SPECTATOR 126.
Page 89.
7. such persons, that. Mixed construction: all persons that or such persons as. Frequent in Shakespeare; cf. Measure for Measure, II. ii. 147:
Such things
That want no ear but yours.
16. retainers. Followers, adherents.
28. Diodorus Siculus, a Greek historian of the last century B.C. The citation is from his universal history, a work in forty books, i. 35. 7.
30. Ichneumon. An animal belonging to the same family as the civets. The Egyptian ichneumon, known also as Pharaoh's cat, was held sacred among the ancient Egyptians because of its propensity for destroying crocodiles' eggs, but unfortunately for Addison's illustration, it is now proved that the degenerate ichneumon does actually 'find his account' in feeding upon the eggs which he breaks, whether they be those of crocodiles or merely of the barn-door fowl.
34. finds his account. Receives any recompense or advantage.
Page 90.
8. the wild Tartars. The Tartars are a race of Russians, of Turkish and Mongolian origin. Some of them adhere to the religion of the Greek church, some are Moslems, and some Shamanites. The reference is probably to some Shaman belief, for magic and the spirits of the dead play a very large part in this religion.
12. of course. In due course, in consequence. Cf. Shakespeare, Measure for Measure, III. i. 259, 'This being granted in course, now follows all.'
27. cock-match. Match between fighting-cocks.
humour, v. note on p. 22, 1. 26.
30. quarter-sessions, v. note on p. 7, 1. 10.
34. the landed and … the monied interest. The land-owner would naturally be a Tory, and the merchant a Whig.
Page 91.
6. interest. Political position, by virtue of which he was returned for his county.
11. such an one. v. note on p. 26, 1. 30. Here, the Tory candidate for the district.
19. take up with. Put up with.
30. a very fair bettor. Quite a good bettor or better.
32. disagreeable. Unpleasing, unpopular.
34. correspondence. v. note on p. 20, 1. 35.
Page 92.
10. fanatick. A madman. Will Wimble suspects the Spectator of unsoundness in politics, that is, of not being of the Tory persuasion.