The Spectator, Volume Two. Addison, Steele and Others.

The Spectator, Volume 2
Addison, Steele and Others. Ed. Gregory Smith.
London: Everyman’s Library, 1963. September 13, 1711 to March 8, 1712.

Why read it? In a way the Spectator papers fulfilled the need for the “Dear Abby” of the 18th century. Unlike Abby’s plain statements, short sentences and familiar vocabulary, the sentences in the Spectator papers are sometimes convoluted and lengthy, and the vocabulary stretches the reader, but the purpose of the Spectator is similar to Abby’s, to resolve problems with common sense. The Spectator papers do a remarkable job of presenting that consistent point of view in spite of the reality that Addison and Steele and several other authors originated the papers. Take away the name of the author, and the reader will be hard pressed to discern a different style. Addison is more intellectual and Steele is more humorous and the others more prosaic and less imaginative, but the point of view--common sense--remains consistent.

Topics covered in these essays: jealousy; silly competitions; animosities between parties that can not subsist but by their agreement; overly zealous attention to balancing books and watching expenses; henpecked husbands; charity; yawning; Pyrrhic victories; English gentlemen; zeal; eternity; character types; reputation; occupations; medicine; good nature; women; religion; transmigration of souls; leadership; purpose of life; hierarchical society; quotations; wisdom; conversations; discretion; love; sculpture; orations; free-thinkers; adversity; courage; suffering; debate; pacifists; motherhood; nannies; women’s talk; composing essays; laughter; literary critics; town criers; poets and poetry; marriage; magnanimity; fame; music; old age; happiness; solitude; inheritance; ogling; indifference to the world; personalities; gossip; plays; fops; Milton; wealth; egotism; attending church; gauche behavior; euphemisms; institutions; death; wit; biography; teaching by example; politicians; mutability of fortune; moderation.

Some sample ideas from this book of essays: “…the professed design of this work is to entertain its readers in general, without giving offense to any particular person….” “For the jealous man wishes himself a kind of deity to the person he loves: he would be the only pleasure of her senses, the employment of her thoughts; and is angry at everything she admires, or takes delight in, besides himself.” “But the great unhappiness of this passion of jealousy is that it naturally tends to alienate the affection which it is so solicitous to engross.”

Of henpecked husbands: “She is eternally forming an argument of debate to which I very indolently answer, thou art mighty pretty. Indeed, my dear, says she, you make me mad sometimes, so you do, with the silly way you have of treating me like a pretty idiot. And then I am to give her possession of my little ready money, and for a day and a half following dislike all she dislikes and extol everything she approves.” “I must beg of you to dwell upon this, that the wise and valiant in all ages have been henpecked, and that the sturdy tempers who are not slaves to affection, owe that exemption to their being enthralled by ambition, avarice, or some meaner passion.”

“A man is no more to be praised upon this account [of good nature] than because he has a regular pulse or a good digestion.” Epitaph of a charitable man: "What I spent I lost; what I possessed is left to others; what I gave away remains with me.” “He that yawns widest and at the same time so naturally as to produce the most yawns among the spectators, carries home the cheese [the reward].” “This brings to my mind a saying of King Pyrrhus, after he had a second time beat the Romans in a pitched battle, and was complimented by his generals: Yes, says he, such another victory and I am quite undone.” “If the father is inexorable to the child who has offended…how will he address himself to the Supreme Being, under the tender appellation of a father, and desire of him such a forgiveness as he himself refuses to grant?”

Quote: “…a very natural picture of the life of many an honest English gentleman, whose whole history very often consists of yawning, nodding, stretching, turning, sleeping, drinking and the like….”

Quote: “Zeal is therefore a great ease to a malicious man, by making him believe he does God service, whilst he is gratifying the bent of a perverse, revengeful temper.”