"
But the popularity of "The Spectator" was not a little due to the
stronger and more daring genius of Steele. His writing, though not so
didactic, or so ripe in style, as that of Addison, was antithetical,
sparkling, and more calculated to "raise a horse."
The continuation of the periodical, which was carried on by others, was
not equally successful. In the earlier volumes we recognise Steele's
hand in the Essays on "Clubs." He gives us an amusing account of the
"Ugly Club," for which no one was eligible who had not "a visible
quearity in his aspect, or peculiar cast of countenance;" and of the
"Everlasting Club," which was to sit day and night from one end of the
year to another; no party presuming to rise till they were relieved by
those who were in course to succeed them.
"This club was instituted towards the end of the Civil Wars, and
continued without interruption till the time of the Great Fire,
which burnt them out and dispersed them for several weeks. The
steward at this time maintained his post till he had been like to
have been blown up with a neighbouring house (which was demolished
in order to stop the fire) and would not leave the chair at last,
till he had emptied all the bottles upon the table, and received
repeated directions from the Club to withdraw himself.
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