Mr.  SPECTATOR,

I came [to [4]] my Mistresss Toilet this Morning, for I am admitted when her Face is stark naked:  She frowned, and cryed Pish when I said a thing that I stole; and I will be judged by you whether it was not very pretty.  Madam, said I, you [shall [5]] forbear that Part of your Dress; it may be well in others, but you cannot place a Patch where it does not hide a Beauty.

T.

[Footnote 1:  This Letter was written by Mr. James Heywood, many years wholesale linen-draper on Fish-street Hill, who died in 1776, at the age of 90.  His Letters and Poems were (including this letter at p.100) in a second edition, in 12mo, in 1726.]

[Footnote 2:  or]

[Footnote 3:  amongst]

[Footnote 4:  at]

[Footnote 5:  should]

* * * * *

No. 269.  Tuesday, January 8, 1712.  Addison.

 —­AEvo rarissima nostro
  Simplicitas—­

  Ovid.

I was this Morning surprised with a great knocking at the Door, when my Landlady’s Daughter came up to me, and told me, that there was a Man below desired to speak with me.  Upon my asking her who it was, she told me it was a very grave elderly Person, but that she did not know his Name.  I immediately went down to him, and found him to be the Coachman of my worthy Friend Sir ROGER DE COVERLEY.  He told me that his Master came to Town last Night, and would be glad to take a Turn with me in Grays-Inn Walks.  As I was wondring in my self what had brought Sir ROGER to Town, not having lately received any Letter from him, he told me that his Master was come up to get a Sight of Prince Eugene [1] and that he desired I would immediately meet him.

I was not a little pleased with the Curiosity of the old Knight, though I did not much wonder at it, having heard him say more than once in private Discourse, that he looked upon Prince Eugenio (for so the Knight always calls him) to be a greater Man than Scanderbeg.

I was no sooner come into Grays-Inn Walks, but I heard my Friend upon the Terrace hemming twice or thrice to himself with great Vigour, for he loves to clear his Pipes in good Air (to make use of his own Phrase) and is not a little pleased with any one who takes notice of the Strength which he still exerts in his Morning Hems.

I was touched with a secret Joy at the Sight of the good old Man, who before he saw me was engaged in Conversation with a Beggar-Man that had asked an Alms of him.  I could hear my Friend chide him for not finding out some Work; but at the same time saw him put his Hand in his Pocket and give him Six-pence.

Our Salutations were very hearty on both Sides, consisting of many kind Shakes of the Hand, and several affectionate Looks which we cast upon one another.  After which the Knight told me my good Friend his Chaplain was very well, and much at my Service, and that the Sunday before he had made a most incomparable Sermon out of Dr. Barrow.  I have left, says he, all my Affairs in his Hands, and being willing to lay an Obligation upon him, have deposited with him thirty Marks, to be distributed among his poor Parishioners.