Contradictions in Addison’s "No. 10"

The last week or so, we’ve been exploring periodical literature from the 18th century.  One particular entry from Joseph Addison’s and Sir Richard Steele’s The Spectator, caught my attention.  While reading “No. 10” (written by Addison), I was reminded of a previous discussion concerning Defoe’s Moll Flanders.  Specifically, that writers before and after  Defoe’s time--as well as Defoe himself--were very concerned with prescribing how people should read their works (as we see in the preface of Moll Flanders). The belief was that there is, in fact, a right and wrong way of reading.  What caught my attention about Addison’s “No. 10,” is Addison’s concern--not with how people should read (though this preoccupation is certainly present) so much as who should be reading his work.

Consider these lines: “I shall be ambitious to have it said of me, that I have brought Philosophy out of Closets and Libraries, Schools and Colleges, to dwell in Clubs and Assemblies, at Tea-tables, and in Coffee-houses.” Here, it appears Addison is declaring that he wishes to take philosophy, a concept that is the privilege of scholars, or a select few, and take it out of confinement and bring it to the masses.  However, to dwell in clubs, at tea-tables, and coffee-houses is still the privilege of a select group of people.  I’m not trying to suggest that Addison’s aim purposely excludes lower class people, but there’s still a feeling that philosophy, though brought into these places, still remains a privilege that excludes the lower class, however genuine Addison’s aim toward inclusion.

Addison lays out specific instructions for reading his works in the domestic sphere as well:

“I would therefore in a very particular Manner recommend these my Speculations to all well-regulated Families, that set apart an Hour in every Morning for Tea and Bread and Butter; and would earnestly advise them for their Good to order this Paper to be punctually served up, and to be looked upon as a Part of the Tea Equipage.”  Notice Addison’s wording here: well-regulated families. Maybe I’m reading too much into this, but well-regulated seems to be associated with families of propriety, as opposed to families that do not regularly take part in the “tea equipage.” The word equipage has both functional and ornamental implications, as well.  In some way, Addison seems to suggest here that his articles should be read or “served up” with as much ritual as the taking of tea, so that the purpose for reading is not purely for instruction, but for habit, or appearances, as well. 

The most direct audience that Addison addresses should read his writing is women: “But there are none to whom this Paper will be more useful than to the female World.”  Addison goes on to say, “I have often thought there has not been sufficient Pains taken in finding out proper Employments and Diversions for the Fair ones. Their Amusements seem contrived for them rather as they are Women, than as they are reasonable Creatures; and are more adapted to the Sex, than to the Species.”  What I like about these lines is that Addison seems genuinely sympathetic toward women.  He recognizes that not enough has been done to find employment for women, pointing out that society tends to judge them as women, rather than human beings.  It is this false classification that has driven women toward, as Addison later points out, the “toilet” and “adjusting of their hair,” as the principal employment of their lives.”  

Even though it is problematic for a man to claim that he has the authority to instruct women, Addison points out that women are unjustly trapped into roles that limit their potential, and that is to his credit.