Lead: In 1711, English British essayists Joseph Addison and Richard Steele founded a periodical known as the The Spectator. It exposed the growing British middle class to the ideas of the Enlightenment and gave authors a chance to try out a new style: the periodic essay. Intro.: A Moment in Time with Dan Roberts. Content: Sam Johnson said of Joseph Addison, one of the founders of The Spectator: “Whoever wishes to attain an English style, familiar but not coarse, and elegant but not ostentatious, must give his days and nights to the volumes of Addison.” Loading... Taking too long? Reload document | Open in new tab Download Share