Write a reply from Sir Roger to Will Wimble on receipt of the jack.
Write a letter from the Chaplain to the Spectator announcing the death of Sir Roger and speaking as he naturally would of his patron.
Write an account of the trouble between Will Wimble and Tom Touchy referred to in Paper XXVII.
Compare the papers written by Addison with those written by Steele to determine which author is more successful in introducing characters; which in portraying the details that make these characters live; which uses more care in the choice of words and the form of sentences; which has a more refined and courteous manner; and which shows the more feeling. Give evidence.
Form.—Make a topical outline of several papers, for example, XIX, XXI, XXVI, to show whether or not they have unity.
Do the paragraphs have unity? a clear order of development? Examine the sentences to see whether they are, in the main, loose or periodic.
Compare this series of papers with some novel, preferably The Vicar of Wakefield, in respect to clearness of setting, delineation of character, structure of plot, definiteness of purpose, and clearness and grace of style. What is lacking to make the series a novel?
The Life and Character of the Authors.—What do we know of Addison's childhood? his school and college life? his reputation as a student? his tour of the continent? his entrance into political life? his political successes? his literary ventures and successes? his marriage? his death? What traits of character made him loved by his friends? How was he regarded by his political enemies? In the paper entitled The Spectator what traits are like Addison's own traits? From the Spectator papers that you have read what do you infer of Addison's power of observation? his feeling toward the follies of the day? his attitude toward religion?
Contrast Addison's early life with Steele's. Relate the main facts of Steele's school and college life, his experiences in the army, his first literary ventures, his popularity in society, his political successes and disappointments. Compare Steele's traits of character with those of Addison.