THE SPECTATOR CLUB -RICHARD STEELE

 THE SPECTATOR CLUB

                                                                            -RICHARD STEELE

INTRODUCTION

    The Spectator, arguably one of the most important periodicals ever published, had a two-series

run from March 1, 1711, through December 6, 1712, for a total of 635 issues. It was edited

(written) by two masters of the essay, Richard Steele and Joseph Addison. For the most part,

Richard Steele wrote the first series of 555 issues, and Joseph Addison the second series of 79

issues. True to its billing as a periodical, it resembled most eighteenth-century London

newspapers in size and layout. Although the editorship was anonymous, many readers believed

the writer was Richard Steele, who had just been involved with another periodical, also well

known, The Tatler. Steele and Addison comprised the two main writers/editors, but several

issues were written by others, all of whom were associated with the coffee-house culture of the

eighteenth-century London literati.

THE SPECTATOR CLUB

    The Spectator Club is perhaps Richard Steele’s finest achievement. This essay was published

in The Spectator. In this essay, Steele has given an account of the members of the Club. These

members represent important sections of society. Steele describes six of the members of the

Club they are Sir Roger de Coverley, Captain Sentry, Sir Andrew Freeport, Will Honeycomb, the

Clergyman and the Student of Law.

SIR ROGER - A BARONET OF WORCESTERSHIRE

    Steele talks about the first gentleman of his company whose name is Sir Roger de Coverley.

The people, who knew about the county of Sir Roger,knew Sir Roger. Sir Roger was a man of

extra ordinary nature and had a good sense. He always found fault with the ways of the world

but this unusual nature never made him any enemies. Sir Roger had a unique capacity to

please others.

    Sir Roger was a bachelor because he was disappointed in the love of a beautiful widow. Before

this disappointment Sir Roger was a normal happy young man. He moved in society of

important persons like Lord Rochester and Sir George Etherege. However, after being ill-used

by the widow he lost all his joviality and interest in social life for more than a year . He became

very serious. Gradually his joviality returned. However, he grew careless about his dress. He

wore a coat and jacket of a cut, which was in fashion at that time.

Now Sir Roger was fifty-six years old but was quite hale and hearty. He had a house in village

and town. He had such a good nature that people loved him. He also treated his servants well.

He was also the justice of the quorum and showed his judicial abilities on the hair of the justice

at a quarter- session

THE INNER TEMPLE-A LEARNED GENTLEMAN

    After this, Steele has described another companion of the club. He is a lawyer. He was also a

bachelor. He was a man of sharp wit and clear understanding. He chose his occupation rather

to obey the direction of his old father than to incline to his own tendencies. He took to the study

of law in obedience to his father. He was more interested in the study of drama and dramatic

criticism. The philosophers like Aristotle and Longinus were well understood by him. His father

used to send to him various questions on law in order to ensure his son’s progress in legal

studies. The son outwitted the father by getting them answered through a lawyer whom he had

engaged for the purpose. No body took him as a fool but only his friends knew that he had a

great wit. He liked to read the books, which were not of the age he lived. He was familiar with

the writings, customs, actions and manners of ancient writers, which made him a keen observer

of the worldly affairs. He was a good critic. His real hour of business was the time of the play.

The presence of an able critic among the audience would rouse the actors to give the best

performance possible.

SIR ANDREW FREEPORT-A MERCHANT OF WIDE EXPERIENCE

    Next the author has discussed about Sir Andrew Free port who was is a good businessman

of London. He was very laborious, experienced and had a great understanding. His knowledge

of commerce was extensive. He had his own ideals of the ways of enlarging a country’s trade.

He was of the opinion that a dominion may be extended by art and industry than by

power.Diligence or industry alone would help the country to gain things of permanent value, and

sloth or idleness more than the sword had caused the ruin of many nations. He knew many

short maxims. He had a unique art of speech.he was a self made person and believed that

England too could become richer than other kingdoms, by methods which had so benefited him.

CAPTAIN SENTRY-A VERY BRAVE PERSON

    After Sir Andrew, the author has described the merits of Captain Sentry. He was very

courageous intelligent and had good understanding. He was such a man who had not received

good consideration of his abilities. He had been Captain in military for some years and fought

bravely on fronts. He left the army because even though he rendered meritorious service, which

any one could see and appreciate, promotion did not come to him. He used to say that only that

man could hold a position in military who gets over his false modesty. He was of the opinion that

it is cowardice to stand back modestly. Similarly a man who failed to assert himself and demand

what was his due was a coward. He was frank in speaking about the weaknesses of his officers.

This frankness was a part of his character. Though he commanded many persons in military, he

was never haughty. He never became a flatterer, although he obeyed his superiors.

THE GALLANT WILL HONEYCOMB

    The author then talks about Will Honeycomb. Though he was old, there were no traces of the

passage of time in his brain or in his person. He had an attractive personality and could impress

women by his talk. He dressed well and was well acquainted with the history of every fashion

that remained in vogue in England. Will Honeycomb was always interested in matters pertaining

to women. In his conventions he talked mostly of women, their dresses, their manners and their

fashions. He had a good knowledge of history. He could tell that the hairstyles or hats of our

wives and daughters resemble to those of the wenches of French Kings. But the author says

that he was a gentleman. Leaving the relations of women he was an honest and worthy man.

A CLERGYMAN-A PHILOSOPHIC MAN

    At the end of the essay, the author tells us about one of his companions who seldom waited

him. He was a philosopher and clergyman. He lived a sacred life. He was very weak in

constitution. Because of ill health, he could not fulfill the responsibilities which promotion in the

church might have brought him. He spoke on divine topics with authority. He wished for the

good of the world even after his death.

CONCLUSION

    This particular essay, giving us an account of the different types of characters, supposed to be

the members of the Spectator's Club,takes its distinction from Steele's prevailing tenderness of

heart and wide acquaintance with human life. He loved company and the quickness of his

sympathies made him constantly alive to differences in the personalities of his companions.