Our worthy friend, the author of the "Christian Hero," continued to make no small figure about town by the use of his wits.[1] He was appointed Gazetteer: he wrote, in 1703, "The Tender Husband," his second play, in which there is some delightful farcical writing, and of which he fondly owned in after-life, and when Addison was no more, that there were "many applauded strokes" from Addison's beloved hand.[2] Is it not a pleasant partnership to remember? Can't one fancy Steele, full of spirits and youth, leaving his gay company to go to Addison's lodging, where his friend sits in the shabby sitting-room, quite serene, and cheerful, and poor? In 1704 Steele came on the
- ↑ "There is not now in his sight that excellent man whom Heaven made his friend and superior to be at a certain place in pain for what he should say or do. I will go on in his further encouragement. The best woman that ever man had cannot now lament and pine at his neglect of himself"—Steele [of himself]. The Theatre, No. 12, Feb. 1719-20.
- ↑ "The Funeral" supplies an admirable stroke of humour,—one which Sydney Smith has used as an illustration of the faculty in his Lectures.
The undertaker is talking to his employés about their duty.
Sable.—"Ha, you!—A little more upon the dismal [forming their countenances); this fellow has a good mortal look,—place him near the corpse; that wainscot-face must be o' top of the stairs; that fellow's almost in a fright (that looks as if he were full of some strange misery) at the end of the hall, So—But I'll fix yon all myself. Let's have no laughing now on any provocation, Look yonder,—that hale, well-looking puppy! You ungrateful scoundrel, did not I pity you, take you out of a great man's service, and show you the pleasure of receiving wages? Did not I give you ten, then fifteen, and twenty shillings a week to be sorrowful!—and the more I give you, I think the gladder you are!"
