICH. STEELE. I LETTER LXXX X. To Mrs. STEELE. DEAR PRUE, Oct. 8, 1708. WRITE according to order, and hope, before the receipt of this, you will have had the tea which fent by the morning-coach. 1 fhall be at Fiampton-court, God willing, before twelve to morrow. Your faithful husband, RICH. STEELE. LETTER LETTER XC. To Mrs. STEELE. DEAR PRUE, TH Wednesday, Oct. 13, 1708, Hyde Park Corner, Eight in the Morning. HE bearer is one I propofe to be our footman. He is, as you fee, very queer, and fit for, what I often heard you call it, a thorough fervant; befides which, he speaks the Welch tongue fluently. I believe he will be a proper fellow enough, for he lived a great while with one Dr. Price, an acquaintance of mine, at Richmond. I hope he will be approved by you; if he is, the livery fhall be fitted for his fhape against the time that he and I can attend the chariot to bring Mrs. Binns and you to town, which fhall be done with all fuitable ceremony. In the mean time, I am bufy about the main chance. I have ordered him to be here again this evening, except you direct otherwise. I hope I fhall fee you to-morrow. I am, with every dictate of my affections, and every pulfe of my heart, dear Prue, fincerely yours, RICH. STEELE. DEAR PRUE, Thursday, Oct. 14, 1708. INTENDED to have certainly gone to poft |