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Of social refinement, as we now understand the term, there was comparatively little. Coarse jokes, swearing, and profanity were almost as common in "polite society" as in the back streets now. The literature of the day, excepting the writings of Addison, Johnson, Steele, and a few others, ministered to the low tastes prevalent amongst both the upper and the lower classes.
Seventeen years after the passing of the Tonnage Bill, Addison, in one of his most ingenious and graceful little allegories, described the situation of the great Company through which the immense wealth of London was constantly circulating. He saw Public Credit on her throne in Grocers' Hall, the Great Charter over her head, the Act of Settlement full in her view.
But do you know why you have it?" "I daresay that question is difficult to answer. I often seek for my reasons, Addison, and I find many, though I can hardly say which is the best, or whether any quite explains the faith that is always in me. Apropos of this evening, by the bye, I long ago found one of my reasons in the theatre, the theatre which some really good men hate and condemn."
Addison, in one of his excellent chapters on the proper employment of life, has the following observation: "The next method, says he, that I would propose to fill up our time should be innocent and useful diversions.
Turning to the local Addison. "Sir, she 'snatches a grace beyond the reach of art'!" replied that worthy. "You ask for a criticism, and he answers in poetry!" retorted the first speaker. "'Tis only the expression of the audience!" interposed another voice. "Oh, of course, Mr. Mauville, if you, too, take her part, that is the end of it!"
You do not expect me to write my Name from hence, but I am Your unknown humble, &c. No. 183. Saturday, September 29, 1711. Addison. Fables were the first Pieces of Wit that made their Appearance in the World, and have been still highly valued, not only in Times of the greatest Simplicity, but among the most polite Ages of Mankind.
And if I could make myself so considerable when I was only a dirty Dean of St. Patrick's, without a seat in either House of Parliament, what should I have done if Fortune had placed me in England, unencumbered with a gown, and in a situation that would have enabled me to make myself heard in the House of Lords or of Commons? Addison. You would undoubtedly have done very marvellous acts!
Dryden, in his dedication to 'The Indian Emperor, says, 'High objects, it is true, attract the sight; but it looks up with pain on craggy rocks and barren mountains, and continues not intent on any object which is wanting in shades and green to entertain it. Addison and Gray had no better epithets than 'rugged, 'horrid, and the like for Alpine landscape.
And we suspected Addison of pouring warm water into the churn when grandmother's back was turned, though we never actually caught him at it. Sometimes when he churned, the butter "came" suspiciously soft, to grandmother's great dissatisfaction, since she had special customers for her butter at the village and was proud of its uniform quality.
Another long, long day, and the papers said Colonel 's regiment was cut to pieces; the fourth mail told another story: the regiment was safe, but Captains Addison, Black, and Jones, I think, were missing. The fifth day brought me a letter from Mr. Bowen.
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