After the publication o f this work, Swift wrote nothing o f consequence for three or four years; during which time his acquaintance was much sought after by all persons o f taste and genius. There was, particularly, a very close connexion formed between Mr . Addison and him, which ended in a sincere and lasting friendship, at least on Swift's part. Addison's companionable qualities were known but to a few, as an invincible bashfulness kept h im for the most part silent in mixed companies; but Swift used to say o f him, that his conversation in a tete-h-tete, was the most agreeable he had ever known in any one; and that in the many hours which he passed wi th h im in that way, neither o f them ever wished for the coming in o f a third person.