Essays in Biography, 1680-1726 |
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Addison affair allowed appeared architect asked become believe Blenheim building called caused certainly continued course criticism deal desire doubt Duchess Duke Etherege express eyes face fact fair fellow felt give given Grace hand honour hope Italy John July King Lady late later least less letter live look Lord manner March Marlborough matter mean MICHIGAN mind nature never occasion once party perhaps person play poet political Pope pounds present probably proved Queen reason secret secretary seemed seen sense sent showed side Sir George Spectator spite Steele success sure Swift taken things thought Tickell told took Tory true turn UNIVERSITY Vanbrugh verses Whig whole wish write written wrote young
Popular passages
Page 263 - A MAN'S first care should be to avoid the reproaches of his own heart ; his next, to escape the censures of the world. If the last interferes with the former, it ought to be entirely neglected ; but otherwise there cannot be a greater satisfaction to an honest mind, than to see those approbations which it gives itself seconded by the applauses of the public.
Page 335 - I protest that if some great Power would agree to make me always think what is true and do what is right, on condition of being turned into a sort of clock and wound up every morning before I got out of bed, I should instantly close with the offer.
Page iv - Tis opportune to look back upon old times, and contemplate our Forefathers. Great examples grow thin, and to be fetched from the passed world. Simplicity flies away, and iniquity' comes at long strides upon us. We have enough to do to make up our selves from present and passed times, and the whole stage of things scarce serveth for our instruction.
Page 195 - Lie heavy on him, Earth, for he Laid many a heavy load on thee!
Page 301 - about poor Dick, and wish that his zeal for the public may not be ruinous to himself. But he has sent me word that he is determined to go on, and that any advice I may give him in this particular will have no weight with him.
Page 324 - I received the news of Mr. Addison's being declared secretary of state with the less surprise, in that I know that post was almost offered to him before. At that time he declined it, and I really believe that he would have done well to have declined it now. Such a post as that, and such a wife as the Countess, do not seem to be, in prudence, eligible for a man that is asthmatic, and we may see the day when he will be heartily glad to resign them both.
Page 226 - It is not in the power of want or slavery to make them miserable. There is nothing to be met with in. the country but mirth and poverty. Every one sings, laughs, and starves. Their conversation is generally agreeable ; for if they have any wit or sense, they are sure to show it. They never mend upon a second meeting...
Page 130 - Now poets from all quarters ran, To see the house of brother Van : Look'd high and low, walk'd often round ; But no such house was to be found. One asks the watermen hard by, '* Where may the poet's palace lie?
Page 288 - ... not so glaring as they would be without it. Modesty is not only an ornament, but also a guard to virtue. It is a kind of quick and delicate ' feeling' in the soul, which makes her shrink and withdraw herself from every thing that has danger in it.
Page 191 - We staid two nights in Woodstock ; but there was an order to the servants, under her grace's own hand, not to let me enter Blenheim! and lest that should not mortify me enough, she having somehow learned that my wife, was...