270 HIS REMARKS UPON NATURAL CAUSES OF WINDS.

region, and the antiperistasis of that part of the heavens which is set as a wall of brass to bind up the atmosphere, and keep it within its proper compass for the functions of respiration, condensing, and rarifying, without which nature would be all in confusion; whatever are their efficient causes, 'tis not much to the immediate design. 'Tis apparent, that God Almighty, whom the philosophers care as little as possible to have any thing to do with, seems to have reserved this as one of those secrets in nature, which should more directly guide them to himself. Not but a philosopher may be a Christian; and some of the best of the latter have been the best of the former: as Vossius, Sir Walter Raleigh, Lord Verulam, Dr. Harvey, and others; and I wish I could say Mr. Hobbes, for 'tis pity there should lie any just exceptions to the piety of a man who had so few of his general knowledge, and an exalted spirit in philosophy."

In his chapter," Of the opinion of the ancients, that this island was more subject to storms than other parts of the world" our author urges a variety of ingenious arguments to overthrow the notion, and traces it partly to the state of the island, before it was drained and enclosed by the industry of the inhabitants; and partly to the ignorance of the ancients in the art of navigation. Upon these subjects he displays considerable research, and brings forward a variety of particulars that are well deserving the attention of the reader. Amidst his numerous engagements as a political writer, it is evident that our author found time to cultivate a taste for ancient literature; but he makes no affected display of his learning, and brings it forward as the occasion calls for, with becoming modesty. From the portion of the work already noticed, the reader will perceive the justice of the following eulogium passed upon it by Mr. Chalmers. "In explaining the natural causes of winds, De Foe shews more science, and in delivering the opinions of the ancients that this island was more subject to storms than

HIS MATERIALS FOR THE WORK.

271

other parts of the world, he displays more literature, than he has been generally supposed to possess. Our author is moreover entitled to yet higher praise. He seized that awful occasion to inculcate the fundamental truths of religion; the being of a God, the superintendency of Providence, the certainty of heaven and hell, the one to reward, the other to punish."

The remainder of the work is taken up in describing the effects of the storm in different parts of the country. "It is impossible," he says, "to express the concern that appeared in every place. The distraction and fury of the night was visible in the faces of the people, and every body's first work was to visit and inquire after their friends and relatives. The next day or two was almost entirely spent in the curiosity of the people, in viewing the havock the storm had made, which was so universal in London, and especially in the out-ports, that nothing can be said sufficient to describe it." In the country, the havoc was equally visible; trees of long growth being blown down in many places by thousands, and the orchards in the western counties participating in the general destruction.

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 excursions of genius that distinguish the other writings of the author. Some parts of the work, however, clearly show that the writer had begun to unfold those powers of invention, which he afterwards carried to such great perfection. There are passages which would lead the reader to suppose that he was an eye-witness of the scenes he describes (s). But he

Life of De Foe, p. 22.

(s) "The author of this relation," says he, "was in a well-built brick house in the skirts of the city; and a stack of chimnies falling in upon the

272

EXAMPLE OF HIS INVENTION.

was then a prisoner in Newgate, and could not have access to the places; so that he must be supposed to have indulged in the licence of personating his information for the purpose of giving greater effect to his narrative. The circumstantiality of his details, and the excessive reality that accompanies. them, will remind the reader of some of his later performances. With his usual felicity, he takes frequent occasion to inculcate the truths of religion, and to awaken attention to the subject by the hair-breadth escapes to which many were exposed in the calamity.

next houses, gave the house such a shock, that they thought it was just coming down upon their heads. But opening the door to attempt an escape into the garden, the danger was so apparent, that they all thought fit to surrender to the disposal of Almighty Providence, and expect their graves in the ruins of the house, rather than to meet most certain destruction in the open garden. For unless they could have gone above two hundred yards from any building, there had been no security; for the force of the wind blew the tiles point-blank, though their weight inclines them downwards. In several broad streets, we saw the windows broken by the flying of tileshreds from the other side; and when there was room for them to fly, the author of this has seen tiles blown from a house above thirty or forty yards, and stuck from five to eight inches into the solid earth.” In another place, he says, "The collector of these sheets narrowly escaped mischief by the fall of part of a house on the evening of Wednesday the 24th." He also tells us, "the mercury in the barometer had sunk lower than he ever observed on any former occasion, which made him suppose the tube had been handled and disturbed by the children." He then refers to the more accurate observations of Mr. Derham; "the disorders of that dreadful night," says he, "having found me other employment, expecting every moment when the house I was in would bury us all in its own ruins."

CHAPTER XIII.

Harley's Negociation with De Foe in Prison.-The Queen sends Relief to his Family. And remits his Fine.- His Account of the steps taken for his Release-And his obligations to Harley.-He is discharged from Prison.— And retires to Bury St. Edmunds.-Publishes An Elegy upon himself.— State of the Difference between Rooke and Colepeper.-De Foe publishes a Hymn to Victory."—Remarks upon it by a Tory Writer.— His vindication.-Asgill's Argument upon Translation.-Ridiculed by the Wits.His Injurious Treatment.-He is answered by De Foe.-Account of his Work.-Veratious Conduct of De Foe's Enemies.-His account of a Hoar practised upon him.

66

1704.

THE foregoing pages will testify that the mind of De Foe was not subdued by the terrors of a prison. With talents so rich and diversified, it is not surprising that he should be considered a desirable ally by any party in the state. The Tories, mortified by his wit, and smarting under the pungency of his satire, laboured hard to enlist him upon their side; but he preferred poverty to the shame of serving a cause that his soul abhorred. He was, therefore, left in prison when their administration expired. Upon the accession of Mr. Harley to office, he wisely judged that a writer of De Foe's talents and perseverance would be of essential service to the new ministers, if they could be brought to their support; and as his own politics were in the main not dissimilar to those of De Foe, he had reason to expect a more favourable attention han his predecessors. He accordingly made a private com

274 THE QUEEN SENDS RELIEF TO HIS FAMILY.

munication 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. "Harley," observes Mr. Chalmers, "approved probably of the principles and conduct of De Foe, and doubtless foresaw, that during a factious age, such a genius might be converted to many uses. 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 him a sufficient sum for the payment of his fine, and the expences attending his discharge from prison.

The obligations he was under to some persons in power, for their attention to him during his confinement, and the sense of gratitude that he entertained for their services, are thus detailed by himself, and are intended as an apology for his subsequent political conduct.

"In the interval of these things, and during the heat of the first fury of high-flying, I fell a sacrifice for writing against the rage and madness of that high party, and in the service of the Dissenters. What justice I met with, and above all, what mercy, is too well known to need a repetition. This introduction is made that it may bring me to what has been the foundation of all my further concern in publick affairs, and will produce a sufficient reason for my adhering to those whose obligations upon me were too strong to be resisted, even when many things were done by them which I could not approve; and for this reason it is that I think it necessary to distinguish how far I did or did not adhere to, or join in or with the persons or conduct of the late govern