ThenumberofEnglishmenwhowereinthehabitofreading，wasprobablynotasixthofwhatitnowis。Ashopkeeperorafarmerwhofoundanypleasureinliterature，wasararity。
Nay，therewasdoubtlessmorethanoneknightoftheshirewhosecountryseatdidnotcontaintenbooks，receiptbooksandbooksonfarrieryincluded。Inthesecircumstances，thesaleoftheSpectatormustbeconsideredasindicatingapopularityquiteasgreatasthatofthemostsuccessfulworksofSirWalterScottandMr。Dickensinourowntime。
Atthecloseof1712theSpectatorceasedtoappear。Itwasprobablyfeltthattheshort—facedgentlemanandhisclubhadbeenlongenoughbeforethetown;andthatitwastimetowithdrawthem，andtoreplacethembyanewsetofcharacters。InafewweeksthefirstnumberoftheGuardianwaspublished。ButtheGuardianwasunfortunatebothinitsbirthandinitsdeath。
Itbeganindulness，anddisappearedinatempestoffaction。Theoriginalplanwasbad。Addisoncontributednothingtillsixty—sixnumbershadappeared;anditwasthenimpossibletomaketheGuardianwhattheSpectatorhadbeen。NestorIronsideandtheMissLizardswerepeopletowhomevenhecouldimpartnointerest。Hecouldonlyfurnishsomeexcellentlittleessays，bothseriousandcomic;andthishedid。
WhyAddisongavenoassistancetotheGuardian，duringthefirsttwomonthsofitsexistenceisaquestionwhichhaspuzzledtheeditorsandbiographers，butwhichseemstoustoadmitofaveryeasysolution。HewasthenengagedinbringinghisCatoonthestage。
ThefirstfouractsofthisdramahadbeenlyinginhisdesksincehisreturnfromItaly。Hismodestandsensitivenatureshrankfromtheriskofapublicandshamefulfailure;and，thoughallwhosawthemanuscriptwereloudinpraise，somethoughtitpossiblethatanaudiencemightbecomeimpatientevenofverygoodrhetoric，andadvisedAddisontoprinttheplaywithouthazardingarepresentation。Atlength，aftermanyfitsofapprehension，thepoetyieldedtotheurgencyofhispoliticalfriends，whohopedthatthepublicwoulddiscoversomeanalogybetweenthefollowersofCaesarandtheTories，betweenSemproniusandtheapostateWhigs，betweenCato，strugglingtothelastforthelibertiesofRome，andthebandofpatriotswhostillstoodfirmaroundHalifaxandWharton。
AddisongavetheplaytothemanagersofDruryLaneTheatre，withoutstipulatingforanyadvantagetohimself。They，therefore，thoughtthemselvesboundtosparenocostinsceneryanddresses。Thedecorations，itistrue，wouldnothavepleasedtheskilfuleyeofMr。Macready。Juba’swaistcoatblazedwithgoldlace;Marcia’shoopwasworthyofaDuchessonthebirthday;
andCatoworeawigworthfiftyguineas。TheprologuewaswrittenbyPope，andisundoubtedlyadignifiedandspiritedcomposition。
ThepartoftheherowasexcellentlyplayedbyBooth。Steeleundertooktopackahouse。TheboxeswereinablazewiththestarsofthePeersinOpposition。ThepitwascrowdedwithattentiveandfriendlylistenersfromtheInnsofCourtandtheliterarycoffee—houses。SirGilbertHeathcote，GovernoroftheBankofEngland，wasattheheadofapowerfulbodyofauxiliariesfromthecity，warmmenandtrueWhigs，butbetterknownatJonathan’sandGarraway’sthaninthehauntsofwitsandcritics。
Theseprecautionswerequitesuperfluous。TheTories，asabody，regardedAddisonwithnounkindfeelings。Norwasitfortheirinterest，professing，astheydid，profoundreverenceforlawandprescription，andabhorrencebothofpopularinsurrectionsandofstandingarmies，toappropriatetothemselvesreflectionsthrownonthegreatmilitarychiefanddemagogue，who，withthesupportofthelegionsandofthecommonpeople，subvertedalltheancientinstitutionsofhiscountry。Accordingly，everyshoutthatwasraisedbythemembersoftheKitCatwasechoedbytheHighChurchmenoftheOctober;andthecurtainatlengthfellamidstthundersofunanimousapplause。
ThedelightandadmirationofthetownweredescribedbytheGuardianintermswhichwemightattributetopartiality，wereitnotthattheExaminer，theorganoftheMinistry，heldsimilarlanguage。TheTories，indeed，foundmuchtosneeratintheconductoftheiropponents。Steelehadonthis，asonotheroccasions，shownmorezealthantasteorjudgment。ThehonestcitizenswhomarchedundertheordersofSirGibby，ashewasfacetiouslycalled，probablyknewbetterwhentobuyandwhentosellstockthanwhentoclapandwhentohissataplay，andincurredsomeridiculebymakingthehypocriticalSemproniustheirfavourite，andbygivingtohisinsincererantslouderplauditsthantheybestowedonthetemperateeloquenceofCato。
Wharton，too，whohadtheincredibleeffronterytoapplaudthelinesaboutflyingfromprosperousviceandfromthepowerofimpiousmentoaprivatestation，didnotescapethesarcasmsofthosewhojustlythoughtthathecouldflyfromnothingmoreviciousorimpiousthanhimself。Theepilogue，whichwaswrittenbyGarth，azealousWhig，wasseverelyandnotunreasonablycensuredasignobleandoutofplace。ButAddisonwasdescribed，evenbythebitterestTorywriters，asagentlemanofwitandvirtue，inwhosefriendshipmanypersonsofbothpartieswerehappy，andwhosenameoughtnottobemixedupwithfactioussquabbles。
OfthejestsbywhichthetriumphoftheWhigpartywasdisturbed，themostsevereandhappywasBolingbroke’s。Betweentwoacts，hesentforBoothtohisbox，andpresentedhim，beforethewholetheatre，withapurseoffiftyguineasfordefendingthecauseoflibertysowellagainsttheperpetualDictator。ThiswasapungentallusiontotheattemptwhichMarlboroughhadmade，notlongbeforehisfall，toobtainapatent，creatinghimCaptain—Generalforlife。
ItwasApril;andinApril，ahundredandthirtyyearsago，theLondonseasonwasthoughttobefaradvanced。Duringawholemonth，however，Catowasperformedtooverflowinghouses，andbroughtintothetreasuryofthetheatretwicethegainsofanordinaryspring。InthesummertheDruryLaneCompanywentdowntotheActatOxford，andthere，beforeanaudiencewhichretainedanaffectionateremembranceofAddison’saccomplishmentsandvirtues，histragedywasactedduringseveraldays。Thegownsmenbegantobesiegethetheatreintheforenoon，andbyoneintheafternoonalltheseatswerefilled。
Aboutthemeritsofthepiecewhichhadsoextraordinaryaneffect，thepublic，wesuppose，hasmadeupitsmind。TocompareitwiththemasterpiecesoftheAtticstage，withthegreatEnglishdramasofthetimeofElizabeth，orevenwiththeproductionsofSchiller’smanhood，wouldbeabsurdindeed。Yetitcontainsexcellentdialogueanddeclamation，andamongplaysfashionedontheFrenchmodel，mustbeallowedtorankhigh;notindeedwithAthalie，orSaul;but，wethinknotbelowCinna，andcertainlyaboveanyotherEnglishtragedyofthesameschool，abovemanyoftheplaysofCorneille，abovemanyoftheplaysofVoltaireandAlfieri，andabovesomeplaysofRacine。Bethisasitmay，wehavelittledoubtthatCatodidasmuchastheTatlers，Spectators，andFreeholdersunited，toraiseAddison’sfameamonghiscontemporaries。
Themodestyandgoodnatureofthesuccessfuldramatisthadtamedeventhemalignityoffaction。Butliteraryenvy，itshouldseem，isafiercerpassionthanpartyspirit。ItwasbyazealousWhigthatthefiercestattackontheWhigtragedywasmade。JohnDennispublishedRemarksonCato，whichwerewrittenwithsomeacutenessandwithmuchcoarsenessandasperity。Addisonneitherdefendedhimselfnorretaliated。Onmanypointshehadanexcellentdefence;and，nothingwouldhavebeeneasierthantoretaliate;forDennishadwrittenbadodes，badtragedies，badcomedies:hehad，moreover，alargersharethanmostmenofthoseinfirmitiesandeccentricitieswhichexcitelaughter;andAddison’spowerofturningeitheranabsurdbookoranabsurdmanintoridiculewasunrivalled。Addison，however，serenelyconsciousofhissuperiority，lookedwithpityonhisassailant，whosetemper，naturallyirritableandgloomy，hadbeensouredbywant，bycontroversy，andbyliteraryfailures。
ButamongtheyoungcandidatesforAddison’sfavourtherewasonedistinguishedbytalentsfromtherest，anddistinguished，wefear，notlessbymalignityandinsincerity。Popewasonlytwenty—five。Buthispowershadexpandedtotheirfullmaturity;
andhisbestpoem，theRapeoftheLock，hadrecentlybeenpublished。Ofhisgenius，Addisonhadalwaysexpressedhighadmiration。ButAddisonhadearlydiscerned，whatmightindeedhavebeendiscernedbyaneyelesspenetratingthanhis，thatthediminutive，crooked，sicklyboywaseagertorevengehimselfonsocietyfortheunkindnessofnature。IntheSpectator，theEssayonCriticismhadbeenpraisedwithcordialwarmth;butagentlehinthadbeenadded，thatthewriterofsoexcellentapoemwouldhavedonewelltoavoidill—naturedpersonalities。Pope，thoughevidentlymoregalledbythecensurethangratifiedbythepraise，returnedthanksfortheadmonition，andpromisedtoprofitbyit。Thetwowriterscontinuedtoexchangecivilities，counsel，andsmallgoodoffices。AddisonpubliclyextolledPope’smiscellaneouspieces;andPopefurnishedAddisonwithaprologue。
Thisdidnotlastlong。PopehatedDennis，whomhehadinjuredwithoutprovocation。TheappearanceoftheRemarksonCatogavetheirritablepoetanopportunityofventinghismaliceundertheshowoffriendship;andsuchanopportunitycouldnotbutbewelcometoanaturewhichwasimplacableinenmity，andwhichalwayspreferredthetortuoustothestraightpath。Hepublished，accordingly，theNarrativeoftheFrenzyofJohnDennis。ButPopehadmistakenhispowers。Hewasagreatmasterofinvectiveandsarcasm:hecoulddissectacharacterinterseandsonorouscouplets，brilliantwithantithesis:butofdramatictalenthewasaltogetherdestitute。IfhehadwrittenalampoononDennis，suchasthatonAtticus，orthatonSporus，theoldgrumblerwouldhavebeencrushed。ButPopewritingdialogueresembled——toborrowHorace’simageryandhisown——awolf，which，insteadofbiting，shouldtaketokicking，oramonkeywhichshouldtrytosting。TheNarrativeisutterlycontemptible。Ofargumentthereisnoteventheshow;andthejestsaresuchas，iftheywereintroducedintoafarce，wouldcallforththehissesoftheshillinggallery。Dennisravesaboutthedrama;andthenursethinksthatheiscallingforadram。"Thereis，"hecries，"noperipetiainthetragedy，nochangeoffortune，nochangeatall。""Pray，goodsir，benotangry，"saystheoldwoman;"I’llfetchchange。"ThisisnotexactlythepleasantryofAddison。
TherecanbenodoubtthatAddisonsawthroughthisofficiouszeal，andfelthimselfdeeplyaggrievedbyit。Sofoolishandspitefulapamphletcoulddohimnogood，and，ifhewerethoughttohaveanyhandinit，mustdohimharm。Giftedwithincomparablepowersofridicule，hehadnevereveninself—defence，usedthosepowersinhumanlyoruncourteously;andhewasnotdisposedtoletothersmakehisfameandhisinterestsapretextunderwhichtheymightcommitoutragesfromwhichhehadhimselfconstantlyabstained。HeaccordinglydeclaredthathehadnoconcernintheNarrative，thathedisapprovedofit，andthatifheansweredtheRemarks，hecouldanswerthemlikeagentleman;andhetookcaretocommunicatethistoDennis。Popewasbitterlymortified;andtothistransactionweareinclinedtoascribethehatredwithwhichheeverafterregardedAddison。
InSeptember1713theGuardianceasedtoappear。Steelehadgonemadaboutpolitics。Ageneralelectionhadjusttakenplace:hehadbeenchosenmemberforStockbridge;andhefullyexpectedtoplayafirstpartinParliament。TheimmensesuccessoftheTatlerandSpectatorhadturnedhishead。Hehadbeentheeditorofboththosepapersandwasnotawarehowentirelytheyowedtheirinfluenceandpopularitytothegeniusofhisfriend。Hisspirits，alwaysviolent，werenowexcitedbyvanity，ambition，andfaction，tosuchapitchthatheeverydaycommittedsomeoffenceagainstgoodsenseandgoodtaste。Allthediscreetandmoderatemembersofhisownpartyregrettedandcondemnedhisfolly。"Iaminathousandtroubles，"Addisonwrote，"aboutpoorDick，andwishthathiszealforthepublicmaynotberuinoustohimself。Buthehassentmewordthatheisdeterminedtogoon，andthatanyadviceImaygivehiminthisparticularwillhavenoweightwithhim。"
SteelesetupapoliticalpapercalledtheEnglishman，which，asitwasnotsupportedbycontributionsfromAddison，completelyfailed。Bythiswork，bysomeotherwritingsofthesamekind，andbytheairswhichhegavehimselfatthefirstmeetingofthenewParliament，hemadetheToriessoangrythattheydeterminedtoexpelhim。TheWhigsstoodbyhimgallantly，butwereunabletosavehim。Thevoteofexpulsionwasregardedbyalldispassionatemenasatyrannicalexerciseofthepowerofthemajority。ButSteele’sviolenceandfolly，thoughtheybynomeansjustifiedthestepswhichhisenemiestook，hadcompletelydisgustedhisfriends;nordidheeverregaintheplacewhichhehadheldinthepublicestimation。
AddisonaboutthistimeconceivedthedesignofaddinganeighthvolumetotheSpectatorInJune1714thefirstnumberofthenewseriesappeared，andduringaboutsixmonthsthreepaperswerepublishedweekly。NothingcanbemorestrikingthanthecontrastbetweentheEnglishmanandtheeighthvolumeoftheSpectator，betweenSteelewithoutAddisonandAddisonwithoutSteele。TheEnglishmanisforgotten;theeighthvolumeoftheSpectatorcontains，thefinestessays，bothseriousandplayful，inthelanguage。
Beforethisvolumewascompleted，thedeathofAnneproducedanentirechangeintheadministrationofpublicaffairs。Theblowfellsuddenly。ItfoundtheTorypartydistractedbyinternalfeuds，andunpreparedforanygreateffort。Harleyhadjustbeendisgraced。Bolingbroke，itwassupposed，wouldbethechiefMinister。ButtheQueenwasonherdeathbedbeforethewhitestaffhadbeengiven，andherlastpublicactwastodeliveritwithafeeblehandtotheDukeofShrewsbury。TheemergencyproducedacoalitionbetweenallsectionsofpublicmenwhowereattachedtotheProtestantsuccession。GeorgetheFirstwasproclaimedwithoutopposition。ACouncil，inwhichtheleadingWhigshadseats，tookthedirectionofaffairstillthenewKingshouldarrive。ThefirstactoftheLordsjusticeswastoappointAddisontheirsecretary。
ThereisanidletraditionthathewasdirectedtopreparealettertotheKing，thathecouldnotsatisfyhimselfastothestyleofthiscomposition，andthattheLordsJusticescalledinaclerk，whoatoncedidwhatwaswanted。Itisnotstrangethatastorysoflatteringtomediocrityshouldbepopular;andwearesorrytodepriveduncesoftheirconsolation。Butthetruthmustbetold。ItwaswellobservedbySirJamesMackintosh，whoseknowledgeofthesetimeswasunequalled，thatAddisonnever，inanyofficialdocument，affectedwitoreloquence，andthathisdespatchesare，withoutexception，remarkableforunpretendingsimplicity。EverybodywhoknowswithwhateaseAddison’sfinestessayswereproducedmustbeconvincedthat，ifwell—turnedphraseshadbeenwanted，hewouldhavehadnodifficultyinfindingthem。Weare，however，inclinedtobelieve，thatthestoryisnotabsolutelywithoutafoundation。ItmaywellbethatAddisondidnotknow，tillhehadconsultedexperiencedclerkswhorememberedthetimeswhenWilliamtheThirdwasabsentontheContinent，inwhatformaletterfromtheCouncilofRegencytotheKingoughttobedrawn。Wethinkitverylikelythattheableststatesmenofourtime，LordJohnRussell，SirRobertPeel，LordPalmerston，forexample，would，insimilarcircumstances，befoundquiteasignorant。Everyofficehassomelittlemysterieswhichthedullestmanmaylearnwithalittleattention，andwhichthegreatestmancannotpossiblyknowbyintuition。Onepapermustbesignedbythechiefofthedepartment;anotherbyhisdeputy:toathirdtheroyalsign—manualisnecessary。Onecommunicationistoberegistered，andanotherisnot。Onesentencemustbeinblackink，andanotherinredink。IftheablestSecretaryforIrelandweremovedtotheIndiaBoard，iftheablestPresidentoftheIndiaBoardweremovedtotheWarOffice，hewouldrequireinstructiononpointslikethese;andwedonotdoubtthatAddisonrequiredsuchinstructionwhenhebecame，forthefirsttime，SecretarytotheLordsJustices。
GeorgetheFirsttookpossessionofhiskingdomwithoutopposition。AnewMinistrywasformed，andanewParliamentfavourabletotheWhigschosen。SunderlandwasappointedLord—
LieutenantofIreland;andAddisonagainwenttoDublinasChiefSecretary。
AtDublinSwiftresided;andtherewasmuchspeculationaboutthewayinwhichtheDeanandtheSecretarywouldbehavetowardseachother。Therelationswhichexistedbetweentheseremarkablemenformaninterestingandpleasingportionofliteraryhistory。
Theyhadearlyattachedthemselvestothesamepoliticalpartyandtothesamepatrons。WhileAnne’sWhigMinistrywasinpower，thevisitsofSwifttoLondonandtheofficialresidenceofAddisoninIrelandhadgiventhemopportunitiesofknowingeachother。Theywerethetwoshrewdestobserversoftheirage。Buttheirobservationsoneachotherhadledthemtofavourableconclusions。SwiftdidfulljusticetotherarepowersofconversationwhichwerelatentunderthebashfuldeportmentofAddison。Addison，ontheotherhand，discernedmuchgood—natureundertheseverelookandmannerofSwift;and，indeed，theSwiftof1708andtheSwiftof1738weretwoverydifferentmen。
Butthepathsofthetwofriendsdivergedwidely。TheWhigstatesmenloadedAddisonwithsolidbenefits。TheypraisedSwift，askedhimtodinner，anddidnothingmoreforhim。Hisprofessionlaidthemunderadifficulty。IntheStatetheycouldnotpromotehim;andtheyhadreasontofearthat，bybestowingprefermentintheChurchontheauthoroftheTaleofaTub，theymightgivescandaltothepublic，whichhadnohighopinionoftheirorthodoxy。HedidnotmakefairallowanceforthedifficultieswhichpreventedHalifaxandSomersfromservinghim，thoughthimselfanill—usedman，sacrificedhonourandconsistencytorevenge，joinedtheTories，andbecametheirmostformidablechampion。Hesoonfound，however，thathisoldfriendswerelesstoblamethanhehadsupposed。ThedislikewithwhichtheQueenandtheheadsoftheChurchregardedhimwasinsurmountable;anditwaswiththegreatestdifficultythatheobtainedanecclesiasticaldignityofnogreatvalue，onconditionoffixinghisresidenceinacountrywhichhedetested。
Differenceofpoliticalopinionhadproduced，notindeedaquarrel，butacoolnessbetweenSwiftandAddison。Theyatlengthceasedaltogethertoseeeachother。YettherewasbetweenthematacitcompactlikethatbetweenthehereditaryguestsintheIliad:
"’Egkhead’allelonaleomethakaidi’dmilon。
PolloimengaremoiTroeskleitoit’epikouroiKteineinonketheosgeporikaipossikikheioPolloid’ausoiAkhaioienairmen，onkeduneai。"
ItisnotstrangethatAddison，whocalumniatedandinsultednobody，shouldnothavecalumniatedorinsultedSwift。ButitisremarkablethatSwift，towhomneithergeniusnorvirtuewassacred，andwhogenerallyseemedtofind，likemostotherrenegades，apeculiarpleasureinattackingoldfriends，shouldhaveshownsomuchrespectandtendernesstoAddison。
Fortunehadnowchanged。TheaccessionoftheHouseofHanoverhadsecuredinEnglandthelibertiesofthepeople，andinIrelandthedominionoftheProtestantcaste。TothatcasteSwiftwasmoreodiousthananyotherman。HewashootedandevenpeltedinthestreetsofDublin;andcouldnotventuretoridealongthestrandforhishealthwithouttheattendanceofarmedservants。
Manywhomhehadformerlyservednowlibelledandinsultedhim。
AtthistimeAddisonarrived。HehadbeenadvisednottoshowthesmallestcivilitytotheDeanofSt。Patrick’s。Hehadanswered，withadmirablespirit，thatitmightbenecessaryformenwhosefidelitytotheirpartywassuspected，toholdnointercoursewithpoliticalopponents;butthatonewhohadbeenasteadyWhigintheworsttimesmightventure，whenthegoodcausewastriumphant，toshakehandswithanoldfriendwhowasoneofthevanquishedTories。HiskindnesswassoothingtotheproudandcruellywoundedspiritofSwift;andthetwogreatsatiristsresumedtheirhabitsoffriendlyintercourse。
ThoseassociatesofAddisonwhosepoliticalopinionsagreedwithhissharedhisgoodfortune。HetookTickellwithhimtoIreland。
HeprocuredforBudgellalucrativeplaceinthesamekingdom。
AmbrosePhillipswasprovidedforinEngland，Steelehadinjuredhimselfsomuchbyhiseccentricityandperverseness，thatheobtainedbutaverysmallpartofwhathethoughthisdue。Hewas，however，knighted;hehadaplaceinthehousehold;andhesubsequentlyreceivedothermarksoffavourfromtheCourt。
AddisondidnotremainlonginIreland。In1715hequittedhissecretaryshipforaseatattheBoardofTrade。InthesameyearhiscomedyoftheDrummerwasbroughtonthestage。Thenameoftheauthorwasnotannounced;thepiecewascoldlyreceived;andsomecriticshadexpressedadoubtwhetheritwerereallyAddison’s。Toustheevidence，bothexternalandinternal，seemsdecisive。ItisnotinAddison’sbestmanner;butitcontainsnumerouspassageswhichnootherwriterknowntouscouldhaveproduced。ItwasagainperformedafterAddison’sdeath，and，beingknowntobehis，wasloudlyapplauded。
Towardsthecloseoftheyear1715，whiletheRebellionwasstillraginginScotland，AddisonpublishedthefirstnumberofapapercalledtheFreeholder。AmonghispoliticalworkstheFreeholderisentitledtothefirstplace。EvenintheSpectatortherearefewseriouspapersnoblerthanthecharacterofhisfriendLordSomers，andcertainlynosatiricalpaperssuperiortothoseinwhichtheToryfox—hunterisintroduced。ThischaracteristheoriginalofSquireWestern，andisdrawnwithallFielding’sforce，andwithadelicacyofwhichFieldingwasaltogetherdestitute。AsnoneofAddison’sworksexhibitstrongermarksofhisgeniusthantheFreeholder，sononedoesmorehonourtohismoralcharacter。Itisdifficulttoextoltoohighlythecandourandhumanityofapoliticalwriterwhomeventheexcitementofcivilwarcannothurryintounseemlyviolence。Oxford，itiswellknown，wasthenthestrongholdofToryism。TheHighStreethadbeenrepeatedlylinedwithbayonetsinordertokeepdownthedisaffectedgownsmen;andtraitorspursuedbythemessengersoftheGovernmenthadbeenconcealedinthegarretsofseveralcolleges。Yettheadmonitionwhich，evenundersuchcircumstances，AddisonaddressedtotheUniversity，issingularlygentle，respectful，andevenaffectionate。Indeed，hecouldnotfinditinhishearttodealharshlyevenwithimaginarypersons。
Hisfox—hunter，thoughignorant，stupid，andviolent，isatheartagoodfellow，andisatlastreclaimedbytheclemencyoftheKing。Steelewasdissatisfiedwithhisfriend’smoderation，and，thoughheacknowledgedthattheFreeholderwasexcellentlywritten，complainedthattheMinistryplayedonalutewhenitwasnecessarytoblowthetrumpet。Heaccordinglydeterminedtoexecuteaflourishafterhisownfashion，andtriedtorousethepublicspiritofthenationbymeansofapapercalledtheTownTalk，whichisnowasutterlyforgottenashisEnglishman，ashisCrisis，ashisLettertotheBailiffofStockbridge，ashisReader，inshort，aseverythingthathewrotewithoutthehelpofAddison。
InthesameyearinwhichtheDrummerwasacted，andinwhichthefirstnumbersoftheFreeholderappeared，theestrangementofPopeandAddisonbecamecomplete。AddisonhadfromthefirstseenthatPopewasfalseandmalevolent。PopehaddiscoveredthatAddisonwasjealous。Thediscoverywasmadeinastrangemanner。
PopehadwrittentheRapeoftheLock，intwocantos，withoutsupernaturalmachinery。Thesetwocantoshadbeenloudlyapplauded，andbynonemoreloudlythanbyAddison。ThenPopethoughtoftheSylphsandGnomes，Ariel，Momentilla，Crispissa，andUmbriel，andresolvedtointerweavetheRosicrucianmythologywiththeoriginalfabric。HeaskedAddison’sadvice。Addisonsaidthatthepoemasitstoodwasadeliciouslittlething，andentreatedPopenottoruntheriskofmarringwhatwassoexcellentintryingtomendit。Popeafterwardsdeclaredthatthisinsidiouscounselfirstopenedhiseyestothebasenessofhimwhogaveit。
NowtherecanbenodoubtthatPope’splanwasmostingenious，andthatheafterwardsexecuteditwithgreatskillandsuccess。
ButdoesitnecessarilyfollowthatAddison’sadvicewasbad。AndifAddison’sadvicewasbad，doesitnecessarilyfollowthatitwasgivenfrombadmotives？Ifafriendweretoaskuswhetherwewouldadvisehimtoriskhisallinalotteryofwhichthechancesweretentooneagainsthim，weshoulddoourbesttodissuadehimfromrunningsucharisk。Evenifheweresoluckyastogetthethirtythousandpoundprize，weshouldnotadmitthatwehadcounselledhimill;andweshouldcertainlythinkittheheightofinjusticeinhimtoaccuseusofhavingbeenactuatedbymalice。WethinkAddison’sadvicegoodadvice。Itrestedonasoundprinciple，theresultoflongandwideexperience。Thegeneralruleundoubtedlyisthat，whenasuccessfulworkofimaginationhasbeenproduced，itshouldnotberecast。Wecannotatthismomentcalltomindasingleinstanceinwhichthisrulehasbeentransgressedwithhappyeffect，excepttheinstanceoftheRapeoftheLock。TassorecasthisJerusalem。AkensiderecasthisPleasuresoftheImagination，andhisEpistletoCurio。Popehimself，emboldenednodoubtbythesuccesswithwhichhehadexpandedandremodelledtheRapeoftheLock，madethesameexperimentontheDunciad。Alltheseattemptsfailed。WhowastoforeseethatPopewould，onceinhislife，beabletodowhathecouldnothimselfdotwice，andwhatnobodyelsehaseverdone？
Addison’sadvicewasgood。Buthaditbeenbad，whyshouldwepronounceitdishonest？ScotttellsusthatoneofhisbestfriendspredictedthefailureofWaverley。HerderadjuredGoethenottotakesounpromisingasubjectasFaust。HumetriedtodissuadeRobertsonfromwritingtheHistoryofCharlestheFifthNay，PopehimselfwasoneofthosewhoprophesiedthatCatowouldneversucceedonthestage，andadvisedAddisontoprintitwithoutriskingarepresentation。ButScott，Goethe，Robertson，Addison，hadthegoodsenseandgenerositytogivetheiradviserscreditforthebestintentions。Pope’sheartwasnotofthesamekindwiththeirs。
In1715，whilehewasengagedintranslatingtheIliad，hemetAddisonatacoffee—house。PhillipsandBudgellwerethere;buttheirsovereigngotridofthem，andaskedPopetodinewithhimalone。AfterdinnerAddisonsaidthathelayunderadifficultywhichhewishedtoexplain。"Tickell，"hesaid，"translatedsometimeagothefirstbookoftheIliad。Ihavepromisedtolookitoverandcorrectit。Icannotthereforeasktoseeyours;forthatwouldbedouble—dealing。"Popemadeacivilreply，andbeggedthathissecondbookmighthavetheadvantageofAddison’srevision。Addisonreadilyagreed，lookedoverthesecondbook，andsentitbackwithwarmcommendations。
Tickell’sversionofthefirstbookappearedsoonafterthisconversation。Intheprefaceallrivalrywasearnestlydisclaimed。TickelldeclaredthatheshouldnotgoonwiththeIliad。Thatenterpriseheshouldleavetopowerswhichheadmittedtobesuperiortohisown。Hisonlyview，hesaid，inpublishingthisspecimenwastobespeakthefavourofthepublictoatranslationoftheOdyssey，inwhichhehadmadesomeprogress。
Addison，andAddison’sdevotedfollowers，pronouncedboththeversionsgood，butmaintainedthatTickell’shadmoreoftheoriginal。ThetowngaveadecidedpreferencetoPope’s。Wedonotthinkitworthwhiletosettlesuchaquestionofprecedence。
NeitheroftherivalscanbesaidtohavetranslatedtheIliad，unless，indeed，thewordtranslationbeusedinthesensewhichitbearsintheMidsummerNight’sDream。WhenBottommakeshisappearancewithanass’sheadinsteadofhisown，PeterQuinceexclaims，"Blessthee！Bottom，blessthee！thouarttranslated。"
Inthissense，undoubtedly，thereadersofeitherPopeorTickellmayveryproperlyexclaim，"Blessthee！Homer;thouarttranslatedindeed。"
Ourreaderswill，wehope，agreewithusinthinkingthatnomaninAddison’ssituationcouldhaveactedmorefairlyandkindly，bothtowardsPopeandtowardsTickell，thanheappearstohavedone。ButanodioussuspicionhadsprungupinthemindofPope。
Hefancied，andhesoonfirmlybelieved，thattherewasadeepconspiracyagainsthisfameandhisfortunes。Theworkonwhichhehadstakedhisreputationwastobedepreciated。Thesubscription，onwhichrestedhishopesofacompetence，wastobedefeated。WiththisviewAddisonhadmadearivaltranslation:
Tickellhadconsentedtofatherit;andthewitsofButton’shadunitedtopuffit。
Isthereanyexternalevidencetosupportthisgraveaccusation？
Theanswerisshort。Thereisabsolutelynone。
WasthereanyinternalevidencewhichprovedAddisontobetheauthorofthisversion？WasitaworkwhichTickellwasincapableofproducing？Surelynot。TickellwasaFellowofaCollegeatOxford，andmustbesupposedtohavebeenabletoconstruetheIliad;andhewasabetterversifierthanhisfriend。WearenotawarethatPopepretendedtohavediscoveredanyturnsofexpressionpeculiartoAddison。Hadsuchturnsofexpressionbeendiscovered，theywouldbesufficientlyaccountedforbysupposingAddisontohavecorrectedhisfriend’slines，asheownedthathehaddone。
Isthereanythinginthecharacteroftheaccusedpersonswhichmakestheaccusationprobable？Weanswerconfidently——nothing。
TickellwaslongafterthistimedescribedbyPopehimselfasaveryfairandworthyman。Addisonhadbeen，duringmanyyears，beforethepublic。Literaryrivals，politicalopponents，hadkepttheireyesonhim。Butneitherenvynorfaction，intheirutmostrage，hadeverimputedtohimasingledeviationfromthelawsofhonourandofsocialmorality。Hadhebeenindeedamanmeanlyjealousoffame，andcapableofstoopingtobaseandwickedartsforthepurposeofinjuringhiscompetitors，wouldhisviceshaveremainedlatentsolong？Hewasawriteroftragedy:hadheeverinjuredRowe？Hewasawriterofcomedy:hadhenotdoneamplejusticetoCongreve，andgivenvaluablehelptoSteele？Hewasapamphleteer:havenothisgoodnatureandgenerositybeenacknowledgedbySwift，hisrivalinfameandhisadversaryinpolitics？
ThatTickellshouldhavebeenguiltyofavillanyseemstoushighlyimprobable。ThatAddisonshouldhavebeenguiltyofavillanyseemstoushighlyimprobable。Butthatthesetwomenshouldhaveconspiredtogethertocommitavillanyseemstousimprobableinatenfolddegree。Allthatisknowntousoftheirintercoursetendstoprove，thatitwasnottheintercourseoftwoaccomplicesincrime。ThesearesomeofthelinesinwhichTickellpouredforthhissorrowoverthecoffinofAddison:
Ordostthouwarnpoormortalsleftbehind，Ataskwellsuitedtothygentlemind？
Oh，ifsometimesthyspotlessformdescend，Tomethineaid，thouguardiangenius，lend，Whenragemisguidesme，orwhenfearalarms，Whenpaindistresses，orwhenpleasurecharms，Insilentwhisperingspurerthoughtsimpart，Andturnfromillafrailandfeebleheart;
Leadthroughthepathsthyvirtuetrodbefore，Tillblissshalljoin，nordeathcanpartusmore。"
Inwhatwords，weshouldliketoknow，didthisguardiangeniusinvitehispupiltojoininaplansuchastheEditoroftheSatiristwouldhardlydaretoproposetotheEditoroftheAge？
WedonotaccusePopeofbringinganaccusationwhichheknewtobefalse。Wehavenotthesmallestdoubtthathebelievedittobetrue;andtheevidenceonwhichhebelievedithefoundinhisownbadheart。Hisownlifewasonelongseriesoftricks，asmeanandasmaliciousasthatofwhichhesuspectedAddisonandTickell。Hewasallstilettoandmask。Toinjure，toinsult，andtosavehimselffromtheconsequencesofinjuryandinsultbylyingandequivocating，wasthehabitofhislife。HepublishedalampoonontheDukeofChandos;hewastaxedwithit;andheliedandequivocated。HepublishedalampoononAaronHill;hewastaxedwithit;andheliedandequivocated。HepublishedastillfoulerlampoononLadyMaryWortleyMontague;hewastaxedwithit;andheliedwithmorethanusualeffronteryandvehemence。Hepuffedhimselfandabusedhisenemiesunderfeignednames。Herobbedhimselfofhisownletters，andthenraisedthehueandcryafterthem。Besideshisfraudsofmalignity，offear，ofinterest，andofvanity，therewerefraudswhichheseemstohavecommittedfromloveoffraudalone。Hehadahabitofstratagem，apleasureinoutwittingallwhocamenearhim。Whateverhisobjectmightbe，theindirectroadtoitwasthatwhichhepreferred。ForBolingbroke，Popeundoubtedlyfeltasmuchloveandvenerationasitwasinhisnaturetofeelforanyhumanbeing。YetPopewasscarcelydeadwhenitwasdiscoveredthat，fromnomotiveexceptthemereloveofartifice，hehadbeenguiltyofanactofgrossperfidytoBolingbroke。
Nothingwasmorenaturalthanthatsuchamanasthisshouldattributetoothersthatwhichhefeltwithinhimself。Aplain，probable，coherentexplanationisfranklygiventohim。Heiscertainthatitisallaromance。Alineofconductscrupulouslyfair，andevenfriendly，ispursuedtowardshim。Heisconvincedthatitismerelyacoverforavileintriguebywhichheistobedisgracedandruined。Itisvaintoaskhimforproofs。Hehasnone，andwantsnone，exceptthosewhichhecarriesinhisownbosom。
WhetherPope’smalignityatlengthprovokedAddisontoretaliateforthefirstandlasttime，cannotnowbeknownwithcertainty。
WehaveonlyPope’sstory，whichrunsthus。ApamphletappearedcontainingsomereflectionswhichstungPopetothequick。Whatthosereflectionswere，andwhethertheywerereflectionsofwhichhehadarighttocomplain，wehavenownomeansofdeciding。TheEarlofWarwick，afoolishandviciouslad，whoregardedAddisonwiththefeelingswithwhichsuchladsgenerallyregardtheirbestfriends，toldPope，trulyorfalsely，thatthispamphlethadbeenwrittenbyAddison’sdirection。Whenweconsiderwhatatendencystorieshavetogrow，inpassingevenfromonehonestmantoanotherhonestman，andwhenweconsiderthattothenameofhonestmanneitherPopenortheEarlofWarwickhadaclaim，wearenotdisposedtoattachmuchimportancetothisanecdote。
Itiscertain，however，thatPopewasfurious。HehadalreadysketchedthecharacterofAtticusinprose。Inhisangerheturnedthisproseintothebrilliantandenergeticlineswhicheverybodyknowsbyheart，oroughttoknowbyheart，andsentthemtoAddison。OnechargewhichPopehasenforcedwithgreatskillisprobablynotwithoutfoundation。Addisonwas，weareinclinedtobelieve，toofondofpresidingoveracircleofhumblefriends。Oftheotherimputationswhichthesefamouslinesareintendedtoconvey，scarcelyonehaseverbeenprovedtobejust，andsomearecertainlyfalse。ThatAddisonwasnotinthehabitof"damningwithfaintpraise"appearsfrominnumerablepassagesinhiswritings，andfromnonemorethanfromthoseinwhichhementionsPope，Anditisnotmerelyunjust，butridiculous，todescribeamanwhomadethefortuneofalmosteveryoneofhisintimatefriends，as"soobligingthathene’erobliged。"
ThatAddisonfeltthestingofPope’ssatirekeenly，wecannotdoubt。Thathewasconsciousofoneoftheweaknesseswithwhichhewasreproached，ishighlyprobable。Buthisheart，wefirmlybelieve，acquittedhimofthegravestpartoftheaccusation。Heactedlikehimself。Asasatiristhewas，athisownweapons，morethanPope’smatch;andhewouldhavebeenatnolossfortopics。Adistortedanddiseasedbody，tenantedbyayetmoredistortedanddiseasedmind;spiteandenvythinlydisguisedbysentimentsasbenevolentandnobleasthosewhichSirPeterTeazleadmiredinMr。JosephSurface;afeeblesicklylicentiousness;anodiousloveoffilthyandnoisomeimages;
thesewerethingswhichageniuslesspowerfulthanthattowhichweowetheSpectatorcouldeasilyhavehelduptothemirthandhatredofmankind。Addison，had，moreover，athiscommand，othermeansofvengeancewhichabadmanwouldnothavescrupledtouse。HewaspowerfulintheState。PopewasaCatholic;and，inthosetimes，aMinisterwouldhavefounditeasytoharassthemostinnocentCatholicbyinnumerablepettyvexations。Pope，neartwentyyearslater，saidthat"throughthelenityoftheGovernmentalonehecouldlivewithcomfort。""Consider，"heexclaimed，"theinjurythatamanofhighrankandcreditmaydotoaprivateperson，underpenallawsandmanyotherdisadvantages。"ItispleasingtoreflectthattheonlyrevengewhichAddisontookwastoinsertintheFreeholderawarmencomiumonthetranslationoftheIliad，andtoexhortallloversoflearningtoputdowntheirnamesassubscribers。Therecouldbenodoubt，hesaid，fromthespecimensalreadypublished，thatthemasterlyhandofPopewoulddoasmuchforHomerasDrydenhaddoneforVirgil。Fromthattimetotheendofhislife，healwaystreatedPope，byPope’sownacknowledgment，withjustice。Friendshipwas，ofcourse，atanend。
OnereasonwhichinducedtheEarlofWarwicktoplaytheignominiouspartoftalebeareronthisoccasion，mayhavebeenhisdislikeofthemarriagewhichwasabouttotakeplacebetweenhismotherandAddison。TheCountessDowager，adaughteroftheoldandhonourablefamilyoftheMiddletonsofChirk，afamilywhich，inanycountrybutours，wouldbecallednoble，residedatHollandHouse。Addisonhad，duringsomeyears，occupiedatChelseaasmalldwelling，oncetheabodeofNellGwynn。ChelseaisnowadistrictofLondon，andHollandHousemaybecalledatownresidence。But，inthedaysofAnneandGeorgetheFirst，milkmaidsandsportsmenwanderedbetweengreenhedgesandoverfieldsbrightwithdaisies，fromKensingtonalmosttotheshoreoftheThames。AddisonandLadyWarwickwerecountryneighbours，andbecameintimatefriends。ThegreatwitandscholartriedtoalluretheyoungLordfromthefashionableamusementsofbeatingwatchmen，breakingwindows，androllingwomeninhogsheadsdownHolbornHill，tothestudyofletters，andthepracticeofvirtue。Thesewell—meantexertionsdidlittlegood，however，eithertothediscipleortothemaster。LordWarwickgrewuparake;andAddisonfellinlove。ThematurebeautyoftheCountesshasbeencelebratedbypoetsinlanguagewhich，afteraverylargeallowancehasbeenmadeforflattery，wouldleadustobelievethatshewasafinewoman;andherrankdoubtlessheightenedherattractions。Thecourtshipwaslong。Thehopesoftheloverappeartohaverisenandfallenwiththefortunesofhisparty。Hisattachmentwasatlengthamatterofsuchnotorietythat，whenhevisitedIrelandforthelasttime，RoweaddressedsomeconsolatoryversestotheChloeofHollandHouse。
Itstrikesusasalittlestrangethat，intheseverses，AddisonshouldbecalledLycidas，anameofsingularlyevilomenforaswainjustabouttocrossSt。George’sChannel。
AtlengthChloecapitulated。Addisonwasindeedabletotreatwithheronequalterms。Hehadreasontoexpectprefermentevenhigherthanthatwhichhehadattained。HehadinheritedthefortuneofabrotherwhodiedGovernorofMadras。HehadpurchasedanestateinWarwickshire，andhadbeenwelcomedtohisdomaininverytolerableversebyoneoftheneighbouringsquires，thepoeticalfox—hunter，WilliamSomerville。InAugust1716，thenewspapersannouncedthatJosephAddison，Esquire，famousformanyexcellentworksbothinverseandprose，hadespousedtheCountessDowagerofWarwick。
HenowfixedhisabodeatHollandHouse，ahousewhichcanboastofagreaternumberofinmatesdistinguishedinpoliticalandliteraryhistorythananyotherprivatedwellinginEngland。Hisportraitstillhangsthere。Thefeaturesarepleasing;thecomplexionisremarkablyfair;but，intheexpression，wetraceratherthegentlenessofhisdispositionthantheforceandkeennessofhisintellect。
Notlongafterhismarriagehereachedtheheightofcivilgreatness。TheWhigGovernmenthad，duringsometime，beentornbyinternaldissensions。LordTownshendledonesectionoftheCabinet，LordSunderlandtheother。Atlength，inthespringof1717，Sunderlandtriumphed。Townshendretiredfromoffice，andwasaccompaniedbyWalpoleandCowper。SunderlandproceededtoreconstructtheMinistry;andAddisonwasappointedSecretaryofState。ItiscertainthattheSealswerepresseduponhim，andwereatfirstdeclinedbyhim。Menequallyversedinofficialbusinessmighteasilyhavebeenfound;andhiscolleaguesknewthattheycouldnotexpectassistancefromhimindebate。Heowedhiselevationtohispopularity，tohisstainlessprobity，andtohisliteraryfame。
ButscarcelyhadAddisonenteredtheCabinetwhenhishealthbegantofail。Fromoneseriousattackherecoveredintheautumn;andhisrecoverywascelebratedinLatinverses，worthyofhisownpen，byVincentBourne，whowasthenatTrinityCollege，Cambridge。Arelapsesoontookplace;and，inthefollowingspring，Addisonwaspreventedbyasevereasthmafromdischargingthedutiesofhispost。Heresignedit，andwassucceededbyhisfriendCraggs，ayoungmanwhosenaturalparts，thoughlittleimprovedbycultivation，werequickandshowy，whosegracefulpersonandwinningmannershadmadehimgenerallyacceptableinsociety，andwho，ifhehadlived，wouldprobablyhavebeenthemostformidableofalltherivalsofWalpole。
AsyettherewasnoJosephHume。TheMinisters，therefore，wereabletobestowonAddisonaretiringpensionoffifteenhundredpoundsayear。Inwhatformthispensionwasgivenwearenottoldbythebiographers，andhavenottimetoinquire，ButitiscertainthatAddisondidnotvacatehisseatintheHouseofCommons。
Restofmindandbodyseemtohavere—establishedhishealth;andhethankedGod，withcheerfulpiety，forhavingsethimfreebothfromhisofficeandfromhisasthma。Manyyearsseemedtobebeforehim，andhemeditatedmanyworks，atragedyonthedeathofSocrates，atranslationofthePsalms，atreatiseontheevidencesofChristianity。Ofthislastperformance，apart，whichwecouldwellspare，hascomedowntous。
Butthefatalcomplaintsoonreturned，andgraduallyprevailedagainstalltheresourcesofmedicine。Itismelancholytothinkthatthelastmonthsofsuchalifeshouldhavebeenovercloudedbothbydomesticandbypoliticalvexations。Atraditionwhichbeganearly，whichhasbeengenerallyreceived，andtowhichwehavenothingtooppose，hasrepresentedhiswifeasanarrogantandimperiouswoman。Itissaidthat，tillhishealthfailedhim，hewasgladtoescapefromtheCountessDowagerandhermagnificentdining—room，blazingwiththegildeddevicesoftheHouseofRich，tosometavernwherehecouldenjoyalaugh，atalkaboutVirgilandBoileau，andabottleofclaret，withthefriendsofhishappierdays。Allthosefriends，however，werenotlefttohim。SirRichardSteelehadbeengraduallyestrangedbyvariouscauses。Heconsideredhimselfasonewho，ineviltimes，hadbravedmartyrdomforhispoliticalprinciples，anddemanded，whentheWhigpartywastriumphant，alargecompensationforwhathehadsufferedwhenitwasmilitant。TheWhigleaderstookaverydifferentviewofhisclaims。Theythoughtthathehad，byhisownpetulanceandfolly，broughtthemaswellashimselfintotrouble，andthoughtheydidnotabsolutelyneglecthim，doledoutfavourstohimwithasparinghand。Itwasnaturalthatheshouldbeangrywiththem，andespeciallyangrywithAddison。ButwhataboveallseemstohavedisturbedSirRichard，wastheelevationofTickell，who，atthirty，wasmadebyAddisonUnder—
SecretaryofState;whiletheeditoroftheTatlerandSpectator，andtheauthoroftheCrisis，andmemberforStockbridgewhohadbeenpersecutedforfirmadherencetotheHouseofHanover，was，atnearfifty，forced，aftermanysolicitationsandcomplaints，tocontenthimselfwithashareinthepatentofDruryLaneTheatre。Steelehimselfsays，inhiscelebratedlettertoCongreve，thatAddison，byhispreferenceofTickell，"incurredthewarmestresentmentofothergentlemen";andeverythingseemstoindicatethat，ofthoseresentfulgentlemen，Steelewashimselfone。
WhilepoorSirRichardwasbroodingoverwhatheconsideredasAddison’sunkindness，anewcauseofquarrelarose。TheWhigparty，alreadydividedagainstitself，wasrentbyanewschism。
ThecelebratedBillforlimitingthenumberofPeershadbeenbroughtin。TheproudDukeofSomerset，firstinrankofallthenobleswhosereligionpermittedthemtositinParliament，wastheostensibleauthorofthemeasure。Butitwassupported，andintruthdevised，bythePrimeMinister。
Wearesatisfiedthatthebillwasmostpernicious;andwefearthatthemotiveswhichinducedSunderlandtoframeitwerenothonourabletohim。Butwecannotdenythatitwassupportedbymanyofthebestandwisestmenofthatage。Norwasthisstrange。Theroyalprerogativehad，withinthememoryofthegenerationtheninthevigouroflife，beensogrosslyabused，thatitwasstillregardedwithajealousywhich，whenthepeculiarsituationoftheHouseofBrunswickisconsidered，mayperhapsbecalledimmoderate。Theparticularprerogativeofcreatingpeershad，intheopinionoftheWhigs，beengrosslyabusedbyQueenAnne’slastMinistry;andeventheToriesadmittedthatherMajesty，inswamping，asithassincebeencalled，theUpperHouse，haddonewhatonlyanextremecasecouldjustify。ThetheoryoftheEnglishconstitution，accordingtomanyhighauthorities，wasthatthreeindependentpowers，thesovereign，thenobility，andthecommons，oughtconstantlytoactaschecksoneachother。Ifthistheoryweresound，itseemedtofollowthattoputoneofthesepowersundertheabsolutecontroloftheothertwo，wasabsurd。Butifthenumberofpeerswereunlimited，itcouldnotwellbedeniedthattheUpperHousewasundertheabsolutecontroloftheCrownandtheCommons，andwasindebtedonlytotheirmoderationforanypowerwhichitmightbesufferedtoretain。
SteeletookpartwiththeOpposition，AddisonwiththeMinisters。
Steele，inapapercalledthePlebeian，vehementlyattackedthebill。SunderlandcalledforhelponAddison，andAddisonobeyedthecall。InapapercalledtheOldWhig，heanswered，andindeedrefuted，Steele’sarguments。Itseemstousthatthepremisesofboththecontroversialistswereunsound，thatonthosepremisesAddisonreasonedwellandSteeleill，andthatconsequentlyAddisonbroughtoutafalseconclusionwhileSteeleblundereduponthetruth。Instyle，inwit，andinpoliteness，Addisonmaintainedhissuperiority;thoughtheOldWhigisbynomeansoneofhishappiestperformances。
Atfirst，boththeanonymousopponentsobservedthelawsofpropriety。ButatlengthSteelesofarforgothimselfastothrowanodiousimputationonthemoralsofthechiefsoftheadministration。Addisonrepliedwithseverity，but，inouropinion，withlessseveritythanwasduetosograveanoffenceagainstmoralityanddecorum;nordidhe，inhisjustanger，forgetforamomentthelawsofgoodtasteandgoodbreeding。Onecalumnywhichhasbeenoftenrepeated，andneveryetcontradicted，itisourdutytoexpose。ItisassertedintheBiogaphiaBritannica，thatAddisondesignatedSteeleas"littleDicky。"ThisassertionwasrepeatedbyJohnsonwhohadneverseentheOldWhig;andwasthereforeexcusable。IthasalsobeenrepeatedbyMissAikin，whohasseentheOldWhig，andforwhomthereforethereislessexcuse。Now，itistruethatthewords"littleDicky"occurintheOldWhig，andthatSteele’snamewasRichard。Itisequallytruethatthewords"littleIsaac"occurintheDuenna，andthatNewton’snamewasIsaac。ButweconfidentlyaffirmthatAddison’s"littleDicky"hadnomoretodowithSteele，thanSheridan’s"littleIsaac"withNewton。Ifweapplythewords"littleDicky"toSteele，wedepriveaverylivelyandingeniouspassage，notonlyofallitswit，butofallitsmeaning。LittleDickywasthenicknameofHenryNorris，anactorofremarkablysmallstature，butofgreathumour，whoplayedtheusurerGomez，thenamostpopularpart，inDryden’sSpanishFriar。[Wewilltranscribethewholeparagraph。Howitcaneverhavebeenmisunderstoodisunintelligibletous。