in a crowded theatre; and such a person as Mr. Steele, if I am not misinformed in the gentleman, would hardly think it an advantage to own, though I should throw him in all the little honour I have gained by my “Lucubrations.”  I may be allowed, perhaps, to understand pleasantry as well as other men, and can (in the usual phrase) take a jest without being angry; but I appeal to the world, whether the gentleman has not carried it too far, and whether he ought not to make a public recantation, if the credulity of some unthinking people should force me to insist upon it.  The following letter is just come to hand, and I think it not improper to be inserted in this paper.

“TO ISAAC BICKERSTAFF, ESQ;

“Sir,

“I am extremely glad to hear you are come to town, for in your absence we were all mightily surprised with an unaccountable paper, signed ’Richard Steele,’ who is esteemed by those that know him, to be a man of wit and honour; and therefore we took it either to be a counterfeit, or a perfect Christmas frolic of that ingenious gentleman.  But then, your paper ceasing immediately after, we were at a loss what to think:  If you were weary of the work you had so long carried on, and had given this Mr. Steele orders to signify so to the public, he should have said it in plain terms; but as that paper is worded, one would be apt to judge, that he had a mind to persuade the town that there was some analogy between Isaac Bickerstaff and him.  Possibly there may be a secret in this which I cannot enter into; but I flatter my self that you never had any thoughts of giving over your labours for the benefit of mankind, when you cannot but know how many subjects are yet unexhausted, and how many others, as being less obvious, are wholly untouched.  I dare promise, not only for my self, but many other abler friends, that we shall still continue to furnish you with hints on all proper occasions, which is all your genius requires.  I think, by the way, you cannot in honour have any more to do with Morphew and Lillie, who have gone beyond the ordinary pitch of assurance, and transgressed the very letter of the proverb, by endeavouring to cheat you of your Christian and surname too.  Wishing you, Sir, long to live for our instruction and diversion, and to the defeating of all impostors, I remain,

“Your most obedient humble servant,

“and affectionate kinsman,

“HUMPHRY WAGSTAFF.”

[Footnote 1:  Amphitryon, I. i 282.  “Who am I, at all events, if I am not Sosia?  I ask you that.”—­H.T.  RILEY. [T.S.]]

[Footnote 2:  I.e. 1710-11. [T.S.]]

[Footnote 3:  This, no doubt, was Steele’s last “Tatler,” No. 271. [T.  S.]]

THE TATLER, No. 2.

Alios viri reverentia, vultusque ad continendum populum mire formatus, alios etiam, quibus ipse interesse non potuit, vis scribendi tamen, et magni nominis autoritas pervicere.—­TULL.  EPIST.[1]