But poetic praise was apparently not much sought or coveted by this shrewd, practical monarch, under whose firm rule, however, legal toleration became prevalent. Literature also became inspired by a more just, considerate spirit than previously. Bishop Burnet (1643-1715), at once divine, historian, and politician, greatly aided by the zeal, sincerity, and fairness of his writings and character to pacify and enlighten the British mind of his time.

He knew personally the three kings, Charles II., James II., and William III. His high social standing and estimation, fortunately for England, probably made his works more politically influential than those of his clerical predecessor, Jeremy Taylor (16131667), who rather resembled him in combined Christian zeal and charity, yet whose religious advice had apparently little effect during his agitated times.

While Burnet wrote, preached, and exhorted, the great thoughts of Isaac Newton (1642-1727), like those of Locke, were gradually made known through the diffusion of printing to a small minority of learned minds throughout Europe, but were not meant to have political influence. Towards the close of William III.'s eventful reign there was a comparative lull in the religious contests of Europe. Protestant countries no longer dreaded a Catholic revival as before, while Catholic countries began to be more threatened by infidelity than by Protestantism.1

I

No writer at this time in England had such a

Macaulay's "Essay on Ranke," Hallam's "Literary History,” and Arnold's "Manual of English Literature."

useful popular influence as Joseph Addison (16721719). This calm, consistent teacher and moralist lived chiefly in London. Though he took some part in politics, he was mostly known by literary talents, estimable character, and social influence. In his popular magazine The Spectator, which, though aided by others, owed all its success to him, he amused, instructed, and, as it were, civilised his fellow-countrymen with a moral success hardly known before in British literary history. He led the way in popularising English literature more than any previous writer had ever done. His moderate, truthful, calm style of thinking and writing encouraged Englishmen to study their country's history with a steady view to its moral improvement. His "Reflections in Westminster Abbey" showed how much he desired his country's good by keen appreciation of all who promoted it. His poem "The Campaign," comparing the heroic Marlborough to an angel riding in the whirlwind and directing the storm of battle, and some lines praising William III., while revealing his own politics, evince no bitterness of party feeling.

His admiration for all virtue and merit, unmingled with political and religious prejudices, proved him far in advance of his times. He was actuated by sincere and religious conviction, wholly independent of sectarian bigotry. His good-humoured sketches of English country gentry and opposing politicians represented in the Tory, Sir Roger de Coverley, and the Whig, Sir Andrew Freeport, were alike fitted to Macaulay's "Essay on Addison."

I

instruct and amuse the British public, especially the rural gentry, hitherto accustomed to associate political

allusion with intolerant bitterness.

Addison was eminently qualified to encourage a general love of reading in England, and this object he accomplished most successfully. In politics he was the incarnation of moderate views, though a decided Whig. He, perhaps, represented, in his invincible love of truth and justice, the silent convictions of many Englishmen, which he expressed in the instructive permanent form of literary advice, anecdote, and illustration.1

In moral, and probably in political influence, Addison surpassed his three literary cotemporaries, Dean Swift (1667-1745), Alexander Pope (1688-1744), and John Gay (1688-1732). Swift lived much in Ireland, but all his political views revealed in "The Drapier's Letters," "Tale of a Tub," &c., favour the British Protestant colonists, of whom he was indeed a brilliant specimen. Few Irish Protestants of his time thought or wrote for either the interests or applause of the Irish Catholic majority.

Macaulay even declares "they would as soon have appealed to the swine.” 2 Yet this comparison might

cause mistaken inference.

It was not probably because they thought them stupid, dull, or indifferent to human genius, but because Irish Catholics were entirely guided by their

I See Macaulay's opinion on the popular and beneficial influence of Addison's writings in The Spectator.-" Essay on Addison."

2

"History of England," Vol. 4th, Ch. XII.

clergy, who were, in their turn, mainly directed in political as in religious principles by the Pope, and the Papacy, of course, could not sanction the deposition of the Stuarts.

About this time in France the generous, lavish, voluptuous king, Louis XIV., was the sympathising host of the exiled James II. and his family. James, it was said, fainted during service in a French chapel, while hearing an anthem which reminded him of his political degradation. From the effects of this fit he never quite recovered. Even his usually dull, stern nature apparently yielded to emotion caused by the impressive words of Scripture. At his death, which occurred soon after, his son and grandson in due course were viewed by British Catholics, and even by some Protestants, as their lawful kings. Yet for some time no enthusiasm or literary effort appeared in their behalf, though both were to come.

The persecution of French Protestants by Louis XIV. made William III.'s rule, and subsequently that of his sister-in-law, Queen Anne, all the more popular in Great Britain. Most British and Irish writers were now Protestants.

The poet Pope, perhaps the most brilliant Catholic writer in England, took little or no part in politics. He devoted his talents to translating Homer's "Iliad,”

I

"Remember, O Lord, what is come upon us; consider and behold our reproach. Our inheritance is turned to strangers, our house to aliens, the crown is fallen from our head. Wherefore dost Thou forget us for ever?"-Macaulay's "History," Vol. 5th, Ch. XXV.

and wrote many satirical as well as philosophical poems, which, while establishing his literary fame, did little, if any, good to his distrusted co-religionists. His noble translation of Homer, perhaps superior to Dryden's previous translation of Virgil, probably diverted some British minds for a time from the narrowing yet absorbing influences of controversial or political works.

Amid the troubles of civil commotion and religious contest, both English poets gave their fellow-countrymen in an accessible, attractive form, the two greatest efforts of ancient Pagan literature.

John Gay took a different way to attract popular attention. He presented the public with his Beggar's Opera," in which, with harmless intention, he yet described the dangerous prevalent system of highway robbery as interesting and romantic rather than mean and disgraceful. His hero, Captain Macheath, handsome, gay, and enterprising, was a mischievous example to many applauding British youths hearing his songs and admiring his uniform and dashing exploits, though transferred from lonely roads to the peaceful London stage. This curious play was most popular for a short time, being remarkable for its lively music, occasional wit, but frequent coarse language.I

At the end of William III.'s reign, and during that of Queen Anne, there was rather less bitterness in religious dispute, and also in political differences. The lively, witty songs, "Lillibullero," and afterwards

1 Arnold's "English Literature."