43. MRS. STEELE TO HER HUSBAND.

IT is but an addition to our uneasiness to be at variance with each other. I beg your pardon if I have offended you. God forgive you for adding to the sorrow of an heavy heart, that is above all sorrow but for your sake.

44. MRS. STEELE TO HER HUSBAND.

AH! Dick Steele, that I were sure

Your love, like mine, would still endure;
That time, nor absence, which destroys

The cares of lovers, and their joys,
May never rob me of that part

Which you have given of your heart:
Others unenvy'd may possess
Whatever they think happiness.
Grant this, O God, my great request;
In his dear arms may I for ever rest!

45. TO MRS. SCURLOCK.

HONOURED MOTHER,

OCT. 14, 1707.

I AM very sorry to find, by Mr. Scurlock's letter, that you keep your bed; which makes me almost in despair of seeing you so soon as I promised my

self.

I have taken an house in Berry-street, St. James's, and beg your leave to remove your goods thither; where I hope we shall live all together in the strictest love and friendship. Whatever better prospects your daughter might well have given herself, from her great merit and good qualities; I shall take care to have it said, that she could not have married more advantageously with regard to her mother, who shall always find me her most obedient son, and most humble servant, RICH. STEELE.

Your daughter gives her duty to you.

46. TO MRS. STEELE.

DEAREST BEING ON EARTH,

ост. 16, 1707.

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 in things this night which extremely concern your obedient husband,

RICH. STEELE.

47. TO MRS. STEELE, WITH SPEED.

MY DEAR,

OCT. 22, 1707.

PRAY send word where your landlord of the house in Swallow street lives, that my friend Col. Borr may treat with him for the house.

Your obedient husband,

RICH. STEELe.

48. TO MRS. STEELE *.

EIGHT O'CLOCK, FOUNTAIN

MY DEAR,

TAVERN, OCT. 22, 1707.

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.

Your obliged husband,

RICH. STEELE.

49. TO MRS. STEELE.

MY DEAR,

CHARING-CROSS, ALMOST THREE IN

THE AFTERNOON, OCT. 28, 1707.

I HAVE been detained all this morning soliciting

some business between the Treasury and our Office;

* At Mrs. Scurlock's, last house, right-hand, in Swallow

street.

and

and my boy slipping out of the way, I have not had any one to send that you might not stay dinner. Mr. Addison does not remove till to-morrow; therefore I cannot think of moving my goods out of his lodgings. I am come to a tavern alone to eat a steak, after which I shall return to the Office, whither I desire you would send Will. I am, with the most tender affection, your obedient husband,

HONOURED MADAM,

LORD SUNDERLAND'S OFFICE,
OCT. 28, 1707.

I WAS very glad to find last post that my wife

had a letter, which informed her of the amendment of your health. She tells me there is, at the same time, a message sent her, that my hand is required for the payment of some money in the country. I accordingly inclose such a direction; and, in any thing that it may be necessary to have my concurrence, you have it without reserve; for I sincerely rely upon your prudence and goodness, both in acting for me, and in favour to me. If you think it convenient that I do this in a more formal way, be pleased to command, Madam, your most obedient son, and most humble servant, RICH. STEELE.

51. TO MRS. SCURLOCK.

HONOURED MADAM,

NOV. 4, 1707.

I AM sorry your indisposition continues, and

keeps you in the country; I have myself been under a very severe illness for some days, but am now almost recovered. This is my wife's birth-day *, and I am come down-stairs to celebrate it with as much good-humour as my present health will permit. Your health is not omitted in our chearful moments, and your company will extremely improve them. I am, Madam, your most obedient son, and most humble servant, RICH. STEELE. Your daughter has been very ill till this day. She gives her duty.

52. TO MRS. SCURLOCK.

HONOURED MADAM,

NOV. 13, 1707.

I AM very glad to hear, by uncle Scurlock's last letters, that you have taken-in your horses in order to your journey. Since my last to you, I have had an affliction which was perfectly new to me; a fit of the gout. I am a little awkward at my crutches, and have been not so patient as longer experience of this sort of evil usually makes us. Our new house

* See Letter I. note 1.