A Coquette
by Richard Steele

To Mr Myrtle

SIR,
THERE is a young Woman in our Neighbourhood that makes it her Business to disturb everybody that passes by with her Beauty. She runs to the Window when she has a mind to do Mischief, and then when a Body looks up at her, she runs back, as though she had not a mind to be seen, though she came there on purpose. Her Hands and Arms you must know are very fine, for that reason she never lets them be unemployed, but is feeding a Squirrel, and catching People that pass by all Day long. She has a way of heaving out of the Window to see something, so that one who stands in the Street just over against her, is taken with her side Face; one that is coming down fixes his Eyes at the Pole of her Neck till he stumbles; and one coming up the Street is fixed Stock-still by her Eyes: She won't let any body go by in Peace. I am confident if you went that way your self, she would pretend to get you from Mrs Page. As for my own part, I fear her not; but there are several of our Neighbours whose Sons are taken in her Chains, and several good Women's Husbands are always talking of her, and there is no quiet. I beg of you Sir, to take some Course with her, for she takes a delight in doing all this Mischief. It would be right to lay down some Rules against her; or if you please to appoint a time to come and speak to her, it would be a great Charity to our Street, especially to,

SIR,
Your most Humble Servant,
ANTHONY EYELID.

SIR,
HERE is a young Gentlewoman in our Street, that I do not know at all, who looked full in my Face, and then looked as if she was mistaken, but looked so pretty, that I can't forget her; she does something or other to every one that passes by. I thought I would tell you of her.

Yours,
CH. BUSIE.

SIR,
HERE is a young Woman in our Street, that looks often melancholy out of the Window, as if she saw no Body, and no Body saw her, she is so intent. But she can give an Account of every thing that passes, and does it to Way-lay young Men. Pray say something about her.

Yours, unknown
TALL-BOY GAPESEED.

SIR,
THERE is a young Woman in our Neighbourhood, that makes People with Bundles on their Back stand as if they had none, and those who have none stand as if they had too heavy ones. Pray take her to your End of the Town, for she interrupts Business.

Yours,
RALPH DOODLE.