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English Literature / Unit 11   ENL 1005 short lesson, about 20 seconds

Addison, Steele and the Periodical Essay

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The idea

Richard Steele's Tatler began in seventeen-oh-nine; with Joseph Addison he published The Spectator daily in seventeen eleven and seventeen twelve. Its essays, voiced by "Mr. Spectator," aimed "to enliven morality with wit," bringing philosophy to clubs, tea-tables and coffee-houses.

In practice

Daily essays for coffee-house readers.

Where people slip

The periodical essay taught manners to a new public.

Your place on the trail

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