interested
passion,

"I am ever yours,
"RICH. STEELE."

Two days after this, he is found expounding his circumstances and
prospects to the young lady's mamma. He dates from "Lord
Sunderland's office, Whitehall"; and states his clear income at
1,025_l._ per annum. "I promise myself," says he, "the pleasure of
an industrious and virtuous life, in studying to do things agreeable
to you."

They were married according to the most probable conjectures about
the 7th inst. There are traces of a tiff about the middle of the
next month; she being prudish and fidgety, as he was impassioned and
reckless. General progress, however, may be seen from the following
notes. The "house in Bury Street, St. James's", was now taken.

TO MRS. STEELE.

"Oct. 16, 1707.

"DEAREST BEING ON EARTH,--

"Pardon me if you do not see me till eleven o'clock, having met a
schoolfellow from India, by whom I am to be informed on things this
night which expressly concern your obedient husband,

"RICH. STEELE."

TO MRS. STEELE.

"Eight o'clock, Fountain Tavern,

"Oct. 22, 1707.

"MY DEAR,--

"I beg of you not to be uneasy; for I have done a great deal of
business to-day very successfully, and wait an hour or two about my
_Gazette_."

"Dec. 22, 1707.

"MY DEAR, DEAR WIFE,--

"I write to let you know I do not come home to dinner, being obliged
to attend some business abroad, of which I shall give you an account
(when I see you in the evening), as becomes your dutiful and
obedient husband."

"Devil Tavern, Temple Bar.

"Jan. 3, 1707-8.

"DEAR PRUE,--

"I have partly succeeded in my business to-day, and inclose two
guineas as earnest of more. Dear Prue, I cannot come home to dinner.
I languish for your welfare, and will never be a moment careless
more.

"Your faithful husband," &c.

"Jan. 14, 1707-8.

"DEAR WIFE,--

"Mr. Edgecombe, Ned Ask, and Mr. Lumley, have desired me to sit an
hour with them at the George, in Pall Mall, for which I desire your
patience till twelve o'clock, and that you will go to bed," &c.

"Gray's Inn, Feb. 3, 1708.

"DEAR PRUE,--

"If the man who has my shoemaker's bill calls, let him be answered
t