WHOEVER WISHES TO ATTAIN AN ENGLISH STYLE, FAMILIAR BUT NOT COARSE, AND ELEGANT BUT NOT OSTENTATIOUS, MUST GIVE HIS DAYS AND NIGHTS TO THE VOLUMES OF ADDISON.-DR. JOHNSON. LITERARY NOTICE OF THE WRITINGS OF ADDISON. THE diffusion of literature as connected with the general civilization of mankind, furnishes material for the portion of history most interesting to the philosophic inquirer: while in a national point of view every patriotic bosom is warmed by the contemplation of the ascendency of English genius among the nations of the earth. "It is not the commercial character of a people," observes D'Israeli, "which inspires veneration among mankind, nor will their military powers engage the affections of their neighbours. But a glorious succession of authors has enabled our nation to arbitrate among the nations of Europe, and to possess ourselves of their involuntary esteem by discoveries in science, by principles in philo VOL. I. b |