Note 291 — [STEELE.
Reading edition
Charles Mather, a toyman in Fleet Street, next door to Nandoe's Coffee-house, over against Chancery Lane. Swift wrote ("Sid Hamet's Rod," 1710):
"No hobby horse with gorgeous top, The dearest in Charles Mather's shop; Or glittering tinsel of Mayfair Could with the rod of Sid compare."
See Nos. 113, 142, and Spectator, Nos. 328, 503 ("One of Charles Mather's fine tablets"), and 570 ("The famous Charles Mather was bred up under him").