198. FROM MR. POPE.

JULY 15, 1712.

YOU formerly observed to me, that nothing

made a more ridiculous figure in a man's life, than. the disparity we often find in him sick and well: thus one of an unfortunate constitution is perpetually exhibiting a miserable example of the weakness of his mind, and of his body, in their turns. I have had frequent opportunities of late to consider myself in these different views; and, I hope, have received some advantage by it, if what Waller says. be true, that

"The soul's dark cottage, batter'd and decay'd, Lets in new light thro' chinks that Time has made." Then surely sickness, contributing no less than old age to the shaking down this scaffolding of the body, may discover the inward structure more plainly. Sickness is a sort of early old age: it teaches us a diffidence in our earthly state, and inspires us with the thoughts of a future, better than a thousand volumes of Philosophers and Divines. It gives so warning a concussion to those props of our vanity, our strength and youth, that we think of fortifying ourselves within, when there is so little dependence upon our out-works. Youth, at the very best, is but a betrayer of human life in a gentler and smoother manner than age: it is like a stream, that nourishes a plant upon a bank, and causes it to flourish and blossom to the sight, but

at the same time is undermining it at the root in secret. My youth has dealt more fairly and openly with me: it has afforded several prospects of my danger, and given me an advantage not very common to young men, that the attractions of the world have not dazzled me very much; and I begin, where most people end, with a full conviction of the emptiness of all sorts of ambition, and the unsatisfactory nature of all human pleasures. When a smart fit of sickness tells me this scurvy tenement of my body will fall in a little time, I am e'en as unconcerned as was that honest Hibernian, who, being in bed in the great storm some years ago, and told the house would tumble over his head, made answer, "What care I for the house? I am only a lodger!" I fancy it is the best time to die, when one is in the best humour; and so excessive weak as I now am, I may say with conscience, that I am not at all uneasy at the thought that many men, whom I never had any esteem for, are likely to enjoy this world after me. When I reflect what an inconsiderable little atom every single man is, with respect to the whole creation, methinks it is a shame to be concerned at the removal of such a trivial animal as I am. The morning after my exit the sun will rise as bright as ever, the flowers smell as sweet, the plants spring as green, the world will proceed in its old course: people will laugh as heartily, and marry as fast, as they were used to do. "The memory of man," as it is elegantly expressed in the Book of Wisdom, "passeth away, as the remembrance of a guest that tarrieth but one day." There are reasons enough, in the fourth

chapter

chapter of the same book, to make any young man contented with the prospect of death. "For honourable age is not that which standeth in length of time, or is measured by number of years. But wisdom is the grey hair to men, and an unspotted life is old age. He was taken away speedily, lest wickedness should alter his understanding, or deceit beguile his soul*," &c.

I am your, &c.

A. POPE.

199. TO MRS. STEELE.

DEAR CREATURE,

JULY 24, 1712.

to

ALL you desire shall be done. I beg of

you

compose yourself; for nothing else can [make] happy one that doats on you so much, that he cannot hide it, though he heartily wishes he could. Yours unchangeably, RICH. STEELE.

* Part of this letter has been beautifully versified by West, the friend of Gray, and added to his elegant imitation of Tibullus, "Vos tenet-." The whole letter indeed is laboured, and more properly poetical, than like a letter written to an acquaintance. BOWLES.

200. TO MR. LINTOTT *.

MR. LINTOTT,

AUG. 4, 1712.

MR. ADDISON desired me to tell you, that hé

he

wholly disapproves the manner of treating Mr. Dennis, in a little pamphlet by way of Dr. Norris's Account. When he thinks fit to take notice of Mr. Dennis's objections to his writings, he will do it in a way Mr. Dennis shall have no just reason to complain of. But when the papers above mentioned were offered to be communicated to him, he said he could not, either in honour or conscience, be privy to such a treatment, and was sorry to hear of it.

I am, Sir,

Your very

humble servant,

RICH. STEELE.

*This letter, written at the request of Mr. Addison, was transmitted by Mr. Lintott to Mr. Dennis, who printed it in "Remarks upon several Passages in the Preliminaries to the Dunciad, 1729.”

1

† Of the frenzy of Mr. John Dennis; a Narrative written by Mr. Pope. See his letter to Mr. Addison, of July 20, 1713.

Remarks upon Cato.

201. TO

201. TO MRS. STEELE.

DEAR PRUE,

AUG. 21, 1712.

I BEG pardon that I am to dine with Mr. Mon

I HAVE sent my man to town, to carry a letter

of excuse to Mr. Berenger, about going out of town with him. I hope this will find you and your family [well]; and I will be with you, God willing,

to-morrow dinner.

Your affectionate, faithful husband,

RICH. STEELE.

*Lady Mary Wortley Montague was intimate with Mrs. Steele; and, in one of her letters to her Husband, says, I wish you would learn of Mr. Steele to write to your Wife.

t "At her house in Bloomsbury-square."

203. TO