Note 217 — No. 258. [Steele. From Thursday, Nov. 30, to Saturday, Dec. 2, 1710.
Reading edition
"Steele, the rogue, has done the impudentest thing in the world: he said something in a Tatler, that we ought to use the word 'Great Britain,' and not 'England,' in common conversation; as, 'the finest lady in Great Britain,' &c. Upon this Rowe, Prior, and I sent him a letter, turning this into ridicule. He has to-day printed the letter, and signed it J. S., M. P., and N. R., the first letters of all our names. Congreve told me to-day, he smoked it immediately" (Swift's "Journal," December 2, 1710).