after night, and the resources of Europe in the way of
translations, plaudits, and favorable criticisms were exhausted in the
endeavor to express the general approval. The judgment of a later period
has, however, assigned 'Cato' a secondary place, and it is remembered
mainly on account of its many felicitous passages. It lacks real
dramatic unity and vitality; the character of Cato is essentially an
abstraction; there is little dramatic necessity in the situations and
incidents. It is rhetorical rather than poetic, declamatory rather than
dramatic. Johnson aptly described it as "rather a poem in dialogue than
a drama, rather a succession of just sentiments in elegant language than
a representation of natural affections, or of any state probable or
possible in human life."

Addison's popularity touched its highest point in the production of
'Cato.' Even his conciliatory nature could not disarm the envy which
such brilliant success naturally aroused, nor wholly escape the
bitterness which the intense political feeling of the time constantly
bred between ambitious and able men. Political differences separated him
from Swift, and Steele's uncertain character and inconsistent course
blighted what was probably the most delightful intimacy of his life.
Pope doubtless believed that he had good ground for charging Addison
with jealousy and insincerity, and in 1715 an open rupture took place
between them. The story of the famous quarrel was first told by Pope,
and his version was long accepted in many quarters as final; but later
opinion inclines to hold Addison guiltless of the grave accusations
brought against him. Pope was morbidly sensitive to slights, morbidly
eager for praise, and extremely irritable. To a man of such temper,
trifles light as air became significant of malice and hatred. Such
trifles unhappily confirmed Pope's suspicions; his self-love was
wounded, sensitiveness became animosity, and animosity became hate,
which in the end inspired the most stinging bit of satire in the
language:--

"Should such a one, resolved to reign alone,
Bear, like the Turk, no brother near the throne,
View him with jealous yet with scornful eyes,
Hate him for arts that caused himself to rise,
Damn with faint praise, assent with civil leer,
And, without sneering, teach the rest to sneer;
Alike unused to blame or to commend,
A timorous foe and a suspicious friend,
Fearing e'en fools, by