rable other engagements of a literary nature. Dr Drake in his Essays on the Tatler,' &c., describes the Review' in the following terms :-" "Contemporary with 'Leslie's Rehearsals,' came forward, under a periodical dress, and of a kind far superior to anything which had hitherto appeared, the Review' of Daniel De Foe, a man of undoubted genius, and who, deviating from the accustomed route, had chalked out a new path for himself. The chief topics were, as usual, news, foreign and domestic, and politics; to these, however, were added the various concerns of trade; and to render the undertaking more palatable and popular, he, with much judgment, instituted, what he termed, perhaps with no great propriety, a 'Scandal Club,' and whose amusement it was to agitate questions in divinity, morals, war, language, poetry, love, marriage, &c. The introduction of this club, and the subjects of its discussion, it is obvious, approximated the 'Review' much nearer than any preceding work, to our first classical model."

But the Review' was not only superior to its predecessors in the graces of style, and in vigour of intellect, but also in the importance of its matter. To cultivate a taste for polite learning and solid attainments; to diffuse information, and arouse a spirit of inquiry upon political, commercial, and other subjects; to stimulate the improvement of females, as well by a more refined behaviour in the other sex, as by an increased attention to their education; and above all, to give a more decided tone to the moral and religious character of his readers, were the leading objects of De Foe, in the composition of the 'Review.' In the prosecution of his purpose, he often brings sound learning and chastened wit to the aid of acute reasoning; and unites an accurate judgment to the effusions of a mind stored by various and extensive reading. His style is vigorous, shrewd, and often eloquent; and he has some passages that for pathos, dignity, and well-pointed satire, are not exceeded in the writings of his successors. For keenness of satire, tempered with liberality of feeling, and decorum of expression, his work had, probably, no equal.

As it forms part of my plan, in the body of the work, to give a full notice of, and large extracts from, each volume of this extraordinary publication, it will not be necessary for me to occupy space by any further mention of it here.

The reader will elsewhere find an account of the circumstances under which the bill against the occasional conformity of Dissenters was introduced to Parliament, and of its repeated rejection by the House of Lords, at that period the safeguard of popular rights. While this measure was formerly under the consideration of parliament, De Foe had penned some further thoughts upon the subject, with aview to their publication; but the rejection of the measure determined him to suppress them. The subject, however, being still kept alive by the high party, he was induced to change his resolution, and commit his papers to the press. They were accordingly published under the title of 'A Serious Inquiry into this grand Question, Whether a Law to prevent the Occasional Conformity of Dissenters, would not be inconsistent with the Act of Toleration, and a Breach of the Queen's Promise? London : 1704.'

This is one of De Foe's best pamphlets in this fruitful controversy, and evinces much good sense, couched in forcible yet becoming language. As a piece of serious argument it is irresistible; and the adroitness with which he manages it shows that he was a master of human nature, no less than of his subject. Versed in the arts of mankind, he detects the sophisms resorted to by the dishonest to delude the unwary, and penetrates the designs of a party hostile to liberty, unmasking them to the world in their true colours. Having good feeling as well as reason upon his side, he enlists the language of persuasion in the cause of charity and mutual forbearance; whilst, touched with the wrongs of his party, he asserts their just claims with a manly spirit, befitting the cause he had undertaken to defend. His work is an able defence of the doctrine of Toleration in a large and liberal sense.

In the month of April De Foe produced his pamphlet, intitled, 'More Short Ways with the Dissenters. London: 1704.' Instead of adopting the, disguise he assumed in a former pamphlet with a similar title, he now told his story in plain and intelligible language. His satire, however, is sufficiently caustic and severe. He was aroused to the attack by the continued insults of the highflying clergy, whose sermons and writings were a series of libels against the Dissenters. The works he had particularly in view, were Wesley's attack upon Dissenting Academies, and an assize sermon of Sacheverell's, preached before the University of Oxford, the Judges and Grand Jury, March the 9th, 1703-4, in which he repeats the slanders of Wesley.

Immediately afterwards, De Foe published The Dissenters Misrepresented and Represented. Lond. 1704.' 4to. In this work he points out a variety of particulars in which the Dissenters were calumniated by high-churchmen; and remarks, that they showed themselves better qualified to blacken the characters of others than to clear up their own.

De Foe renewed his attack upon the high party in the month of July, in a work entitled 'A New Test of the Church of England's Honesty. Lond. 1704.' This was designed as a sequel to his former pamphlet, entitled 'A Test of the Church of England's Loyalty,' the object of which was to show that certain churchmen had but indifferent pretensions to that political virtue. In the present performance, he brings forward a charge as little favourable to their morals, and sustains it in a variety of particulars as it regarded their behaviour to the Dissenters.

Our author's next publication was a narrative of the fearful storm which arose in the night of the 27th November, 1703, and which for violence, extent, and duration, as well as for the dismal consequences that accompanied it, was unprecedented in history. It is to the pen of De Foe that we are indebted for the completest account of this visitation. After being frequently announced for publication, it was published towards the end of July with the following title :-The Storm, or a Collection of the most remarkable Casualities and Disasters which happened in the late dreadful Tempest, &c.; London: 1704. The materials upon which De Foe founded the work consist chiefly of letters from the clergy and other principal inhabitants of the parishes to which the narrative relates. These are mostly presented in their documentary form, which, whilst they give it the stamp of authenticity, prevented those exertions of genius that distinguish the other writings of the author. His work, however, is of the greatest interest. In explaining the natural causes of winds, he shows more science, and in delivering the opinions of the ancients, that this island is more subject to storms than other parts of the world, he displays more literature than he has been generally supposed to possess. He is moreover entitled to the yet higher praise, that he seized that awful occasion to inculcate the fundamental truths of religion: the being of a God, and the doctrine of future reward and punishment.

CHAPTER IX.

UPON the accession of Harley to office, in the spring of 1704, he wisely judged that a writer of De Foe's talents and perseverance would be of essential service to the new Ministers, if he could be brought to their support; and as his own politics were in the main not dissimilar from those of De Foe, he had reason to expect a more favourable attention to his overtures than his Tory predecessors had received. He accordingly made a private communication to him with that view, but no arrangement seems to have taken place between them, as De Foe continued in prison some months afterwards. It was to this minister's influence, however, that he eventually owed his release. It was most

likely through the same medium that the Queen became acquainted with his merits, and was made conscious of the injustice of his punishment, which she now appeared desirous to mitigate. For this purpose she sent some relief to his wife and family, through her treasurer, the Lord Godolphin; and transmitted to himself a sufficient sum for the payment of his fine, and the expenses attending his discharge from prison.

By this powerful interposition, De Foe obtained his release in the beginning of August, 1704, and through the same interest was employed in several honourable services, which he discharged with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his em ployers, as we learn from himself.

As well to avoid the town-talk as to breathe a salubrious air after so long a confinement, De Foe immediately retired to Bury St Edmund's, in Suffolk, where he passed some time, amusing his leisure hours by composing new works for the press.

The first publication after his release was a poem, written during his confinement, and adapted to his own circumstances at the time. It is called 'An Elegy on the Author of the "True Born Englishman ;" London: 1704,' in the preface to which he complains loudly of the ill-usage he was continually receiving from the pamphleteers of the day.

The successes of the English army, under the Duke of Marlborough, in the preceding summer, had furnished the poets of the age with a prolific subject for the exercise of their muse. De Foe was not backward in contributing his share to the general stock, and produced on the 29th August, 'A Hymn to Victory,' to which are prefixed two pages of dedication to the Queen, also in verse, and to these he has signed his name, a course not usual with him.

De Foe's pen was next exercised upon a subject that needlessly occupied the attention of Parliament, and was made of more importance, both by divines and politicians, than it really demanded.

John Asgill, a gentleman who had already distinguished himself by his learning and ingenuity, having his attention directed to the study of divinity, had adopted a theory upon the subject of death and a future state, which, however absurd, was fortified by precedents, and was, to say the worst of it, but an innocent delusion. Unhappily for himself, he lived at a period when the smallest deviation from orthodoxy was regarded by theologians as an offence that demanded a visitation from the civil power. This irrational mode of confuting error, so disgraceful to learning, and so foreign to the spirit of Christianity, was resorted to in the case of Asgill, who evinced its futility by adhering to his opinions.

The obnoxious doctrine propounded by Asgill, was contained in a pamphlet with the following title: An Argument, proving, that according to the Covenant of Eternal Life, revealed in the Scriptures, Man may be translated from hence into that Eternal Life, without passing through Death, although the Human Nature of Christ himself could not be thus translated till he had passed through Death; 1703.' The work was no sooner published than a general clamour was raised against the author as an infidel and a blasphemer, though Asgill had said nothing to warrant these charges. Upon these imputations reaching Ireland, where he had been chosen a member of the House of Commons, an order was made for his expulsion, with a provision that he should be thereafter incapable of sitting in the House.

De Foe took a much better method of confuting his opinions, in a pamphlet published towards the end of September, and entitled An Enquiry into the case of Mr Asgill's General Translation; showing that it is not a nearer way to Heaven than the Grave, &c. London: 1704.' This work strongly illustrates, not only the versatility of De Foe's genius, but the solidity of his mind, when attracted to religious subjects. Although trade and politics had engrossed so much of his time and attention, they had not obliterated his early theological studies, for which he always preserved a taste. As

a critic and commentator upon the Scriptures, he often shows great judgment as well as acuteness, and writes with an earnest seriousness that befitted the gravity of his subject. Unlike the railing theologians of his day, he treats a whimsical writer with decency and good manners, confines himself closely to the subject in dispute, and never allows his zeal for orthodoxy to detract from the character, or draw unwarrantable conclusions from the premises of his opponent. Although it was a subject upon which a writer of less seriousness would have employed his wit, he paid more homage to the cause with which it was connected, than to indulge in a talent which he knew so well how to direct upon proper occasions.

De Foe had scarcely escaped from the terrors of a prison, before new scandals were raised by his enemies for the purpose of mortifying him. Whilst he was enjoying himself in his retreat from the bustle of the metropolis, and quietly pursuing his literary occupations, some of the news-writers propagated a report that he was fled from justice, and that warrants were out for his apprehension.

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In his 'Review' for October 7, 1704, he gives this account of the affair :-" Whereas, the author of this paper has been, and still is, in the country, upon his extraordinary and lawful occasions, and some persons maliciously and scandalously reported and caused it to be written in news-letters, that he is absconded and fled from justice he gives this notice to all persons whom it may concern, that he knows no guilt for which he has any occasion to fly; so, as soon as ever he saw in the written news the malice of the world, he took care to give public notice to the government where he is, and shall always be ready to show himself to the faces of his enemies, let the occasion be what it will."

The slander being repeated, he published the following notice in his 'Review' for November 4, in which he traces it to its authors: "Whereas, in several written newsletters dispersed about the country, and supposed to be written by one Dyer, a news writer, and by Mr Fox, bookseller in Westminster Hall, it has falsely, and out of mere malice, been scandalously asserted, that Daniel De Foe was absconded, and fled from justice; that he had been searched for by messengers, could not be found, and more the like scoundrel expressions; the said Daniel De Foe hereby desires all people who are willing not to be imposed upon by the like villanous practices, to take notice, that the whole story is a mere genuine forgery, industriously and maliciously contrived, if possible, to bring him into trouble; that the said Daniel De Foe, being at St Edmund's Bury, in Suffolk, when the first of these papers appeared, immediately wrote to both her Majesty's, secretaries of state, to acquaint them with his being in the country on his lawful occasions, and to let them know, that on the least intimation from them, he would come up by post, and put himself into their hands, to answer any charge that should be brought against him. That as soon as his business was over in the country, he made his humble complaint of this unprecedented usage to the secretary of state, and had the honour to understand, that no officer, messenger, or other person, had received any order, warrant, or other direction, to search for, apprehend, or otherwise disturb the said Daniel De Foe, or that there was any complaint, or charges brought against him. And further, having been informed, that Mr Robert Stephens, the messenger, had reported that he had an order or power from the secretaries of state, to stop and detain the said Daniel De Foe, and that he made several inquiries after him to that purpose; the said Daniel De Foe hereby gives notice, that as soon as he came to town, and before his application to the secretary of state, he went, and in the presence of sufficient witnesses, spoke with the said Robert Stephens the messenger, as he calls himself, of the press, and offering himself into his custody, demanded of him if he had received any order to detain him; and he denied that he had any such order, notwithstanding he had most openly and in villanous terms, repeated before, that he would detain him if he

could find him, and had in a scandalous manner made inquiries after him. The said Daniel De Foe, having no other remedy against such barbarous treatment, but by setting the matter in a true light, thinks he could do no less in justice to the government and himself, than make this publication; and further, he hereby offers the reward of 201. to any person that will discover to him, so as to prove it, the author and publisher of any of those written news-letters, in which those reports were published, which shall be paid immediately, upon such proof made, at the publisher's of this paper. Witness my hand, DANIEL DE FOE."

CHAPTER X.

THE next subject that engaged the pen of De Foe, was one that still preserves its importance, and will continue to do so, as long as the support of the poor remains an object of legislation.

Towards the latter end of the year, Sir Humphrey Mackworth introduced a bill into the Commons for the employment of the poor; the object of which was to establish in every parish a parochial manufactory, and to provide a fund for its support. Whilst under the consideration of the House it was printed by direction of the member who had framed it; and, having thus become public property, it was open to public scrutiny. From an apprehension that Sir Humphrey had mistaken the right method of remedying the grievance of which he complained, De Foe now penned his masterly treatise, entitled, Giving Alms no Charity; and employing the Poor a Grievance to the Nation; being an Essay upon this great question, whether Workhouses, Corporations, and Houses of Correction for employing the Poor, as now practised in England, or Parish Stocks, as proposed in a late Pamphlet, entituled, "A Bill for the better Relief, Employment, and Settlement of the Poor, &c." are not mischievous to the Nation, tending to the Destruction of our Trade, and to increase the Number and Misery of the Poor. London, 1704.' This able and well-timed treatise upon an important subject is distinguished alike by comprehensive knowledge, acuteness of penetration, and soundness of judgment; and it may still be perused with advantage. De Foe wrote much upon the same question in his Review' both now and afterwards, when the bill, having been rejected by the Lords, was again brought before Parliament.

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At the opening of the year 1705, De Foe was in an ill state of health. For some time previously he appears to have laid aside from a regular application to his studies; but occasional intervals of ease enabled him to continue his Review,' which met with but slight interruption in its ordinary course of publication. The nature of his illness is not mentioned, but it was of some months' continuance, and remained with him during the whole of January. It is not improbable that his constitution had received a shock by his long confinement.

Upon the Duke of Marlborough's return to England, towards the close of the former year, he was welcomed with that favour and distinction which his splendid services so amply merited. Besides the honour conferred upon him by the state, garlands of praise were prepared for him by the poets of the age. De Foe published upon this occasion, The Double Welcome to the Duke of Marlborough. London, 1705.' Whilst he eulogizes the Duke for his victories abroad, and makes him second in fame to none but his beloved William, he hails his return as the harbinger of that internal peace to which the nation had been so long a stranger.

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De Foe's next publication was entitled Party Tyranny; or an Occasional Bill in Miniature, as now practised in Carolina. London, 1705.' This is a treatise in defence of the Dissenters of Carolina, who though they formed the bulk of the population in