distracted by choice of expression, that the lords, who could not
wait for the niceties of criticism, called Mr. Southwell, a clerk in
the House, and ordered him to despatch the message. Southwell
readily told what was necessary in the common style of business, and
valued himself upon having done what was too hard for Addison. He
was better qualified for the Freeholder, a paper which he published
twice a week, from December 23, 1715, to the middle of the next
year. This was undertaken in defence of the established Government,
sometimes with argument, and sometimes with mirth. In argument he
had many equals; but his humour was singular and matchless. Bigotry
itself must be delighted with the "Tory Fox-hunter." There are,
however, some strokes less elegant and less decent; such as the
"Pretender's Journal," in which one topic of ridicule is his
poverty. This mode of abuse had been employed by Milton against
King Charles II.

"Jacoboei.
Centum exulantis viscera Marsupii regis."

And Oldmixon delights to tell of some alderman of London that he had
more money than the exiled princes; but that which might be expected
from Milton's savageness, or Oldmixon's meanness, was not suitable
to the delicacy of Addison.

Steele thought the humour of the Freeholder too nice and gentle for
such noisy times, and is reported to have said that the Ministry
made use of a lute, when they should have called for a trumpet.

This year (1716) he married the Countess Dowager of Warwick, whom he
had solicited by a very long and anxious courtship, perhaps with