\"Butourauthor’schiefconcernisforthepoorHouseofCommons，whomherepresentsasnakedanddefenceless，whentheCrown，bylosingthisprerogative，wouldbelessabletoprotectthemagainstthepowerofaHouseofLords。WhoforbearslaughingwhentheSpanishFriarrepresentslittleDickyunderthepersonofGomez，insultingtheColonelthatwasabletofrighthimoutofhiswitswithasinglefrown？ThisGomez，sayshe，flewuponhimlikeadragon，gothimdown，theDevilbeingstronginhim，andgavehimbastinadoonbastinado，andbuffetonbuffet，whichthepoorColonel，beingprostrate，sufferedwithamostChristianpatience。Theimprobabilityofthefactneverfailstoraisemirthintheaudience;andonemayventuretoanswerforaBritishHouseofCommons，ifwemayguess，fromitsconducthitherto，thatitwillscarcebeeithersotameorsoweakasourauthorsupposes。\"]
ThemeritedreproofwhichSteelehadreceived，thoughsoftenedbysomekindandcourteousexpressions，galledhimbitterly。Herepliedwithlittleforceandgreatacrimony;butnorejoinderappeared。Addisonwasfasthasteningtohisgrave;andhad，wemaywellsuppose，littledispositiontoprosecuteaquarrelwithanoldfriend。Hiscomplainthadterminatedindropsy。Heboreuplongandmanfully。Butatlengthheabandonedallhope，dismissedhisphysicians，andcalmlypreparedhimselftodie。
HisworksheintrustedtothecareofTickell，anddedicatedthemaveryfewdaysbeforehisdeathtoCraggs，inaletterwrittenwiththesweetandgracefuleloquenceofaSaturday’sSpectator。
Inthis，hislastcomposition，healludedtohisapproachingendinwordssomanly，socheerful，andsotender，thatitisdifficulttoreadthemwithouttears。AtthesametimeheearnestlyrecommendedtheinterestsofTickelltothecareofCraggs。
Withinafewhoursofthetimeatwhichthisdedicationwaswritten，AddisonsenttobegGay，whowasthenlivingbyhiswitsabouttown，tocometoHollandHouse。Gaywent，andwasreceivedwithgreatkindness。Tohisamazementhisforgivenesswasimploredbythedyingman。PoorGay，themostgood—naturedandsimpleofmankind，couldnotimaginewhathehadtoforgive。