[Footnote 1:  See No. 76.  Steele uses the suggestion of the Romance of ‘Pharamond’ whose

  ‘whole Person,’ says the romancer, ’was of so excellent a composition,
  and his words so Great and so Noble that it was very difficult to deny
  him reverence,’

to connect with a remote king his ideas of the duty of a Court.  Pharamond’s friend Eucrate, whose name means Power well used, is an invention of the Essayist, as well as the incident and dialogue here given, for an immediate good purpose of his own, which he pleasantly contrives in imitation of the style of the romance.  In the original, Pharamond is said to be

’truly and wholly charming, as well for the vivacity and delicateness of his spirit, accompanied with a perfect knowledge of all Sciences, as for a sweetness which is wholly particular to him, and a complacence which &c ...  All his inclinations are in such manner fixed upon virtue, that no consideration nor passion can disturb him; and in those extremities into which his ill fortune hath cast him, he hath never let pass any occasion to do good.’

That is why Steele chose Pharamond for his king in this and a preceding paper.]

[Footnote 2:  the utmost sense of his Majesty without the ability to express it.]

[Footnote 3:  Spinamont is Mr. Thornhill, who, on the 9th of May, 1711, killed in a duel Sir Cholmomleley Dering, Baronet, of Kent.  Mr. Thornhill was tried and acquitted; but two months afterwards, assassinated by two men, who, as they stabbed him, bade him remember Sir Cholmondeley Dering.  Steele wrote often and well against duelling, condemning it in the ‘Tatler’ several times, in the ‘Spectator’ several times, in the ‘Guardian’ several times, and even in one of his plays.]

* * * * *

No. 85.  Thursday, June 7, 1711.  Addison.

      ’Interdum speciosa locis, morataque recte
      Fabula nullius Veneris, sine pondere et Arte,
      Valdius oblectat populum, meliusque moratur,
      Quam versus inopes rerum, nugaeque canorae.’

      Hor.

It is the Custom of the Mahometans, if they see any printed or written Paper upon the Ground, to take it up and lay it aside carefully, as not knowing but it may contain some Piece of their Alcoran.  I must confess I have so much of the Mussulman in me, That I cannot forbear looking into every printed Paper which comes in my Way, under whatsoever despicable Circumstances it may appear; for as no mortal Author, in the ordinary Fate and Vicissitude of Things, knows to what Use his Works may, some time or other, be applied, a Man may often meet with very celebrated Names in a Paper of Tobacco.  I have lighted my Pipe more than once with the Writings of a Prelate; and know a Friend of mine, who, for these several Years, has converted the Essays of a Man of Quality into a kind of Fringe for his Candlesticks.  I