poft going on Saturday, and Mr. Clay having leifure but this day, I am forced to prepare my letters for his perufal before night. I am in hafte, as you fee by this fcribble. I am your faithful, and most affectionate hufband,

RICH. STEELE,

I fhall obferve what you defire about James, and every thing else.

LETTER XCII. To Mrs. STEELE.

DEAR PRUE,

Oct. 14, 1708,

Berry-ftreet, Seven at Night.

I

WRIT to you before, this day, by the coach, and fend this to tell you that Mr. Clay has been here fince that, and I find I must stay in town this whole week to attend my bufinefs, or leave fome things undone, which it is as bad to do as to neglect the whole. You may be fure, if I find I may be fix or seven hours employed where I please, it fhall be at Hampton-court. Pray keep yourself warm, be chearful, and believe me, dear creature, fincerely thine,

RICH. STEELE,

LETTER

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LETTER XCIII. To Mrs. STEELE.

DEAR PRUE,

Oct. 16, 1708.

SHOULD have rid down to Hamptoncourt this evening, but that I am to be with my mother about a mortgage to be made for paying off the bonds which stand out, that we may be easy on all hands. We muft write this night to Mr. Thomas, for the title, &c.

The Queen comes next week to Hamptoncourt, and stays a fortnight. I am, with my whole heart, your faithful husband,

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LETTER XCIV. To Mrs. STEELE.

DEAR PRUE,

Oct. 20, 1708.

HAD yours last night, with an inclosed to my mother, which I do not defign to deliver. You accufe me of unkindness for I cannot imagine what. If you want for any thing, it is that you will not fupply yourself with it, for I very regularly fend you wherewithal.

My Lord Chamberlain is expected this night in town, from whom I hope for an order for a very handsome apartment in Whitehall. As foon as I receive it, I will immediately remove into it, where I hope you will be pleased. I am fure it

is the utmost of my ambition to make you so. I am, your faithful and affectionate husband, RICH. STEELE.

My mother has altered her mind about the mortgage.

I think to come down to-morrow night, to give you an account of every thing; in the mean time, fend by your countryman two guineas.

LETTER XCV. To Mrs. STEELE.

DEAR PRUE,

IF

O&. 25, 1708. F you do not hear of me before three tomorrow afternoon, believe I am too fuddled to take care to observe your orders; but, however, know me to be your moft faithful, affectionate husband and servant, RICH. STEELE.

LETTER XCVI. To Mrs. STEELE.

DEAR PRUE, Seven in the Morning, Oct. 26, 1708. DESIRE you would put yourself in a readinefs to come away on Thursday, on which day the coach fhall come, and, if I can, attended by me. Mr. Harrison, a gentleman-ufher of the privy-chamber, is dead; the employment is 2001. a year falary, and 100l. perquifites: it is a place for life, and I am putting in for it this

morning

morning with all the force I have. I fhall fend down inclosed money by to-morrow morning's poft, directed to Watts. You cannot imagine the difficulties I am put to, but I can go through any thing provided I have the happiness of being esteemed by you as your affectionate husband, and humble fervant, RICH. STEELE. I am very fick with too much wine last night.

LETTER XCVII. To Mrs. STEELE.

DEAR WIFE,

Q&. 28, 1708.

to my

I am

Kenfington, Three, Afternoon. CAME hither according to my [duty], to attend the prince my mafter *, by whose dead body I fit while I am writing this. He departed this life half-an-hour after one. ordered to wait here, and believe I fhall not be relieved till to-morrow morning. As foon as I can get to town, I will difpatch the coach for you. I am, my dear wife, your obliged hufband, and humble fervant, RICH. STEELE.

*His Royal Highness Prince George of Denmark, her British Majefty's confort, died at the time here mentioned, at Kenfington, of an asthma. He was born at Copenhagen in April 1653, married the Princess Anne in July 1683, and was an illuftrious inftance of conjugal affection among the great. On the 11th of November his corpfe was brought from Kensington to Westminster, and, having lain in ftate in the Painted Chamber till the 13th of that month, was privately interred in Westminfter-Abbey.

LETTER

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LETTER XCVIII. To Mrs. STEELE.

DEAR WIFE,

Kensington, O&. 29, 1708. INCLOSE all the cafh I can well fpare, which is four guineas. I writ you word by the penny-poft laft night, that I was detained here to fit up with the Prince's body *, and muft do fo every third night till he is interred. I am ftill kept bare of money by the men I have to deal with; but, as foon as I can get to town, I will send away the coach for you. Pleafe to come to Mrs. Hardreffe's houfe in the fquare at Kenfington, where it will be convenient for you to be, till all things are ready for our greater eafe in town. More I cannot fay till we meet. I am, with the fincereft affection, your obliged husband, and humble fervant, RICH. STEELE.

Send the bearer back with an account how you do. My fervice to Mrs. Binns.

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LETTER XCIX. To Mrs. STEELE.

DEAR PRUE, Almoft Nine at Night, Oct. 29,1708.

BEG the favour of you to take care to

wrap yourself up very warm for your journey to-morrow. The coachman has his orders;

* See p. 64. After the death of the Prince, the Queen beftowed annuities on all his attendants. Of this bounty STEELE'S portion was 100l. a year.

F

and