Joseph Addison

Joseph Addison in his trip to the Royal exchange takes an observant look at the way in which mankind is seperated by nature and also brought together. He goes on to talk about how one item of food needs spice from a completely different part of the world. He also observes that the Royal Exchange in London brings everyone together and is great in the way that is supplies the poor with commerce and money. In my opinion there is a slight patronising undertone in what he is talking about; he makes seems to be saying that all the lowley people selling spices etc. are only able to make a living because of London and Great Brtitain. Although he talks about bring the rich and poor together it seems as if he is trying to make the point that only the rich will benefit. His condesending tone matches his personality of being a whig, enjoying extravagent tea parties and making whitty observations about what he has seen in the day. These sort of people surrounded themselves with like minded people, therefore it seems as if anyone who spoke any different from him or his social group would be considered an idiot.
Away from the British exchange, Joseph Addison was a very intelectual man who believed in methodical thnking. Methodical thinking and writing is something that Addison deeply believed in; he seems to think that method in discourse when talking and writing is essential to give superiority over the less educated commoners.