The Tatler

First appearing in 1709, Richard Steele's Tatler was an agreeable mixture of information and entertainment, with news from the war abroad, comment on new books and plays, gossip, articles against gaming and duelling, and poetry and fiction. After Addison joined in running the paper, it developed into a "periodical essay" proper, and the subjects covered were of more general--and serious--concern: religious issues, literary criticism, problems of conduct, and political controversy. Eventually collected into four volumes, it has frequently been reprinted. This edition--the first since 1898--includes an introduction, textual notes, and a commentary on each essay.