As has been said above, Addison developed the portrait of Sir Roger from a first sketch by Steele. But though Addison made the character peculiarly his own, other contributors to the Spectator were free to add their own touches, and Addison did not always relish their manner of doing it. So he killed Sir Roger, as he said, to prevent any one else from murdering him. This pathetic paper records more than the death of a knight; it seems to chronicle the passing away of the feudal system.
"The old order changeth, yielding place to new."