hecrossesthewoodofRavennawithoutrecollectingtheSpectreHuntsman，andwandersupanddownRiminiwithoutonethoughtofFrancesca。AtParis，hehadeagerlysoughtanintroductiontoBoileau;butheseemsnottohavebeenatallawarethatatFlorencehewasinthevicinityofapoetwithwhomBoileaucouldnotsustainacomparison，ofthegreatestlyricpoetofmoderntimes，VincenzioFilicaja。Thisisthemoreremarkable，becauseFilicajawasthefavouritepoetoftheaccomplishedSomers，underwhoseprotectionAddisontravelled，andtowhomtheaccountoftheTravelsisdedicated。Thetruthis，thatAddisonknewlittle，andcaredless，abouttheliteratureofmodernItaly。HisfavouritemodelswereLatin，hisfavouritecriticswereFrench。
HalftheTuscanpoetrythathehadreadseemedtohimmonstrous，andtheotherhalftawdry。
HisTravelswerefollowedbythelivelyoperaofRosamond。Thispiecewasillsettomusic，andthereforefailedonthestage，butitcompletelysucceededinprint，andisindeedexcellentinitskind。Thesmoothnesswithwhichtheversesglide，andtheelasticitywithwhichtheybound，is，toourearsatleast，verypleasing。WeareinclinedtothinkthatifAddisonhadleftheroiccoupletstoPope，andblankversetoRowe，andhademployedhimselfinwritingairyandspiritedsongs，hisreputationasapoetwouldhavestoodfarhigherthanitnowdoes。Someyearsafterhisdeath，RosamondwassettonewmusicbyDoctorArne;andwasperformedwithcompletesuccess。Severalpassageslongretainedtheirpopularity，andweredailysung，duringthelatterpartofGeorgetheSecond’sreign，atalltheharpsichordsinEngland。
WhileAddisonthusamusedhimself，hisprospects，andtheprospectsofhisparty，wereconstantlybecomingbrighterandbrighter。Inthespringof1705，theMinisterswerefreedfromtherestraintimposedbyaHouseofCommonsinwhichToriesofthemostperverseclasshadtheascendency。TheelectionswerefavourabletotheWhigs。Thecoalitionwhichhadbeentacitlyandgraduallyformedwasnowopenlyavowed。TheGreatSealwasgiventoCowper。SomersandHalifaxwereswornoftheCouncil。HalifaxwassentinthefollowingyeartocarrythedecorationsoftheOrderoftheGartertotheElectoralPrinceofHanover，andwasaccompaniedonthishonourablemissionbyAddison，whohadjustbeenmadeUnder—SecretaryofState。TheSecretaryofStateunderwhomAddisonfirstservedwasSirCharlesHedges，aTory。ButHedgeswassoondismissed，tomakeroomforthemostvehementofWhigs，Charles，EarlofSunderland。IneverydepartmentoftheState，indeed，theHighChurchmenwerecompelledtogiveplacetotheiropponents。Atthecloseof1707，theTorieswhostillremainedinofficestrovetorally，withHarleyattheirhead。
Buttheattempt，thoughfavouredbytheQueen，whohadalwaysbeenaToryatheart，andwhohadnowquarrelledwiththeDuchessofMarlborough，wasunsuccessful。Thetimewasnotyet。TheCaptain—Generalwasattheheightofpopularityandglory。TheLowChurchpartyhadamajorityinParliament。Thecountrysquiresandrectors，thoughoccasionallyutteringasavagegrowl，wereforthemostpartinastateoftorpor，whichlastedtilltheywererousedintoactivity，andindeedintomadness，bytheprosecutionofSacheverell。Harleyandhisadherentswerecompelledtoretire。ThevictoryoftheWhigswascomplete。Atthegeneralelectionof1708，theirstrengthintheHouseofCommonsbecameirresistible;and，beforetheendofthatyear，SomerswasmadeLordPresidentoftheCouncil，andWhartonLord—
LieutenantofIreland。
AddisonsatforMalmsburyintheHouseofCommonswhichwaselectedin1708。ButtheHouseofCommonswasnotthefieldforhim。Thebashfulnessofhisnaturemadehiswitandeloquenceuselessindebate。Heoncerose，butcouldnotovercomehisdiffidence，andeverafterremainedsilent。Nobodycanthinkitstrangethatagreatwritershouldfailasaspeaker。Butmany，probably，willthinkitstrangethatAddison’sfailureasaspeakershouldhavehadnounfavourableeffectonhissuccessasapolitician。Inourtime，amanofhighrankandgreatfortunemight，thoughspeakingverylittleandveryill，holdaconsiderablepost。Butitwouldnowbeinconceivablethatamereadventurer，amanwho，whenoutofoffice，mustlivebyhispen，shouldinafewyearsbecomesuccessivelyUnder—SecretaryofState，ChiefSecretaryforIreland，andSecretaryofState，withoutsomeoratoricaltalent。Addison，withouthighbirth，andwithlittleproperty，rosetoapostwhichDukestheheadsofthegreatHousesofTalbot，Russell，andBentinck，havethoughtitanhonourtofill。Withoutopeninghislipsindebate，herosetoapost，thehighestthatChathamorFoxeverreached。AndthishedidbeforehehadbeennineyearsinParliament。Wemustlookfortheexplanationofthisseemingmiracletothepeculiarcircumstancesinwhichthatgenerationwasplaced。DuringtheintervalwhichelapsedbetweenthetimewhentheCensorshipofthePressceased，andthetimewhenparliamentaryproceedingsbegantobefreelyreported，literarytalentswere，toapublicman，ofmuchmoreimportance，andoratoricaltalentsofmuchlessimportance，thaninourtime。Atpresent，thebestwayofgivingrapidandwidepublicitytoafactoranargumentistointroducethatfactorargumentintoaspeechmadeinParliament。IfapoliticaltractweretoappearsuperiortotheConductoftheAllies，ortothebestnumbersoftheFreeholder，thecirculationofsuchatractwouldbelanguidindeedwhencomparedwiththecirculationofeveryremarkablewordutteredinthedeliberationsofthelegislature。AspeechmadeintheHouseofCommonsatfourinthemorningisonthirtythousandtablesbeforeten。AspeechmadeontheMondayisreadontheWednesdaybymultitudesinAntrimandAberdeenshire。Theorator，bythehelpoftheshorthandwriter，hastoagreatextentsupersededthepamphleteer。ItwasnotsointhereignofAnne。Thebestspeechcouldthenproducenoeffectexceptonthosewhoheardit。Itwasonlybymeansofthepressthattheopinionofthepublicwithoutdoorscouldbeinfluenced:andtheopinionofthepublicwithoutdoorscouldnotbutbeofthehighestimportanceinacountrygovernedbyparliaments，andindeedatthattimegovernedbytriennialparliaments。Thepenwasthereforeamoreformidablepoliticalenginethanthetongue。Mr。PittandMr。FoxcontendedonlyinParliament。ButWalpoleandPulteney，thePittandFoxofanearlierperiod，hadnotdonehalfofwhatwasnecessary，whentheysatdownamidsttheacclamationsoftheHouseofCommons。
Theyhadstilltopleadtheircausebeforethecountry，andthistheycoulddoonlybymeansofthepress。Theirworksarenowforgotten。ButitiscertainthattherewereinGrubStreetfewmoreassiduousscribblersofThoughts，Letters，Answers，Remarks，thanthesetwogreatchiefsofparties。Pulteney，whenleaderoftheOpposition，andpossessedofthirtythousandayear，editedtheCraftsman。Walpole，thoughnotamanofliteraryhabits，wastheauthorofatleasttenpamphlets，andretouchedandcorrectedmanymore。Thesefactssufficientlyshowofhowgreatimportanceliteraryassistancethenwastothecontendingparties。St。Johnwas，certainly，inAnne’sreign，thebestToryspeaker;CowperwasprobablythebestWhigspeaker。ButitmaywellbedoubtedwhetherSt。JohndidsomuchfortheToriesasSwift，andwhetherCowperdidsomuchfortheWhigsasAddison。Whenthesethingsaredulyconsidered，itwillnotbethoughtstrangethatAddisonshouldhaveclimbedhigherintheStatethananyotherEnglishmanhasever，bymeansmerelyofliterarytalents，beenabletoclimb。Swiftwould，inallprobability，haveclimbedashigh，ifhehadnotbeenencumberedbyhiscassockandhispuddingsleeves。Asfarasthehomageofthegreatwent，SwifthadasmuchofitasifhehadbeenLordTreasurer。
TotheinfluencewhichAddisonderivedfromhisliterarytalentswasaddedalltheinfluencewhicharisesfromcharacter。Theworld，alwaysreadytothinktheworstofneedypoliticaladventurers，wasforcedtomakeoneexception。Restlessness，violence，audacity，laxityofprinciple，arethevicesordinarilyattributedtothatclassofmen。ButfactionitselfcouldnotdenythatAddisonhad，throughallchangesoffortune，beenstrictlyfaithfultohisearlyopinions，andtohisearlyfriends;thathisintegritywaswithoutstain;thathiswholedeportmentindicatedafinesenseofthebecoming;that，intheutmostheatofcontroversy，hiszealwastemperedbyaregardfortruth，humanity，andsocialdecorum;thatnooutragecouldeverprovokehimtoretaliationunworthyofaChristianandagentleman;andthathisonlyfaultswereatoosensitivedelicacy，andamodestywhichamountedtobashfulness。
Hewasundoubtedlyoneofthemostpopularmenofhistime;andmuchofhispopularityheowed，webelieve，tothatverytimiditywhichhisfriendslamented。Thattimidityoftenpreventedhimfromexhibitinghistalentstothebestadvantage。ButitpropitiatedNemesis。Itavertedthatenvywhichwouldotherwisehavebeenexcitedbyfamesosplendidandbysorapidanelevation。NomanissogreatafavouritewiththePublicashewhoisatonceanobjectofadmiration，ofrespectandofpity;
andsuchwerethefeelingswhichAddisoninspired。Thosewhoenjoyedtheprivilegeofhearinghisfamiliarconversation，declaredwithonevoicethatitwassuperioreventohiswritings。ThebrilliantMaryMontaguesaid，thatshehadknownallthewits，andthatAddisonwasthebestcompanyintheworld。
ThemalignantPopewasforcedtoown，thattherewasacharminAddison’stalk，whichcouldbefoundnowhereelse。Swift，whenburningwithanimosityagainsttheWhigs，couldnotbutconfesstoStellathat，afterall，hehadneverknownanyassociatesoagreeableasAddison。Steele，anexcellentjudgeoflivelyconversation，saidthattheconversationofAddisonwasatoncethemostpolite，andthemostmirthful，thatcouldbeimagined;
thatitwasTerenceandCatullusinone，heightenedbyanexquisitesomethingwhichwasneitherTerencenorCatullus，butAddisonalone。Young，anexcellentjudgeofseriousconversation，said，thatwhenAddisonwasathisease，hewentoninanoblestrainofthoughtandlanguage，soastochaintheattentionofeveryhearer。NorwereAddison’sgreatcolloquialpowersmoreadmirablethanthecourtesyandsoftnessofheartwhichappearedinhisconversation。Atthesametime，itwouldbetoomuchtosaythathewaswhollydevoidofthemalicewhichis，perhaps，inseparablefromakeensenseoftheludicrous。HehadonehabitwhichbothSwiftandStellaapplauded，andwhichwehardlyknowhowtoblame。Ifhisfirstattemptstosetapresumingduncerightwereillreceived，hechangedhistone，"assentedwithcivilleer，"andluredtheflatteredcoxcombdeeperanddeeperintoabsurdity。Thatsuchwashispractice，weshould，wethink，haveguessedfromhisworks。TheTatler’scriticismsonMr。
Softly’ssonnetandtheSpectator’sdialoguewiththepoliticianwhoissozealousforthehonourofLadyQ——p——t——s，areexcellentspecimensofthisinnocentmischief。
SuchwereAddison’stalentsforconversation。Buthisraregiftswerenotexhibitedtocrowdsortostrangers。Assoonasheenteredalargecompany，assoonashesawanunknownface，hislipsweresealedandhismannersbecameconstrained。Nonewhomethimonlyingreatassemblieswouldhavebeenabletobelievethathewasthesamemanwhohadoftenkeptafewfriendslisteningandlaughingroundatable，fromthetimewhentheplayended，tilltheclockofSt。Paul’sinCoventGardenstruckfour。Yet，evenatsuchatable，hewasnotseentothebestadvantage。Toenjoyhisconversationinthehighestperfection，itwasnecessarytobealonewithhim，andtohearhim，inhisownphrase，thinkaloud。"Thereisnosuchthing，"heusedtosay，"asrealconversation，butbetweentwopersons。"
Thistimidity，atimiditysurelyneitherungracefulnorunamiable，ledAddisonintothetwomostseriousfaultswhichcanwithjusticebeimputedtohim。Hefoundthatwinebrokethespellwhichlayonhisfineintellect，andwasthereforetooeasilyseducedintoconvivialexcess。Suchexcesswasinthatageregarded，evenbygravemen，asthemostvenialofallpeccadilloes，andwassofarfrombeingamarkofill—breeding，thatitwasalmostessentialtothecharacterofafinegentleman。Butthesmallestspeckisseenonawhiteground;andalmostallthebiographersofAddisonhavesaidsomethingaboutthisfailing。OfanyotherstatesmanorwriterofQueenAnne’sreign，weshouldnomorethinkofsayingthathesometimestooktoomuchwine，thanthatheworealongwigandasword。
TotheexcessivemodestyofAddison’snature，wemustascribeanotherfaultwhichgenerallyarisesfromaverydifferentcause。
Hebecamealittletoofondofseeinghimselfsurroundedbyasmallcircleofadmirers，towhomhewasasaKingorratherasaGod。Allthesemenwerefarinferiortohiminability，andsomeofthemhadveryseriousfaults。Nordidthosefaultsescapehisobservation;for，ifevertherewasaneyewhichsawthroughandthroughmen，itwastheeyeofAddison。But，withthekeenestobservation，andthefinestsenseoftheridiculous，hehadalargecharity。Thefeelingwithwhichhelookedonmostofhishumblecompanionswasoneofbenevolence，slightlytincturedwithcontempt。Hewasatperfectcaseintheircompany;hewasgratefulfortheirdevotedattachment;andheloadedthemwithbenefits。TheirvenerationforhimappearstohaveexceededthatwithwhichJohnsonwasregardedbyBoswell，orWarburtonbyHurd。
Itwasnotinthepowerofadulationtoturnsuchahead，ordepravesuchaheart，asAddison’s。Butitmustincandourbeadmittedthathecontractedsomeofthefaultswhichcanscarcelybeavoidedbyanypersonwhoissounfortunateastobetheoracleofasmallliterarycoterie。
OnememberofthislittlesocietywasEustaceBudgell，ayoungTemplarofsomeliterature，andadistantrelationofAddison。
TherewasatthistimenostainonthecharacterofBudgell，anditisnotimprobablethathiscareerwouldhavebeenprosperousandhonourable，ifthelifeofhiscousinhadbeenprolonged。Butwhenthemasterwaslaidinthegrave，thedisciplebrokeloosefromallrestraint，descendedrapidlyfromonedegreeofviceandmiserytoanother，ruinedhisfortunebyfollies，attemptedtorepairitbycrimes，andatlengthclosedawickedandunhappylifebyself—murder。Yet，tothelast，thewretchedman，gambler，lampooner，cheat，forger，ashewas，retainedhisaffectionandvenerationforAddison，andrecordedthosefeelingsinthelastlineswhichhetracedbeforehehidhimselffrominfamyunderLondonBridge。
AnotherofAddison’sfavouritecompanionswasAmbrosePhillips，agoodWhigandamiddlingpoet，whohadthehonourofbringingintofashionaspeciesofcompositionwhichhasbeencalled，afterhisname，NambyPamby。Butthemostremarkablemembersofthelittlesenate，asPopelongafterwardscalledit，wereRichardSteeleandThomasTickell。
SteelehadknownAddisonfromchildhood。TheyhadbeentogetherattheCharterhouseandatOxford;butcircumstanceshadthen，foratime，separatedthemwidely。Steelehadleftcollegewithouttakingadegree，hadbeendisinheritedbyarichrelation，hadledavagrantlife，hadservedinthearmy，hadtriedtofindthephilosopher’sstone，andhadwrittenareligioustreatiseandseveralcomedies。Hewasoneofthosepeoplewhomitisimpossibleeithertohateortorespect。Histemperwassweet，hisaffectionswarm，hisspiritslively，hispassionsstrong，andhisprinciplesweak。Hislifewasspentinsinningandrepenting;ininculcatingwhatwasright，anddoingwhatwaswrong。Inspeculation，hewasamanofpietyandhonour;
inpractice，hewasmuchoftherakeandalittleoftheswindler。Hewas，however，sogood—naturedthatitwasnoteasytobeseriouslyangrywithhim，andthatevenrigidmoralistsfeltmoreinclinedtopitythantoblamehim，whenhedicedhimselfintoaspunging—houseordrankhimselfintoafever。
AddisonregardedSteelewithkindnessnotunmingledwithscorn，tried，withlittlesuccess，tokeephimoutofscrapes，introducedhimtothegreat，procuredagoodplaceforhim，correctedhisplays，and，thoughbynomeansrich，lenthimlargesumsofmoney。Oneoftheseloansappears，fromaletterdatedinAugust1708，tohaveamountedtoathousandpounds。Thesepecuniarytransactionsprobablyledtofrequentbickerings。Itissaidthat，ononeoccasion，Steele’snegligence，ordishonesty，provokedAddisontorepayhimselfbythehelpofabailiff。WecannotjoinwithMissAikininrejectingthisstory。JohnsonhearditfromSavage，whohearditfromSteele。Fewprivatetransactionswhichtookplaceahundredandtwentyyearsago，areprovedbystrongerevidencethanthis。ButwecanbynomeansagreewiththosewhocondemnAddison’sseverity。Themostamiableofmankindmaywellbemovedtoindignation，whenwhathehasearnedhardly，andlentwithgreatinconveniencetohimself，forthepurposeofrelievingafriendindistress，issquanderedwithinsaneprofusion。Wewillillustrateourmeaningbyanexample，whichisnotthelessstrikingbecauseitistakenfromfiction。
Dr。Harrison，inFielding’sAmelia，isrepresentedasthemostbenevolentofhumanbeings;yethetakesinexecution，notonlythegoods，butthepersonofhisfriendBooth。Dr。HarrisonresortstothisstrongmeasurebecausehehasbeeninformedthatBooth，whilepleadingpovertyasanexcusefornotpayingjustdebtshasbeenbuyingfinejewellery，andsettingupacoach。NopersonwhoiswellacquaintedwithSteele’slifeandcorrespondencecandoubtthathebehavedquiteasilltoAddisonasBoothwasaccusedofbehavingtoDr。Harrison。Therealhistory，wehavelittledoubt，wassomethinglikethis:——AlettercomestoAddison，imploringhelpinpatheticterms，andpromisingreformationandspeedyrepayment。PoorDickdeclaresthathehasnotaninchofcandle，orabushelofcoals，orcreditwiththebutcherforashoulderofmutton。Addisonismoved。HedeterminestodenyhimselfsomemedalswhicharewantingtohisseriesofthetwelveCaesars;toputoffbuyingtheneweditionofBayle’sDictionary;andtowearhisoldswordandbucklesanotheryear。
Inthiswayhemanagestosendahundredpoundstohisfriend。
ThenextdayhecallsonSteele，andfindsscoresofgentlemenandladiesassembled。Thefiddlesareplaying。ThetableisgroaningunderChampagne，Burgundy，andpyramidsofsweetmeats。
Isitstrangethatamanwhosekindnessisthusabused，shouldsendsheriff’sofficerstoreclaimwhatisduetohim？
Tickellwasayoungman，freshfromOxford，whohadintroducedhimselftopublicnoticebywritingamostingeniousandgracefullittlepoeminpraiseoftheoperaofRosamond。Hedeserved，andatlengthattained，thefirstplaceinAddison’sfriendship。ForatimeSteeleandTickellwereongoodterms。ButtheylovedAddisontoomuchtoloveeachother，andatlengthbecameasbitterenemiesastherivalbullsinVirgil。
Atthecloseof1708WhartonbecameLord—LieutenantofIreland，andappointedAddisonChiefSecretary。AddisonwasconsequentlyunderthenecessityofquittingLondonforDublin。Besidesthechiefsecretaryship，whichwasthenworthabouttwothousandpoundsayear，heobtainedapatentappointinghimkeeperoftheIrishRecordsforlife，withasalaryofthreeorfourhundredayear。Budgellaccompaniedhiscousininthecapacityofprivatesecretary。
WhartonandAddisonhadnothingincommonbutWhiggism。TheLord—
Lieutenantwasnotonlylicentiousandcorrupt，butwasdistinguishedfromotherlibertinesandjobbersbyacallousimpudencewhichpresentedthestrongestcontrasttotheSecretary’sgentlenessanddelicacy。ManypartsoftheIrishadministrationatthistimeappeartohavedeservedseriousblame。ButagainstAddisontherewasnotamurmur。Helongafterwardsasserted，whatalltheevidencewhichwehaveeverseentendstoprove，thathisdiligenceandintegritygainedthefriendshipofallthemostconsiderablepersonsinIreland。
TheparliamentarycareerofAddisoninIrelandhas，wethink，whollyescapedthenoticeofallhisbiographers。HewaselectedmemberfortheboroughofCavaninthesummerof1709;andinthejournalsoftwosessionshisnamefrequentlyoccurs。Someoftheentriesappeartoindicatethathesofarovercamehistimidityastomakespeeches。Noristhisbyanymeansimprobable;fortheIrishHouseofCommonswasafarlessformidableaudiencethantheEnglishHouse;andmanytongueswhichweretiedbyfearinthegreaterassemblybecamefluentinthesmaller。GerardHamilton，forexample，who，fromfearoflosingthefamegainedbyhissinglespeech，satmuteatWestminsterduringfortyyears，spokewithgreateffectatDublinwhenhewasSecretarytoLordHalifax。
WhileAddisonwasinIreland，aneventoccurredtowhichheoweshishighandpermanentrankamongBritishwriters。Asyethisfamerestedonperformanceswhich，thoughhighlyrespectable，werenotbuiltforduration，andwhichwould，ifhehadproducednothingelse，havenowbeenalmostforgotten，onsomeexcellentLatinverses，onsomeEnglishverseswhichoccasionallyroseabovemediocrity，andonabookoftravels，agreeablywritten，butnotindicatinganyextraordinarypowersofmind。Theseworksshowedhimtobeamanoftaste，sense，andlearning。Thetimehadcomewhenhewastoprovehimselfamanofgenius，andtoenrichourliteraturewithcompositionswhichwillliveaslongastheEnglishlanguage。
Inthespringof1709Steeleformedaliteraryproject，ofwhichhewasfarindeedfromforeseeingtheconsequences。PeriodicalpapershadduringmanyyearsbeenpublishedinLondon。Mostofthesewerepolitical;butinsomeofthemquestionsofmorality，taste，andlovecasuistryhadbeendiscussed。Theliterarymeritoftheseworkswassmallindeed;andeventheirnamesarenowknownonlytothecurious。
SteelehadbeenappointedGazetteerbySunderland，attherequest，itissaid，ofAddison，andthushadaccesstoforeignintelligenceearlierandmoreauthenticthanwasinthosetimeswithinthereachofanordinarynews—writer。Thiscircumstanceseemstohavesuggestedtohimtheschemeofpublishingaperiodicalpaperonanewplan。ItwastoappearonthedaysonwhichthepostleftLondonforthecountry，whichwere，inthatgeneration，theTuesdays，Thursdays，andSaturdays。Itwastocontaintheforeignnews，accountsoftheatricalrepresentations，andtheliterarygossipofWill’sandoftheGrecian。Itwasalsotocontainremarksonthefashionabletopicsoftheday，complimentstobeauties，pasquinadesonnotedsharpers，andcriticismsonpopularpreachers。TheaimofSteeledoesnotappeartohavebeenatfirsthigherthanthis。Hewasnotillqualifiedtoconducttheworkwhichhehadplanned。Hispublicintelligencehedrewfromthebestsources。Heknewthetown，andhadpaiddearforhisknowledge。Hehadreadmuchmorethanthedissipatedmenofthattimewereinthehabitofreading。Hewasarakeamongscholars，andascholaramongrakes。Hisstylewaseasyandnotincorrect;and，thoughhiswitandhumourwereofnohighorder，hisgayanimalspiritsimpartedtohiscompositionsanairofvivacitywhichordinaryreaderscouldhardlydistinguishfromcomicgenius。Hiswritingshavebeenwellcomparedtothoselightwineswhich，thoughdeficientinbodyandflavour，areyetapleasantsmalldrink，ifnotkepttoolong，orcarriedtoofar。
IsaacBickerstaff，Esquire，Astrologer，wasanimaginaryperson，almostaswellknowninthatageasMr。PaulPryorMr。SamuelPickwickinours。SwifthadassumedthenameofBickerstaffinasatiricalpamphletagainstPartridge，themakerofalmanacks。
Partridgehadbeenfoolenoughtopublishafuriousreply。
Bickerstaffhadrejoinedinasecondpamphletstillmoredivertingthanthefirst。Allthewitshadcombinedtokeepupthejoke，andthetownwaslonginconvulsionsoflaughter。
Steeledeterminedtoemploythenamewhichthiscontroversyhadmadepopular;and，in1709，itwasannouncedthatIsaacBickerstaff，Esquire，Astrologer，wasabouttopublishapapercalledtheTatler。
Addisonhadnotbeenconsultedaboutthisscheme:butassoonasheheardofit，hedeterminedtogivehisassistance。TheeffectofthatassistancecannotbebetterdescribedthaninSteele’sownwords。"Ifared，"hesaid，"likeadistressedprincewhocallsinapowerfulneighbourtohisaid。Iwasundonebymyauxiliary。WhenIhadoncecalledhimin，Icouldnotsubsistwithoutdependenceonhim。""Thepaper，"hesayselsewhere，"wasadvancedindeed。ItwasraisedtoagreaterthingthanIintendedit。"
ItisprobablethatAddison，whenhesentacrossSt。George’schannelhisfirstcontributionstotheTatler，hadnonotionoftheextentandvarietyofhisownpowers。Hewasthepossessorofavastmine，richwithahundredores。Buthehadbeenacquaintedonlywiththeleastpreciouspartofhistreasures，andhadhithertocontentedhimselfwithproducingsometimescopperandsometimeslead，intermingledwithalittlesilver。Allatonce，andbymereaccident，hehadlightedonaninexhaustibleveinofthefinestgold。
Themerechoiceandarrangementofhiswordswouldhavesufficedtomakehisessaysclassical。Fornever，notevenbyDryden，notevenbyTemple，hadtheEnglishlanguagebeenwrittenwithsuchsweetness，grace，andfacility。ButthiswasthesmallestpartofAddison’spraise。HadheclothedhisthoughtsinthehalfFrenchstyleofHoraceWalpole，orinthehalfLatinstyleofDr。
Johnson，orinthehalfGermanjargonofthepresentday，hisgeniuswouldhavetriumphedoverallfaultsofmanner。Asamoralsatiristhestandsunrivalled。IfeverthebestTatlersandSpectatorswereequalledintheirownkind，weshouldbeinclinedtoguessthatitmusthavebeenbythelostcomediesofMenander。
Inwitproperlysocalled，AddisonwasnotinferiortoCowleyorButler。NosingleodeofCowleycontainssomanyhappyanalogiesasarecrowdedintothelinestoSirGodfreyKneller;andwewouldundertaketocollectfromtheSpectatorsasgreatanumberofingeniousillustrationsascanbefoundinHudibras。ThestillhigherfacultyofinventionAddisonpossessedinstilllargermeasure。Thenumerousfictions，generallyoriginal，oftenwildandgrotesque，butalwayssingularlygracefulandhappy，whicharefoundinhisessays，fullyentitlehimtotherankofagreatpoet，aranktowhichhismetricalcompositionsgivehimnoclaim。Asanobserveroflife，ofmanners，ofalltheshadesofhumancharacter，hestandsinthefirstclass。
Andwhatheobservedhehadtheartofcommunicatingintwowidelydifferentways。Hecoulddescribevirtues，vices，habits，whims，aswellasClarendon。Buthecoulddosomethingbetter。
Hecouldcallhumanbeingsintoexistence，andmakethemexhibitthemselves。IfwewishtofindanythingmorevividthanAddison’sbestportraits，wemustgoeithertoShakspeareortoCervantes。
ButwhatshallwesayofAddison’shumour，ofhissenseoftheludicrous，ofhispowerofawakeningthatsenseinothers，andofdrawingmirthfromincidentswhichoccureveryday，andfromlittlepeculiaritiesoftemperandmanner，suchasmaybefoundineveryman？Wefeelthecharm:wegiveourselvesuptoit;butwestriveinvaintoanalyseit。
PerhapsthebestwayofdescribingAddison’speculiarpleasantryistocompareitwiththepleasantryofsomeothergreatsatirists。Thethreemosteminentmastersoftheartofridicule，duringtheeighteenthcentury，were，weconceive，Addison，Swift，andVoltaire。Whichofthethreehadthegreatestpowerofmovinglaughtermaybequestioned。Buteachofthem，withinhisowndomain，wassupreme。
Voltaireistheprinceofbuffoons。Hismerrimentiswithoutdisguiseorrestraint。Hegambols;hegrins;heshakeshissides;
hepointsthefinger;heturnsupthenose;heshootsoutthetongue。ThemannerofSwiftistheveryoppositetothis。Hemoveslaughter，butneverjoinsinit。Heappearsinhisworkssuchasheappearedinsociety。Allthecompanyareconvulsedwithmerriment，whiletheDean，theauthorofallthemirth，preservesaninvinciblegravity，andevensournessofaspect，andgivesutterancetothemosteccentricandludicrousfancies，withtheairofamanreadingthecomminationservice。
ThemannerofAddisonisasremotefromthatofSwiftasfromthatofVoltaire。HeneitherlaughsoutliketheFrenchwit，nor，liketheIrishwit，throwsadoubleportionofseverityintohiscountenancewhilelaughinginwardly;butpreservesalookpeculiarlyhisown，alookofdemureserenity，disturbedonlybyanarchsparkleoftheeye，analmostimperceptibleelevationofthebrow，analmostimperceptiblecurlofthelip。HistoneisneverthateitherofaJackPuddingorofaCynic。Itisthatofagentleman，inwhomthequickestsenseoftheridiculousisconstantlytemperedbygoodnatureandgoodbreeding。
WeownthatthehumourofAddisonis，inouropinion，ofamoredeliciousflavourthanthehumourofeitherSwiftorVoltaire。
Thusmuch，atleast，iscertain，thatbothSwiftandVoltairehavebeensuccessfullymimicked，andthatnomanhasyetbeenabletomimicAddison。TheletteroftheAbbeCoyertoPansopheisVoltaireallover，andimposed，duringalongtime，ontheAcademiciansofParis。TherearepassagesinArbuthnot’ssatiricalworkswhichwe，atleast，cannotdistinguishfromSwift’sbestwriting。ButofthemanyeminentmenwhohavemadeAddisontheirmodel，thoughseveralhavecopiedhismeredictionwithhappyeffect，nonehasbeenabletocatchthetoneofhispleasantry。IntheWorld，intheConnoisseur，intheMirror，intheLounger，therearenumerousPaperswritteninobviousimitationofhisTatlersandSpectators。Mostofthosepapershavesomemerit;manyareverylivelyandamusing;butthereisnotasingleonewhichcouldbepassedoffasAddison’sonacriticofthesmallestperspicacity。
ButthatwhichchieflydistinguishesAddisonfromSwift，fromVoltaire，fromalmostalltheothergreatmastersofridicule，isthegrace，thenobleness，themoralpurity，whichwefindeveninhismerriment。Severity，graduallyhardeninganddarkeningintomisanthropy，characterisestheworksofSwift。ThenatureofVoltairewas，indeed，notinhuman;butheveneratednothing。
Neitherinthemasterpiecesofartnorinthepurestexamplesofvirtue，neitherintheGreatFirstCausenorintheawfulenigmaofthegrave，couldheseeanythingbutsubjectsfordrollery。
Themoresolemnandaugustthetheme，themoremonkey—likewashisgrimacingandchattering。ThemirthofSwiftisthemirthofMephistopheles;themirthofVoltaireisthemirthofPuck。If，as，SoameJenynsoddlyimagined，aportionofthehappinessofSeraphimandjustmenmadeperfectbederivedfromanexquisiteperceptionoftheludicrous，theirmirthmustsurelybenoneotherthanthemirthofAddison;amirthconsistentwithtendercompassionforallthatisfrail，andwithprofoundreverenceforallthatissublime。Nothinggreat，nothingamiable，nomoralduty，nodoctrineofnaturalorrevealedreligion，haseverbeenassociatedbyAddisonwithanydegradingidea。Hishumanityiswithoutaparallelinliteraryhistory。Thehighestproofofvirtueistopossessboundlesspowerwithoutabusingit。Nokindofpowerismoreformidablethanthepowerofmakingmenridiculous;andthatpowerAddisonpossessedinboundlessmeasure。HowgrosslythatpowerwasabusedbySwiftandbyVoltaireiswellknown。ButofAddisonitmaybeconfidentlyaffirmedthathehasblackenednoman’scharacter，nay，thatitwouldbedifficultifnotimpossible，tofindinallthevolumeswhichhehasleftusasingletauntwhichcanbecalledungenerousorunkind。Yethehaddetractors，whosemalignitymighthaveseemedtojustifyasterriblearevengeasthatwhichmen，notsuperiortohimingenius，wreakedonBettesworthandonFrancdePompignan。Hewasapolitician;hewasthebestwriterofhisparty;helivedintimesoffierceexcitement，intimeswhenpersonsofhighcharacterandstationstoopedtoscurrilitysuchasisnowpractisedonlybythebasestofmankind。Yetnoprovocationandnoexamplecouldinducehimtoreturnrailingforrailing。
OntheservicewhichhisEssaysrenderedtomoralityitisdifficulttospeaktoohighly。Itistruethat，whentheTatlerappeared，thatageofoutrageousprofanenessandlicentiousnesswhichfollowedtheRestorationhadpassedaway。JeremyCollierhadshamedthetheatresintosomethingwhich，comparedwiththeexcessesofEtheregeandWycherley，mightbecalleddecency。Yettherestilllingeredinthepublicmindaperniciousnotionthattherewassomeconnectionbetweengeniusandprofligacy，betweenthedomesticvirtuesandthesullenformalityofthePuritans。
ThaterroritisthegloryofAddisontohavedispelled。HetaughtthenationthatthefaithandthemoralityofHaleandTillotsonmightbefoundincompanywithwitmoresparklingthanthewitofCongreve，andwithhumourricherthanthehumourofVanbrugh。Soeffectuallyindeed，didheretortonvicethemockerywhichhadrecentlybeendirectedagainstvirtue，that，sincehistime，theopenviolationofdecencyhasalwaysbeenconsideredamongusasthemarkofafool。Andthisrevolution，thegreatestandmostsalutaryevereffectedbyanysatirist，heaccomplished，beitremembered，withoutwritingonepersonallampoon。
IntheearliercontributionsofAddisontotheTatlerhispeculiarpowerswerenotfullyexhibited。Yetfromthefirst，hissuperioritytoallhiscoadjutorswasevident。SomeofhislaterTatlersarefullyequaltoanythingthatheeverwrote。Amongtheportraitswemostadmire"TomFolio，""NedSoftly，"andthe"PoliticalUpholsterer。""TheProceedingsoftheCourtofHonour，"the"ThermometerofZeal，"thestoryofthe"FrozenWords，"the"MemoirsoftheShilling，"areexcellentspecimensofthatingeniousandlivelyspeciesoffictioninwhichAddisonexcelledallmen。Thereisonestillbetterpaperofthesameclass。Butthoughthatpaper，ahundredandthirty—threeyearsago，wasprobablythoughtasedifyingasoneofSmalridge’ssermons，wedarenotindicateittothesqueamishreadersofthenineteenthcentury。
DuringthesessionofParliamentwhichcommencedinNovember1709，andwhichtheimpeachmentofSacheverellhasmadememorable，AddisonappearstohaveresidedinLondon，TheTatlerwasnowmorepopularthananyperiodicalpaperhadeverbeen;andhisconnectionwithitwasgenerallyknown。Itwasnotknown，however，thatalmosteverythinggoodintheTatlerwashis。Thetruthis，thatthefiftyorsixtynumberswhichweowetohimwerenotmerelythebest，butsodecidedlythebestthatanyfiveofthemaremorevaluablethanallthetwohundrednumbersinwhichhehadnoshare。
Herequired，atthistime，allthesolacewhichhecouldderivefromliterarysuccess。TheQueenhadalwaysdislikedtheWhigs。
ShehadduringsomeyearsdislikedtheMarlboroughfamily。But，reigningbyadisputedtitle，shecouldnotventuredirectlytoopposeherselftoamajorityofbothHousesofParliament;
and，engagedasshewasinawarontheeventofwhichherownCrownwasstaked，shecouldnotventuretodisgraceagreatandsuccessfulgeneral。Butatlength，intheyear1710，thecauseswhichhadrestrainedherfromshowingheraversiontotheLowChurchpartyceasedtooperate。ThetrialofSacheverellproducedanoutbreakofpublicfeelingscarcelylessviolentthantheoutbreakswhichwecanourselvesrememberin1820and1831。Thecountrygentlemen，thecountryclergymen，therabbleofthetowns，wereall，foronce，onthesameside。Itwasclearthat，ifageneralelectiontookplacebeforetheexcitementabated，theTorieswouldhaveamajority。TheservicesofMarlboroughhadbeensosplendidthattheywerenolongernecessary。TheQueen’sthronewassecurefromallattackonthepartofLewis。Indeed，itseemedmuchmorelikelythattheEnglishandGermanarmieswoulddividethespoilsofVersaillesandMarlithanthataMarshalofFrancewouldbringbackthePretendertoSt。James’s。TheQueen，actingbytheadviceofHarley，determinedtodismissherservants。InJunethechangecommenced。Sunderlandwasthefirstwhofell。TheToriesexultedoverhisfall。TheWhigstried，duringafewweeks，topersuadethemselvesthatherMajestyhadactedonlyfrompersonaldisliketotheSecretary，andthatshemeditatednofurtheralteration。
But，earlyinAugust，GodolphinwassurprisedbyaletterfromAnne，whichdirectedhimtobreakhiswhitestaff。Evenafterthisevent，theirresolutionordissimulationofHarleykeptupthehopesoftheWhigsduringanothermonth;andthentheruinbecamerapidandviolent。TheParliamentwasdissolved。TheMinisterswereturnedout。TheTorieswerecalledtooffice。ThetideofpopularityranviolentlyinfavouroftheHighChurchparty。Thatparty，feebleinthelateHouseofCommons，wasnowirresistible。ThepowerwhichtheTorieshadthussuddenlyacquired，theyusedwithblindandstupidferocity。Thehowlwhichthewholepacksetupforpreyandforbloodappalledevenhimwhohadrousedandunchainedthem。When，atthisdistanceoftime，wecalmlyreviewtheconductofthediscardedMinisters，wecannotbutfeelamovementofindignationattheinjusticewithwhichtheyweretreated。NobodyofmenhadeveradministeredtheGovernmentwithmoreenergy，ability，andmoderation;andtheirsuccesshadbeenproportionedtotheirwisdom。TheyhadsavedHollandandGermany。TheyhadhumbledFrance。Theyhad，asitseemed，allbuttornSpainfromtheHouseofBourbon。TheyhadmadeEnglandthefirstpowerinEurope。AthometheyhadunitedEnglandandScotland。Theyhadrespectedtherightsofconscienceandthelibertyofthesubject。Theyretired，leavingtheircountryattheheightofprosperityandglory。AndyettheywerepursuedtotheirretreatbysucharoarofobloquyaswasneverraisedagainsttheGovernmentwhichthrewawaythirteencolonies，oragainsttheGovernmentwhichsentagallantarmytoperishintheditchesofWalcheren。
NoneoftheWhigssufferedmoreinthegeneralwreckthanAddison。Hehadjustsustainedsomeheavypecuniarylosses，ofthenatureofwhichweareimperfectlyinformed，whentheSecretaryshipwastakenfromhim。HehadreasontobelievethatheshouldalsobedeprivedofthesmallIrishofficewhichheheldbypatent。HehadjustresignedhisFellowship。Itseemsprobablethathehadalreadyventuredtoraisehiseyestoagreatlady，andthat，whilehispoliticalfriendswereinpower，andwhilehisownfortuneswererising，hehadbeen，inthephraseoftheromanceswhichwerethenfashionable，permittedtohope。ButMr。Addisontheingeniouswriter，andMr。AddisontheChiefSecretary，were，inherladyship’sopinion，twoverydifferentpersons。Allthesecalamitiesunited，however，couldnotdisturbtheserenecheerfulnessofamindconsciousofinnocence，andrichinitsownwealth。Hetoldhisfriends，withsmilingresignation，thattheyoughttoadmirehisphilosophy，thathehadlostatoncehisfortune，hisplace，hisFellowship，andhismistress，thathemustthinkofturningtutoragain，andyetthathisspiritswereasgoodasever。
Hehadoneconsolation。Oftheunpopularitywhichhisfriendshadincurred，hehadnoshare。Suchwastheesteemwithwhichhewasregardedthat，whilethemostviolentmeasuresweretakenforthepurposeofforcingTorymembersonWhigcorporations，hewasreturnedtoParliamentwithoutevenacontest。Swift，whowasnowinLondon，andwhohadalreadydeterminedonquittingtheWhigs，wrotetoStellaintheseremarkablewords。"TheToriescarryitamongthenewmemberssixtoone。Mr。Addison’selectionhaspassedeasyandundisputed;andIbelieveifhehadamindtobekinghewouldhardlyberefused。"
ThegoodwillwithwhichtheToriesregardedAddisonisthemorehonourabletohim，becauseithadnotbeenpurchasedbyanyconcessiononhispart。Duringthegeneralelectionhepublishedapoliticaljournal，entitledtheWhigExaminer。OfthatjournalitmaybesufficienttosaythatJohnson，inspiteofhisstrongpoliticalprejudices，pronouncedittobesuperiorinwittoanyofSwift’swritingsontheotherside。Whenitceasedtoappear，Swift，inalettertoStella，expressedhisexultationatthedeathofsoformidableanantagonist。"Hemightwellrejoice，"
saysJohnson，"atthedeathofthatwhichhecouldnothavekilled。""Onnooccasion，"headds，"wasthegeniusofAddisonmorevigorouslyexerted，andonnonedidthesuperiorityofhispowersmoreevidentlyappear。"
TheonlyusewhichAddisonappearstohavemadeofthefavourwithwhichhewasregardedbytheTorieswastosavesomeofhisfriendsfromthegeneralruinoftheWhigparty。Hefelthimselftobeinasituationwhichmadeithisdutytotakeadecidedpartinpolitics。ButthecaseofSteeleandofAmbrosePhillipswasdifferent。ForPhillips，Addisonevencondescendedtosolicit，withwhatsuccesswehavenotascertained。Steeleheldtwoplaces。HewasGazetteer，andhewasalsoaCommissionerofStamps。TheGazettewastakenfromhim。ButhewassufferedtoretainhisplaceintheStampOffice，onanimpliedunderstandingthatheshouldnotbeactiveagainstthenewGovernment;andhewas，duringmorethantwoyears，inducedbyAddisontoobservethisarmisticewithtolerablefidelity。
IsaacBickerstaffaccordinglybecamesilentonpolitics，andthearticleofnewswhichhadonceformedaboutone—thirdofhispaper，altogetherdisappeared。TheTatlerhadcompletelychangeditscharacter。Itwasnownothingbutaseriesofessaysonbooks，morals，andmanners。Steelethereforeresolvedtobringittoaclose，andtocommenceanewworkonanimprovedplan。Itwasannouncedthatthisnewworkwouldbepublisheddaily。Theundertakingwasgenerallyregardedasbold，orratherrash;buttheeventamplyjustified，theconfidencewithwhichSteelereliedonthefertilityofAddison’sgenius。OnthesecondofJanuary1711，appearedthelastTatler。AtthebeginningofMarchfollowingappearedthefirstofanincomparableseriesofpaperscontainingobservationsonlifeandliteraturebyanimaginarySpectator。
TheSpectatorhimselfwasconceivedanddrawnbyAddison;anditisnoteasytodoubtthattheportraitwasmeanttobeinsomefeaturesalikenessofthepainter。TheSpectatorisagentlemanwho，afterpassingastudiousyouthattheuniversity，hastravelledonclassicground，andhasbestowedmuchattentiononcuriouspointsofantiquity。Hehas，onhisreturn，fixedhisresidenceinLondon，andhasobservedalltheformsoflifewhicharetobefoundinthatgreatcity，hasdailylistenedtothewitsofWill’s，hassmokedwiththephilosophersoftheGrecian，andhasmingledwiththeparsonsatChild’s，andwiththepoliticiansattheSt。James’s。Inthemorning，heoftenlistenstothehumoftheExchange;intheevening，hisfaceisconstantlytobeseeninthepitofDruryLaneTheatre。Butaninsurmountablebashfulnesspreventshimfromopeninghismouth，exceptinasmallcircleofintimatefriends。
ThesefriendswerefirstsketchedbySteele。Fouroftheclub，thetemplar，theclergyman，thesoldier，andthemerchant，wereuninterestingfigures，fitonlyforabackground。Buttheothertwo，anoldcountrybaronetandanoldtownrake，thoughnotdelineatedwithaverydelicatepencil，hadsomegoodstrokes。
Addisontooktherudeoutlinesintohisownhands，retouchedthem，colouredthem，andisintruththecreatoroftheSirRogerdeCoverleyandtheWillHoneycombwithwhomweareallfamiliar。
TheplanoftheSpectatormustbeallowedtobebothoriginalandeminentlyhappy。Everyvaluableessayintheseriesmaybereadwithpleasureseparately;yetthefiveorsixhundredessaysformawhole，andawholewhichhastheinterestofanovel。Itmustberemembered，too，thatatthattimenonovel，givingalivelyandpowerfulpictureofthecommonlifeandmannersofEngland，hadappeared。Richardsonwasworkingasacompositor。Fieldingwasrobbingbirds’nests。Smollettwasnotyetborn。Thenarrative，therefore，whichconnectstogethertheSpectator’sEssays，gavetoourancestorstheirfirsttasteofanexquisiteanduntriedpleasure。Thatnarrativewasindeedconstructedwithnoartorlabour。Theeventsweresucheventsasoccureveryday。
SirRogercomesuptotowntoseeEugenio，astheworthybaronetalwayscalledPrinceEugene，goeswiththeSpectatoronthewatertoSpringGardens，walksamongthetombsintheAbbey，andisfrightenedbytheMohawks，butconquershisapprehensionsofarastogotothetheatrewhentheDistressedMotherisacted。TheSpectatorpaysavisitinthesummertoCoverleyHall，ischarmedwiththeoldhouse，theoldbutler，andtheoldchaplain，eatsajackcaughtbyWillWimble，ridestotheassizes，andhearsapointoflawdiscussedbyTomTouchy。AtlastaletterfromthehonestbutlerbringstotheclubthenewsthatSirRogerisdead。
WillHoneycombmarriesandreformsatsixty。Theclubbreaksup;
andtheSpectatorresignshisfunctions。Sucheventscanhardlybesaidtoformaplot;yettheyarerelatedwithsuchtruth，suchgrace，suchwit，suchhumour，suchpathos，suchknowledgeofthehumanheart，suchknowledgeofthewaysoftheworld，thattheycharmusonthehundredthperusal。WehavenottheleastdoubtthatifAddisonhadwrittenanovelonanextensiveplan，itwouldhavebeensuperiortoanythatwepossess。Asitis，heisentitledtobeconsidered，notonlyasthegreatestoftheEnglishessayists，butastheforerunnerofthegreatestEnglishnovelists。
WesaythisofAddisonalone;forAddisonistheSpectator。Aboutthree—seventhsoftheworkarehis;anditisnoexaggerationtosay，thathisworstessayisasgoodasthebestessayofhiscoadjutors。Hisbestessaysapproachneartoabsoluteperfection;
noristheirexcellencemorewonderfulthantheirvariety。Hisinventionneverseemstoflag;norisheeverunderthenecessityofrepeatinghimself，orofwearingoutasubject。Therearenodregsinhiswine。Heregalesusafterthefashionofthatprodigalnabobwhoheldthattherewasonlyonegoodglassinabottle。Assoonaswehavetastedthefirstsparklingfoamofajest，itiswithdrawn，andafreshdraughtofnectarisatourlips。OntheMondaywehaveanallegoryaslivelyandingeniousasLucian’sAuctionofLives;ontheTuesdayanEasternapologue，asrichlycolouredastheTalesofScherezade;ontheWednesday，acharacterdescribedwiththeskillofLaBruyere;ontheThursday，ascenefromcommonlife，equaltothebestchaptersintheVicarofWakefield;ontheFriday，someslyHoratianpleasantryonfashionablefollies，onhoops，patches，orpuppetshows;andontheSaturdayareligiousmeditation，whichwillbearacomparisonwiththefinestpassagesinMassillon。
Itisdangeroustoselectwherethereissomuchthatdeservesthehighestpraise。Wewillventure，however，tosay，thatanypersonwhowishestoformajustnotionoftheextentandvarietyofAddison’spowers，willdowelltoreadatonesittingthefollowingpapers，thetwo"VisitstotheAbbey，"the"VisittotheExchange，"the"JournaloftheRetiredCitizen，"the"VisionofMirza，"the"TransmigrationsofPugtheMonkey，"andthe"DeathofSirRogerdeCoverley。"[Nos。26，329，69，317，159，343，517。
Thesepapersareallinthefirstsevenvolumes。Theeighthmustbeconsideredasaseparatework。]
TheleastvaluableofAddison’scontributionstotheSpectatorare，inthejudgmentofourage，hiscriticalpapers。Yethiscriticalpapersarealwaysluminous，andofteningenious。Theveryworstofthemmustberegardedascreditabletohim，whenthecharacteroftheschoolinwhichhehadbeentrainedisfairlyconsidered。Thebestofthemweremuchtoogoodforhisreaders。Intruth，hewasnotsofarbehindourgenerationashewasbeforehisown。NoessaysintheSpectatorweremorecensuredandderidedthanthoseinwhichheraisedhisvoiceagainstthecontemptwithwhichourfineoldballadswereregarded，andshowedthescoffersthatthesamegoldwhich，burnishedandpolished，giveslustretotheAeneidandtheOdesofHorace，ismingledwiththerudedrossofChevyChace。
ItisnotstrangethatthesuccessoftheSpectatorshouldhavebeensuchasnosimilarworkhaseverobtained。Thenumberofcopiesdailydistributedwasatfirstthreethousand。Itsubsequentlyincreased，andhadrisentonearfourthousandwhenthestamptaxwasimposed。Thetaxwasfataltoacrowdofjournals。TheSpectator，however，stooditsground，doubleditsprice，and，thoughitscirculationfelloff，stillyieldedalargerevenuebothtotheStateandtotheauthors。Forparticularpapers，thedemandwasimmense;ofsome，itissaid，twentythousandcopieswererequired。Butthiswasnotall。TohavetheSpectatorservedupeverymorningwiththeboheaandrollswasaluxuryforthefew。Themajoritywerecontenttowaittillessaysenoughhadappearedtoformavolume。Tenthousandcopiesofeachvolumewereimmediatelytakenoff，andneweditionswerecalledfor。Itmustberemembered，thatthepopulationofEnglandwasthenhardlyathirdofwhatitnowis。