hat I shall call on him as I come home. I stay here in order to get
Jonson to discount a bill for me, and shall dine with him for that
end. He is expected at home every minute.

"Your most humble, obedient servant," &c.

"Tennis Court Coffee-house,
"May 5, 1708.

"DEAR WIFE,--

"I hope I have done this day what will be pleasing to you; in the
meantime shall lie this night at a baker's, one Leg, over against
the 'Devil' Tavern, at Charing Cross. I shall be able to confront
the fools who wish me uneasy, and shall have the satisfaction to see
thee cheerful and at ease.

"If the printer's boy be at home, send him hither; and let Mrs. Todd
send by the boy my night-gown, slippers, and clean linen. You shall
hear from me early in the morning," &c.

Dozens of similar letters follow, with occasional guineas, little
parcels of tea, or walnuts, &c. In 1709 the _Tatler_ made its
appearance. The following curious note dates April 7, 1710:--

"I inclose to you ['Dear Prue'] a receipt for the saucepan and
spoon, and a note of 23_l_. of Lewis's, which will make up the
50_l._ I promised for your ensuing occasion.

"I know no happiness in this life in any degree comparable to the
pleasure I have in your person and society. I only beg of you to add
to your other charms a fearfulness to see a man that loves you in
pain and uneasiness, to make me as happy as it is possible to be in
this life. Rising a little in a morning, and being disposed to a
cheerfulness ... would not be amiss."

In another, he is found excusing his coming home, being "invited to
supper to Mr. Boyle's". "Dear Prue," he says on this occasion, "do
not send after me, for I shall be ridiculous."

104 Of this famous Bishop, Steele wrote,--

Virtue with so much ease on Bangor sits,
All faults he pardons, though he none commits.

105 Here we have some of his later letters:--

TO LADY STEELE.
"Hampton Court, March 16, 1716-17.

"DEAR PRUE,

"If you have written anything to me which I should have received
last night, I beg your pardon that I cannot answer till the next
post.... Your son at the present writing is mighty well employed in
tumbling on the floor of the room and sweeping the sand with a
feather. He grows a most deli