To this an answer was
published by Addison, under the title of "The Old Whig," in which it
is not discovered that Steele was then known to be the advocate for
the Commons. Steele replied by a second "Plebeian;" and, whether by
ignorance or by courtesy, confined himself to his question, without any
personal notice of his opponent. Nothing hitherto was committed against
the laws of friendship or proprieties of decency; but controvertists
cannot long retain their kindness for each other. The "Old Whig"
answered "The Plebeian," and could not forbear some contempt of "little
DICKY, whose trade it was to write pamphlets." Dicky, however, did not
lose his settled veneration for his friend, but contented himself with
quoting some lines of Cato, which were at once detection and reproof.
The Bill was laid aside during that session, and Addison died before the
next, in which its commitment was rejected by two hundred and sixty-five
to one hundred and seventy-seven.

Every reader surely must regret that these two illustrious friends,
after so many years passed in confidence and endearment, in unity of
interest, conformity of opinion, and fellowship of study, should finally
part in acrimonious opposition. Such a controversy was "bellum plusquam
CIVILE," as Lucan expresses it. Why could not faction find other
advocates? But among the uncertainties of the human state, we are doomed
to number the instability of friendship. Of this dispute I have little
knowledge but from the "Biographia Britannica." "The Old Whig" is not
inserted in Addison's works: nor is it mentioned by Tickell in his Life;
why it was omitted, the biographers doubtless give the true reason--the
fact was too recent, and those who had been heated in the contention
were not yet cool.

The necessity of complying with times, and of sparing persons, is the
great impediment of biography. History may be formed from permanent
monuments and records: but lives can only be written from personal
knowledge, which is growing every day less, and in a short time is lost
for ever. What is known can seldom be immediately told; and when it
might be told, it is no longer known. The delicate features of the mind,
the nice discriminations of character, and the minute peculiarities of
conduct, are soon obliterated; and it is surely better that caprice,
obstinacy, frolic, and folly, however they might delight in the
description, should be silently forgotten, than that, by wanton
merriment