Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1877-01-24
The Taller and Spectator.

April 18th, l7V9, and without the
knowledge of Addison. Steele published
the first number of The Taller. The
significance of this event could have
been foreseen by no one. Steele did
not know, and none of his readers knew,
that from this small seed would spring
many goodly tree, bright with flow
ers and wealthy in fruit, and that foli-
age, blossoms, and fruit would be uu-
like aught that had been grown hither-
to in the garden of our literature. The
name of Isaac Bickerstaff had received
notOriety from the famous joke played
by Swift upon the astrologer and ALMA
nae maker, Partridge, who, although
done to death and decently buried by
the great wit, would not believe in his
own decease. Steel took advantage OF
the popularity created by Swift's in
vention, and announced his journal as
The Lucubrations of Isaac Bickerstaff,
Esq. The paper was published three
times week, the days on which the
post left London, and contained, besides
amusing sketches of character, sac
counts of gallantry, pleasure and enter
tainment," and pOetical criticism, a
portion devoted TO foreign and domestic
news. This variety of plan suited the
habits of Steele, and afforded scope for
his genius. His versatility and his
mercurial nature made prolonged labor
distasteful; but he had wit, and readi-
ness, and lively fancy, quickness Of
comprehension, and facility in COM
position, which eminently fitted him
for the task he had selected. Addison
detected Steele's hand in the sixth num-
Der, and afforded him some slight assist
ance from that time: but it was not un-
til about eighty numbers had appeared
that he became frequent contributor.
For some months all the writing as
well as the editing, of the work de-
yolved upon Steele. 1t would seem
that he was not little careless about
the revision of proofs; but readers in
those days were easily satisfied, and the
niceties of the spelling were as much
disregarded as uniform system of
spelling. Pope in verse and Addison
in prose, were the literary reformers
of the age; and the latter, after GEN.
tury and half, retains his fame not only
as moralist and humorist, but as a
consummate master Of language. Steele
wrote with strong feeling and healthy
enthusiasm, with much pathos and
varied knowledge of life; but he often
wrote Incorrectly, and his sentences,
are sometimes so oddly put together
as 10 obscure the meaning. The depre-
citation he has received from some critics
is due, we believe, in great measure, to
the looseness of his style; but it may
be observed, while acknowledging
Steele's weakness in this respect, that
frequently and almost always when
moved by the pathos of his subject, the
writer's language is simple, forcible,
and appropriate. The best of Steele's
papers in The Taller were excelled by
Addison alone, and there is a sprightli-
ness and simplicity of tone about them
which make them delightful reading.
Steele came to his work well furnished,
he carried it on with infinite vivacity,
and in spite of the help rendered him
by his illustrious friend, the color of
the work, If the term may be allowed,
comes from the hand of Steele. As the
teller of slight and pathetic tales he is
superior TO Addison, and in criticism
he takes a place by Addison's side.
"What a good critic he was" exclaimed
Landor. .'I doubt if he has ever been
Steele was indeed bern
for literature far more than for politics,
for which his chief qualifications were
a directness and manliness of purpose,
and love of country so pure and chiv-
alrous as the love he felt for women.
For business and commercial specula-
ton he had little geni us, but his rash
ness forced him 10 many a foolish
scheme at the cost of time and money
that might have been spent more profit
ably. The only post held by Steele
when he started on his official career as
essayist was that of Official Gazetteer.
After a while he was made Commission
er of Stamps; but when the Tories
came into office, Steele, whose Whig-
gerry had become obnoxious, lost his
previous appointment. On January ID,
l7lI, Swift writes to Stella: "Steele's
last Taller came out to-day. He never
told so much as Mr.. Addison of it, who
was as much astonished as |. To
my knowledge he had several good
hints to go upon, but was so lazy and
weary of the work he would not im-
prove them.' Steele was impulsive
and given to change, but he was not
lazy, and two months after the exit of
The Taller appeared the first number
Of The Spectator. Addison was consulted
this time.
The two friends formed the plan of the
papers in concert, and according to
Bishop Hurd, the characters that COM
prise the celebrated club we're the COM
mon work of both. This may be true,
but it is certain that the second number,
in which the different characters of the |
club are sketched, was written by
Steele, and that we are indebted to him
for our first introduction to the immor-
lal Sir Roger de COverley. Miss Akin,
with the curious habit of depreciating
Steele in vogue among writers, regards
it as singular circumstance" that the
first hints of this character should have
been thrown out by him; as if the
fancy and happy art of
character-drawIng that had so long sus-
taIned the Tatler were incapable of pic
turing the humorous knight! The por-
trait is mere sketch, but the few lines
that form il show the hand of master.
The Spectator was wonderfully popular.
All the town became familiar with it
it was found on every breakfast table;
IL