504

and

DUNTON'S ACCOUNT OF HIM AT THIS PERIOD.

very

must be acknowledged that De Foe is a man of good parts, clear sense. Whatever he says upon the subject of peace and war, is so true and correct, that (like Pythagoras's ipse dixit) it might almost stand for an infallible rule. He is master of the English tongue; can say what he pleases upon any subject; and by his printing a poem every day, one would think rhimed in his sleep. It is his misfortune that a prejudiced person should write his character. But (with all my revenge) I cannot but own, his thoughts upon any subject are always surprising, new, and singular; and though he write for bread, could never be hired to disgrace the quill, or to wrong his conscience; and which crowns his panegyrick, he is a person of true courage. It is true, I have reason to think Daniel De Foe dares not quarrel with John Dunton; but I believe he fears nothing on earth but myself: and he says as much, in telling the world "I adhere firmly to truth, and resolve to defend it against all extremities." (Review, vol. ii., No. 75.) He reviews without fear, and acts without fainting.He is not daunted with multitudes of enemies; for he faces as many, every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, as there are foes to moderation and peace. Loyalty to the queen is his guide, and resolution his companion; and a lawful occasion makes him truly brave. It was this sent him to Weymouth, Exeter, and Crediton, to preach peace and moderation to the high-flyers; and though they had not the manners to thank him, yet I hope to see them all on their knees, for not listening to his wholesome doctrine-Peace! It is a dangerous experiment the Western Tackers could not approve of; and for that reason the Weymouth Gothams had fettered him, whipped him, and perhaps burnt him, had not his known courage, and great party of two men, set him above their malice. (See Review, vol. ii., No. 75.) To sum up all: De Foe has piety enough for an author, and courage enough

DUNTON'S ACCOUNT OF HIM AT THIS PERIOD. 505

for a martyr. And, in a word, if ever any, Daniel De Foe is a True Englishman; and for that reason, he is more respected by men of honour and sense, than he can be affronted by Alderman B, Justice S, and the rest of the Western blockheads. Now, if such an author as this should attack my journal, I shall think there is reason for it, and will endeavour to answer him; and to speak the truth, it is pity this peace-making traveller should have any enemy but error, and such a weak assailant as John Dunton."

CHAPTER XXII.

De Foe continues in Scotland.-The Third Volume of the Review. His Account of Himself and his Concern in the Union.—Subjects discussed in this Volume.-His Remarks upon Projectors. And upon Contracting Debts. Further Remarks upon the Bill for Employing the Poor.-And upon Lord Haversham's Speech against the Union.-De Foe threatened by the Swedish Ambassador.—His Account of that Affair.--He is calumniated for his Shure in the Union.-Is attacked by Leslie.—His Defence of Himself.-Meeting of Parliament.-Lord Haversham's Speech against the Ministers.-Satirized by De Foe.—Libel against him.

1707.

DE FOE's long continued absence from England, occasioned by the persecution of his creditors, produced a relaxation of his pen, which was less fertile in 1707, than in any year since the commencement of the reign. Besides his Review, which furnished him with regular occupation, he does not appear to have printed any thing, excepting the pamphlets upon Scotch affairs, that have been already noticed. Being in Scotland during the whole of the year, he was busied in moderating the heat of parties, and in endeavouring to reconcile the disaffected to the Union. Necessity led him also to pay some attention to his own affairs; but the resources upon which he drew for the support of himself and family, remain unknown. It is not improbable that he may have received occasional presents from his friends in Scotland; and his publications must have turned to some account, particularly the Review, the permanent sale of which would now justify a stated remuneration.

507

the

"" THE THIRD VOLUME OF THE REVIEW." De Foe closed the third volume of his Review, upon 6th of February, 1706-7, when it had reached 172 numbers; having commenced with the 1st of January, 1705-6. The title was somewhat varied from that of the former volumes, being "A Review of the State of the English Nation. Vol. iii. London: printed in the year 1706." 4to. pp. 688.

In a preface of six pages, he recounts some of the illtreatment he had experienced in the progress of the work; as, also, the occasion of it. "I must confess," says he, "I have sometimes thought it very hard, that having voluntarily, without the least direction, assistance, or encouragement, in spite of all that has been suggested, taken upon me the most necessary work of removing national prejudices against the two most capital blessings of the worldpeace and union-I should have the disaster to see the nations receive the doctrine, and defame the teacher. Should I descend to particulars, it would hardly appear credible, that in a Christian, a Protestant, and a reformed nation, any men could receive such treatment as I have done, even from those very people whose consciences and judgments have stooped to the venerable truth, and owned it useful and seasonable. It would make this preface a history, to relate the reproaches, the insults, the contempt with which these papers have been treated in discourse, writing, and print, even by those who say they are embarked in the same cause. The charge made against me of partiality, bribery, pensions, and payments; things, the circumstances, family, and fortunes of a man devoted to his country's peace, clears me of. If paid for writing, if hired, if employed, why still harassed by merciless and malicious men? Why pursued to all extremities by law, for old accounts, of which other men are cleared every day? Why oppressed, distressed, and driven from his family, and from all his prospects of delivering either them or himself? Is this the fate of men employed and hired? Is this the figure the agents of courts and

508 ACCOUNT OF HIMSELF, AND CONCERN IN THE UNION. princes make? Certainly, had I been hired or employed, those people that own the service, would by this time have set their servant free from the little and implacable malice of litigious prosecutions, murthering warrants, and men whose mouths are to be stopped by trifles. Let this suffice, then, to clear me of all the little and scandalous charge of being hired and employed."

De Foe goes on to say, "I am not the first that has been stoned for speaking the truth; and cannot but think, that as time and the conviction of their senses will restore men to love the peace now established in this nation, so they will gradually see I have acted no part but that of a lover of my country, and an honest man; and so in time it may wear off: and though it be hard to be threatened, yet I cannot but support myself with the continual satisfaction of having contributed my mite to the public peace." He adds, in reference to the Union, "When I foresaw the success of the treaty, in the temper and inclinations of the treaters on both sides, I thought it my duty to do my part without doors; and I knew no part I could act in my sphere, so useful and proper, as to attempt to remove the national prejudices, which both people, by the casualty of time and the errors of parties, had too eagerly taken up, and were adhered to with too great tenacity. To this purpose, I wrote Two Essays against National Prejudices in England, while the treaty was in agitation there, and Four more in Scotland, while it was debating in the parliament there; the contents of all which are reprinted in this paper. Nor did I think my time and labour ill bestowed, to take a long, tedious, and hazardous journey thither, or to expose myself to a thousand insults, scoffs, rabbles, and tumults; and to all manner of despiteful and injurious treatment, if possible, to bring the people there to their senses, and free them from the unreasonable prejudices they had entertained against the prosperity of their country. And having seen the treaty happily