behaviour not very unlike that of Sir Roger to his disdainful widow;
and who, I am afraid, diverted herself often by playing with his
passion. He is said to have first known her by becoming tutor to
her son. "He formed," said Tonson, "the design of getting that lady
from the time when he was first taken into the family." In what
part of his life he obtained the recommendation, or how long, and in
what manner he lived in the family, I know not. His advances at
first were certainly timorous, but grew bolder as his reputation and
influence increased; till at last the lady was persuaded to marry
him, on terms much like those on which a Turkish princess is
espoused, to whom the Sultan is reported to pronounce, "Daughter, I
give thee this man for thy slave." The marriage, if uncontradicted
report can be credited, made no addition to his happiness; it
neither found them nor made them equal. She always remembered her
own rank, and thought herself entitled to treat with very little
ceremony the tutor of her son. Rowe's ballad of the "Despairing
Shepherd" is said to have been written, either before or after
marriage, upon this memorable pair; and it is certain that Addison
has left behind him no encouragement for ambitious love.

The year after (1717) he rose to his highest elevation, being made
Secretary of State. For this employment he might be justly supposed
qualified by long practice of business, and by his regular ascent
through other offices; but expectation is often disappointed; it is
universally confessed that he was unequal to the duties of his
place. In the House of Commons he could not speak, and therefore
was useless to the defence of the Government. "In the office," says
Pope, "he could not issue an order without losing his time in quest
of fine expressions." What he gained in rank he lost in credit; and
finding by experience his own inability, was forced to solicit his