[120] Mr. Nichols's "Epistolary Correspondence of Sir Richard Steele,"
vol. i. p. 77.
[121] Steele has given a delightful piece of self-biography towards
the end of his "Apology for Himself and his Writings," p. 80,
4to.
[122] In the "Epistolary Correspondence of Sir Richard Steele," edition
of 1809, are preserved these extraordinary love-despatches;
"Prue" used poor Steele at times very ill; indeed Steele
seems to have conceived that his warm affections were all she
required, for Lady Steele was usually left whole days in
solitude, and frequently in want of a guinea, when Steele
could not raise one. He, however, sometimes remonstrates with
her very feelingly. The following note is an instance:--
"DEAR WIFE,--I have been in great pain of body and mind
since I came out. You are extremely cruel to a generous
nature, which has a tenderness for you that renders your
least _dishumour_ insupportably afflicting. After short
starts of passion, not to be inclined to reconciliation,
is what is against all rules of Christianity and justice.
When I come home, I beg to be kindly received; or this
will have as ill an effect upon my fortune, as on my mind
and body."
In a postscript to another billet, he thus "sneers at Lady
Steele's excessive attention to money":--
"Your man Sam owes me threepence, which must be deducted
in the account between you and me; therefore, pray take
care to get it in, or stop it."
Such despatches as the following were sent off three or four
times in a day:--
"I beg of you not to be impatient, though it be an hour
before you see
"Your obliged husband,
R. STEELE."
"DEAR PRUE,--Don't be displeased that I do not come home
till eleven o'clock.