Addison, regarded as one of the greatest prose stylists in English literary history, and

the ‘founder of modern English essay and modern English prose, was the pioneer of a style that
was very simple, lucid, natural, moderate, free from extravagant expression, and called ‘middle
style’. It is a style of straightness, without any obscurities, ambiguities, complexities, or
superfluities. “He perfected English prose as an instrument for the expression of social thought.’’
Moreover, Addison, as an essayist, is often seen as a moralist, a preacher, a philosopher and
critic, and also a humorist. In this writing we will discuss with reference from Addison’s The
Spectator essays.
Dr. Johnson for the first time mentioned Addison’s style to be ‘middle style’. He says well-
“His prose is the model of the middle style; familiar but not coarse, elegant but not ostentatious:
on grave subjects not formal; on light occasions not groveling, but without scrupulosity, and
exact without apparent elaborations; and always equable, and always easy, without glowing
words or painted words or pointed sentences.’’
Actually, he is clear, fluent and understandable in what he wants to say.
Clearness and lucidity of expression is the most striking feature of Addison’s style. There is no
complexity or obscurity or difficulty in his expression. Even, a very long sentence can express
clear ideas at the very first sight or reading. For example,
“sometimes he will be lengthening out a verse in the singing psalms, half a minute after the rest
of the congregation have done with it; sometimes when he is pleased with the matter of his
devotion, he pronounces amen three or more times to the same prayer, and sometimes stands
up when everybody else is upon their knees, to count the congregation, or see if any of his
tenants are missing.’’ (Sir Roger at Church)
Here, more than one idea regarding Sir Roger’s humorous activities is expressed with the help
of many comas and semicolons. But each of the ideas is expressed clearly without any
haziness.
However, Addison is also very expert, when situation demands, in using short sentences-
“As soon as the sermon is finished, no body presumes to stir till Sir Roger is gone out of the
Church.”
(Sir Roger at Church)
Again, Addison also writes many compact and succinct sentences having quotable quality like
those of Bacon. For example –
“In this case, therefore, it is not religion that sours a man’s temper, But it is his temper that
sours his religion.”
(Uncharitable Judgment)
Humour is one of the most notable qualities of Addison’s style. Addison’s humour is mainly
ironical and satirical and sometimes funny. It is not harsh or bitter but gentle, genial and civilized
with a view to correcting the society out of its follies and foibles. We can mention an example
from the essay, “Sir Roger at Church”-
“As Sir Roger is landlord to the whole congregation, he keeps them in very good order, and will
suffer nobody to sleep in it besides himself; for it by chance he has been surprised into a short
nap at sermon, upon recovering out of it he stands up and looks about him, and if he sees
anybody  else nodding, either wakes them himself, or sends his servants to them.”
Here, the humorous irony towards Sir Roger’s eccentricities is notable.
Addison’s style is not highly figurative. Fanciful similes and metaphors are not found in his
writings. Rather, when he thinks that his use of figurative language would be more useful and
effective, only then he uses them. Such as:
“and his coachman has the looks of a privy –councillor”
(Sir Roger at Home)
Here, by ‘the looks of a privy councilor’, Addison wants to reveal the coachman’s serious and
wise looks with a touch of humour. Again –
“A sermon repeated after this manner, is like the composition of a poet in the mouth of a
graceful actor.”
(Sir Roger at Home)
Addison uses many allusions, anecdotes, references. Additionally, most of his essays are
headed by quotations from classical or modern authors and these quotations are very apt to the
subjects of the essays. For example, ‘Sir Roger at Church’ begins with the motto from
Pythagoras –
“First, in obedience to thy country’s rites,
Worship ‘th’ immortal God”
Apparently, it seems that Addison is not laborious in his expression and word selection as the
reader is not to pay any labour to read and understand his writings. But, actually “Addison was
extremely fastidious in his choice of words and laborious by polished and balanced hphrases.”
Here lies his difference from other prose writers. In fact, most of the prose of Milton, Bacon and
Lamb demands simplified version and explanation. On the other hand, Addison himself is a
simplified version.
Addison’s style is near to the language of conversation, but not to the informal conversational
style of Montaige. Sometimes, it seems that Addison is talking with the reader. Such as the
speaker, the Spectator, that is, Addison is telling that –
“As I was walking with him [Sir Roger] last night, he asked me how I liked the good man [the
Chaplain] whom I have just now mentioned, and without saying for an answer, told me, that he
was afraid of being insulted with Latin and Greek at his own table.”                   
(Sir Roger at Home)
That is in the midst of the description of talking about the chaplain between the speaker and Sir
Roger, the writer as well as speaker tells us whom he has just mentioned in previous paragraph.
In fine, we cannot but admit Addison’s great service to English prose as well as English
literature. He showed a perfect English prose style to a large extent, and freed it from
extravagances and excesses of eighteenth century writers, and brought in it clearness, lucidity
and exactness. Indeed, we can end the discussion with Dr. Johnson’s tribute, regarded as
classic, to it –
“Whoever wishes to attain an English style, familiar but not coarse, and elegant but not
ostentations, must give his days and nights to the volumes of Addison.”

Joseph Addison as an Essayist

 Most of Joseph Addison’s essays are the social documents of the eighteenth century English
life of middle-class people. He wrote elaborately on religion, politics, death, woman and other
contemporary issues. Myres, in this connection, says- “It is necessary to study the work of
Joseph Addison in close relation to the time in which he lived, for he was a true child of his
century…..” Addison adopted the ‘middle style’. It was associated with the graceful rhythm.
Once Sr. Johnson praised the style of Addison- ;Give nights and days, sir, to the study of
Addison if you mean to be a good writer, or , what is more worth, an honest man.” Dr. Johnson
again said-“His(Addison’s)prose is the model of the middle style; on grave subjects not formal,
on light occasions not grovelling; pure without  scrupulosity, and extra without apparent
elaboration; always equable, and always tempter, he performed; he is never feebler, and he did
not wish to be energetic; he is never rapid, and he never stagnates. His sentences have nether
not diligently rounded, are voluble and easy.”
Addison used the language of the clubs and the coffee-houses. He too wished to refine the
English language and to write with well-bred ease. But at the same time he saw a danger in
common speech- “Since it often happens that the most obvious phrases, and those which are
used in ordinary conversation, become too familiar to the ear , and contract a kind of meanness
by passing through the mouths of the vulgar, a poet should take particular care to guard himself
against idiomatic ways of speaking………The great masters in composition know very well that
many an elegant phrase becomes improper for a poet or an orator, when it has been debased
by common use.”  (The Spectator, No.285.)
Mr. Addison wanted to avoid vulgarity. As a consequence, according to his sentiment, he
created Sir Roger. He felt ease at the home of Sir Roger –“I am the more at ease in Sir Roger’s
family, because it consists of sober and staid persons: for as the knight is the best master in the
world, he seldom changes his servants; and as he is beloved by all about him, his servants
never care for leaving him; by this means his domestics are all  in years, and grown old with
their master.” (SirRoger at home).
Mr. Addison was religious-minded. Naturally his essay was reflected with that ideology –“I am
always very well pleased with a country. Sunday, and think, if keeping holy the seventh day
were only a human institution, it would be the best method that could have been thought of for 
the polishing and civilizing of mankind.” (Sir Roger at Church). In this essay he upholded the
observance of Sunday on account of its social in influences rather than for its religious
meaning-“Sunday clears away the rust of the whole week.”
‘The Drama-an allegory’ is an excellent essay of Addison’s style. Though this essay Addison
tried to organize his humour-“Her name was Fancy. She led up every mortal to the appointed
place, after having very officiously assisted him in making up his pack, and laying it upon his
shoulders. My heart melted within me to see my fellow- creatures groaning under their
respective burdens, and to consider that prodigious bulk of human calamities which lay before
me.”
Again in his Mischiefs of Party Spirit, he says Party spirit is harmful to man’s morals and
understanding. It may even lead to civil war and blood-shed –“A furious party –spirit, when it
rages in its violence, exerts itself in civil war and blood-shed; and when it its under its greatest
restraints, naturally breaks out in falsehood, detraction, calumny, and a partial administration of
justice. In a world, it fills a nation with spleen, rancour, and exercise an exit of all the seeds of
good-nature, compassion, and humanity”.
Addison’s style is marked for fantastic blending of humour and satire. There is no mannerism in
his prose-style. He wrote without any effort. He also used irony and wit to mark his essay
didactic. His essays were not ‘art for the sake of art’. Critical investigation observes a mind
approach of puritanical propaganda in his essays. Addison’s aim and endeavour was “to enliven
morality with wit, and to temper wit with morality.”
Addison, regarded as one of the greatest prose stylists in English literary history, and
the‘founder of modern English essay and modern English prose, was the pioneer of a style that
was very simple, lucid, natural, moderate, free from extravagant expression, and called ‘middle
style’. It is a style of straightness, without any obscurities, ambiguities, complexities, or
superfluities. “He perfected English prose as an instrument for the expression of social thought.’’
Moreover, Addison, as an essayist, is often seen as a moralist, a preacher, a philosopher and
critic, and also a humorist. In this writing we will discuss with reference from Addison’s The
Spectator essays.
Dr. Johnson for the first time mentioned Addison’s style to be ‘middle style’. He says well-
“His prose is the model of the middle style; familiar but not coarse, elegant but not ostentatious:
on grave subjects not formal; on light occasions not groveling, but without scrupulosity, and
exact without apparent elaborations; and always equable, and always easy, without glowing
words or painted words or pointed sentences.’’
Actually, he is clear, fluent and understandable in what he wants to say.
Clearness and lucidity of expression is the most striking feature of Addison’s style. There is no
complexity or obscurity or difficulty in his expression. Even, a very long sentence can express
clear ideas at the very first sight or reading. For example,
“sometimes he will be lengthening out a verse in the singing psalms, half a minute after the rest
of the congregation have done with it; sometimes when he is pleased with the matter of his
devotion, he pronounces amen three or more times to the same prayer, and sometimes stands
up when everybody else is upon their knees, to count the congregation, or see if any of his
tenants are missing.’’ (Sir Roger at Church)
Here, more than one idea regarding Sir Roger’s humorous activities is expressed with the help
of many comas and semicolons. But each of the ideas is expressed clearly without any
haziness.
However, Addison is also very expert, when situation demands, in using short sentences-
“As soon as the sermon is finished, no body presumes to stir till Sir Roger is gone out of the
Church.”
            (Sir Roger at Church)
Again, Addison also writes many compact and succinct sentences having quotable quality like
those of Bacon. For example –
“In this case, therefore, it is not religion that sours a man’s temper, But it is his temper that sours
his religion.”
            (Uncharitable Judgment)
Humour is one of the most notable qualities of Addison’s style. Addison’s humour is mainly
ironical and satirical and sometimes funny. It is not harsh or bitter but gentle, genial and civilized
with a view to correcting the society out of its follies and foibles. We can mention an example
from the essay, “Sir Roger at Church”-
“As Sir Roger is landlord to the whole congregation, he keeps them in very good order, and will
suffer nobody to sleep in it besides himself; for it by chance he has been surprised into a short
nap at sermon, upon recovering out of it he stands up and looks about him, and if he sees
anybody  else nodding, either wakes them himself, or sends his servants to them.”
Here, the humorous irony towards Sir Roger’s eccentricities is notable.
Addison’s style is not highly figurative. Fanciful similes and metaphors are not found in his
writings. Rather, when he thinks that his use of figurative language would be more useful and
effective, only then he uses them. Such as:
                        “and his coachman has the looks of a privy –councillor”
                                                            (Sir Roger at Home)
Here, by ‘the looks of a privy councilor’, Addison wants to reveal the coachman’s serious and
wise looks with a touch of humour. Again –
“A sermon repeated after this manner, is like the composition of a poet in the mouth of a
graceful actor.”
                        (Sir Roger at Home)
Addison uses many allusions, anecdotes, references. Additionally, most of his essays are
headed by quotations from classical or modern authors and these quotations are very apt to the
subjects of the essays. For example, ‘Sir Roger at Church’ begins with the motto from
Pythagoras –
                        “First, in obedience to thy country’s rites,
                          Worship ‘th’ immortal God”
Apparently, it seems that Addison is not laborious in his expression and word selection as the
reader is not to pay any labour to read and understand his writings. But, actually “Addison was
extremely fastidious in his choice of words and laborious by polished and balanced hphrases.”
Here lies his difference from other prose writers. In fact, most of the prose of Milton, Bacon and
Lamb demands simplified version and explanation. On the other hand, Addison himself is a
simplified version.
Addison’s style is near to the language of conversation, but not to the informal conversational
style of Montaige. Sometimes, it seems that Addison is talking with the reader. Such as the
speaker, the Spectator, that is, Addison is telling that –
“As I was walking with him [Sir Roger] last night, he asked me how I liked the good man [the
Chaplain] whom I have just now mentioned, and without saying for an answer, told me, that he
was afraid of being insulted with Latin and Greek at his own table.”  (Sir Roger at Home)
That is in the midst of the description of talking about the chaplain between the speaker and Sir
Roger, the writer as well as speaker tells us whom he has just mentioned in previous paragraph.
In fine, we cannot but admit Addison’s great service to English prose as well as English
literature. He showed a perfect English prose style to a large extent, and freed it from
extravagances and excesses of eighteenth century writers, and brought in it clearness, lucidity
and exactness. Indeed, we can end the discussion with Dr. Johnson’s tribute, regarded as
classic, to it –
“Whoever wishes to attain an English style, familiar but not coarse, and elegant but not
ostentations, must give his days and nights to the volumes of Addison.”

Joseph Addison as an Essayist

 
Joseph Addison contributed to English Literature as a pamphleteer poet, dramatist and
essayist. Though his drama Cato and poem " The Campaign" won march acclaim and
popularity during his lifetime, it is as an essayist that Joseph Addison has secured a unique
place for himself in the history of English Literature. He wrote most of his essay for the
periodicals , The Spectator, The Tatler and The Guardian with his co editor Richard Steele.
Their motive behind these essays was moral and didactic: their aim was to Reform British
society.
Joseph Addison contributed to English Literature as a pamphleteer poet, dramatist and essayist.
Though his drama Cato and poem " The Campaign" won march acclaim and popularity during
his lifetime, it is as an essayist that Joseph Addison has secured a unique place for himself in
the history of English Literature. He wrote most of his essay for the periodicals , The Spectator,
The Tatler and The Guardian with his co editor Richard Steele. Their motive behind these
essays was moral and didactic: their aim was to Reform British society.
There are nearly 400 essays written by Addison, which are of almost uniform length, excellence
of style and on a wide variety of subjects. He is an objective, dispassionate observer of the
lifestyle of his time, which he exposes faithfully and unerringly to his readers. He became a mild
critic of the morals of his age and most of his essays deal with contemporary issues like popular
superstitions, social manners, polite conversation, fashion, practical jokes and so on. Though he
touched on the subject of politics, he dealt with it cautiously, without hunting sentiments. Literary
criticism also found a distinctive place in his essays; several editorials maintained a
conversational tone with his readers. They enjoyed them because he punctuated his essays
with wit and humour. His best creation however is the famous series dealing with the fictitious
The Spectator club.
Steele created an imaginary sir Rodger De Coverley, an eccentric old country knight who is the
member of the Spectator Club at London. There are other characters created in contrast to him
like a city merchant - Sir Andrew Freeport, a middle aged man - Will Honey Comb, the
sophisticated and fashionable young man of the town - Will Wimble, a soldier - Captain Sentry
and a shy introvert - Mr Spectator. Addison infused life into those characters, made them
adventurous and interesting, so much so that some scholars have regarded the Coverley
papers as the forerunner of the novel.
In Addison's words, his aim in his essays was to point out, ' those vices which are to trivial for
the chastisement of the law, and too fantastical for the cognizance of the pulpit..... All agreed
that I should be at liberty to carry the war into quarters I pleased; provided I continued to combat
which criminals in a body, and to assault the vice without hunting the person'. Addison was so
successful that his essays became the range of the day. Only men but women also read his
essays, which was a real achievement. His essays definitely influenced the 18th century reading
public.
Though modern day reader may not be able to comprehend this adulation accorded to his
essays today when we have become a lot more complex in politics as well as in social matters,
one must have a proper knowledge of the century in which Addison stood out alone as an
individual withstanding the follies and vices of his time.
Addison and Steele perceived this tension in society. They took the first courageous step
towards bringing two extreme two extreme sections of society closer to each other. A huge gap
existed between the rural and urban, the landed gentry and the new prosperous middle class.
However, Addison's essays were acceptable to the strictness of the Puritan as well as the
refinement of the Restoration. He sincerely advocated a middle path or moderation in every
walk of life. He observed life with a keen but objective eye, making it possible to hold up the
vices and follies of his society with the intention of banning them from Britain. He tempered wit
with morality and vice verse. His language was simple, his subject matter was topical and he
wrote to inspire people to rectify their defects.
As an essayist, Addison influenced British society. The 'middle style' which he perfected has
been criticised as being weak, lacking the energy and force which can be provided by passion
and intellectual energy. Yet, this attitude which seeks to be just, humane and moderate helped
him to acquire his goal for bringing diverse people reading, thinking and talking about his
essays. Most importantly, people responded to the sincere affection and simple but logical
advice, which his essays communicate to his reading public.