Johnson on Addison:

His prose is the model of the middle style; on grave subjects, not formal, on light occasions not groveling; pure without scrupulosity, and exact without apparent elaborations; always equable, and always easy, without glowing words or pointed sentences. Addison never deviates from his track to snatch a grace; he seeks no ambitious ornaments, and tries no hazardous innovations. His page is always luminous, but never blazes in unexpected splendor.