Joseph Addison [ Art and Literature / Politics ]
… been characteristic of Restoration-era literary expression. Addison’s polite wit was designed to be complaisant. ‘Good nature is more agreeable in conversation than wit, and gives a certain air to the countenance which is more amiable than … Mr. Addison.’ 5 Addison extolled the virtues of modesty and a circumspect sociability: ‘True happiness is of a retired nature, and an enemy to pomp and noise; it arises, in the first place, from the enjoyment of one's self, and in the next, …
Literature | Manners | Periodicals | Politeness | Whigs | Wit
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