Sir Roger at Home

By Joseph Addison
4th Semester Alternative English
Prepared by Dr. S.Nath,
Dept. of English

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The Periodical Essay
The periodical essay was a new literary form
that emerged during the early part of the
18th century.
These essays appeared in affordable
publications that came out regularly, usually
two or three times a week.
They did not consist of medley of
information and news, but comprised of a
single essay usually on specific theme.

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The Tatlar and The
Spectator
The Tatlar and The Spectator were the most
popular and influential periodicals of the time
The Tatlar was started by Richard Steele in
April 1709 appearing three times a week
until January 1711
Two months after The Tatlar ceased
publication, Addison and Steele launched the
brilliant periodical The Spectator which
continued till December, 1712.

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Sir Roger at Home
The essay ‘Sir Roger at Home’ is taken from
the periodical The Spectator
Addison created an imaginary club called
Spectator Club whose members extolled the
authors’ own ideas about society
These members included representatives of
commerce, the army, the town and the
county gentry

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Character of Sir Roger de
Coverley
Sir Roger is the most popular and lovable
character of the club created by Addison.
He was a baronet of Worcestershire and was
meant to represent a typical landed gentry
On account of his cheerful nature and kind
disposition, he was loved by all.
He was a humourist and his virtues and
imperfections were tinged with a certain
extravagance which made him more
agreeable.

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Summary of the essay
st
Introduction( 1 paragraph)
The author begins by remarking that since
he had often been invited to spend a month
or two with Sir Roger in his country house,
he decided to accompany him the previous
week to Worcestershire.
Sir Roger had been a perfect host and gave
the author privacy and freedom to spend his
time the way he wanted

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Sir Roger’s family
nd
(2 paragraph)
The author describes Sir Roger’s family . Sir
Roger never married and considered his
domestic helpers as family members. Sir Roger
is described as ‘the best master in the world’ as
he is highly sympathetic, considerate and
compassionate towards his servants
The author refers to the servants as ‘sober and
staid’ ( solemn and respectable) persons
because of their appearance and behaviour.
They have never left their master and have
grown old with him

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 nd
2 paragraph (continued)
Sir Roger’s valet( personal attendant) looked
like his brother, his butler was grey haired,
his groom ( one who looked after horses)
was one of the gravest man that the author
saw and the coachman looked like a member
of the legislature.
Even Sir Roger’s dog had grown old but was
looked after with great care and tenderness
though he was currently useless.

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Sir Roger’s relation with his
rd
domestics (3 paragraph)
The author describes the mutual love and
respect between Sir Roger and his servants
Sir Roger’s visit to his country house
brought great cheer and happiness to his
servants.
Sir Roger also enquired about the affairs of
the house with a mixture of the father and
the master.
His humanity and good nature endeared
him to all. Any sign of sickness or discomfort
in him brought concern to his servants.
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The Butler and the Chaplain
th th
( 4 and 5 paragraph)
The author mentions that Sir Roger put him
under the care of his butler who was a
prudent man and was always desirous of
pleasing him
But the author’s chief companion was the
chaplain who had lived in the family as a
relation rather than a dependant
The chaplain was a person of good sense
and heartily loved Sir Roger who held him in
high esteem.

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The Chaplain
th
(6 paragraph)
The author describes Sir Roger character and
remarks that his personality was marked by a
certain extravagance which distinguished him
from the rest. And because of this character trait,
Sir Roger’s conversation were highly agreeable.

The author then describes his conversation with

him when Sir Roger expressed his appreciation
of his Chaplain who was recommended by his
University friend when Sir Roger had requested
him for a clergyman who was a man of plain
sense than much learning, of a good aspect, a
clear voice, a sociable temper and a man who
understood a little of backgammon

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 th
6 paragraph
( continued)
Sir Roger then narrated his experience with
the chaplain( who had been living with him
for thirty years )to the author.
The chaplain possessed all the qualities that
were required of him and since he valued
him so much, Sir Roger had settled upon him
a good annuity for life.
Sir Roger also mentioned how the chaplain
was always concerned for his parishioners
and there had never been in the parish a law-
suit since his arrival.

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 th
6 paragraph
(continued)
Sir Roger also mentioned the author that
when the chaplain had first settled with him,
he had presented him a compilation of good
sermons which had been printed in English
and requested him to pronounce one of
them in the pulpit every Sunday.
Accordingly, the chaplain had summarized
them into such a series that they followed
one another naturally and made a
continuous system of practical divinity,

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The chaplain at the pulpit
( 7th paragraph)
The author expressed his satisfaction of the
chaplain when he saw him at the pulpit
He endorsed Sir Roger’s insistence upon the
qualifications of a good aspect and a clear
voice for a clergyman. For it were these
qualities of the chaplain which charmed the
author when he delivered his sermon.
The author makes a beautiful comparison
when he remarks that a sermon delivered in
this manner ii like a poem recited by a
graceful actor.

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Conclusion
The author concludes by recommending that
all country clergymen should follow this
example .
Instead of wasting their energies on
composing difficult compositions of their
own, the author advises that they should
engage their qualities in delivering sermons
penned by greater masters.
This would not only be easier for them for
would be more useful to the people.

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Textual Questions
Describe the author’s experience at Sir
Roger’s house.
Whom does the author refer to as Sir
Roger’s family? Why does he call them as
“sober and staid persons”?
Describe Sir Roger’s family and his relation
with them.
Describe the qualities necessary for a
chaplain according to Sir Roger.
Discuss the character of Sir Roger.
Discuss Addison as a periodical essayist.

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