Purityofstyle，andaneasyflowofnumbers，arecommontoallAddison’sLatinpoems。OurfavouritepieceistheBattleoftheCranesandPigmies;forinthatpiecewediscernagleamofthefancyandhumourwhichmanyyearslaterenlivenedthousandsofbreakfasttables。Swiftboastedthathewasneverknowntostealahint;andhecertainlyowedaslittletohispredecessorsasanymodernwriter。Yetwecannothelpsuspectingthatheborrowed，perhapsunconsciously，oneofthehappiesttouchesinhis"VoyagetoLilliput"fromAddison’sverses。Letourreadersjudge。
"TheEmperor，"saysGulliver，"isTatlerbyaboutthebreadthofmynailthananyofhiscourt，whichaloneisenoughtostrikeanaweintothebeholders。"
AboutthirtyyearsbeforeGulliver’sTravelsappeared，Addisonwrotetheselines:
"JamqueaciesintermediassesearduusinfertPygmeadumductor，qui，majestateverendus，Incessuquegravis，reliquossupereminetomnesMolegigantea，mediamqueexsurgitinulnam。"
TheLatinpoemsofAddisonweregreatlyandjustlyadmiredbothatOxfordandCambridge，beforehisnamehadeverbeenheardbythewitswhothrongedthecoffee—housesroundDruryLaneTheatre。
Inhistwenty—secondyear，heventuredtoappearbeforethepublicasawriterofEnglishverse。HeaddressedsomecomplimentarylinestoDryden，who，aftermanytriumphsandmanyreverses，hadatlengthreachedasecureandlonelyeminenceamongtheliterarymenofthatage。Drydenappearstohavebeenmuchgratifiedbytheyoungscholar’spraise;andaninterchangeofcivilitiesandgoodofficesfollowed。AddisonwasprobablyintroducedbyDrydentoCongreve，andwascertainlypresentedbyCongrevetoCharlesMontague，whowasthenChancelloroftheExchequer，andleaderoftheWhigpartyintheHouseofCommons。
AtthistimeAddisonseemedinclinedtodevotehimselftopoetry。
HepublishedatranslationofpartofthefourthGeorgic，LinesonKingWilliam，andotherperformancesofequalvalue，thatistosay，ofnovalueatall。Butinthosedays，thepublicwasinthehabitofreceivingwithapplausepieceswhichwouldnowhavelittlechanceofobtainingtheNewdigateprizeortheSeatonianprize。Andthereasonisobvious。Theheroiccoupletwasthenthefavouritemeasure。Theartofarrangingwordsinthatmeasure，sothatthelinesmayflowsmoothly，thattheaccentsmayfallcorrectly，thattherhymesmaystriketheearstrongly，andthattheremaybeapauseattheendofeverydistich，isanartasmechanicalasthatofmendingakettleorshoeingahorse，andmaybelearnedbyanyhumanbeingwhohassenseenoughtolearnanything。But，likeothermechanicalarts，itwasgraduallyimprovedbymeansofmanyexperimentsandmanyfailures。ItwasreservedforPopetodiscoverthetrick，tomakehimselfcompletemasterofit，andtoteachittoeverybodyelse。FromthetimewhenhisPastoralsappeared，heroicversificationbecamematterofruleandcompass;and，beforelong，allartistswereonalevel。Hundredsofdunceswhoneverblunderedononehappythoughtorexpressionwereabletowritereamsofcoupletswhich，asfaraseuphonywasconcerned，couldnotbedistinguishedfromthoseofPopehimself，andwhichverycleverwritersofthereignofCharlestheSecond，Rochester，forexample，orMarvel，orOldham，wouldhavecontemplatedwithadmiringdespair。
BenJonsonwasagreatman，Hooleaverysmallman。ButHoolecomingafterPope，hadlearnedhowtomanufacturedecasyllableverses，andpouredthemforthbythousandsandtensofthousands，allaswellturned，assmooth，andaslikeeachotherastheblockswhichhavepassedthroughMr。Brunel’smillinthedockyardatPortsmouth。Ben’sheroiccoupletsresembleblocksrudelyhewnoutbyanunpractisedhand，withablunthatchet。
TakeasaspecimenhistranslationOfacelebratedpassageintheAeneid:
"Thischildourparentearth，stirr’dupwithspiteOfallthegods，broughtforth，and，assomewrite，ShewaslastsisterofthatgiantraceThatsoughttoscaleJove’scourt，rightswiftofpace，Andswifterfarofwing，amonstervastAnddreadful。Look，howmanyplumesareplacedOnherhugecorpse，somanywakingeyesStickunderneath，and，whichmaystrangerriseInthereport，asmanytonguesshewears。"
ComparewiththesejaggedmisshapendistichstheneatfabricwhichHoole’smachineproducesinunlimitedabundance。WetakethefirstlinesonwhichweopeninhisversionofTasso。TheyareneitherbetternorworsethantherestOthou，whoe’erthouart，whosestepsareled，Bychoiceorfate，theselonelyshorestotread，NogreaterwonderseastorwestcanboastThanyonsmallislandonthepleasingcoast。
Ife’erthysightwouldblissfulscenesexplore，Thecurrentpass，andseekthefurthershore。"
EversincethetimeofPopetherehadbeenaglutoflinesofthissort;andwearenowaslittledisposedtoadmireamanforbeingabletowritethem，asforbeingabletowritehisname。
ButinthedaysofWilliamtheThirdsuchversificationwasrare;
andarhymerwhohadanyskillinitpassedforagreatpoet，justasinthedarkagesapersonwhocouldwritehisnamepassedforagreatclerk。Accordingly，Duke，Stepney，Granville，Walsh，andotherswhoseonlytitletofamewasthattheysaidintolerablemetrewhatmighthavebeenaswellsaidinprose，orwhatwasnotworthsayingatall，werehonouredwithmarksofdistinctionwhichoughttobereservedforgenius。WiththeseAddisonmusthaveranked，ifhehadnotearnedtrueandlastingglorybyperformanceswhichverylittleresembledhisjuvenilepoems。
DrydenwasnowbusiedwithVirgil，andobtainedfromAddisonacriticalprefacetotheGeorgics。Inreturnforthisservice，andforotherservicesofthesamekind，theveteranpoet，inthepostscripttothetranslationoftheAeniadcomplimentedhisyoungfriendwithgreatliberality，andindeedwithmoreliberalitythansincerity。HeaffectedtobeafraidthathisownperformancewouldnotsustainacomparisonwiththeversionofthefourthGeorgic，by"themostingeniousMr。AddisonofOxford。""Afterhisbees，"addedDryden，"mylatterswarmisscarcelyworththehiving。"
ThetimehadnowarrivedwhenitwasnecessaryforAddisontochooseacalling。Everythingseemedtopointhiscoursetowardstheclericalprofession。Hishabitswereregular，hisopinionsorthodox。Hiscollegehadlargeecclesiasticalprefermentinitsgift，andboaststhatithasgivenatleastonebishoptoalmosteveryseeinEngland。Dr。LancelotAddisonheldanhonourableplaceintheChurch，andhadsethisheartonseeinghissonaclergyman。itisclear，fromsomeexpressionsintheyoungman’srhymes，thathisintentionwastotakeorders。ButCharlesMontagueinterfered。Montaguehadfirstbroughthimselfintonoticebyverseswell—timedandnotcontemptiblywritten，butnever，wethink，risingabovemediocrity。Fortunatelyforhimselfandforhiscountry，heearlyquittedpoetry，inwhichhecouldneverhaveattainedarankashighasthatofDorsetorRochester，andturnedhismindtoofficialandparliamentarybusiness。ItiswrittenthattheingeniouspersonwhoundertooktoinstructRasselas，princeofAbyssinia，intheartofflying，ascendedaneminence，wavedhiswings，sprangintotheair，andinstantlydroppedintothelake。Butitisaddedthatthewings，whichwereunabletosupporthimthroughthesky，borehimupeffectuallyassoonashewasinthewater。ThisisnobadtypeofthefateofCharlesMontagueandofmenlikehim。Whenheattemptedtosoarintotheregionsofpoeticalinvention，healtogetherfailed;but，assoonashehaddescendedfromthatetherealelevationintoalowerandgrosserelement，histalentsinstantlyraisedhimabovethemass。Hebecameadistinguishedfinancier，debater，courtier，andpartyleader。Hestillretainedhisfondnessforthepursuitsofhisearlydays;butheshowedthatfondnessnotbywearyingthepublicwithhisownfeebleperformances，butbydiscoveringandencouragingliteraryexcellenceinothers。Acrowdofwitsandpoets，whowouldeasilyhavevanquishedhimasacompetitor，reveredhimasajudgeandapatron。Inhisplansfortheencouragementoflearning，hewascordiallysupportedbytheablestandmostvirtuousofhiscolleagues，theLordChancellorSomers。Thoughboththesegreatstatesmenhadasincereloveofletters，itwasnotsolelyfromaloveoflettersthattheyweredesiroustoenlistyouthsofhighintellectualqualificationsinthepublicservice。TheRevolutionhadalteredthewholesystemofgovernment。Beforethateventthepresshadbeencontrolledbycensors，andtheParliamenthadsatonlytwomonthsineightyears。Nowthepresswasfree，andhadbeguntoexerciseunprecedentedinfluenceonthepublicmind。
Parliamentmetannuallyandsatlong。ThechiefpowerintheStatehadpassedtotheHouseofCommons。Atsuchaconjuncture，itwasnaturalthatliteraryandoratoricaltalentsshouldriseinvalue。Therewasdangerthatagovernmentwhichneglectedsuchtalentsmightbesubvertedbythem。Itwas，therefore，aprofoundandenlightenedpolicywhichledMontagueandSomerstoattachsuchtalentstotheWhigparty，bythestrongesttiesbothofinterestandofgratitude。
Itisremarkablethatinaneighbouringcountry，wehaverecentlyseensimilareffectsfollowfromsimilarcauses。TherevolutionofJuly1830establishedrepresentativegovernmentinFrance。ThemenoflettersinstantlyrosetothehighestimportanceintheState。AtthepresentmomentmostofthepersonswhomweseeattheheadbothoftheAdministrationandoftheOppositionhavebeenprofessors，historians，journalists，poets。TheinfluenceoftheliteraryclassinEngland，duringthegenerationwhichfollowedtheRevolution，wasgreat，butbynomeanssogreatasithaslatelybeeninFrance。ForinEngland，thearistocracyofintellecthadtocontendwithapowerfulanddeeply—rootedaristocracyofaverydifferentkind。FrancehadnoSomersetsandShrewsburystokeepdownherAddisonsandPriors。
Itwasintheyear1699，whenAddisonhadjustcompletedhistwenty—seventhyear，thatthecourseofhislifewasfinallydetermined。BoththegreatchiefsoftheMinistrywerekindlydisposedtowardshim。Inpoliticalopinionshealreadywaswhathecontinuedtobethroughlife，afirm，thoughamoderateWhig。
HehadaddressedthemostpolishedandvigorousofhisearlyEnglishlinestoSomers，andhaddedicatedtoMontagueaLatinpoem，trulyVirgilian，bothinstyleandrhythm，onthepeaceofRyswick。Thewishoftheyoungpoet’sgreatfriendswas，itshouldseem，toemployhimintheserviceoftheCrownabroad。
ButanintimateknowledgeoftheFrenchlanguagewasaqualificationindispensabletoadiplomatist;andthisqualificationAddisonhadnotacquired。Itwas，therefore，thoughtdesirablethatheshouldpasssometimeontheContinentinpreparinghimselfforofficialemployment。Hisownmeanswerenotsuchaswouldenablehimtotravel:butapensionofthreehundredpoundsayearwasprocuredforhimbytheinterestoftheLordChancellor。ItseemstohavebeenapprehendedthatsomedifficultymightbestartedbytherulersofMagdalenCollege。
ButtheChancelloroftheExchequerwroteinthestrongesttermstoHough。TheState——suchwasthepurportofMontague’sletter——
couldnot，atthattimesparetotheChurchsuchamanasAddison。Toomanyhighcivilpostswerealreadyoccupiedbyadventurers，who，destituteofeveryliberalartandsentiment，atoncepillagedanddisgracedthecountrywhichtheypretendedtoserve。Ithadbecomenecessarytorecruitforthepublicservicefromaverydifferentclass，fromthatclassofwhichAddisonwastherepresentative。ThecloseoftheMinister’sletterwasremarkable。"Iamcalled，"hesaid，"anenemyoftheChurch。ButIwillneverdoitanyotherinjurythankeepingMr。
Addisonoutofit。"
Thisinterferencewassuccessful;and，inthesummerof1699，Addison，madearichmanbyhispension，andstillretaininghisfellowship，quittedhisbelovedOxford，andsetoutonhistravels。HecrossedfromDovertoCalais，proceededtoParis，andwasreceivedtherewithgreatkindnessandpolitenessbyakinsmanofhisfriendMontague，CharlesEarlofManchester，whohadjustbeenappointedAmbassadortotheCourtofFrance。TheCountess，aWhigandatoast，wasprobablyasgraciousasherlord;forAddisonlongretainedanagreeablerecollectionoftheimpressionwhichsheatthistimemadeonhim，andinsomelivelylineswrittenontheglassesoftheKit—CatClub，describedtheenvywhichhercheeks，glowingwiththegenuinebloomofEngland，hadexcitedamongthepaintedbeautiesofVersailles。
LewistheFourteenthwasatthistimeexpiatingthevicesofhisyouthbyadevotionwhichhadnorootinreason，andborenofruitofcharity。TheservileliteratureofFrancehadchangeditscharactertosuitthechangedcharacteroftheprince。Nobookappearedthathadnotanairofsanctity。Racine，whowasjustdead，hadpassedthecloseofhislifeinwritingsacreddramas;andDacierwasseekingfortheAthanasianmysteriesinPlato。AddisondescribedthisstateofthingsinashortbutlivelyandgracefullettertoMontague。Anotherletter，writtenaboutthesametimetotheLordChancellor，conveyedthestrongestassurancesofgratitudeandattachment。"TheonlyreturnIcanmaketoyourLordship，"saidAddison，"willbetoapplymyselfentirelytomybusiness。"WiththisviewhequittedParisandrepairedtoBlois，aplacewhereitwassupposedthattheFrenchlanguagewasspokeninitshighestpurity，andwherenotasingleEnglishmancouldbefound。Herehepassedsomemonthspleasantlyandprofitably。OfhiswayoflifeatBlois，oneofhisassociates，anAbbenamedPhilippeaux，gaveanaccounttoJosephSpence。Ifthisaccountistobetrusted，Addisonstudiedmuch，musedmuch，talkedlittle，hadfitsofabsence，andeitherhadnoloveaffairs，orwastoodiscreettoconfidethemtotheAbbe。Amanwho，evenwhensurroundedbyfellow—countrymenandfellow—students，hadalwaysbeenremarkablyshyandsilent，wasnotlikelytobeloquaciousinaforeigntongue，andamongforeigncompanions。ButitisclearfromAddison’sletters，someofwhichwerelongafterpublishedintheGuardian，that，whileheappearedtobeabsorbedinhisownmeditations，hewasreallyobservingFrenchsocietywiththatkeenandsly，yetnotill—
naturedsideglance，whichwaspeculiarlyhisown。
FromBloishereturnedtoParis;and，havingnowmasteredtheFrenchlanguage，foundgreatpleasureinthesocietyofFrenchphilosophersandpoets。Hegaveanaccount，inalettertoBishopHough，oftwohighlyinterestingconversations，onewithMalbranche，theotherwithBoileau。MalbrancheexpressedgreatpartialityfortheEnglish，andextolledthegeniusofNewton，butshookhisheadwhenHobbeswasmentioned，andwasindeedsounjustastocalltheauthoroftheLeviathanapoor，sillycreature。Addison’smodestyrestrainedhimfromfullyrelating，inhisletter，thecircumstancesofhisintroductiontoBoileau。
Boileau，havingsurvivedthefriendsandrivalsofhisyouth，old，deaf，andmelancholy，livedinretirement，seldomwenteithertoCourtortotheAcademy，andwasalmostinaccessibletostrangers。OftheEnglishandofEnglishliteratureheknewnothing。HehadhardlyheardthenameofDryden。Someofourcountrymen，inthewarmthoftheirpatriotism，haveassertedthatthisignorancemusthavebeenaffected。Weownthatweseenogroundforsuchasupposition。EnglishliteraturewastotheFrenchoftheageofLewistheFourteenthwhatGermanliteraturewastoourowngrandfathers。Veryfew，wesuspect，oftheaccomplishedmenwho，sixtyorseventyyearsago，usedtodineinLeicesterSquarewithSirJoshua，oratStreatham。withMrs。
Thrale，hadtheslightestnotionthatWielandwasoneofthefirstwitsandpoets，andLessing，beyondalldispute，thefirstcriticinEurope。BoileauknewjustaslittleabouttheParadiseLost，andaboutAbsalomandAchitophel;buthehadreadAddison’sLatinpoems，andadmiredthemgreatly。Theyhadgivenhim，hesaid，quiteanewnotionofthestateoflearningandtasteamongtheEnglish。Johnsonwillhaveitthatthesepraiseswereinsincere。"Nothing，"sayshe，"isbetterknownofBoileauthanthathehadaninjudiciousandpeevishcontemptofmodernLatin;
andthereforehisprofessionofregardwasprobablytheeffectofhiscivilityratherthanapprobation。"Now，nothingisbetterknownofBoileauthanthathewassingularlysparingofcompliments。Wedonotrememberthateitherfriendshiporfeareverinducedhimtobestowpraiseonanycompositionwhichhedidnotapprove。Onliteraryquestionshiscaustic，disdainful，andself—confidentspiritrebelledagainstthatauthoritytowhicheverythingelseinFranceboweddown。HehadthespirittotellLewistheFourteenthfirmlyandevenrudely，thathisMajestyknewNothingaboutpoetry，andadmiredverseswhichweredetestable。
WhatwasthereinAddison’spositionthatcouldinducethesatirist，Whosesternandfastidioustemperhadbeenthedreadoftwogenerations，toturnsycophantforthefirstandlasttime？NorwasBoileau’scontemptofmodernLatineitherinjudiciousorpeevish。Hethought，indeed，thatnopoemofthefirstorderwouldeverbewritteninadeadlanguage。Anddidhethinkamiss？
Hasnottheexperienceofcenturiesconfirmedhisopinion？
Boileaualsothoughtitprobablethat，inthebestmodernLatin，awriteroftheAugustanagewouldhavedetectedludicrousimproprieties。Andwhocanthinkotherwise？WhatmodernscholarcanhonestlydeclarethatheseesthesmallestimpurityinthestyleofLivy？Yetisitnotcertainthat，inthestyleofLivy，Pollio，whosetastehadbeenformedonthebanksoftheTiber，detectedtheinelegantidiomofthePo？HasanymodernscholarunderstoodLatinbetterthanFrederictheGreatunderstoodFrench？YetisitnotnotoriousthatFrederictheGreat，afterreading，speaking，writingFrench，andnothingbutFrench，duringmorethanhalfacentury，afterunlearninghismothertongueinordertolearnFrench，afterlivingfamiliarlyduringmanyyearswithFrenchassociates，couldnot，tothelast，composeinFrench，withoutimminentriskofcommittingsomemistakewhichwouldhavemovedasmileintheliterarycirclesofParis？DowebelievethatErasmusandFracastoriuswroteLatinaswellasDr。
RobertsonandSirWalterScottwroteEnglish？AndaretherenotintheDissertationonIndia，thelastofDr。Robertson’sworks，inWaverley，inMarmion，ScotticismsatwhichaLondonapprenticewouldlaugh？Butdoesitfollow，becausewethinkthus，thatwecanfindnothingtoadmireinthenoblealcaicsofGray，orintheplayfulelegiacsofVincentBourne？Surelynot。NorwasBoileausoignorantortastelessastobeincapableofappreciatinggoodmodernLatin。IntheverylettertowhichJohnsonalludes，Boileausays——"NecroyezpaspourtantquejeveuilleparlablamerlesversLatinsquevousm’avezenvoyesd’undevosillustresacademiciens。Jelesaitrouvesfortbeaux，etdignesdeVidaetdeSannazar，maisnonpasd’HoraceetdeVirgile。"Severalpoems，inmodernLatin，havebeenpraisedbyBoileauquiteasliberallyasitwashishabittopraiseanything。Hesays，forexample，ofthePereFraguier’sepigrams，thatCatullusseemstohavecometolifeagain。ButthebestproofthatBoileaudidnotfeeltheundiscerningcontemptformodernLatinverseswhichhasbeenimputedtohim，is，thathewroteandpublishedLatinversesinseveralmetres。Indeedithappens，curiouslyenough，thatthemostseverecensureeverpronouncedbyhimonmodernLatinisconveyedinLatinhexameters。Wealludetothefragmentwhichbegins"QuidnumerisiterummebalbutireLatinis，LongeAlpescitranatumdepatreSicambro，Musa，jubes？"
ForthesereasonswefeelassuredthatthepraisewhichBoileaubestowedontheMachinaeGesticulantesandtheGeranoPygmaomachia，wassincere。HecertainlyopenedhimselftoAddisonwithafreedomwhichwasasureindicationofesteem。Literaturewasthechiefsubjectofconversation。Theoldmantalkedonhisfavouritethememuchandwell，indeed，ashisyounghearerthought，incomparablywell。Boileauhadundoubtedlysomeofthequalitiesofagreatcritic。Hewantedimagination;buthehadstrongsense。Hisliterarycodewasformedonnarrowprinciples;
butinapplyingit，heshowedgreatjudgmentandpenetration。Inmerestyle，abstractedfromtheideasofwhichstyleisthegarb，histastewasexcellent。HewaswellacquaintedwiththegreatGreekwriters;and，thoughunablefullytoappreciatetheircreativegenius，admiredthemajesticsimplicityoftheirmanner，andhadlearnedfromthemtodespisebombastandtinsel。Itiseasywethink，todiscover，intheSpectator，andtheGuardian:
tracesoftheinfluence，inpartsalutaryandinpartpernicious，whichthemindofBoileauhadonthemindofAddison。
WhileAddisonwasatParis，aneventtookplacewhichmadethatcapitaladisagreeableresidenceforanEnglishmanandaWhig。
Charles，secondofthename，KingofSpain，died;andbequeathedhisdominionstoPhilip，DukeofAnjou，ayoungersonoftheDauphin。TheKingofFrance，indirectviolationofhisengagementsbothwithGreatBritainandwiththeStates—General，acceptedthebequestonbehalfofhisgrandson。TheHouseofBourbonwasatthesummitofhumangrandeur。Englandhadbeenoutwitted，andfoundherselfinasituationatoncedegradingandperilous。ThepeopleofFrance，notpresagingthecalamitiesbywhichtheyweredestinedtoexpiatetheperfidyoftheirsovereign，wentmadwithprideanddelight。Everymanlookedasifagreatestatehadjustbeenlefthim。"TheFrenchconversation，"saidAddison，"beginstogrowinsupportable;thatwhichwasbeforethevainestnationintheworldisnowworsethanever。"SickofthearrogantexultationoftheParisians，andprobablyforeseeingthatthepeacebetweenFranceandEnglandcouldnotbeoflongduration，hesetoffforItaly。
InDecember1701[ItisstrangethatAddisonshould，inthefirstlineofhistravels，havemisdatedhisdeparturefromMarseillesbyawholeyear，andstillmorestrangethatthisslipofthepen，whichthrowsthewholenarrativeintoinextricableconfusion，shouldhavebeenrepeatedinasuccessionofeditions，andneverdetectedbyTickellorbyHurd。]heembarkedatMarseilles。AsheglidedalongtheLiguriancoast，hewasdelightedbythesightofmyrtlesandolivetrees，whichretainedtheirverdureunderthewintersolstice。Soon，however，heencounteredoneoftheblackstormsoftheMediterranean。Thecaptainoftheshipgaveupallforlost，andconfessedhimselftoacapuchinwhohappenedtobeonboard。TheEnglishheretic，inthemeantime，fortifiedhimselfagainsttheterrorsofdeathwithdevotionsofaverydifferentkind。Howstronganimpressionthisperilousvoyagemadeonhim，appearsfromtheode，"Howarethyservantsblest，0Lord！"whichwaslongafterpublishedintheSpectator。Aftersomedaysofdiscomfortanddanger，AddisonwasgladtolandatSavona，andtomakehisway，overmountainswherenoroadhadyetbeenhewnoutbyart，tothecityofGenoa。
AtGenoa，stillruledbyherownDoge，andbythenobleswhosenameswereinscribedonherBookofGold，Addisonmadeashortstay。Headmiredthenarrowstreetsoverhungbylonglinesoftoweringpalaces，thewallsrichwithfrescoes，thegorgeoustempleoftheAnnunciation，andthetapestrieswhereonwererecordedthelonggloriesoftheHouseofDoria。ThencehehastenedtoMilan，wherehecontemplatedtheGothicmagnificenceofthecathedralwithmorewonderthanpleasure。HepassedLakeBenacuswhileagalewasblowing，andsawthewavesragingastheyragedwhenVirgillookeduponthem。AtVenice，thenthegayestspotinEurope，thetravellerspenttheCarnival，thegayestseasonoftheyear，inthemidstofmasques，dances，andserenades。Herehewasatoncedivertedandprovoked，bytheabsurddramaticpieceswhichthendisgracedtheItalianstage。Tooneofthosepieces，however，hewasindebtedforavaluablehint。HewaspresentwhenaridiculousplayonthedeathofCatowasperformed。Cato，itseems，wasinlovewithadaughterofScipio。TheladyhadgivenherhearttoCaesar。Therejectedloverdeterminedtodestroyhimself。Heappearedseatedinhislibrary，adaggerinhishand，aPlutarchandaTassobeforehim;
and，inthisposition，hepronouncedasoliloquybeforehestrucktheblow。WearesurprisedthatsoremarkableacircumstanceasthisshouldhaveescapedthenoticeofallAddison’sbiographers。
Therecannot，weconceive，bethesmallestdoubtthatthisscene，inspiteofitsabsurditiesandanachronisms，struckthetraveller’simagination，andsuggestedtohimthethoughtofbringingCatoontheEnglishstage。Itiswellknownthataboutthistimehebeganhistragedy，andthathefinishedthefirstfouractsbeforehereturnedtoEngland，OnhiswayfromVenicetoRome，hewasdrawnsomemilesoutofthebeatenroad，byawishtoseethesmallestindependentstateinEurope。Onarockwherethesnowstilllay，thoughtheItalianspringwasnowfaradvanced，wasperchedthelittlefortressofSanMarino。Theroadswhichledtothesecludedtownweresobadthatfewtravellershadevervisitedit，andnonehadeverpublishedanaccountofit。Addisoncouldnotsuppressagood—
naturedsmileatthesimplemannersandinstitutionsofthissingularcommunity。Butheobserved，withtheexultationofaWhig，thattherudemountaintractwhichformedtheterritoryoftherepublicswarmedwithanhonest，healthy，andcontentedpeasantry，whiletherichplainwhichsurroundedthemetropolisofcivilandspiritualtyrannywasscarcelylessdesolatethantheunclearedwildsofAmerica。
AtRomeAddisonremainedonhisfirstvisitonlylongenoughtocatchaglimpseofSt。Peter’sandofthePantheon。HishasteisthemoreextraordinarybecausetheHolyWeekwascloseathand。
Hehasgivennohintwhichcanenableustopronouncewhyhechosetoflyfromaspectaclewhicheveryyearalluresfromdistantregionspersonsoffarlesstasteandsensibilitythanhis。Possibly，travelling，ashedid，atthechargeofagovernmentdistinguishedbyitsenmitytotheChurchofRome，hemayhavethoughtthatitwouldbeimprudentinhimtoassistatthemostmagnificentriteofthatChurch。Manyeyeswouldbeuponhim;andhemightfinditdifficulttobehaveinsuchamannerastogiveoffenceneithertohispatronsinEngland，nortothoseamongwhomheresided。Whateverhismotivesmayhavebeen，heturnedhisbackonthemostaugustandaffectingceremonywhichisknownamongmen，andpostedalongtheAppianWaytoNaples。
Napleswasthendestituteofwhatarenow，perhaps，itschiefattractions。Thelovelybayandtheawfulmountainwereindeedthere。ButafarmhousestoodonthetheatreofHerculaneum，androwsofvinesgrewoverthestreetsofPompeii。ThetemplesofPaestumhadnotindeedbeenhiddenfromtheeyeofmanbyanygreatconvulsionofnature;but，strangetosay，theirexistencewasasecreteventoartistsandantiquaries。Thoughsituatedwithinafewhours’journeyofagreatcapital，whereSalvatorhadnotlongbeforepainted，andwhereVicowasthenlecturing，thosenobleremainswereaslittleknowntoEuropeastheruinedcitiesovergrownbytheforestsofYucatan。WhatwastobeseenatNaples，Addisonsaw。HeclimbedVesuvius，exploredthetunnelofPosilipo，andwanderedamongthevinesandalmondtreesofCapreae。Butneitherthewondersofnature，northoseofart，couldsooccupyhisattentionastopreventhimfromnoticing，thoughcursorily，theabusesoftheGovernmentandthemiseryofthepeople。ThegreatkingdomwhichhadjustdescendedtoPhiliptheFifth，wasinastateofparalyticdotage。EvenCastileandAragonweresunkinwretchedness。Yet，comparedwiththeItaliandependenciesoftheSpanishcrown，CastileandAragonmightbecalledprosperous。ItisclearthatalltheobservationswhichAddisonmadeinItalytendedtoconfirmhiminthepoliticalopinionswhichhehadadoptedathome。Tothelast，healwaysspokeofforeigntravelasthebestcureforJacobitism。InhisFreeholder，theToryfox—hunteraskswhattravellingisgoodfor，excepttoteachamantojabberFrench，andtotalkagainstpassiveobedience。
FromNaples，AddisonreturnedtoRomebysea，alongthecoastwhichhisfavouriteVirgilhadcelebrated。ThefeluccapassedtheheadlandwheretheoarandtrumpetwereplacedbytheTrojanadventurersonthetombofMisenus，andanchoredatnightundertheshelterofthefabledpromontoryofCirce。ThevoyageendedintheTiber，stilloverhungwithdarkverdure，andstillturbidwithyellowsand，aswhenitmettheeyesofAeneas。FromtheruinedportofOstia，thestrangerhurriedtoRome;andatRomeheremainedduringthosehotandsicklymonthswhen，evenintheAugustanage，allwhocouldmaketheirescapefledfrommaddogsandfromstreetsblackwithfunerals，togatherthefirstfigsoftheseasoninthecountry。Itisprobablethat，whenhe，longafter，pouredforthinversehisgratitudetotheProvidencewhichhadenabledhimtobreatheunhurtintaintedair，hewasthinkingoftheAugustandSeptemberwhichhepassedatRome。
ItwasnottillthelatterendofOctoberthathetorehimselfawayfromthemasterpiecesofancientandmodernartwhicharecollectedinthecitysolongthemistressoftheworld。Hethenjourneyednorthward，passedthroughSienna，andforamomentforgothisprejudicesinfavourofclassicarchitectureashelookedonthemagnificentcathedral。AtFlorencehespentsomedayswiththeDukeofShrewsbury，who，cloyedwiththepleasuresofambition，andimpatientofitspains，fearingbothparties，andlovingneither，haddeterminedtohideinanItalianretreattalentsandaccomplishmentswhich，iftheyhadbeenunitedwithfixedprinciplesandcivilcourage，mighthavemadehimtheforemostmanofhisage。Thesedayswearetold，passedpleasantly;andwecaneasilybelieveit。ForAddisonwasadelightfulcompanionwhenhewasathisease;andtheDuke，thoughheseldomforgotthathewasaTalbot，hadtheinvaluableartofputtingatcaseallwhocamenearhim。
AddisongavesometimetoFlorence，andespeciallytothesculpturesintheMuseum，whichhepreferredeventothoseoftheVatican。Hethenpursuedhisjourneythroughacountryinwhichtheravagesofthelastwarwerestilldiscernible，andinwhichallmenwerelookingforwardwithdreadtoastillfiercerconflict。EugenehadalreadydescendedfromtheRhaetianAlps，todisputewithCatinattherichplainofLombardy。ThefaithlessrulerofSavoywasstillreckonedamongthealliesofLewis。
EnglandhadnotyetactuallydeclaredwaragainstFrance:butManchesterhadleftParis;andthenegotiationswhichproducedtheGrandAllianceagainsttheHouseofBourbonwereinprogress。
Undersuchcircumstances，itwasdesirableforanEnglishtravellertoreachneutralgroundwithoutdelay。AddisonresolvedtocrossMontCenis。ItwasDecember;andtheroadwasverydifferentfromthatwhichnowremindsthestrangerofthepowerandgeniusofNapoleon。Thewinter，however，wasmild;andthepassagewas，forthosetimes，easy。TothisjourneyAddisonalludedwhen，intheodewhichwehavealreadyquoted，hesaidthatforhimtheDivinegoodnesshadwarmedthehoaryAlpinehills。
Itwasinthemidstoftheeternalsnowthathecomposedhis"Epistle"tohisfriendMontague，nowLordHalifax。ThatEpistle，oncewidelyrenowned，isnowknownonlytocuriousreaders，andwillhardlybeconsideredbythosetowhomitisknownasinanyperceptibledegreeheighteningAddison’sfame。Itis，however，decidedlysuperiortoanyEnglishcompositionwhichhehadpreviouslypublished。Nay，wethinkitquiteasgoodasanypoeminheroicmetrewhichappearedduringtheintervalbetweenthedeathofDrydenandthepublicationoftheEssayonCriticism。Itcontainspassagesasgoodasthesecond—ratepassagesofPope，andwouldhaveaddedtothereputationofParnellorPrior。
But，whateverbetheliterarymeritsordefectsoftheEpistle，itundoubtedlydoeshonourtotheprinciplesandspiritoftheauthor。Halifaxhadnownothingtogive。Hehadfallenfrompower，hadbeenhelduptoobloquy，hadbeenimpeachedbytheHouseofCommons，and，thoughhisPeershaddismissedtheimpeachment，had，asitseemed，littlechanceofeveragainfillinghighoffice。TheEpistle，written，atsuchatime，isoneamongmanyproofsthattherewasnomixtureofcowardiceormeannessinthesuavityandmoderationwhichdistinguishedAddisonfromalltheotherpublicmenofthosestormytimes。
AtGeneva，thetravellerlearnedthatapartialchangeofMinistryhadtakenplaceinEngland，andthattheEarlofManchesterhadbecomeSecretaryofState。Manchesterexertedhimselftoservehisyoungfriend。ItwasthoughtadvisablethatanEnglishagentshouldbenearthepersonofEugeneinItaly;
andAddison，whosediplomaticeducationwasnowfinished，wasthemanselected。Hewaspreparingtoenteronhishonourablefunctions，whenallhisprospectswereforatimedarkenedbythedeathofWilliamtheThird。
Annehadlongfeltastrongaversion，personal，political，andreligious，totheWhigparty。Thataversionappearedinthefirstmeasureofherreign。Manchesterwasdeprivedoftheseals，afterhehadheldthemonlyafewweeks。NeitherSomersnorHalifaxwasswornofthePrivyCouncil。Addisonsharedthefateofhisthreepatrons。Hishopesofemploymentinthepublicservicewereatanend;hispensionwasstopped;anditwasnecessaryforhimtosupporthimselfbyhisownexertions。HebecametutortoayoungEnglishtraveller，andappearstohaverambledwithhispupilovergreatpartofSwitzerlandandGermany。AtthistimehewrotehispleasingTreatiseonMedals。Itwasnotpublishedtillafterhisdeath;butseveraldistinguishedscholarssawthemanuscript，andgavejustpraisetothegraceofthestyle，andtothelearningandingenuityevincedbythequotations。
FromGermanyAddisonrepairedtoHolland，wherehelearnedthemelancholynewsofhisfather’sdeath。AfterpassingsomemonthsintheUnitedProvinces，hereturnedaboutthecloseoftheyear1703toEngland。Hewastherecordiallyreceivedbyhisfriends，andintroducedbythemintotheKitCatClub，asocietyinwhichwerecollectedallthevarioustalentsandaccomplishmentswhichthengavelustretotheWhigparty。
Addisonwas，duringsomemonthsafterhisreturnfromtheContinent，hardpressedbypecuniarydifficulties。Butitwassooninthepowerofhisnoblepatronstoservehimeffectually。
Apoliticalchange，silentandgradual，butofthehighestimportance，wasindailyprogress。TheaccessionofAnnehadbeenhailedbytheTorieswithtransportsofjoyandhope;andforatimeitseemedthattheWhigshadfallen，nevertoriseagain。
ThethronewassurroundedbymensupposedtobeattachedtotheprerogativeandtotheChurch;andamongthesenonestoodsohighinthefavouroftheSovereignastheLordTreasurerGodolphinandtheCaptain—GeneralMarlborough。
ThecountrygentlemenandcountryclergymenhadfullyexpectedthatthepolicyoftheseMinisterswouldbedirectlyopposedtothatwhichhadbeenalmostconstantlyfollowedbyWilliam;thatthelandedinterestwouldbefavouredattheexpenseoftrade;
thatnoadditionwouldbemadetothefundeddebt;thattheprivilegesconcededtoDissentersbythelateKingwouldbecurtailed，ifnotwithdrawn;thatthewarwithFrance，iftheremustbesuchawar，would，onourpart，bealmostentirelynaval;
andthattheGovernmentwouldavoidcloseconnectionswithforeignpowers，and，aboveall，withHolland。
Butthecountrygentlemenandcountryclergymenwerefatedtobedeceived，notforthelasttime。Theprejudicesandpassionswhichragedwithoutcontrolinvicarages，incathedralcloses，andinthemanor—housesoffox—huntingsquires，werenotsharedbythechiefsoftheMinistry。Thosestatesmensawthatitwasbothforthepublicinterest，andfortheirowninterest，toadoptaWhigpolicy，atleastasrespectedthealliancesofthecountryandtheconductofthewar。But，iftheforeignpolicyoftheWhigswereadopted，itwasimpossibletoabstainfromadoptingalsotheirfinancialpolicy。Thenaturalconsequencesfollowed。TherigidTorieswerealienatedfromtheGovernment。
ThevotesoftheWhigsbecamenecessarytoit。ThevotesoftheWhigscouldbesecuredonlybyfurtherconcessions;andfurtherconcessionstheQueenwasinducedtomake。
Atthebeginningoftheyear1704，thestateofpartiesboreacloseanalogytothestateofpartiesin1826。In1826，asin1704，therewasaToryMinistrydividedintotwohostilesections。ThepositionofMr。Canningandhisfriendsin1826
correspondedtothatwhichMarlboroughandGodolphinoccupiedin1704。NottinghamandJerseywere，in1704，whatLordEldonandLordWestmorelandwerein1826。TheWhigsof1704wereinasituationresemblingthatinwhichtheWhigsof1826stood。In1704，Somers，Halifax，Sunderland，Cowper，werenotinoffice。
TherewasnoavowedcoalitionbetweenthemandthemoderateTories。Itisprobablethatnodirectcommunicationtendingtosuchacoalitionhadyettakenplace;yetallmensawthatsuchacoalitionwasinevitable，nay，thatitwasalreadyhalfformed。
Such，ornearlysuch，wasthestateofthingswhentidingsarrivedofthegreatbattlefoughtatBlenheimonthe13thAugust，1704。BytheWhigsthenewswashailedwithtransportsofjoyandpride。Nofault，nocauseofquarrel，couldberememberedbythemagainsttheCommanderwhosegeniushad，inoneday，changedthefaceofEurope，savedtheImperialthrone，humbledtheHouseofBourbon，andsecuredtheActofSettlementagainstforeignhostility。ThefeelingoftheTorieswasverydifferent。
Theycouldnotindeed，withoutimprudence，openlyexpressregretataneventsoglorioustotheircountry;buttheircongratulationsweresocoldandsullenastogivedeepdisgusttothevictoriousgeneralandhisfriends。
Godolphinwasnotareadingman。WhatevertimehecouldsparefrombusinesshewasinthehabitofspendingatNewmarketoratthecard—table。Buthewasnotabsolutelyindifferenttopoetry;
andhewastoointelligentanobservernottoperceivethatliteraturewasaformidableengineofpoliticalwarfare，andthatthegreatWhigleadershadstrengthenedtheirparty，andraisedtheircharacter，byextendingaliberalandjudiciouspatronagetogoodwriters。Hewasmortified，andnotwithoutreason，bytheexceedingbadnessofthepoemswhichappearedinhonourofthebattleofBlenheim。Oneofthesepoemshasbeenrescuedfromoblivionbytheexquisiteabsurdityofthreelines:
"Thinkoftwothousandgentlemenatleast，AndeachmanmountedonhiscaperingbeastIntotheDanubetheywerepushedbyshoals。"
WheretoprocurebetterversestheTreasurerdidnotknow。Heunderstoodhowtonegotiatealoan，orremitasubsidy:hewasalsowellversedinthehistoryofrunninghorsesandfightingcocks;buthisacquaintanceamongthepoetswasverysmall。HeconsultedHalifax;butHalifaxaffectedtodeclinetheofficeofadviser。Hehad，hesaid，donehisbest，whenhehadpower，toencouragemenwhoseabilitiesandacquirementsmightdohonourtotheircountry。Thosetimeswereover。Othermaximshadprevailed。Meritwassufferedtopineinobscurity;andthepublicmoneywassquanderedontheundeserving。"Idoknow，"headded，"agentlemanwhowouldcelebratethebattleinamannerworthyofthesubject;butIwillnotnamehim。"Godolphin，whowasexpertatthesoftanswerwhichturnethawaywrath，andwhowasunderthenecessityofpayingcourttotheWhigs，gentlyrepliedthattherewastoomuchgroundforHalifax’scomplaints，butthatwhatwasamissshouldintimeberectified，andthatinthemeantimetheservicesofamansuchasHalifaxhaddescribedshouldbeliberallyrewarded。HalifaxthenmentionedAddison，but，mindfulofthedignityaswellasofthepecuniaryinterestofhisfriend，insistedthattheMinistershouldapplyinthemostcourteousmannertoAddisonhimself;andthisGodolphinpromisedtodo。
Addisonthenoccupiedagarretupthreepairofstairs，overasmallshopintheHaymarket。Inthishumblelodginghewassurprised，onthemorningwhichfollowedtheconversationbetweenGodolphinandHalifax，byavisitfromnolessapersonthantheRightHonourableHenryBoyle，thenChancelloroftheExchequer，andafterwardsLordCarleton。ThishighbornMinisterhadbeensentbytheLordTreasurerasambassadortotheneedypoet。
Addisonreadilyundertooktheproposedtask，ataskwhich，tosogoodaWhig，wasprobablyapleasure。Whenthepoemwaslittlemorethanhalffinished，heshowedittoGodolphin，whowasdelightedwithit，andparticularlywiththefamoussimilitudeoftheAngel。AddisonwasinstantlyappointedtoaCommissionershipworthabouttwohundredpoundsayear，andwasassuredthatthisappointmentwasonlyanearnestofgreaterfavours。
TheCampaigncameforth，andwasasmuchadmiredbythepublicasbytheMinister。Itpleasesuslessonthewholethanthe"EpistletoHalifax。"YetitundoubtedlyrankshighamongthepoemswhichappearedduringtheintervalbetweenthedeathofDrydenandthedawnofPope’sgenius。ThechiefmeritoftheCampaign，wethink，isthatwhichwasnoticedbyJohnson，themanlyandrationalrejectionoffiction。Thefirstgreatpoetwhoseworkshavecomedowntoussangofwarlongbeforewarbecameascienceoratrade。If，inhistime，therewasenmitybetweentwolittleGreektowns，eachpouredforthitscrowdofcitizens，ignorantofdiscipline，andarmedwithimplementsoflabourrudelyturnedintoweapons。Oneachsideappearedconspicuousafewchiefs，whosewealthhadenabledthemtoprocuregoodarmour，horses，andchariots，andwhoseleisurehadenabledthemtopractisemilitaryexercises。Onesuchchief，ifhewereamanofgreatstrength，agility，andcourage，wouldprobablybemoreformidablethantwentycommonmen;andtheforceanddexteritywithwhichheflunghisspearmighthavenoinconsiderableshareindecidingtheeventoftheday。SuchwereprobablythebattleswithwhichHomerwasfamiliar。ButHomerrelatedtheactionsofmenofaformergeneration，ofmenwhosprangfromtheGods，andcommunedwiththeGodsfacetoface，ofmen，oneofwhomcouldwitheasehurlrockswhichtwosturdyhindsofalaterperiodwouldbeunableeventolift。Hethereforenaturallyrepresentedtheirmartialexploitsasresemblinginkind，butfarsurpassinginmagnitude，thoseofthestoutestandmostexpertcombatantsofhisownage。Achilles，cladincelestialarmour，drawnbycelestialcoursers，graspingthespearwhichnonebuthimselfcouldraise，drivingallTroyandLyciabeforehim，andchokingScamanderwithdead，wasonlyamagnificentexaggerationoftherealhero，who，strong，fearless，accustomedtotheuseofweapons，guardedbyashieldandhelmetofthebestSidonianfabric，andwhirledalongbyhorsesofThessalianbreed，struckdownwithhisownrightarmfoeafterfoe。Inallrudesocietiessimilarnotionsarefound。ThereareatthisdaycountrieswheretheLifeguardsmanShawwouldbeconsideredasamuchgreaterwarriorthantheDukeofWellington。
BuonapartelovedtodescribetheastonishmentwithwhichtheMamelukeslookedathisdiminutivefigure。MouradBey，distinguishedaboveallhisfellowsbyhisbodilystrength，andbytheskillwithwhichhemanagedhishorseandhissabre，couldnotbelievethatamanwhowasscarcelyfivefeethigh，androdelikeabutcher，couldbethegreatestsoldierinEurope。
Homer’sdescriptionsofwarhadthereforeasmuchtruthaspoetryrequires。Buttruthwasaltogetherwantingtotheperformancesofthosewho，writingaboutbattleswhichhadscarcelyanythingincommonwiththebattlesofhistimes，servilelyimitatedhismanner。ThefollyofSiliusItalicus，inparticular，ispositivelynauseous。Heundertooktorecordinversethevicissitudesofagreatstrugglebetweengeneralsofthefirstorder;andhisnarrativeismadeupofthehideouswoundswhichthesegeneralsinflictedwiththeirownhands。AsdrubalflingsaspearwhichgrazestheshoulderoftheconsulNero;butNerosendshisspearintoAsdrubal’sside。FabiusslaysThurisandButesandMarisandArses，andthelong—hairedAdherbes，andthegiganticThylis，andSapharusandMonaesus，andthetrumpeterMorinus。HannibalrunsPerusinusthroughthegroinwithastake，andbreaksthebackboneofTelesinuswithahugestone。Thisdetestablefashionwascopiedinmoderntimes，andcontinuedtoprevaildowntotheageofAddison。SeveralversifiershaddescribedWilliamturningthousandstoflightbyhissingleprowess，anddyeingtheBoynewithIrishblood。Nay，soestimableawriterasJohnPhilips，theauthoroftheSplendidShilling，representedMarlboroughashavingwonthebattleofBlenheimmerelybystrengthofmuscleandskillinfence。Thefollowinglinesmayserveasanexample:—
"ChurchillviewingwhereTheviolenceofTallardmostprevailed，Cametoopposehisslaughteringarm。
Withspeedprecipitateherode，urginghiswayO’erhillsofgaspingheroes，andfallensteedsRollingindeath。Destruction，grimwithblood，Attendshisfuriouscourse。AroundhisheadTheglowingballsplayinnocent，whileheWithdireimpetuousswaydealsfatalblowsAmongtheflyingGauls。InGallicbloodHedyeshisreekingsword，andstrewsthegroundWithheadlessranks。Whatcantheydo？OrhowWithstandhiswide—destroyingsword？"
Addison，withexcellentsenseandtaste，departedfromthisridiculousfashion。HereservedhispraiseforthequalitieswhichmadeMarlboroughtrulygreat，energy，sagacity，militaryscience。But，aboveall，thepoetextolledthefirmnessofthatmindwhich，inthemidstofconfusion，uproar，andslaughter，examinedanddisposedeverythingwiththeserenewisdomofahigherintelligence。
HereitwasthatheintroducedthefamouscomparisonofMarlboroughtoanangelguidingthewhirlwind。WewillnotdisputethegeneraljusticeofJohnson’sremarksonthispassage。
Butwemustpointoutonecircumstancewhichappearstohaveescapedallthecritics。Theextraordinaryeffectwhichthissimileproducedwhenitfirstappeared，andwhichtothefollowinggenerationseemedinexplicable，isdoubtlesstobechieflyattributedtoalinewhichmostreadersnowregardasafeebleparenthesis:——
"Suchas，oflate，o’erpaleBritanniapass’d。"
Addisonspoke，notofastorm，butofthestorm。ThegreattempestofNovember1703，theonlytempestwhichinourlatitudehasequalledtherageofatropicalhurricane，hadleftadreadfulrecollectioninthemindsofallmen。Noothertempestwaseverinthiscountrytheoccasionofaparliamentaryaddressorofapublicfast。Wholefleetshadbeencastaway。Largemansionshadbeenblowndown。OnePrelatehadbeenburiedbeneaththeruinsofhispalace。LondonandBristolhadpresentedtheappearanceofcitiesjustsacked。Hundredsoffamilieswerestillinmourning。Theprostratetrunksoflargetrees，andtheruinsofhouses，stillattested，inallthesoutherncounties，thefuryoftheblast。ThepopularitywhichthesimileoftheangelenjoyedamongAddison’scontemporaries，hasalwaysseemedtoustobearemarkableinstanceoftheadvantagewhich，inrhetoricandpoetry，theparticularhasoverthegeneral。
SoonaftertheCampaign，waspublishedAddison’sNarrativeofhisTravelsinItaly。ThefirsteffectproducedbythisNarrativewasdisappointment。Thecrowdofreaderswhoexpectedpoliticsandscandal，speculationsontheprojectsofVictorAmadeus，andanecdotesaboutthejollitiesofconventsandtheamoursofcardinalsandnuns，wereconfoundedbyfindingthatthewriter’smindwasmuchmoreoccupiedbythewarbetweentheTrojansandRutuliansthanbythewarbetweenFranceandAustria;andthatheseemedtohaveheardnoscandaloflaterdatethanthegallantriesoftheEmpressFaustina。Intime，however，thejudgmentofthemanywasoverruledbythatofthefew;and，beforethebookwasreprinted，itwassoeagerlysoughtthatitsoldforfivetimestheoriginalprice。Itisstillreadwithpleasure:thestyleispureandflowing;theclassicalquotationsandallusionsarenumerousandhappy;andwearenowandthencharmedbythatsingularlyhumaneanddelicatehumourinwhichAddisonexcelledallmen。Yetthisagreeablework，evenwhenconsideredmerelyasthehistoryofaliterarytour，mayjustlybecensuredonaccountofitsfaultsofomission。Wehavealreadysaidthat，thoughrichinextractsfromtheLatinpoets，itcontainsscarcelyanyreferencestotheLatinoratorsandhistorians。Wemustadd，thatitcontainslittle，orrathernoinformation，respectingthehistoryandliteratureofmodernItaly。Tothebestofourremembrance，AddisondoesnotmentionDante，PetrarchBoccaccio，Boiardo，Berni，Lorenzode’Medici，orMachiavelli。Hecoldlytellsus，thatatFerrarahesawthetombofAriosto，andthatatVeniceheheardthegondolierssingversesofTasso。ButforTassoandAriostohecaredfarlessthanforValeriusFlaccusandSidoniusApollinaris。ThegentleflowoftheTicinbringsalineofSiliustohismind。ThesulphurousstreamofAlbulasuggeststohimseveralpassagesofMartial。ButhehasnotawordtosayoftheillustriousdeadofSantaCroce;