Note 122 — CALAMITIES OF AUTHORS: (continued 4)
Reading edition
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.
Yours, ever.”
“Dear Prue,—Forgive me dining abroad, and let Will carry the papers to Buckley’s.
Your fond devoted
R. S.”
“Dear Prue,—I am very sleepy and tired, but could not think of closing my eyes till I had told you I am, dearest creature, your most affectionate, faithful husband,
R. Steele.
“From the Press, One in the morning.”
It would seem by the following note that this hourly account of himself was in consequence of the connubial mandate of his fair despot:—
“Dear Prue,—It is a strange thing, because you are handsome, that you will not behave yourself with the obedience that people of worse features do—but that I must be always giving you an account of every trifle and minute of my time. I send this to tell you I am waiting to be sent for again when my Lord Wharton is stirring.”