the beginning of my epistle, and which manifestly appears to be but too melancholy a truth. And now I heartily wish the relation I have given of my misfortunes may be of use and benefit to the public. By the example I have set before. them, the truly virtuous wives, may learn to avoid these errors which have so unhappily, misled mine, and which are visibly these three: First, in mistaking the proper objects of her esteem, and fixing her affections upon such things as are only the trappings and decorations of her sex. Secondly, in not distinguishing what becomes the different stages of life. And, lastly, the abuse and corruption of some excellent qualities, which, if circumscribed within just bounds, would have been the blessing and prosperity of her family; but by a vicious extreme, are like to be the bane and destruction of it.'

T.

No. 328*. MONDAY, MARCH 17, 1711-12.

Delectata illa urbanitate tam stulta.

PETRON. ARB.

Delighted with unaffected plainness.

THAT useful part of learning which consists in emendations, knowledge of different readings, and the like, is what in all ages persons extremely wise and learned have had in great veneration. For this reason I cannot but rejoice at the follow

* As many of our readers may be pleased to see, in puris naturalibus, the original paper in room of which the prceeding number was very early substituted, and as this curiosity may now be inoffensively gratified, it is here faithfully re

ing epistle, which lets us into the true author of the letter to Mrs. Margaret Clark, part of which I did myself the honour to publish in a former paper. I must confess I do not naturally affect critical learning; but finding myself not so much regarded as I am apt to flatter myself I may deserve from some professed patrons of learning, I could not but do myself the justice to shew I am not a stranger to such erudition as they smile upon, if I were duly encouraged. However, this is only to let the world see what I could do; and shall not give my reader any more of this kind, if he will forgive the ostentation I shew at present.

6 SIR,

March 13, 1711-12.

UPON reading your paper of yesterday, I took the pains to look out a copy I had formerly taken, and remembered to be very like your last letter comparing them, I found they were the very same; and have, underwritten, sent you that part of it which you say was torn off. I hope you will insert it, that posterity may know 'twas Gabriel Bullock that made love in that natural style of which you seem to be fond. But, to let you see I have other manuscripts in the same way, I have sent you inclosed three copies, faithfully taken by my own hand from the originals, which were wrote by a Yorkshire gentleman of a good estate to madam Mary, and an uncle of hers, a knight very well known by the most an

printed from the copy in folio, in its order, marked as at first No. 328*, only with the addition of an asterisk. It had the signature T. at the bottom; but see the desire annexed to the short letter in the following note, both which made the concluding part of No. 330 in the original publication of these papers in folio.

cient gentry in that and several other counties of Great Britain. I have exactly followed the form and spelling. I have been credibly informed that Mr. William Bullock, the famous comedian, is the descendant of this Gabriel, who begot Mr. William Bullock's great grandfather, on the body of the above-mentioned Mrs. Margaret Clark. As neither Speed, nor Baker, nor Selden, take notice of it, I will not pretend to be positive; but desire that the letter may be reprinted, and what is here recovered may be in Italics.

I am, SIR,

Your daily Reader.'

To her I very much respect, Mrs. Margaret Clark.

"LOVELY, and oh that I could write loving Mrs. Margaret Clark, I pray you let affection excuse presumption. Having been so happy as to enjoy the sight of your sweet countenance and comely body sometimes when I had occasion to buy treacle or liquorish powder at the apothecary's shop, I am so enamoured with you, that I can no more keep close my flaming desire to become your servant. And I am the more bold now to write to your sweet self, because I am now my own man, and may match where I please; for my father is taken away; and now I am come to my living, which is ten yardland, and a house; and there is never a yardland* in our field but is as well worth ten pounds a year as a thief's worth a halter; and all my brothers and sisters are provided for besides I have good household stuff, though I say it, both brass and pewter, linens and

* In some counties 20 in some 24 and in others 30 acres of land. Virgata Terra.

woollens; and though my house be thatched, yet if you and I match, it shall go hard but I will have one half of it slated. If you shall think well of this motion, I will wait upon you as soon as my new clothes are made, and hay-harvest is in. I could, though I say it, have good matches in our town; but my mother (God's peace be with her) charged me upon her death-bed to marry a gentlewoman, one who had been well trained up in the sowing and cookery. I do not think but that if you and I can agree to marry, and lay our means together, I shall be made grand jury-man ere two or three years come about, and that will be a great credit to us. If I could have got a messenger for sixpence, I would have sent one on purpose, and some trifle or other for a token of my love; but I hope there is nothing lost for that neither. So, hoping you will take this letter in good part, and answer it with what care and speed you can, I rest and remain,

Swepston, Leicestershire.

Yours, if my own,

Mr. GABRIEL BULLOCK, now my father is dead.

"When the coal carts come, I shall send oftener; and may come in one of them myself.'*

' For sir William to go to london at westminster remember a parlement.

'SIR,

WILLIAM, i hope that you are well. I write to let you know that i am in troubel about a lady your nease; and i do desire that you will be my friend; for when i did com to see her at your

* See No. 324, and note, where this letter is given imperfectly, and supplied otherwise.

hall, i as mighty Abuesed. i would fain a see you at topecliff, and thay would not let me go to you; but I desire that you will be our friends, for it is no dishonor neither for you nor she, for God did make us all. i wish that i might see you, for they say that you are a good man; and many doth wounder at it, but madam norton is abuesed and ceated two I believe. i might a had many a lady, but i con have none but her with a good consons, for there is a God that knows our hearts. if you and madam norton will come to York, there I shill meet you if God be willing and if you be pleased. so be not angterie till you know the trutes of things.

'George Nelson.

'I give my to me lady, and to Mr. Aysenby, and to madam norton, March the 19th, 1706.'

'This is for madam mary norton disforth Lady she went to York.

'MADAM MARY. Deare loving sweet lady, i hope you are well. Do not go to london, for they will put you in the nunnery; and heed not Mrs. Lucy what she saith to you, for she will ly and ceat you. go from to another place, and we will gate wed so with speed. mind what i write to you, for if they gate you to london they will keep you there; and so let us gate wed, and we will both go. so if you go to london, you rueing yourself. so heed not what none of them saith to you let us gate wed, and we shall lie to gader any time. i will do any thing for you to my poore. i hope the devil will faile them all, for a hellish company there be. from their cursed trick and mischiefus ways good lord bless and deliver both you and me.

'I think to be at York the 24 day.'