Sir Roger in London by Joseph Addison
Sir Roger in London Short Essay
Introduction:
The essay Sir Roger in London was written by Joseph Addison and published in The Spectator magazine. The narrator shares how Sir Roger arrives unexpectedly, brings news from the countryside, and shows his generous and good-humoured nature.
Meeting in London:
One morning, the narrator was surprised to learn that Sir Roger had arrived in London to see Prince Eugene. At Gray’s Inn Walks, Sir Roger scolded a beggar for laziness but kindly gave him sixpence. He then shared news from home. His chaplain was healthy and had recently preached an excellent sermon; Sir Roger had trusted him with parish duties and money for the poor. Will Wimble had made tobacco stoppers for country gentlemen but was upset after Tom Touchy sued him for cutting sticks from his hedge. Sir Roger also said that Moll White, who people believed was a witch, had died. He added that he did not believe in witchcraft.
Care for His Country People:
Sir Roger fondly described his Christmas traditions. He kept his house open, killed eight pigs, shared meat with neighbours, and gave every poor family puddings and playing cards. He offered strong beer, beef, and mince pies so no one suffered in the cold. He also loved to see his tenants cheerful, playing harmless tricks on one another, with Will Wimble the merriest of all.
Sir Roger’s Curiosity:
Sir Roger asked about the Spectator Club, especially Sir Andrew Freeport, his political rival, but quickly dropped politics. Then, he spoke at length about Prince Eugene. Later, Sir Roger took the narrator to Squire’s Coffee-house, where his polite and cheerful manner impressed everyone.
Conclusion:
Sir Roger’s visit shows his warmth, generosity, and curiosity. Even in London, he brings the same kindness and humour that he shows at home in the countryside.
Sir Roger in London by Joseph Addison in Tamil @Banumathi K's Literature Insights 👇
Sir Roger in London Detailed Summary
About the Author:
Joseph Addison (1 May 1672-17 May 1719) is a British writer, journalist and politician. His name is usually remembered alongside that of his long-standing friend Richard Steele, with whom he founded The Spectator magazine.
The Spectator magazine:
In 1711, Joseph Addison and Richard Steele began The Spectator; its first issue appeared on 1 March 1711. The Spectator was a daily publication. The Spectator published letters and essays. Topics included a wide range of politics, foreign affairs, the theatre, arts, literature, poetry, and love, often presented with a humorous tone. Sir Roger in London is one of the essays published in the spectator magazine.
Sir Roger de Coverley
Sir Roger de Coverley is a Fictional character appears in The Spectator. He is a 56 year-old bachelor. He is a Baronet (minor noble) from Worcestershire. Sir Roger de Coverley is Kind, gentle, and respected. He owned many land and estate. He allowed people to live on it by renting the land to them at a fair price. He also helped the poor in his parish and made sure that everyone on his estate was well cared for. He represents the typical country gentleman of the early 18th century. He is a member of the imaginary Spectator Club.
Mr. Spectator
The primary narrator of the Sir Roger de Coverley essays is Mr. Spectator, a fictional character from the periodical The Spectator. Mr. Spectator is a member of The Spectator Club. He offer social commentary. Mr. Spectator tells us about Sir Roger's actions, personality, and conversations. He is quiet, observant and Curious about people's manners and behaviour.
Sir Roger in London Detailed Summary
One morning, the narrator heard loud knocking at the door. His landlady's daughter came upstairs and said an old, serious-looking man was waiting to speak to him. She didn't know who he was.
The narrator went down and found it was Sir Roger de Coverley's coachman. The coachman said Sir Roger had arrived in London the previous night and wanted to take a walk with the narrator in Gray's Inn Walks.
The narrator was surprised, as Sir Roger had not written to say he was coming. The coachman explained that Sir Roger had come to London to see Prince Eugene and wanted to meet the narrator right away.
The narrator was happy about Sir Roger's curiosity to see Prince Eugene, though he was not surprised. Sir Roger had often said in private conversations that he considered "Prince Eugenio" (as he called him) to be an even greater man than the famous warrior Scanderbeg.
When the narrator reached Gray's Inn Walks, he immediately heard Sir Roger clearing his throat loudly on the terrace. Sir Roger enjoys clearing his throat in the fresh air (he calls it "clearing his pipes") and feels proud when people notice how strong his morning throat-clearing still is. The narrator felt secretly happy when he saw Sir Roger.
Before noticing the narrator, Sir Roger was talking to a beggar who had asked him for money. Sir Roger scolded the beggar for not finding work, but still gave him sixpence from his pocket. They greeted each other warmly with handshakes and kind looks.
Sir Roger told the narrator that The narrator's friend and Sir Roger's chaplain (church clergyman) was in good health and had recently preached an excellent sermon based on Dr. Barrow's writings. Sir Roger had left all his responsibilities in the chaplain's care and, to do him a favour, had given him thirty marks to distribute among the poor people of his parish.
Sir Roger then told the narrator how Will Wimble was doing. Sir Roger reached into his fob and gave the narrator a tobacco stopper from Will Wimble. A tobacco stopper is a small tool used to press tobacco down in a pipe. Sir Roger explained that Will had spent the start of winter making many of these and gave one to every gentleman in the countryside who was a good person and smoked tobacco. However, Will was now upset because Tom Touchy had taken legal action against him for cutting some hazel sticks from Tom's hedge without permission.
Sir Roger also gave other news from his home in the countryside. He said Moll White had died. (In earlier Spectator papers, Moll White was described as an old woman believed by villagers to be a witch.) About a month after her death, there was a strong wind that blew down part of one of Sir Roger's barns. Sir Roger added that he personally did not believe the old woman had anything to do with it, suggesting he did not believe in witchcraft.
Sir Roger then described the entertainments and celebrations that took place at his house during Christmas. Following the tradition of his ancestors, he keeps an "open house" meaning anyone is welcome to visit and enjoy food and company. He killed eight fat pigs for the season. He shared the meat generously with his neighbours. To every poor family in the parish, he sent a string of hog's puddings and a pack of playing cards.
Sir Roger reflected that it was good that Christmas came in the middle of winter a time when poor people suffer most from cold and poverty because it gives them warmth, food, and festive activities.
To make people happy, he gives double malt in his small beer (making it stronger) and lets anyone drink freely for 12 days. Always keeps cold beef and mince pie on the table. He enjoys seeing his tenants play innocent tricks on each other and put soot (black smudges) on each other's faces. He added that Will Wimble was the merriest of all and loved to play mischievous tricks during the celebrations. The narrator was very pleased with Sir Roger's thoughts about Christmas, because they showed great kindness and generosity.
Sir Roger then began praising the recent Act of Parliament that aimed to protect the Church of England (the official national church). He happily told the narrator that he believed the law was already having an effect - because a strict Dissenter (a person who did not follow the Church of England and belonged to another Protestant group) came to his house for Christmas dinner and was seen eating a lot of plum porridge (a traditional festive dish). Sir Roger seemed to take this as a sign that the Dissenter was being influenced by the Church's traditions.
Once they had finished talking about country news, Sir Roger asked about the Spectator Club members, especially Sir Andrew Freeport, who was his political opposite ("old antagonist"). Sir Roger jokingly asked if Sir Andrew had used Sir Roger's absence to share more of his republican political ideas.
Then, becoming more serious, Sir Roger asked if the narrator thought Sir Andrew had been involved in the Pope's Procession (a public event mocking the Pope, common in political religious tensions of the time). Before the narrator could reply, Sir Roger said he understood the narrator preferred not to talk about political matters, so he let the subject drop.
Sir Roger asked if the narrator had seen Prince Eugenio (Prince Eugene of Savoy, a famous European general). He made the narrator promise to find him a good spot to watch the prince, because he wanted a full view of this remarkable man, who Sir Roger believed brought great honour to Britain by his visit. Sir Roger then spent a long time praising the prince.
The narrator realised that, since their last meeting in the countryside, Sir Roger had read books such as Baker's Chronicle (a history book) and other authors he kept in his hall, collecting facts and stories that made the prince seem even more honourable.
After spending most of the morning listening to Sir Roger's mix of personal and political thoughts, sir Roger invited th narrator to smoke a pipe and drink coffee with him at Squire's Coffee-house. The narrator, happily agreed.
At the coffee-house, Sir Roger's dignified appearance caught everyone's attention. As soon as he sat at the head of the main table, he cheerfully and politely ordered several things: a clean pipe, some tobacco, a cup of coffee, a wax candle, and the Supplement (probably a newspaper or pamphlet)
The young boys serving in the coffee-room seemed to enjoy waiting on him. They all rushed to fulfil his requests so eagerly that no one else could get their tea until Sir Roger had everything he wanted.
Themes
💐Urban vs. Rural Life
💐Friendship
💐Social Manners and Etiquette
💐Hospitality
💐Observation of Character
💐Tradition vs. Modernity
💐Class and Social Status
💐Humor and Gentle Satire
💐Simplicity of Life
💐Human Kindness and Generosity
Sir Roger in London by Joseph Addison in Tamil @Banumathi K's Literature Insights 👇
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