[Footnote 206:  By Mrs. Susannah Centlivre, a lady of Whig views, who was possessed of considerable beauty. (See also No. 19.) Isaac Bickerstaff had promised a prologue to “The Busy Body” before it was to be first played, as appears from a poetical epistle of Mrs. Centlivre, claiming the performance of such a promise, printed by Charles Lillie ("Orig.  Letters to Tatler and Spectator” vol. ii. pp. 33, 34).  Leigh Hunt ("The Town”) suggests that Pope put Mrs. Centlivre in the “Dunciad” (ii. 410—­“At last Centlivre felt her voice to fail”) on account of her intimacy with Steele and other friends of Addison.  Mrs. Centlivre (1667-1723) married, as her second husband, Mr. Carrol, a gentleman of the army, and afterwards Mr. Joseph Centlivre, principal cook to Queen Anne, 1706.]

[Footnote 207:  Virgil, “Georgics,” ii. 492.]

[Footnote 208:  In November 1709, James Viscount Dursley was raised to the rank of Vice-Admiral of the Blue.  Next year he succeeded his father in the title of Earl of Berkeley.]

No. 16. [STEELE.

From Saturday, May 14, to Tuesday, May 17, 1709.

* * * * *

White’s Chocolate-house, May 15.

Sir Thomas,[209] of this house, has shown me some letters from the Bath, which give accounts of what passes among the good company of that place; and allowed me to transcribe one of them, that seems to be writ by some of Sir Thomas’ particular acquaintances, and is as follows: 

“DEAR KNIGHT,

“I desire you would give my humble service to all our friends, which I speak of to you (out of method) in the very beginning of my epistle, lest the present disorders, by which this seat of gallantry and pleasure is torn to pieces, should make me forget it.  You keep so good company, that you know Bath is stocked with such as come hither to be relieved from luxuriant health, or imaginary sickness, and consequently is always as well stowed with gallants as invalids, who live together in a very good understanding.  But the season is so early, that our fine company is not yet arrived:  and the warm Bath, which in heathen times was dedicated to Venus, is now used only by such as really want it for health’s sake.  There are however a good many strangers, among whom are two ambitious ladies, who being both in the autumn of their life, take the opportunity of placing themselves at the head of such as we are, before the Chloes, Clarissas, and Pastorellas come down.  One of these two is excessively in pain, that the ugly being called Time will make wrinkles in spite of the lead forehead-cloth; and therefore hides, with the gaiety of her air, the volubility of her tongue, and quickness of her motion, the injuries which it has done her.  The other lady is but two years behind her in life, and dreads as much being laid aside as the former, and consequently has taken the necessary precautions to prevent her reign over us.  But she is very discreet, and