A few lines before Reading Spectator….
The Spectator was a periodical published daily by Joseph Addison and Sir Richard Steele, both
politicians, which was one of the bestsellers of the 18th century. Its 500 issues sold up to 4000
copies a day, and carried news and comment, but especially comments on manners, morals and
literature. The publication pretended to be the reports by a Mr Spectator on the conversations of a
club comprising representatives of the country squire-archy, the town, commerce and the army. Its
essays show that urban life in the 18th century was not so far different from today, with
observations on begging and binge-drinking. ‘Mr Spectator’ particularly comments on debt – ‘[I
am] extremely astonished that Men can be so insensible of the Danger of running into Debt’.
Enjoyed huge popularity…
Another spectator…
The Spectator is a weekly British newsmagazine on politics, culture, and current
affairs. It was first published in July 1828, making it the oldest surviving weekly
magazine in the world. It is owned by Frederick Barclay, who also owns The Daily
Telegraph newspaper, via Press Holdings.
Addison’s…
The Spectator, a periodical published in London by the essayists Sir Richard
Steele and Joseph Addison from March 1, 1711, to Dec. 6, 1712 (appearing daily), and
subsequently revived by Addison in 1714 (for 80 numbers). The original run consisted of
555 numbers.
Popularity for purpose:
The general purpose of this paper is to expose the false arts, to pull off the disguises of cunning,
vanity and affectation, and recommend a general simplicity in our dress, our discourse and our
behavior”… (Steel in the first volume of The Tatler)
It was said of Socrates that he brought Philosophy down from heaven, to inhabit among men;
and I shall be ambitious to have it said of me, that I have brought Philosophy out of closets and
libraries, schools and colleges, to dwell in clubs and assemblies, at tea-tables and in coffee-
houses. ("Uses of The Spectator," March 12th, 1711)
Popularity for difference:
17th century is a century for long books…
*****Brevity is the style for Steel and Addison
17th century saw books only for intellectuals…
They kept the taste and requirements of their readers, male and female
17th century lit was bombasting…
Their writings are plain enough
17th century writings are imaginary…..
They used to deal with real world
17th century writings are political….
Though Whiggish in tone, The Spectator generally avoided party-political controversy.
17th century writings are on devalued urbanity…
An important aspect of its success was its notion that urbanity and taste were values
that transcended political differences.
Popularity for a life like character:
17th century lit didn’t have life like character outside
*****they created Sir Roger De Coverly
“What would Sir Roger De Coverly be without his follies and his charming little brain-cracks? If the
good knight did not call out the people sleeping in church, and say ‘Amen’ with such a delightful
pomposity…if he were wiser thaN he is; if he had not his homour to salt his life…of what worth were
he to us”…Thackeray
Popularity for purpose:
They hit on the idea of Sir Roger De Coverly as a feature of life-like character…
“It is certain that Steel first hit the idea of Sir Roger De Coverly, an imaginary eccentric
old country knight who frequented the Spectator Club in London …Addison seized upon
the idea of the club; gave it life, interest and adventure; cast over it the charm of his
pleasant humour; and finished up by making the knight die with affecting deliberation
and decorum.” …Saintsbury
Sir Roger appeared in so many essays that some have thought The Spectator was
approaching the form of the novel of manners. Actually there is no thread of
narrative which we can follow; the central figure is the only unifying device…
Importance of Periodicals and Journals during 18th century
*Promotion of Literacy and Education
*Formation of Public Opinion
*Reflection of Society
*Cultural Enlightenment
*Development of Journalism
Summary of the essay in few lines…
Sir Roger at Home…
Mr. Spectator, author, having been invited to stay for a month at Sir Roger’s country house, had the
opportunity to meet the chaplain whom the good knight had engaged to look after the welfare of
the parish. The chaplain was a person of good sense, some learning, a very regular life obliging
conversation. He had, besides, a good aspect, a clear voice, a sociable temper and a kind heart.
He was an excellent preacher and he understood a little of backgammon too. Sir Roger held
Chaplain in high esteem and had settled upon him a good annuity for life. The chaplain
satisfactorily compounded the disputes of the parishioners, and invited distinguished divines to
preach to them. Mr. Spectator also noted with satisfaction that Sir Roger was greatly loved and
respected by his servants, for whom he had a sincere affection
Key Points highlighted here…
1. The essay shows author’s skill in character sketches
2. Ability to present the setting vividly
3. Servants sober, staid, …love and respect for master are rare in 17th/18th century
4. Sir Roger being generous, humane and good natured master is rare as well
5. Mr. Spectator’s distaste for company, his shyness delineated
6. Moralistic approach
Sir Roger At Home
Spectator No. 106, 2/7/1711
—Hinc tihi copia
Manabit ad plenum benigno
Ruris honorum opulenta cornu — Horace
(Here Plenty's liberal horn shall pour
Of fruits for thee a copious show'r,
Rich honours of the quiet plain.)
Having often received an invitation from my friend Sir Roger de Coverley to pass away a month with him in
the country, I last week accompanied him thither, and am settled with him for some time at his country-
house, where I intend to form several of my ensuing speculations. Sir Roger, who is very well acquainted with
my humour, lets me rise and go to bed when I please; dine at his own table, or in my chamber, as I think fit;
sit still, and say nothing, without bidding me be merry. When the gentlemen of the country come to see him,
he only shows me at a distance. As I have been walking in his fields, I have observed them stealing a sight of
me over an hedge, and have heard the knight desiring them not to let me see them, for that I hated to be
stared at.
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. You would take
his valet de chamber (Personal Servant) for his brother; his butler is grey-headed; his groom (person taking care of
horses) is one of the gravest men that I have ever seen; and his coachman has the looks of a privy-councillor. You
see the goodness of the master even in the old house-dog; and in a gray pad, that is kept in the stable with great
care and tenderness out of regard to his past services, though he has been useless for several years.
I could not but observe with a great deal of pleasure, the joy that appeared in the countenances of these ancient
domestics upon my friend's arrival at his country-seat. Some of them could not refrain from tears at the sight of
their old master; every one of them pressed forward to do something for him, and seemed discouraged if they
were not employed. At the same time the good old knight, with a mixture of the father and the master of the
family, tempered the inquiries after his own affairs with several kind questions relating to themselves. This
humanity and good nature engages everybody to him, so that when he is pleasant upon any of them, all his family
are in good humour, and none so much as the person whom he diverts himself with: on the contrary, if he coughs,
or betrays any infirmity of old age, it is easy for a stander-by (present without action) to observe a secret concern
in the looks of all his servants.
My worthy friend has put me under the particular care of his butler, who is a very prudent man, and, as well as the
rest of his fellow-servants, wonderfully desirous of pleasing me, because they have often heard their master talk of
me as of his particular friend.
My chief companion, when Sir Roger is diverting himself in the woods or the fields, is a very venerable man, who is
ever with Sir Roger, and has lived at his house in the nature of a chaplain above thirty years. This gentleman is a
person of good sense, and some learning, of a very regular life, and obliging conversation: be heartily loves Sir
Roger, and knows that he is very much in the old knight's esteem; so that he lives in the family rather as a relation
than a dependant.
I have observed in several of my papers, that my friend Sir Roger, amidst all his good qualities, is something of an
humourist; and that his virtues, as well as imperfections, are, as it were, tinged by a certain extravagance, which
make them particularly his, and distinguishes them from those of other men. This cast of mind, as it is generally
very innocent in itself, so it renders his conversation highly agreeable, and more delightful than the same degree of
sense and virtue would appear in their common and ordinary colours. As I was walking with him last night, he asked
me how I liked the good man whom I have just now mentioned: and, without staying for my answer, told me, that
he was afraid of being insulted with Latin and Greek at his own table ; for which reason, he desired a particular
friend of his at the University, to find him out a clergyman rather of plain sense than much learning, of a good
aspect, a clear voice, a sociable temper, and, if possible, a man that understood a little of backgammon (A game).
"My friend (says Sir Roger) found me out this gentleman, who, besides the endowments required of him, is,
they tell me, a good scholar, though he does not show it. I have given him the parsonage of the parish; and
because I know his value, have settled upon him a good annuity for life. If he outlives me, he shall find that
he was higher in my esteem than perhaps he thinks he is. He has now been with me thirty years; and,
though he does not know I have taken notice of it, has never in all that time asked anything of me for
himself, though he is every day soliciting me for something in behalf of one or other of my tenants, his
parishioners. There has not been a law-suit in the parish since he has lived among them: if any dispute
arises, they apply themselves to him for the decision; if they do not acquiesce(accept without argument) in
his judgment, which I think never happened above once, or twice at most, they appeal to me. At his first
settling with me, I made him a present of all the good sermons which have been printed in English, and
only begged of him that every Sunday be would pronounce one of them in the pulpit. Accordingly, he has
digested them into such a series, that they follow one another naturally, and make a continued system of
practical divinity."
As Sir Roger was going on in his story, the gentleman we were talking of came up to us; and upon the knight's
asking him who preached tomorrow, (for it was Saturday night,) told us, the Bishop of St. Asaph in the morning,
and Dr. South in the afternoon. He then showed us his list of preachers for the whole year, where I saw with a
great deal of pleasure, Archbishop Tillotson, Bishop Saunderson, Doctor Barrow, Doctor Calamy, with several living
authors who have published discourses of practical divinity. I no sooner saw this venerable man in the pulpit, but I
very much approved of my friend's insisting upon the qualifications of a good aspect and a clear voice; for I was so
charmed with the gracefulness of his figure and delivery, as well as the discourses he pronounced, that I think I
never passed any time more to my satisfaction. A sermon repeated after this manner, is like the composition of a
poet in the mouth of a graceful actor.
I could heartily wish that more of our country clergy would follow this example; and, instead of wasting their spirits
in laborious compositions of their own, would endeavour after a handsome elocution, and all those other talents
that are proper to enforce what has been penned by greater masters. This would not only be more easy to
themselves, but more edifying to the people.
The Importance of Epigraph…
In the case of the Spectator essay, Horace serves a dual purpose- Firstly at a meta-textual
level Addison registers his neoclassical inspiration by borrowing lines from a Horatian text
which paints the picture of an idyllic, pastoral realm of plenty as a complementary metaphor
for Sir Roger’s plentiful estate in 18th century Worcestershire
Secondly, Sir Roger’s rural countryside existence marked by quiet and an abundance of
Nature’s wealth stands as a symbol of the squire’s benevolent guardianship as the lord of the
manor.
At the same time, the epigraph also serves a nostalgic purpose in presenting Sir Roger as the
emblem of a class of landed gentry which has already lived past its prime and is now in
decline.
Summary of the essay in few lines…
Sir Roger at Church…
Mr. Spectator, considers country Sundays of great value as divine worship done on Sundays being a
healthy practice. Sir, Roger is very particular about the people of his village attending the church on
Sundays, and he is himself a regular church-goer. He does not tolerate anybody dozing in the
church though he himself enjoys a nap during the sermon.
He suffers from certain singularities of behavior, which are not, however, regarded as a defect by
his parishioners. He gives all possible encouragement to the young fellows to study the Bible well.
He is on terms of perfect mutual understanding with his chaplain. He believes that feuds between
squires and parsons are very harmful to the ordinary people.
Key Points highlighted here…
1. The essay shows author’s skill in character sketches
2. Singularities or eccentricities of character in details
3. Humour through the behaviour
4. Gentle satire on society and the tory…
5. ‘Lovable and innocence’ hides the sullen…
6. Mocks paternalistic attitude to country people
7. A hint of amusement over complete authority of the church..
8. Positives and negatives of England’s past,
9. Moralistic approach
Sir Roger At Church
Spectator No. 112, 9/7/1711
(First, in obedience to thy country's rites, Worship the immortal Gods. — Pythagoras)
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. It is certain the country-people would soon degenerate into a kind of
savages and barbarians, were there not such frequent returns of a stated time, in which the whole
village meet together with their best faces, and in their cleanliest habits, to converse with one another
upon indifferent subjects, hear their duties explained to them, and join together in adoration of the
Supreme Being. Sunday clears away the rust of the whole week, not only as it refreshes in their minds
the notions of religion, but as it puts both the sexes upon appearing in their most agreeable forms, and
exerting all such qualities as are apt to give them a figure in the eye of the village. A country-fellow
distinguishes himself as much in the churchyard as a citizen does upon the Change(Royal Exchange),
the whole parish politics being generally discussed in that place either after sermon or before the bell
rings.
(a comparison between merchants in royal exchange and people in ecclesiastical division. The way
merchants show their importance in terms of exchange the people here discuss parish politics)
My friend Sir Roger, being a good church-man, has beautified the inside of his church with several texts of
his own choosing: he has likewise given a handsome pulpit-cloth, and railed in the communion-table at his
own expense. He has often told me, that at his coming to his estate he found his parishioners very
irregular; and that in order to make them kneel and join in the responses, he gave every one of them a
hassock (thick cushion) and a Common Prayer Book; and at the same time employed an itinerant singing-
master, who goes about the country for that purpose, to instruct them rightly in the tunes of the psalms;
upon which they now very much value themselves, and indeed out-do most of the country churches that I
have ever heard.
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 if 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 servant to them. Several other of the old knight's particularities break out
upon these occasions: 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 four 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.
*church going bell, psalms of the day, the advice
I was yesterday very much surprised to hear my old friend, in the midst of the service, calling out to one John
Matthews to mind what he was about, and not disturb the congregation. This John Matthews, it seems, is
remarkable for being an idle fellow, and at that time was kicking (making sound with kick) his heels for his
diversion (pleasure). This authority of the knight, though exerted in that odd manner which accompanies him in
all circumstances of life, has a very good effect upon the parish, who are not polite enough to see anything
ridiculous in his behaviour; besides that the general good sense and worthiness of his character, make his
friends observe these little singularities as foils that rather set off than blemish his good qualities. (peculiarities as
foil to many good qualities and senses)
As soon as the sermon is finished, nobody presumes to stir till Sir Roger is gone out of the church. The knight
walks down from his seat in the chancel (a part near altar, reserved for clergy) between a double row of his
tenants, that stand bowing to him on each side; and every now and then he inquires how such an one's wife, or
mother, or son, or father do, whom he does not see at church; which is understood as a secret reprimand to the
person that is absent.
The chaplain has often told me, that upon a catechising-day*, when Sir Roger has been pleased with a boy that
answers well, he has ordered a Bible to be given him next day for his encouragement; and sometimes
accompanies it with a flitch of bacon to his mother. Sir Roger has likewise added five pounds a year to the
clerk's place; and that he may encourage the young fellows to make themselves perfect in the church-service,
has promised, upon the death of the present incumbent, who is very old, to bestow it according to merit.
*day on which children are questioned on their knowledge of Bible to instruct
The fair understanding between Sir Roger and his chaplain, and their mutual concurrence
(agreement) in doing good, is the more remarkable, because the very next village is famous for the
differences and contentions that rise between the parson and the 'squire, who live in a perpetual
state of war. The parson is always at the 'squire, and the 'squire, to be revenged on the parson,
never comes to church. The 'squire has made all his tenants atheists and tithe-stealers*; while the
parson instructs them every Sunday in the dignity of his order, and insinuates to them, almost in
every sermon, that he is a better man than his patron. In short, matters are come to such an
extremity, that the 'squire has not said his prayers either in public or private this half year; and that
the parson threatens him, if he does not mend his manners, to pray for him in the face of the whole
congregation.
Feuds of this nature, though too frequent in the country, are very fatal to the ordinary people; who
are so used to be dazzled with riches, that they pay as much deference* to the understanding of a
man of an estate, as of a man of learning; and are very hardly brought to regard any truth, how
important so ever it may be, that is preached to them, when they know there are several men of five
hundred a year* who do not believe it.
*the amount (tithe=one-tenth) paid as tax for the support of clergymen.
*respect
*earnings without prayer implying common man’s disbelieve upon priest…
What is the writing style of Addison?
According to Dr. Johnson, Addison prose is the model of the middle style. It is pure without
scrupulosity and exact without apparent elaboration. It is always equable and always easy.
Why it’s middle style?
1. Addison took deeper themes such as fashion, immortality, jealousy prayer etc. He was
an advocate of moderation in everything and did not approve of excess. He did not
hesitate to attack the vices, big or small with a kindness peculiarly of his own.
2. A style which is not too informal, it is not rigidly formal either.
3. A style which is free of levity and vulgarism, and at the same time easy and friendly,
without elaborate flourishes of metaphor and involved comparisons.
4. Clarity in subject matter, simplicity in construction and word choice to make everybody
understand.
18th century periodical essays and the Spectators…
The periodical essays were characterized by their entertaining portrayal of moralizing contents.
“The periodical essay was a popular form of literature and communication and recreation in the 18th
century because it was the mirror of the Augustan age in England. The periodical essays gave
the new patrons pleasure as well as instruction.”
A.H. Humphrey,
Sprouted its roots deep in reason and intellect, thus it was characterized as satirical, didactic and
critical.
Depiction of characters with satire and fun
Key Points highlighted here in Spectator 106 Key Points highlighted here in Spectator 112
1. The essay shows author’s skill in character 1. The essay shows author’s skill in character sketches
sketches 2. Singularities or eccentricities of character in details
2. Servants sober, staid, …love and respect for 3. Humour through the behaviour
master are rare in 17th/18th century-a mild satire
4. Gentle satire on society and the tory…
3. Sir Roger being generous, humane and good
natured master is rare as well 5. Lovable and innocence character hides the sullen…
4. Mr. Spectator’s distaste for company, his shyness 6. Mocks paternalistic attitude to country people
delineated 7. A hint of amusement over complete authority of the
5. Moralistic approach church..
8. Positives and negatives of England’s past,
9. Moralistic approach with fun
