the truest as well as one of the best things he ever wrote. Addison deserved that character the most of any man. Yet, how charming are his prose writings! He was as much a master of humour, as he was an indifferent poet.-Lockier.

1731. Mr. Addison did not go to any depth in the study of medals: all the knowledge he had of that kind I believe he had from me; and I did not give him above twenty lessons upon that subject.Ficoroni.

Mr. Addison staid above a year at Blois. He would get up so early as between two and three in the height of summer, and lay in bed till between eleven and twelve in the depth of winter. He was untalkative whilst here, and often thoughtful; and sometimes so lost in thought, that I have come into his room, and staid five minutes there before he has known any thing of it. He had his masters generally at supper with him; kept very little company beside; and had no amour whilst here, that I know of; and

I should have known it if he had had any. -Abbe Philippeaux, of Blois.

Mr. Addison could not give out a common order in writing, from his endeavouring always to word it too finely. He had too beautiful an imagination to make a man of business.-Mr. Pope.

The Spectators, though there are so many bad ones among them, make themselves read still. All Addison's are allowed to be good, and many of Steele's.-Abbe Boileau.

Mr. Addison originally designed to have taken orders, and was flung off from that design by his being sent abroad in so encouraging a manner. It was thence that he began to think of public posts, as his being made secretary of state at last, and sinking in his character by it, turned him back again to his first thought. He latterly had an eye towards the lawn; and it was then that he began his Essay on Chris

* He himself speaks of that design in the close of his verses to Sacheverell, written in 1694. See his Miscel.

tianity, and had a design of translating all the Psalms*, for the use of churches. Five or six of them that he did translate were published in the Spectators.-Mr. Pope.

Old Jacob Tonson did not like Mr. Addison. He had had a quarrel with him; and, after his quitting the secretaryship, used frequently to say of him, "One day or other you'll see that man a bishop: I'm sure he looks that way; and indeed I ever thought him a priest in his heart."-The

same.

My acquaintance with Mr. Addison commenced in 1712. I liked him then as well as I liked any man, and was very fond of his conversation. 'Twas soon after that Mr. Addison advised me not to be content with the applausé of half the nation, used to talk much and often to me of moderation in parties, and used to blame his dear friend

*Here again Pope is inaccurate. If these Psalms were inserted in the Spectator, which closed December 10, 1714, they could not have been translated on his having a view to a bishopric, after ceasing to be secretary of state in 1717.-M.

Steele for being too much of a party man. He encouraged me in my design of translating the Iliad, which was begun that year, and finished in 1718.-The same.

Addison's chief companions, before he married Lady Warwick, were Steele, Budgell, Philips, Carey, D'Avenant, and Colonel Brett. He used to breakfast with one or other of them at his lodgings in St. James's-place, dine at taverns with them, then to Button's, and then to some tavern again to supper; and this was the usual round of his life.-The same.

Steele had the greatest veneration for Addison, and used to show it in all companies in a particular manner. Addison now and then used to play a little upon him but he always took it well.-The

same.

It was my fate to be much with the wits: my father was acquainted with them all. Addison was the best company in the world. I never knew any body that had so much wit as Congreve. Sir Richard Steele was a very good-natured man, and

Dr. Garth a very worthy one.-Lady Mary Wortley Montagu.

I don't remember any such thing as two parties; one to set up Pope, and the other Mr. Addison, as the chief poet of those times: 'twas a thing that could not bear any dispute. The same.

Addison used to value himself more upon

his poetry than upon his prose, though he wrote the latter with such particular ease, fluency, and happiness.-Mr. Pope.

Addison usually studied all the morning, then met his party at Button's, dined there, and staid five or six hours, and sometimes far into the night.-The same.

I was of the company for about a year, but found it too much for me: it hurt my health, and so I quitted it.—The same.

Addison passed each day alike, and much in the manner that Dryden did. Dryden employed his mornings in writing, dined en famille, and then went to Will's; only he came home earlier a' nights.— The same.

I used formerly to like Mr. Addison's Letter from Italy extremely; and still like