dvantageous light, and the
rays of his genius shoot upon me with greater force and brightness
than ordinary. This place likewise keeps the whole family in good
humour, in a season wherein gloominess of temper prevails
universally in this island. My wife does often touch her lute in
one of the grottoes, and my daughter sings to it, while the ladies
with you, amidst all the diversions of the town, and in the most
affluent fortunes, are fretting and repining beneath a lowering sky
for they know not what. In this greenhouse we often dine, we drink
tea, we dance country dances; and what is the chief pleasure of
all, we entertain our neighbours in it, and by this means
contribute very much to mend the climate five or six miles about
us. I am,

"Your most humble Servant,
"T. S."[296]

[Footnote 294: The correct reading is, "O, qui me gellidis in vallibus,"
&c.]

[Footnote 295: "Epist." ii. 17.]

[Footnote 296: Thomas Smith, who voted against Steele's expulsion, was
member for the borough of Eye, and may have been the person who wrote
this letter, to which the initials of his name are subscribed. In the
preface to the _Examiner_, the first number of which was published Aug.
3, 1710, there is the following passage: "All descriptions of
stage-players and statesmen, the erecting of greenhouses, the forming of
constellations, the beaus' red heels, and the furbelows of the ladies,
shall remain entire to the use and benefit of their first proprietor."

The description of stage-players and statesmen, here mentioned, is an
allusion to Downes' letter. See No. 193.]

No. 180. [STEELE.

From _Thursday, June 1_, to _Saturday, June 3, 1710_.

Stultitiam patiuntur opes.--HOR., 1 Ep. xviii. 29.

* * * * *

_From my own Apartment, June 2._

I have received a letter which accuses me of partiality in the
administration of the Censorship, and says, that I have been very free
with the lower part of mankind, but extremely cautious in
representations of matters which concern men of condition. This
correspondent takes upon him also to say, the upholsterer was not undone
by turning politician, but became bankrupt by trusting his goods to
persons of quality; and demands of me, that I should do j