Edinburgh, Oct. 4. Sent Mr. Plaxton this account, formed upon papers sent to me from Pater

I HAVE yours of the 30th of last month; and, from your diligence and improvement, conceive hopes of your being as excellent a person as your - mother; you have great opportunities of becoming such a one, by observing the maxims and sentiments of her bosom friend, Mrs. Keck, who has condescended to take upon her the care of you and

your

your sister, for which you are always to pay her the same respect as if she were your mother.

I have observed that your sister has, for the first time, written the initial or first letters of her name. Tell her I am highly delighted to see her subscription in such fair letters, and how many fine things those two letters stand for when she writes them. M. S. is milk and sugar, mirth and safety, musick and songs, meat and sauce, as well as Molly and Spot, and Mary and Steele.

You see I take pleasure in conversing with you, by prattling any thing to divert you. I hope we shall next month have an happy meeting, when I will entertain you with something that may be as good for the father as the children, and consequently please us.

I am,

Madam,

Your affectionate father,

and most humble servant,

SIR,

RICH. STEELE.

442. TO MR. BROOKESBY*.

DEC. 1, 1720.

I THANK you intended favour of comfor your municating to me discoveries in Alchemy; but I

*Directed," At his house, the first door on the right hand in the Little Almonry, by the Dutch Envoy's, near Dean's yard." have

have long resolved never to concern myself in enquiries of that sort*. I am, Sir,

Your most humble servant,

GIHO,

WEX. 10, 1720.

IE rave sheaf heagom ot xonélpaimf asaimgf Nh.

Wape toh rig xomwuxéf im hepafiom fo fre Tigrloope. Fre day im drixer re rag axfew amèw mod

* In those enquiries, it will be recollected, Sir Richard had in earlier life been an unsuccessful dabbler.

+ This letter is printed literally from Steele's hand-writing; but, to save the Reader trouble, a key to it is here annexed: "The Copy of a Letter writ by Sir Richard Steele, "To Mr. Gilmore, at his house at Poplar, near the Church. "SIR, Dec. 10, 1720.

I HAVE great reason of complaint against Mr. Dale, for his conduct in relation to the Fish-pool. The way in which he has acted, and now proceeds, can lead to nothing but ruin of that invention, and dishonour to you and myself, who brought it into the world. I will, with the blessings of God, take the most just and effectual methods to obtain satisfaction to all innocent per→ sons concerned for the affair; beginning with you, and ending with myself. In the mean time I must conjure and charge you at your peril, not to finish the tender, or let him into the secret of the structure thereof, without notice and consent of, Sir, Your most obedient humble servant,

RICHARD STEELE," léhoxeewg

léhoxeewg xam peaw fo mofrims zuf guime ot fraf imvemtiom, amew wigromouh fo voy' amew nygept dro zéhousrf if imfo fre dohépw. Ie dipp, difr fre zepeggins ot Sow, fake fre nogf jugf amèw ettexfuap nefrowg fo ozfaim gafigtaxfiom to app immoxemf lehgomg xomxehmèw toh fre attaih zesimmims difrò voy amèw emwims difrò nygept. Im fre neam fine le nugf xomjuhe amèw xérahse voy' af voy'h lehipp mof fo timigh fre femweh oh pef rin imfo fre gexhef ot fre géféhuxfuhe freheot difrouf motixe amèw xomgemf ot, Giho,

voy' nogf oxewiemf runzpe gehvamf,

HIXRAHEW GFEEPE

444.

MEMORANDA.

PARTLY BY SIR RICHARD STEELE,
AND PARTLY BY MR. PLAXTON.

"Nov. 29, 1720. My dear patron Sir Richard

Steele writ to Mr. Alexander Scurlock at Caermarthen, to remit him 50l. part of 100l. charged in his account to Sir Richard as accepted to be paid to his uncle Phillips; but was paid by Sir Richard himself;~ and therefore, the said 1007. being entirely in Mr. Scurlock's hands, is the foundation on which he desired that remittance."

Dec. 15. Acknowledged the receipt of a bill of 30l. (drawn by Mr. Phillips on Mr. Horne) from Mr. Alexander Scurlock.

Dec.

Dec. 26. A letter to Mr. Gilmore, mentioning an advertisement in the Daily Post, at the Crown in Arundel-street, that Sir Richard Steele was there, and desires to see Mr. Gilmore, in order to communicate his thoughts upon the whole before the meeting which is to be at his house on the 3d of January next. That he will not go out without leaving word; and desires Mr. Gilmore to send word what day he will come, by the bearer.

To remember the Duke of Newcastle's affair.The Attorney General's report.-The affair of the Fish-pool.-The goods expected from Scotland *.-To put an advertisement into the Daily Post. To abstain from Mr.'s company.-To Mr. Plaxton appears due, besides salary, 14s. 04d.

Dec. 29. A letter from Edward Rice of Newton, signifying that Sir Thomas Stepney would not stand next election of Parliament; but that he, Mr. Rice, would; and desiring Sir Richard Steele's vote and interest. Immediately answered, and promised with great respect to that house.

Mem. To pass some time with Mr. Pembroke and Plaxton on the history of the Funds, with prospect towards my scheme at Survivorship, &c. to Life Rents on the present Funds. Consult Pembroke with a fee on all my present questions.

* Copy of a Bill of Lading sent up by Mr. Berry:

Leith, Nov. 2, 1720. Received on board the Robert, James Thomson master, for London, four half barrels, two trunks, with a pair of musketoons and a pack of tobacco lashed to the trunks, and one box, directed to Sir Richard Steelé in York buildings, per DAVID ALLAN. The original delivered to Mr. Scott, the 22d of Dec. 1720."

Mrs.