But it is from his own original vein of humour, and of ingenious invention, displayed in his periodical works, that Addison will derive his highest and most durable literary fame. In the former he has remained absolutely unrivalled; and his comic paintings, delicate, good-humoured, and natural, will probably give pleasure to readers of the remotest periods. As a model of English prose, too, he has deserved the highest praise; so much, that eminent judges have fixed upon his works as the very standard of style, and have considered every subsequent change in the language as a deterioration. This opinion, however, cannot be maintained with respect to grammatical correctness; though it may hold as to the characteristic idiom of the English tongue. But on this subject it is unnecessary to do more than quote the words of one, whose authority few will call in question. "Whoever," says Dr. Johnson, (Life of Addison, in the English Poets)

wishes to attain an English style, familiar but not coarse, and elegant but not ostenta'tious, must give his days and nights to the volumes of Addison."

The papers in the Spectator, claimed for ADDISON, are in number two hundred and se

venty-four. About two hundred and thirtysix are given to STEELE on the authority of his signature T. The unknown correspondents were certainly numerous, and STEELE made a free use of such letters as contained hints, or were thought worthy of insertion in their original state. The series of papers from N° 151 to 157 inclusive, which are STEELE'S composition, rank among the best of the grave kind.

Of the value of his and of ADDISON's papers we become the more sensible as we descend to examine the contributions of contemporary wits, who from interest or inclination were induced to lend their aid to the general purpose of the work.

The first of these, if we respect the quantity merely of his assistance, was EUSTACE BUDGELL, a writer of some note in the days of the Spectator. He was born in 1685 at Exeter, where his father was a clergyman. He received his education at Christ-church, Oxford, from whence he removed to the Inner Temple. Mr. ADDISON, to whom he was related, took him to Ireland as one of the clerks of his office. He wrote several papers for the Tatler, Spectator, and Guardian. In the Spectator, in particu

lar, he wrote twenty-eight papers, with the signature letter X.

He

While in Ireland he was chosen member of parliament, and obtained some lucrative employments, which he lost for satirising the duke of Bolton, when that nobleman was lord lieutenant. On this he returned to England, where he lost 20,0001. by the South-sea bubble. now turned party writer, and conducted a popular paper called the Bee. But while thus engaged an affair happened which totally ruined the little reputation he had left. On the death of Dr. Tindal, the deist, a bequest was found in his will of 2000l. to Budgell, which all who knew the doctor were sensible he never intended. The will was contested by his relations, and set aside. This and other circumstances had such an effect upon the mind of Budgell that he threw himself into the Thames and was drowned, in 1737.

The next contributor, of perhaps more value, was Mr. JOHN HUGHES. He was the son of a citizen of London, and was born at Marlborough, July 29, 1677. As he possessed a very weak and tender constitution, his education at a private academy was probably better calculated to bring forward his abilities than a pub

lic school. He was fortunate, likewise, in being placed under the tuition of Mr. Thomas Rowe, a dissenting minister; a man of considerable taste and learning, and who had at this time under his care the celebrated Dr. Watts, and Mr. Samuel Say, both men of singular piety and great talents.

At this seminary Hughes, made a rapid progress in the acquisition of classical learning, and early shewed a decided partiality for the sister arts of poetry and music; an inclination which, as he pursued no profession, he had perfect leisure to indulge.

Whilst yet but nineteen, he had already formed the plan of a tragedy, and had paraphrased one of the most sublime odes of Horace; and, in the year 1697, he first appeared before the bar of the public as a poet on the Peace of Ryswic.

From this period to the last year of his life he continued to amuse the public by various productions in the capacity of poet, prose-writer, editor, and translator.

The only piece, however, which can with any propriety claim for Hughes the appellation of a poet, is The Siege of Damascus. Of this drama, which is still occasionally

acted, the sentiments and morality are pure and correct, the imagery frequently beautiful, and the diction and versification for the most part clear and melodious. It is defective, notwithstanding, in the 'most essential quality of dramatic composition, the power of affecting the passions: and is, therefore, more likely to afford pleasure in the closet than on the stage. On the prose of Hughes we are inclined to bestow more praise than on his poetry.

Next to Budgell, he contributed to the Tatler, Spectator, and Guardian, the greatest number of letters and papers. His assistance in the Tatler, however, was but trifling, compared with that which he afforded to its immediate successor. On the authority of Mr. Duncombe, two letters in the Tatler, signed Josiah Couplet, in No 64, and Will Trusty, in N° 73, and N° 113, have been ascribed to our author; to these the editors of the Tatler, in 4 vols. octavo, 1797, think themselves warranted in adding the letter in No 66, signed Philanthropos; the letter in N° 70, dated September the 15th; the letter in N° 76, and that in N° 194, containing an allegory from Spenser.

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