LETTER CXXI. To Mrs. STEELE. DEAREST CREATURE, April 23, 1709. hour in the evening, or to some other day, for I cannot have money till after chapel. I am, your faithful, tender husband, Rich. STEELE. TH ! LETTER CXXII. To Mrs. STEELE, Berry-itreet. DEAR WIFE, May 5, 1709. if possible, and come in a chair, the boy with you, who shall find me at the coffee-house under Scotland-yard gate, from whence we will go see a convenient place. Do not be dejected, if you value the life and happiness of your faithful Rich. STEELE, I inclose ten shillings. LETTER CXXIII. To Mrs. STEELI. I DEAR PRUE, Alay 5, 1709 DESIRE you would go to the affignation between us in Westminster. Mr. Montague* * Wortley Montague, Esq. of whom see the new edition of the TATLER, vol. I. p. xxxix. has has desired me to go with him to the Park; after I come from thence, I will come to you with good news. Yours ever, ever, Rich. STEELE. LETTER CXX V. To Mrs. STEELE. DEAR WIFE, May 5, 1709. I CANNOT express to you the real sorrow the inequality of my behaviour gives me, when I reflect that I am in passion before the best of women. Dear Prue, forgive me: I will neglect nothing which may contribute to our ease together; and you shall always find me your affectionate, faithful, and tender husband, Rica. STEELE. THI LETTER CXXV. TO Mrs. STEELE. DEAR WIFE, May 5, 1709. *HERE is no doubt but we shall be easy and happy in a few days. My dear life, nothing troubles me sorely, but the affront that infuffcrable brute* has put upon you, which I shall find ways to make her repent. I am, my dear creature, entirely yours, Rich, STEELE. You shall hear from me in the morning. * This seems to have been the landlady of the house in Berry-street; to which place the first of the letters of this day's date is addressed. He took the house in Oct. 1708. See p. 29. LETTER LETTER CXXVI. To Mrs. STEELE. I DEAR PRUE, May 7, 170g: HAVE been with Mr. Compton, and have his order to be at the office, with a request to keep it very secret that he does me this favour, for fear of his being importuned on the fame account by others of the family *. I am, your most affectionate and tender husband, Rich. STEELE. LETTER CXXVII. TO Mrs. STEELE. I DEAR PRUE, May 7, 1709. AM just drinking a pint of wine, and will come home forthwith. I am with Mr. Elliott, settling things. Yours ever, ever, Rich. STEELE. LETTER CXXVIII. To Mrs. STEELE. Dear PRUE, Twelve o'clock, May 28, 1709. HAVE received money, but cannot come home till about four o'clock, having appointed Mr. Mills here at Moore's chambers at two o'clock. Yours ever, Rich. STEELE. * This wants an explanation; which I confefs myself not able at present to give. Other circumstances may perhaps clear it up; either by shewing who Mr. Compion was, what was his office, what the favour, or what is meant by the family. Meantime, let the Curious form their own conjectures. LETTER I LETTER CXXIX. To Mrs. STEELE. DEAR PRUE, June 9, 1709. PUT myself to the pain of absence from you at dinner, by waiting to speak with Sal. keild ; therefore I hope you will forgive me for what I am punished in committing. Dear Prue, I am, unreservedly and faithfully, yours, Rich. STEELE, LETTER CXXX. To Mrs. STEELE. DEAR PRUE, Savoy, Nutt's *, July 19, 1709. SEND this, to let you know that I am come hither, and am obliged to dispatch the main of the business of of this place to-night. As soon as I have done, I will come to my dearest companion. I am wholly yours, Rich. STEELE. LETTER CXXXI. To Mrs. Steele, at Mr. Sewell's, in King-street, near Whitehall Coffeehouse. DEAR PRUE, From Mr. Nutt's, July 25, 1709. HAVE finished the Gazette at the office; and am here ending the other business , in I • The well-known printer. and 45, vol. II. order order to have the evening with my wife and mistress Prue. Here is next door a fellow that makes old wigs new; therefore pray send both mine in the bed-chamber, by this boy, to your loving, devoted, obedient husband, Rich. STEELE. LETTER CXXXII. To Mrs. STEELE, at Mró Sewell's, King-street. I DEAR PRUE, July 28, 1709. INCLOSE two guineas, and will come home exactly at feven. Yours tenderly, RICH. STEELE. LETTER CXXXIII. To Mrs. STEELE, at her Lodging, over against the King's-head, in Downing-street. I DEAR PRUE, Sept., 25; 1709. SEND this, to put thy tenderness at reft ; and acquaint you, that Mr. Margate had been so friendly as to take effectual care before he saw me. I am, yours eternally, Rich. STEELE. LETTER |