Thus Addison died comparatively young, or at the age of forty-seven, when Johnson was only ten years old. He was born to fortune and fame, and the road to both was strewn with flowers. Had he passed through some of Johnson's experience, his mind perhaps would have gained in vigour if it lost somewhat in polish. Ashmole preceded Addison, and if he did not acquire a literary reputation that has endured to the present time, he founded a Museum at Oxford that bears his name, and contains the collection of curiosities he made in his life-time. Many other names of mark are associated with Lichfield, and the little city has contributed a contingent to the great English army of preachers, teachers, and writers of which it may well be proud.
Coventry is a town which no American can pass by without special notice, whether he travel on the turnpike road of English history, or on the clattering metal of the modern railway. On both routes it stands a conspicuous object, claiming respect and study. On the whole, there is no provincial city or town in England that is so vividly individualized by historical incidents and associations. Its very name emanates from these. It was a city of convents, probably of three at least, existing at different times; from which circumstance it may have been first called Conventria. Then the most popular, attractive legend attaching to any town in
