COVERLEY, SIR ROGER DE, a name taken by Steele (q.v.) from the north country tune "Roger of Coverley" and applied to the country member of the club where his Spectator studied human nature. In the second number of the Spectator he is introduced as "a gentleman of Worcestershire of ancient descent. His great-grandfather was the inventor of that famous country dance which is named after him. He is now in his 56th year, cheerful, gay and hearty, rather beloved than esteemed." But Addison soon took the character into his own hands and developed it with subtler observation and humour than Steele ever had at command. The knight became less hearty and, if equally beloved, more estimable. Of the 3o papers in which his character and surroundings are pictured z0 are by Addison, eight by Steele, two by Budgell. In his courtesy and simplicity he shows some kinship with Don Quixote (q.v.) but his politics and churchmanship, like his paternal activity as master, landlord and magistrate are native. The creation of Sir Roger marks and probably assisted the evolution of the boorish, hard-living Stuart squire into the benevolent, well-mannered and cultivated country gentleman which was the i8th century ideal. In Tom Jones and again in Rob Roy the two types are shown in sharp contrast, and the great popularity of Addison as a moralist may have contrib uted to the victory of the humaner and more civilized way of life.