Explanation: In short, I have acted in all the parts of my life as a looker-on, which is the character I intend to preserve in this paper. 

Answer: These memorable and noteworthy lines have been extracted from the famous ‘Spectator Papers’ which is composed by one of the great eighteenth-century literary personalities Addison. Here Addison, in his introductory essay “The spectator Account of Himself” has described his function in his latter essays. He informs the audience that his main object in this world is to play the role of a looker or observer. Ironically he means to say that he is to point out the absurdities and deformities of mankind.

In the pointed essay, Addison ventures to give his personal account so that the readers can easily understand his essays. In course of his personal account, he asserts that he is to incorporate in his essays what he sees. He visits various coffee houses and gorgeous theatre halls and overhears what the gathered people say. He goes to the place into the room where the political leaders discourse on various topics. But he never opens his lips. He has achieved immense experience because he only watches the function and activities of various kinds of men. However, in this way, Addison, or the spectator plays the role of a looker in his essays.

Actually, this statement has given the purpose of the writer. He foretells us about his function in his essays. This statement is also ironic because while many men chatter for nothing, the spectator keeps quiet and develops a speculative mind.