FOOTNOTES:
[344] A dancing-master (see No. 34).
[345] Cf. Swift, "Journal to Stella," May 10, 1712—"I have been returning the visits of those that sent howdees in my sickness;" and "Verses on his own Death," 1731 (quoted by Mr. Dobson):
"When daily howd'y's come of course,
And servants answer, 'Worse and worse!'"
Servants were frequently sent to make these polite inquiries; and Steele speaks of "the how-d'ye servants of our women" (Spectator, No. 143).
[No. 110. [Addison and Steele.][346]
From Tuesday, Dec. 20, to Thursday, Dec. 22, 1709.
----Quæ lucis miseris tam dira cupido?—Virg., Æn. vi. 721.
Sheer Lane, Dec. 21.
As soon as I had placed myself in my chair of judicature, I ordered my clerk Mr. Lillie to read to the assembly (who were gathered together according to notice) a certain declaration, by way of charge, to open the purpose of my session, which tended only to this explanation, that as other courts were often called to demand the execution of persons dead in law, so this was held to give the last orders relating to those who were dead in reason. The solicitor of the new Company of Upholders near the Haymarket appeared in behalf of that useful society, and brought in an accusation of a young woman, who herself stood at the bar before me. Mr. Lillie read her indictment, which was in substance, that whereas Mrs. Rebecca Pindust, of the parish of St. Martin's-in-the-Fields, had, by the use of one instrument, called a looking-glass, and by the further use of certain attire, made either of cambric, muslin, or other linen wares, upon her head, attained to such an evil art and magical force in the motion of her eyes and turn of her countenance, that she the said Rebecca had put to death several young men of the said parish; and that the said young men had acknowledged in certain papers, commonly called love letters (which were produced in court, gilded on the edges, and sealed with a particular wax, with certain amorous and enchanting words wrought upon the said seals), that they died for the said Rebecca: and whereas the said Rebecca persisted in the said evil practice; this way of life the said society construed to be, according to former edicts, a state of death, and demanded an order for the interment of the said Rebecca.