Addison and Steele: Selections from the Tatler and the Spectator

by Joesph Addison, Richard Steele

A collection of essays from the famous eighteenth-century journals, with supplementary notes and biographical and bibliographical information

Genres: Essays, Classics, History, Nonfiction, Literature, English Literature, Journalism

452 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1970

Reviews

[Terry Byrne · Rating 5 out of 5]

These eloquent examples of fine English prose are among the best representations we have from the early 18th century. It is slightly alarming to see them dismissed by other reviewers. Essays that Samuel Johnson rated so highly should not slip below the radar. This is prose at its finest, believe me. Standards have slipped dramatically in modern times so it's refreshing to see how polished and refined English can look in capable hands. Addison and Steele met at Oxford. (Addison became an Oxford Don) They both fully appreciated the great Latin writers they studied there. Their objective in the Spectator & Tatler was to reform ethical standards & manners, that had slipped at that time. The style of writing they employed in doing so had to be elegant and succinct. All these essays repay re-reading. They are also fascinating historically in that they capture that particular time in England (from 1700 - 1715) of coffeehouses and improving literary standards.

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok, this was rather challenging for me. Prose is not typically my thing, and I feel like making this a summer read was a mistake bc I know I didn't digest all the points of the essays.
That being said, the parts I could turn my brain on long enough to understand were generally delightful. I found the fact that middle class British society nicknamed Cicero "Tully" charming. It was interesting to note the plays which were en vogue at the time. I may, at some point, try reading them. I mourned the loss of Sir Roger. He seemed a capital fellow. I am sorry he never got his chance with his Widow. Perhaps it was for the best.
Anyway, by and large I found this a slog, but am glad I made myself read out of my comfort zone. I'd encourage others to do the same.

[Chloe]

gossip girl if it was set in 18th century london xoxo

[Tom Schulte · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love to stand in front of and admire the Vanity Fair "Spy" prints at The Grand Hotel when I visit. I love the droll humor and suppose the packed frames on a green wall is a Carlton Varney. Somehow, I thought this compendium of writing from a century before that would strike me the same way. Maybe with illustrations, it would! Addison and Steele could easily have been the Colbert and Jon Stewart of their time, but I mostly found the musings of Isaac Bickerstaff, William Honeycomb, etc. to ring fairly flat these days, IMO. Still, the chronological selections from The Tatler and The Spectator and an important part of journalistic history, and I respect that. The work includes footnotes to explain references and translate the Latin epigraphs which along with content on literature and stage (and a very interesting one doubting the reality of witchcraft) suggest writing for a more educated and sophisticated audience than popular mags of today aim for (People, etc.) making this seem like a cross between The Arts section from the NYT and Mad Magazine.

[Sunil · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I desired only fornication" should be sufficient incitement to read this collection. Those bawdy, Enlightenment-era gents...