AGF OF ADDISON AND STEELE

‘The age in which Joseph Addison and Richard Steele lived, is calico: the

Augustan age. The Literature produce during this period is the; literature of

the town. The London of this age is more alive to us through Literature than

the London of Shakespeare. We can see its ill paved streets, the running

gutter, the Grub street, where obscure authors thought with debts and

starvaion, the Flect, the river Thames and the pleasure gardens where the

society drank and flirted,

This age also witnessed a remarkable political consciousness. the party spirit

ran high and influenced the literary writer. The nation was divided into two

parties of Whig and Tory’. Man’ parphiets were written to work on the public

mind. Such a political situation had a direct impact on be minds of the men

of’ letters. Some of then had to ally themselves with one party or the other

since their fortunes were determined n their political leanings,

Addison and Steele became famous when there sere two irreconcilable

classes. Men posed themselves as atheists and women in the higher circle

read little but followed the French romances. The middle class people rose to

prominence by visiting the coffee houses, which is a special feature of the

eighteenth century. They kept themselves away from the medieval fanaticism

and brutality and upheld modernation, restraint and decency in all sphere of

life. They also established a new standard of life, culture, honor and religion.

The success of the middle class was not complete until Addision and Steele

had discovered in what quarter to look for the moment and in what form to

reveal to men their own ideas. These two writers collaborated with the spirit

of the age and so they became important figures of the new age.

‘The political, commercial, or social conditions favoured the rise of a new

kind of prose literature, and tendered to give prose a wider influence. The

prose was written in a higher or more amusing forms, people of this period

invited such easy and entertaining reading. Thus started the periodicals

containing brief essay, sketches and sometimes stories and these pleased

the taste of the town. Addison and steels worked together in writing the

periodical essays. These essays pictures some aspects of the life of the day.

RICHARD STEELE (1672-1729)

Richard Steele was an Irishman and a soldier. He was a horn at Dublin in

1672. His father was an Englishman and the secretary to the Duke of

Ormond. When Steele was only five years old, his father died. After his

father’s death, he was sent to the charter house school on the nomination of

the Duke or Ormond. There he became friendly with Addison. Five years

later he left the school and entered the Merton College, Oxford, Here he was

esteemed as a classical scholar, but he left the university without taking a

degree. He gained the favor colonedl Lord cutts and rose to the rank of

captain and then started writing. He first published the Christian Hero in

which he persuaded educated men into accepting Bible as a moral

counsellor. He advocated the idea that the principles of religion can make a

man great. In 1701, he broughtout a comedy called The Funeral which

shows Steele s skill in plot construction. He wrote The Lying Lover in 1703

and The Tendr” Husband in 17055 in whick Steele makes an attempt to

amuse and instruct the audience. He teaches the lesson that Vice never

triumphs though virtue may suffer. So he is regarded a the founder of

sentimental comedy.

Character of Richard Steele

He was a quick-tempered. impulsive and something of a Bohemiain. He was

a brilliant scholar, he adopted the habit of drinking very early. Equally did he

cultivate the habit of reckless spending. He had a smaller knowledge of

human frailties, Steeles was a man of good conscience. He believed in

righteous conduct and the dicates of conscience.

JOSEPH ADDISON (1672 -1719)

Joseph Addison was barn on May 1. 1672 at Milston near Amhroseburg in

Wiltshire. His father, Mr. Lancelot Addison was a recto. At the time of his

birth. Addison vas so puny and frail that he was christened the same day,

lest i.e should die

Addison began his education at home. Then he was admitted at

Charterhouse school. After schooling he entered Queen’s College. Oxford

where he earned fame for his Latin compositions. When he was studying at

Magdaien College. he stored his mind with a with and wisdom. He visited

France. Italy. Switzerland and Holland and on his return to England, he

started writing poems. He became a member of the parliament from 1708 till

his death in 1719.

Addison in spite of his busy official life, contributed articles to Steels The

father. ‘He ad the essay with the air and graces of cultured writing”. He

followed steele in the use of colloquial style but tried to perfect the essay

form. J.H. Fowler has said” .... We are justified in ran Addison and his friend

Steele as the founders of modern English essays and prose”.

In 1703 Addison wrote Dialogues upon the usefulness of Ancient Medals.

The Lord Treasurer invited Addison to write a poem celebrating the victory of

Bleheim. Addison obliged and w rote The Gompaign a poem, To his Grance

the Duke of Mar/borough, in 1713 he wrote. Cato, a traged produced at

Druary Lane Theatre. Addison also contributed to Stele’s The Guardian. ills

last undertaking was The Freeholder a party magazine published twice a

week.
His later life was unhappy. His wife. countres Dowager of Warwick was

arrogant and his step-son was very unfriendly. Besides his unhappy family

life, he had quarrels with his good friends like Pope, Swift and even Steele

He was a shy and reserved man. This made him ineffective in parliament.

Moreover his health declined and he passed away in 1719.

Addison and Steele - a Comparison

Addison and Steele worked together in contributing essays to The Tatler and

The Spectator. As essayists, a comparisbn is always made between Addison

and Steele. Steele’s genius was unequal generous and impulsive. His

humour is delightifully kind and genial. Addison was more superficial both in

choice and treatment. The chief charm lies in his simplicity and the words

and the meaning flow easily. While Steele is more original Addison is more

effective. Steele is communicative, adventurous, Bohemain, easy going but

full of generosity, sympathy and Jove for the good. Addison is a polished

gentleman with a refinement of taste, lofty ideas but he is very shy and self-

conscious.

Hugh Walker writes “ I Addison the head is dominant, in steele the heart;

hence the foner is far more typical of his time than the latter Both the writers

contributed equally to The Spectator The lead was taken up by Addison with

the description of the spectator nd Steele followed with the portraits of the

members of the spectator’s club. Both of them delineated the character of Sir

Roger Coverely, who repreire. sented a typical English gentleman. They

wrote good humouredly and made ample allowance for the ordinary failings

of humanity but at the same time exposed the claims of good sense and

decency. By their essays they guided and developed the taste of the people.

They achieved their objectives by the employment of wit humour and Satire.
The Spectator’s Account of Himself:

Summary:

The Spectator begins the essay’ by saying that the readers appreciate he

work of art only when they know the appearance, age and race of the author.

They will never be satisfied until they come to know the full particular of the

writer’s private life. In order to satisfy their curiosity, Addison begins the

essay in which he gives an account of himself and his other companions.

The Spectator first tells us his life story. He was born in a small hereditary

estate which had remained the same since the days of William, the

conquerer. There is a story about his mother who dreamt before he was born

that her son was going to be a judge. The Spectator thinks that the cause of

this strange dream might have been the fact of his father being a justice of

the peace or perhaps a law suit in the family. But he confesses that from his

very early stage, he was of a grave disposition.

At school, he was very sullen though he happened to be a favourite to his

teacher. He used to speak very little. But the Spectator utilized the time of by

reading plenty of books.

After his father’s death, the spectator decided to travel to foreign countries to

enrich his knowledge. Since he was roused by the controversies about the

antiquities of Egypt, he visited Cairo, to measure a pyramid. When he

returned to London, he frequented the different public places. He was seen

among the politicians at Will’s Coffee house at Child’s overhearing the

conservation at every table. On Sundays he visited St. James coffee house.

He also frequented the Grecian, Cocoa Tree and the theatres, Drury Lane

and Hay-Market. People thought of him as a merchant upon the Exchange

and the stock jobbers mistook him to be a Jew. Thus the Spectator mingled
with everyone though he never opened his mouth.

To know more about the Spectator. we can see that he is well versed in

private matters and domestic affair. he is a stander by in the true sense of

the term and assuresus that he will continue to play the role of a Spectator in

this essay. Since he cannot place himself before the public he has decided to

write every morning for the benefit of his countrymen. He then apologizes to

his readers for giving information about his name, age and lodgings, for the

fear of facing different people, sohe prefers to keep his identity a secret.

The Spectator concludes saying that the would give the account of his other

companions in the next paper. He ends the essay requesting his readers to

send their letters addressed “To the Spectator” at Mr. Buckley’s Little Britain.

Critical Remarks:

In this article, we have a humourous portrait of Addison. There is a touch of

autobiography in what is said of the Spectator’s College career and his

travels. Addison’s style is remarkable. His language is clear and simple and

avoids profound, difficult and complex thought.

Note:

Hereditary estate - Proeprty, from an ancestor to a descendant.

Coral - a child’s toy with silver bells attached to it.

Nonage - legal minority

Will’s - coffee house, meeing place of men of letters.

Child’s - Coffee house, patronized, by the clergy.

St. James - a resort of the whig’s

Grecian - the oldest coffee-house in London

Jonathan’s - a coffee - house where the stock Exchange was held

Drury Lane & Hay

Market - a market for hay and straw from Elizabeth’s time

The Exchange - refers to the Royal Exchange in the city

Stock - jobbers - people who deal in the shares of Corporation

To print myself out - to put my thoughts on paper.

Buckley - refers to Samuel Buckely publisher of the Spectator

Little Britain - the great quarter of the booksellers.

OF THE CLUB (Steele)

In this article, the Spectator gives an account of his companions. The first

gentleman he talks of is Sir. Roger de covenley. a baronet of Worcester-

shire. The country dance which hears his name was invented by his great

grandfather. He was unique and singular in character. According to him the

world is all wrong. But this uncommon qualities do not make him enemy to

other people. Sir, Roger was a gentleman and a baronet in the true sense of

the term. But after his disappointment in love with a beautiful window, he

grew careless and lost all interest in his dress. So his dress appeared out of

fashion. He is fifty - six and has a cheerful temperament. So every one likes

his company. As for his professional aspect, Sir. Roger is a justice of the

quorum and carries out his duties with great ability. The way he explained a

passage in the Game Act brought him universal applause.

The next gentleman of the club is another bachelor, who is a member of the

Inner Temple. he is a learned man in the classics. But his father forced him

to study laws of the land. As a result he got the help of an attorney and

answers the questions relating to marriage articles, leases and tenures. He is

itnerested in the passions and gives more importance to the arguments of

Demosthenes and Tully than to those of the law courts. This makes him both

disinterested and agreeable. He is a regular theatre -goer. On his way to the

theatre he visits Will’s coffee house to have a chat with his friends,

The next important person in Sir. Andrew Freeport. a merchant. He is an

industrious and well-experienced man. As he is acquainted with trade in all

parts of the British seas, he has achieved a vast knowledge of it. According

to him hard work proves to be better than Valour. He feels that England can

become rich if she follows his method. Sir. Andrew is a simple and agreeable

companion.

Captain Sentry is the next member. He is a brave person who served

gallantly as a captain in the army. As he could not exhibit his talents. he left

the service. He was too modest to make his service prominent. He has a lot

of experience about military life. The write observes that he is not over

bearing though he has been accustomed to command men below him.

Will Honey Comb. though aged. takes particular cane about his dress and

appearance to keep up a young face, he pleases every one by his pleasant

conversation. He is well experienced and can trace the origin of any mode of

fashion easily. He can also supply people with historical personages and

their love affairs, such interesting conversation of Will Honey Comb made the

entire club happy’.

The last person mentioned is a clergyman. He visits the club rarely but

whenever he comes, he puts every man into a better humour. He is a

philosophic and learned man. Although weak. he gives has opinions on

important religious matters a: the proper time.

Critical Remarks:

The characters introduced in this article are artistic creations. Steele has

portrayed the characters with the tenderness of heart and wide

acquaintance with human life. He emphasies the fact the good behaviour is

the most remarkable aspect of social life. He use irony he referred to the

Game Act.
He also attempts humour in the presentation of the Tempiar and his father.

In command of words he is not equal to Addison. His choice is much less

felicitous.

SIR ROGER AT HOME (Addison)

The Spectator visited Sir. Roger at his country house. Knowing his reserved

nature, Sir. Roger left him alone and asked his gentlemen not be disturb him.

The servants of Sir.Roger were all sober and loved their master. Since

Sir.Roger also loved his domestics, they never thought of leaving him. His

Valet de Chamber appeared to be his brother. His butler was also old.

SirRoger was kind even to his animals - dog and horse - for he has kept

them carefully at home though they have grown old.

The Spectator observed how his servants reacted at the arrival of Sir. Roger

at his country house. Some of them could not control their tears when they

saw him after a long time and almost every one wanted to do something to

please him. Sir. Roger, in his turn, inquired after their health. This character

by Sir. Roger attracted all the servants towards him.

Sir. Roger’s old butler, who was very wise, took care of the Spectator. But

the Spectator’s Chief companion was the clergyman, who was very simple

and of a sociable temper. Sir.Roger, while walking with the the spectator told

him how he appointed him in his parish. As he desired a clergy man of palm

sense, a clear voice and a sociable temper he contacted his friends at the

university to look for a simple man, with his friend’s recommendation, he

appointed him in his parish. Sir. Roger continued to give more information

about this priest, by saying that he solved the problems of his parishers and
so no one went to the court. He also faithfully read out the sermons given to

him by Sir. Roger, on every Sunday. When Sir. Rioger was giving this

information about the clergy, the gentleman himself came there to meet him

to inform him about the arrangements he had made for the sermons every

sunday for the whole year.

Later, one Sunday, when the Spectator saw him the pulpit, he was

impressed by his gracefulness of figure and delivery. The way he preached

remind him of a graceful actor reciting a poem. The Spectator concludes his

essay by wishing that more of the country clergy should follow the example

of this venerable gentleman. Instead of wasting their time in composing their

own sermons, they should make use of the famous seemons written by great

masters.

Critical Remark:

Addison becomes the real creator of the immortal character. Sir Roger. “He

acquaints us with the household of Sir Roger. There is a satirical aloofness in

the description of the goodness of the master as seen in the old dog. This

essay is a minute study of the character of

Sir .Roger. The writer adds gentle humour to make the essay interesting.

Note:

Domestics - Household servants

Valet de chambre - a man – servant

Backgammon - a game played on a board by two persons with fifteen

chekers.

Bishop of st .Asaph - Dr. William Fleeet\vood.

Arch bisho tilloston

Bishop Sounderson - Divines of Addisons age

THE COVERLEY HOUSEHOLD (Steele)

The grand reception given to the spectator at Sir. Rogers country house
confirmed the fact that the behaviour of the servants depends on that of their

master’s. The servants of Sir. Roger were always near him eager to help him.

This is because he was very kind and never was haughty. This nature of Sir

Roger attracted all the servants. The behaviour of the servant at Sir Roger

was completely different from that of the other house holds.

The manner in which he deals with servants is a unique feature in his

character. As a result of this he lives more lie a prince than as a master for

they feel proud to serve him.

Sir Roger’s manner of rewarding his servants also deserves mention.

According to him. giving old clothers to the servants has a bad effect. It

breeds a sense of equality among them. Sir Roger told the spectator a story

about a young man who abused his servants in the same coat, which was

once his favourite one. He also narrated the story of a lady who used to

punish and reward her maids by giving them, had and good dresses. But Sir

Roger’s gifts rank higher than these trifles. He gives complete independence

for a good servant. Such a reward encourages the succeeding servants to be

humble and diligent. Most of his tenants under Sir. Roger were his former

servants.

The master’s kindness is not limited to his servants hut extends to the sons

and grand children of his domestics. The Old knight’s gratefulness to his

servants was seen by the Spectator in picture - gallery in Sir. Roger’s home.

He saw a painting which represented two youngmen standing in a river. The

one in uniform supporting Sir. Roger was his former servant, who saved his

life. In remembrance of his service, Sir Roger made a gift of a large estate to

him.

Critical Remarks:

This essay is about the behaviour of the masters with their servants. Steele
has seen the usual inhuman attitude of people towards their servants. Here

he praises Sir. Roger for rewarding his servants with complete independence

from his service. The representation of Sir Roger in complete contrast with

the picture given by Addison. Addison paints him with an ironical aloofness.

Note:

Man of the house - Sir.Roger

Parties - the master and the servant

Bounties Charitable gifts

Manumissi ion - release from servitude

Liver - a distinctive dress worn by the servants

- a sort of uniform.

CHARACTER OF WILL WIMBLE

(Addison)

While the Spectator was walking with Sir Roger, a country fellow came to him

with a huge fish which was sent by William Wimble. He also sent a letter to

Sir Roger in which he expressed the hope of coming to him soon. Since the

Spectator wanted to know about him, he

was told that Will Wimble was a younger brother to a baronet. His age was

between forty and

fifty. He spent his time ialv by making trifles for the women folk. He made

nets and garters and presented them to his friends. So he became a

favourite with all people.

When will Wimble himself came to Sir. Roger the old knight welcomed him

warmly. Will asked the knight to lend him a servant to carry a box of

Shuttlecocks to a lady. After this he informed the Spectator of his adventures

in hunting. The Spectator was impressed by the interesting behaviour of Will.

Then they all had dinner. Thee first dish served was the fish caught by Will.
On seeing this he had a long narration of how he had hooked the fish, fbiled

it and brought it to the bank. The next dish, a wild fowl furnished Will with an

interesting subject for conversation.

When the Spectator retired to his room. he thought about Will Wimble. He

pitied him. Although he had a good heart and a busy hand. he was not

trained properly. So he was wasting his energy on trifles. The Spectator was

of the opinion that if only he had attempted any other occupation, he could

have raised his fortune in another station of life. His services then would

have been more beneficial. This is the case with most of the younger

brothers of a great family to England.

The Spectator imagined that Will might have tried at divinity or law, but when

he failed in these, his family gave him up and left him to his own choice

Critical Remarks:

Addison relates the tragedy of a younger son of a great family. Will Wimble

was noble and industrious, but unfortunately his labour was directed to mere

trifles. But he was a busy man. Addison obser es. if only this busy mind had

been diverted into a proper channel the world might have profited by Will’s

Services. Addison condemns the age - old conventions of the noble families.

The nobles would rather see their children starve than would allow them to

choose a common trade.

Note

may - fly - an anglers fly made to imitate a May fly

Cock pheasant - a game bird - noted for its brilliant plumage and its delicate

flesh.

Quail pipe - a whistle imitating the cry of the quail for enticing them to the net.

Liberat art - law, divinity, physic etc..

Sir Roger’s Aneestors(Steel)

Summary:
The Spectator went round the picture - gallery of Sir. Roger. When the knight

came there, he gave an account of his ancestors. He first talked of the

change on dress and manners through ages the old fahsioned vast jetting

coat and small bonnet, which were worn by the yeoman of guard.

Sir. Roger then pointed to the picture of an ancestor and said that he was a

gallant and chivalrous fellow. He fought a dual and won a maid of honour.

His wife. whom he had won in the dual wore a dress which resembled the

modem petticoat. She pro ed himself to be an excellent country wife and she

had ten children.

Sir, Roger next showed the pictures of three sisters. Two of them, who were

beautiful, died as maidens. The other one was kidnapped by a neighbouring

gentleman. who was very have and poisoned three mastiffs and knocked don

two deer-steale’s, in order to carry her off.

The next heir to their estate was a very soft man. He was a spendthrift. When

he left the estate it was found that he owed ten thousand pounds to other

people. The debt lay heavy on the Coverley house for one generation. But

latter they were relieved by the kindness of an unknown gentleman, who

bore the same name but not related to the Coverleys. At that time Sir Andrew

Freeport, who came behind them said that gentleman was a desendant of

one of the ten children of that maid of honour.

Sir, Roger looked embrassed and so the Spectator turned to the next picture.

The knight said that it was Sir Humphry de Coverley. He was a very punctual

tradesman and a generous gentleman be seldom broke his promise. He was

a member of the House of Commons. His remarkable features were the

innocence of life and great ability. He spent his money in the service of his

friends and neighbors.

The Spectator and Sir Roger were then called for dinner and so the knight
concluded his account by narrating how Sir Humphrey narrowly escaped

being killed in the civil war.

Critical Remarks

Steeles style is simple and perfect. This can be seen clearly by his choice of

words. In this article, we can read the warmth of the duel, the peculiar

dresses of the age, the chivalry of the gentleman who carried off one of the

sisters. We also get a picture of typical feudal English aristocratic family.

Note:

Gallery - The picture-gallery. There are picture galleries in almost all

aristocratic feudal homes.

Yeoman of the guard - In England. a soldier of the body guard of the

sovereign.

White hail - a royal palace

Bass- viol - An orchestral instrument similar in shape to the Violin

Mastiffs - A bread of large and courageous dogs, valued as watch - dogs.

Knight of the shire - Members of the House of Commons for the country

Battle of Worccstor - Battle the took place on September 3rd 1651, when

Cromwell

defeated Charles.

On Ghosts and Apparitions (Addison)

Summary

A little distance from Sir. Roger’s house, there was an old Abbey. The elm

trees among the ruins were very high. The Spectator was much impressed

by the height of the trees. There was rumour that this place was haunted.

The butler warned him not to go there after sunset, for many people had

seen ghosts.

The ruins of the Abbey was a church yard previously. So there were marks of

the graves. Moreover, there was echo in that place. All these made the
supersititious people believe that the place was frequented by ghosts.

The Spectator then thought of John Locke’s Association of ideas and the

case of goblins and spirits. These objects are connected with night, though

they have nothing to do with darkness. If this thought is impressed on the

mind of a child, he will not be able to separate goblins from darkness. The

Spectator remembered this while walking along the path, and suddently he

saw a cow grazing. He realized that this sight might have frieghtened a

supertitious man to be a headless horse.

Sir Roger has often told the Spectator how his house was also subject of a

baseless story. He said how three parts by his house were completely

useless, since the best room was said to be hunted for a butler had hanged

himself there. After his mother’s death, Sir Roger

had opened all the rooms and did a lot to disperse the fears of the

housemates. He asked the clergy to exercise the haunted rooms.

The Spectator concludes the essay with Lucretius philosophy, that is. the

soul did not exist apart from the body. He believed in the appearance of

persons after death. According to Addison, such a theory is absurd.

Critical Remarks:

Addison attacks the superstitions of the people. He doesn’t believe in ghost

and spirits. So he redicules the rural life. Inspite of his views on ghosts and

appartition, Addison could not reject the conventional idea of the re-

appearance of the dead. So he quotes Lucratius.

Note:

John Locke - (1632 - 1704) a farnour English philosopher.

Goblins - Mischievous spirits of an ugly shape

Spirits - Ghosts.
Exercised - Free and purified from unclean spirits

Dissipated - Dispersed

Lucretius - A Roman poet. of I.B.C. He wrote the poem ‘De Rerum Nature’.

Sir. Roger at Church (Addison)

The Spectator is fond of a Sunday in a country He feels that keeping of the

Sabbath is the best way of civilizing and purifying the people. On Sunday’s

the whole village - folk appear in their best to meet and pray together.

Sir Roger has decorated the interior of his church with verses chosen from

the Bible. He has also presented a pulpit - cloth and has erected railings

around the communion table. Since he took much interest in the spiritual life

of his parishioners, he encouraged them to be regular to church by giving

each a hassock and a common prayer hook. FTc also employed a choir

master who instructed the people to sing correctly. Sir Roger was also very

particular in keeping the discipline of his church. He would not allow anyone

to sleep in the church. His ecentricities could be seen when he lengthens out

the verse of a hymn or when he utters ‘Amen” three or four times to the same

prayer.

He never allows anyone to disturb the sermon. He used to warn an idle man

even by interrupting the sermon. Once the warned John Mathews for kicking

his heels during the sermon. This sort of odd behaviour of Sir. Roger doesn’t

make him unpopular. On the contrary, the common people think high of him.

They respected him so much that they used to wait for him to leave the

church first.

The knight encouraged the little children by presenting Bibles to those who

answered well on a catechising day. He also added five pounds a year to the

clerks salary just to encourage the young boys to behave decently in the

church.
Next Addison. talks about the mutual understanding between the chaplain

and Sir Roger. In the near by village, there was no coordination between the

squire and the parson. Due to such relationship. Sir Roger made his people

atheist and the parson. in his turn, threatened the Squire and the parson

spoilt the religious faith of the villagers, and so they ceased the pay the tax to

the church and followed the rich, who paid little respect to the church.

Critical Remarks:

Addison describes the spiritual life of Sir Roger. he is very religious and God

fearing. Addison also points out satirically Sir Roger’s odd behaviour in the

church .At that same time he has respect for the knight’s enthusiasm in

making the people religious. To make this clear, Addison quoted the story of

the next village. Where the villages have turned into athetists as a result of

the quarrel between the squire and the parson.

Notes:

Pulpit - cloth - Pulpit was usually made of wood. and a cloth used to cover it

is called pulpit - cloth. Hassock - A stuffed cushion for kneeling on in the

church. Congregation - An assembly of persons for religious workship

Catechising day - A day set aside for Catechism. which is a form of religious

instruction by means of questions and answers.

Squire - The chief landed proprieto1 of a village

Tithe Stealers - Tithes are the tenth part of the produce of the land as offered

to the clergy. Those who cheat the amount of tithes are called Tithe stealers.

Pray... Congregation - Pray for him by name in the church to brand him as a

sinner.

9. His Account of His Disappointment in Love (Steele)

Summary:

Sir. Roger has met with a failure in love in his youth. When both Sir Roger

and the Spectator went for a walk. the knight conversed with him about the
perverse widow with whom he had fallen in love. He recollected the past

when he walked with her amidst the trees. The Spectator was pleased to

hear his friend discussing the much avoided subject with him. The knight

narrated the story how he came to his estate when he was twenty-two, When

he attained the age of twenty three, he became the Sheriff of the country and

he went to the assizes neatly dressed. He was attracted by the pretty glance

of a beautiful widow and so took her case first.

This pretty widow was very graceful during the proceedings of the trial. She

won the case. She had many admirers and b’ her*beauty turned them all to

be her slaves.

Since this perverse widow had placed Sir Roger’s name at the topmost in the

list of her admirers, he tried to win her love. In order to rivers her, the ordered

new dresses, new livertries and new horses. When he was admitted into her

presence, she have a long lecture on love and honour. She also asked him

to give this views on these topics. Sir Roger was at a loss how to answer and

so sat there without opening his mouth for halt-an-hour and then left the

place. After this, he had met her many times hut he could not take part in the

discussion. This kept him away from her and he came to the conclusion that

he could love her only with the courage of conquering me Sphinx. According

to him her speech was musical and her form anelgic. She was intimitable to

all women and inaccessible to all men

After listing to this, the spectator, led him towards the house. He thought that

this unfortunate episode in Sir Roger’s life was the cause of all

inconsistencies in his behaviour. Steele end; toe essay with an epigram of

Martial, the Latin Poet.

Critical Remarks:

Steele gives a sensitive description of Sir Ronger’s disappointment in love.

We can see the son sorrowful mood of the write in this article. Since he

narrates in the mood, the incidents that he has recalled were of the most

heart rending charater. We are sad to read about Sir Roger’s disappointment

in love.

Note:

Perverse Widow – Wayward Widow Mrs. Bovey

Assizes - Session o1ourt held in intervals, by a judge

- a dunce

Sphinx - A monster having a body of a winged lion and a women’s head and

breasts, according to Greek mythology. At theses she killed the travellers

who are not able to solve a riddle of hers.

Tansy - a favourite dish in the seventeenth century,

Martial - A Latin poet famous for his epigrams.

Dum tacet hencloquitur - Even when silent talks of her (ie) shows by his

behaiour that he is ever thinking of her

On the Shame and Fear of Poverty (Steele)

The Spectator is of the opinion that economy in one’s financial affairs has a

good lust as a proper breading affects ones conversation. But people try to

be artificial both in their financial and day-to-day behaviour

One day some country gentleman came to dine at Sir Roger’s house. One

among them appeared to be very greedy of wine. He ‘as rich but was greatly

in debt. Although he had an estate the refused to SC1I it because he thought

that he would become less rich by selling even a part oft. So he endured the

torment of poverty. As a result of this, his house was not clean and has to

bear many inconveniences.

Next the Spectator talks of a commander, who wanted to take charge of the

whole country rather than of a small pass. This ‘vanity mined him completely.

The shame of poverty reduced him to dishonour. This is the case with many

land - owners in Great Britain. They are miserable from the false shame of

poverty.

The Spectator then gives us the examples of Laertes, the rich man and Irus,

the poor. Laertes has property worth fifteen hundred pounds but it was

mortgaged for 6000 pounds. If he sells part of his land, he may be able to

pay off his debt. But he was very stubborn not to seel it for fear of becoming

an equal it his poor neighbour, Irus. He was actually ashamed of poverty.

Irus, on the other hand was motivated by the fear of poverty. So to keep

away from poverty, he reduced his expenses and remained poorer than

Laertes.

The Spectator explains his views with the help of Cowley ‘s works. Cowley

has described the position of such men. The Spectator feels that people

should be careful from the beginning as to the amount of their expenditure.

According to him the calculated economy would prevent them from envying

those who are richer than they, and from looking down upon the poor.

Critical Remarks:

Steele Beautifully pictures the character of a common English man. He

condemns the shallow aristocratic pride and the way of thinking. He has

given us the picture of Irus, who follows a moderate path. While the shame of

poverty makes Laertes goes every day a step nearer to it “The fear of

poverty stires up Irus to make every day some further progress from it”.

Note:

Libertine - unrestrained

Small pass - a pass in the mountain

Laertes - king of Itheca in Greece

Irus - Beggar in Greece

Elegant author - Bishop Sprath

Mr. Cowley’s great Vulgar - The rich described by Cowley.

TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION

1. What qualities of the typical Englishman are found in Sir Roger de

Coverley?

The charm of the essays in Covereley papers lies in the character of Sir

Roger de Coverley. The different essays portray the life and behaviour of this

typical Englishman.

The manner in which Addison presents Sir Roger is different from that of

Steele’s Steele in his essay Of the Club represents him as a jovial country

gentleman. a lover of mankind with such a happy behaviour that he is

beloved rather than esteemed. But Addison makes him an eccentric, a rustic,

autocratic self- important and credulous man.

Sir Roger is introduced as a man of unique behaviour, but his singularities

proceed from good sense. He is conceived as a fine gentleman, very

cheerful, gay and hearty and keeps a good house both in town and country.

He thus represents a typical eighteenth century country gentleman.

Sir. Roger is highly sympathetic and compassionate towards his servants. In

return they are anxious about his welfare that if he coughs or betrays an

infirmity of old age, it is easy for a stander - by to observe a secret concern in

the looks of all his servants. The knight is endowed with goodness at heart.

Sir. Roger’s eccentric behaviour can be seen in his love affair with an old

perverse widow with whom he fell in love and also at church when he

lengtheis out a verse in the singing of psalm and in pronouncing Amen’ three
or four times. In all his eccentricities, there is not an exaggerated departure

from the normal. In fact, there is great deal of humaneness about his

character.

The object of the essayists is not to laught at Sir Roger, but to ridicule the

society which considers manners as more valuable than morals. So we can

say that Sir Roger’s character is caricature not of an individual but of a

society at large.

2. Consider the Coverley Papers as a record of English social life in the

eighteenth century.

Addison and steele aimed at social and moral reformation of the society in

which they lived. Both the writers exposed the false arts, vanity and

affectations and recommended simplicity in dress, discourse, and behaviour.

Their purpose was to restore and renovate morality.

When we read their essays we seem to live in the eighteenth century, since

they reflect the eighteenth century English life. The gay fopperies, the

dances, the club-sittings and gossips, cock-hunting etc. find a faithful

portrayal in these essays. Besides the club and social activities of London..,

the essays throw light on the fashiions of the time. Younger sons like

will Honeycomb dedicated their lives to worship fashion.

Addison also talks of the religious condition of the age by portraying the

country squire like Sir Roger who used to visit the church every sunday. He

also writes about the relationship between the squire and the village parson.

Addisons essays give a faithful representation of the contemporary life. The

subject matter of these essays is varied. Both the essayists have written

about witches. a chat about new woman, a discourse on clubs, the art of

living together, the duties of family-life, the stauts of women in society and
amusements. thus the readers get a clear idea of the society.

3. Addison’s Style

Addison is regarded as one of the masters of English prose and as one of

the greatest prose stylists. His style has no pretensions, and no affectation. It

is free from all obscurities, ambiguities. complexities. and superfluities.

Addison’s language is not too figurative. He uses a few as on would use in

conversation. Since his style is not very difficult and heavy. Dr. Johnson calls

his style the middle style’. This style is between the grave, stately diction of

formal writing and the free and easy speech of every day. He adopted this

style which suited for addressing a wide circle of subjects.

4. Write a note an Addison’s humour, and irony, illustrating from the

essays you have read.

Addison’s special gift is his ironical, tolerant and gentlemanly humour. His

humour is frank and humane. His satires are mild and different from that of

Swift and Pope. When we read his essays we can find that his humour

results from the eccentricities, absurdities and oddities of his characters. Sir.

Roger de Cogerley’s is a comic character and his eccentric behaviour is a

source of laughter and humour.

The essay Sin Roger at Church is full of iornical humour. He will sleep during

the sermon but will never allow anybody to sleep beside him. He will also

count the number of the people present by standing while everyone else is

upon their knees. The incongruity in the behaviour of the knight is the main

source of humour,

Addison’s humour mainly arises from his satirical vein which is mild and

laughter provoking. There is simple humour in many of the essays of

Addison. Besides Sir Roger, there are many other characters on whom

Addison has effected healthy humour (e.g.) will Wimble.

Addison’s essays are full of humour, irony and satire. But his humour is free

from ill feeling and provides entertainment.