[176] Martial, "Epig.," i. 14. See Pliny, "Epist.," iii. 18.
[177] Dr. Smalridge; see Preface to the _Tatler_, and No. 114.
Smalridge was born in 1663 at Lichfield, the son of a dyer. In 1678
he was sent to Westminster by Ashmole, and in 1682 was elected to
Christ Church, Oxford, where he became a tutor, and was associated
with Aldrich and Atterbury against Obadiah Walker, the Popish Master
of University College. In 1692 Smalridge became minister of Tothill
Fields Chapel; in 1693 he was collated to a prebend at Lichfield; in
1700 he was made D.D.; and in 1708 he was appointed Lecturer at St.
Dunstan's-in-the-West. In 1710 he presented Atterbury to the Upper
House of Convocation; in 1711 he became Canon of Christ Church and
Dean of Carlisle; in 1713 Dean of Christ Church, and in 1714 Bishop of
Bristol. He died in 1719, at Christ Church. Though a Tory, he was not
a violent politician, and both Addison and Steele were his friends.
Addison, writing to Swift, October 1, 1718, says, "The greatest
pleasure I have met with for some months is the conversation of my old
friend Dr. Smalridge, who, since the death of the excellent friend you
mention, is to me the most candid and agreeable of all bishops."
No. 73. [STEELE.
From _Saturday, Sept. 24_, to _Tuesday, Sept. 27, 1709_.
_White's Chocolate-house, Sept. 26._
I cannot express the confusion the following letter gave me, which
I received by Sir Thomas this morning. There cannot be a greater
surprise, than to meet with sudden enmity in the midst of a familiar
and friendly correspondence; which is my case in relation to this
epistle: and I have no way to purge myself to the world, but publishing
both it and my answer.
"Mr. BICKERSTAFF,
"You are a very impudent fellow to put me[178] into the _Tatler_.
Rot you, sir, I have more wit than you; and rot me, I have more
money than most fools I have bubbled. All persons of quality
admire me; though, rot me, if I value a Blue Garter any more than
I do a blue apron. Everybody knows I am brave; therefore have a
care how you provoke
"MONOCULUS."
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