I have an Inclination to print the following Letters; for that I have heard the Author of them has some where or other seen me, and by an excellent Faculty in Mimickry my Correspondents tell me he can assume my Air, and give my Taciturnity a Slyness which diverts more than any Thing I could say if I were present.  Thus I am glad my Silence is attoned for to the good Company in Town.  He has carried his Skill in Imitation so far, as to have forged a Letter from my Friend Sir ROGER in such a manner, that any one but I who am thoroughly acquainted with him, would have taken it for genuine.

  Mr.  SPECTATOR,

Having observed in Lilly’s Grammar how sweetly Bacchus and Apollo run in a Verse:  I have (to preserve the Amity between them) call’d in Bacchus to the Aid of my Profession of the Theatre.  So that while some People of Quality are bespeaking Plays of me to be acted upon such a Day, and others, Hogsheads for their Houses against such a Time; I am wholly employ’d in the agreeable Service of Wit and Wine:  Sir, I have sent you Sir Roger de Coverley’s Letter to me, which pray comply with in Favour of the Bumper Tavern.  Be kind, for you know a Players utmost Pride is the Approbation of the SPECTATOR.

  I am your Admirer, tho unknown,
  Richard Estcourt [1]

  To Mr. Estcourt at his House in Covent-Garden.
  Coverley, December the 18th, 1711.

  Old Comical Ones,

The Hogsheads of Neat Port came safe, and have gotten thee good Reputation in these Parts; and I am glad to hear, that a Fellow who has been laying out his Money ever since he was born, for the meer Pleasure of Wine, has bethought himself of joining Profit and Pleasure together.  Our Sexton (poor Man) having received Strength from thy Wine since his fit of the Gout, is hugely taken with it:  He says it is given by Nature for the Use of Families, that no Stewards Table can be without it, that it strengthens Digestion, excludes Surfeits, Fevers and Physick; which green Wines of any kind cant do.  Pray get a pure snug Room, and I hope next Term to help fill your Bumper with our People of the Club; but you must have no Bells stirring when the Spectator comes; I forbore ringing to Dinner while he was down with me in the Country.  Thank you for the little Hams and Portugal Onions; pray keep some always by you.  You know my Supper is only good Cheshire Cheese, best Mustard, a golden Pippin, attended with a Pipe of John Sly’s Best.  Sir Harry has stoln all your Songs, and tells the Story of the 5th of November to Perfection.

  Yours to serve you,
  Roger de Coverley.

  We’ve lost old John since you were here.

T.