( 197 )
SATURDAY, JANUARY 13, 1710-11[1].
IT is impossible perhaps for the best and wisest among us, to keep so constant a guard upon our
- ↑ Jan. 2, 1710-11, Dr. Swift tells Stella, "Steele's last Tatler came out to day. You will see it before this comes to you, and how he takes leave of the world. He never told so much as Mr. Addison of it, who was surprised as much as I; but, to say truth, it was time; for he grew cruel dull, and dry. To my knowledge, he had several good hints to go upon; but he was so lazy, and weary of the work, that he would not improve them." Jan. 11, he adds, "I am setting up a new Tatler: little Harrison whom I have mentioned to you. Others have put him on it, and I encourage him; and he was with me this morning and evening, showing me his first, which comes out on Saturday. I doubt he will not succeed, for I do not much approve his manner; but the scheme is Mr. secretary St. John's and mine, and would have done well enough in good hands. I recommended him to a printer, whom I sent for, and settled the matter between them this evening. Harrison has just left me: and I am tired with correcting his trash." In this number the judicious reader will readily recognise the letter of Humphry Wagstaff; and though the whole paper is not the production of our author, he at least adopted it by his corrections.
O 3
temper,
