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was coarse, abusive, and violent. Having published some specimens of a new translation of Horace into English verse, De Foe retaliated by criticising his bad grammar, and brings him before his "Inquisition of Scandal," for correction; but Browne did not relish either his jokes or his criticism. He therefore published a half sheet in his own vindication; which De Foe says, ought to have been called, " A Confession and Acknowledgment of two mistakes in the Specimen of the Translation of Horace." De Foe vindicated his criticism, and tells him, that although he disdained to take a hint from such "an illiterate fellow," as he had been pleased to call him, yet he professed to have read Horace and Virgil, as often as himself. Whilst Browne flounces and flings his taunts at De Foe, the latter out-laughs his adversary, without departing from the decencies of language. "Had the Doctor," says he, "begun with the author as a gentleman, and as a man of letters ought to have done, these remarks had been civilly transmitted to him by way of letter; but he having first broke all the laws of courtesy and good breeding, left him without any obligation. And as he seems to tell the world, that 'tis difficult to teach the author to be a critick, he replies, 'Tis true; but not very difficult to be critick enough to find out intolerable blunders in his translation of Horace, unless he makes the work better than the specimens.

Attempts were often made to drag him into disputes with other papers; but De Foe was averse to such contests, and rarely engaged in them. His silence upon these occasions was construed by his enemies into collusion, and he was charged with taking bribes for the purpose; but he throws back the insinuation as beneath his character, "as it ought to be below any honest man to suggest, unless he can make it out." The writer with whom he seems to have been

Little Review, pp. 5, 6, 13, 14.

+ Review, ii. 80.

416 DE FOE'S CONTESTS WITH THE NEWS-WRITERS.

most averse to a conflict, was Tutchin, who often attacked him in his "Observators." As they were fellow-labourers in the same cause, De Foe justly thought that it would. suffer by their strife, which induced him generally to pass him over in silence. Being aroused by his repeated attacks, he says, "The author of the Observator' having treated me in a most scurrilous manner in several of his papers, but without all bounds in his last, I cannot but think myself obliged to examine the reasons of his behaviour, and the truth of his allegations; and exposing their falsity shall be answer enough for me. I see no such beauty in his dialect, to treat him in the same rude manner. He says, I have read but little I believe I may pretend to have read more than himself, and yet make no great pretence to books; but this I have read, that raillery and ill language are no help to an argument, much less forgery and mistake."* He had often invoked this writer to peace, as well by private communications, as publicly in his paper; and when he found no reasoning could prevail, he assures him, he shall give himself no more trouble to confute his mistakes, but answer his follies, as he had always done, with the contempt of silence: "Nor had I done otherwise now," says he, "but as moved to it in my own just defence."†

Another writer with whom De Foe had frequent bickerings, was John Dyer, author of the "News-Letter," the famous country-trumpet of the party; a fellow that, however affronting to the government and the church, writes with intolerable insolence; who has borne kicking, caning, and all sorts of common correction, for belying and abusing private gentlemen, and spreads continued reproaches on the government around the country." De Foe adds, "It would be endless, and below the design of this paper, as well as of its author, to enter into the innumerable crimes of a news

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writer, whose letter in manuscript, by the name of Dyer's Letter,' is seen in many parts of the country, and whose only token of grace is, that he justly shuns its being seen in town. 'This man, to verify an English proverb, The farther from court the more news,' frequently puts into his paper things without colour, without pretence, and without the least shadow of truth." To substantiate this grave charge, De Foe adduces some extracts from his paper, relating to India affairs, and the conduct of the Company, for which Dyer was censured by the House of Commons.* His paper was devoted to the support of the most extravagant highchurch notions, and was printed upon a type resembling writing. (R)

Of all De Foe's antagonists, the most formidable for learning, pertinacity, and consideration with his party, was Leslie, the Non-juror: this he himself acknowledges. After dismissing some other opponents, he says, "I am now to defend myself against a much superior antagonist, both for learning and language, but unhappy in being equally obstinate in advancing positive falsehood: " a reproach Leslie had cast upon the Review. The "Rehearsal" was the organ of the high-party, especially the Non-jurors. It partook in an eminent degree of the sour spirit of the times, enhanced by the extreme bigotry of the writer. The Jacobites promoted the sale of the paper to the utmost of their power, and often distributed it gratis. De Foe says, "If 'tis his honour to be the esteemed favourite of those who are the professed enemies of the present establishment, he is welcome to value himself upon it; but I desire he will not put me upon the proof of the particulars,

* Review, ii. 297.

(R) The little credit that was to be attached to this writer, is thus noticed by Addison, in the Drummer, Act 11, Scene 1. Honest Vellum cannot but believe his master is living, "because the news of his death was first published in Dyer's Letter."

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since the honest thinking churchmen cannot but blush to think they should be taught what to read by those who cannot by their own principles wish the prosperity of the church; for when they do so, they must cease to be Jacobites, and act against their avowed principles." Leslie resorted to the foulest language, in his attacks upon the Review. These our author repels with spirit, whilst he pursues, with provoking pertinacity, the points in debate. The slavish principles upheld in the "Rehearsal," he treats with merited contempt, and advises those who recommend it to the people, to blush for their folly, in doing as much as in them lies to betray their country, and dethrone their sovereign. He tells Leslie, that if he thinks him severe, he has, nevertheless, spared him in an abundance of cases, in which he had the power of exposing him, as a testimony that he courted peace, rather than strife and division.*

In reply to his numerous opponents, he says, "In this manner is this paper attacked, both by friend and foe. Envy and enmity give the author no rest; but while he is pressing all the world to peace, wars are raised against him on every side. His own defence is nothing; but his integrity and care in what he writes, must suffer no scandal that can be avoided; and he resolves, in every charge, to let the matter of fact be his answer. If he is wrong, it shall be an acknowledgment; if right, a defence; and the thing, not the person accusing, shall be what, on all occasions, he will regard, in order to leave behind him the volumes of the Review, whatever their author may be, as unexceptionable as possible." +

CHAPTER XIX.

De Foe publishes "A Hymn to Peace."-Renews his Complaints against the Printers. He is attacked by Francis Bugg.-His Account of that Writer. More Injuries to his Literary Reputation.-Libel upon the Review.-De Foe's Vindication of Himself.- His Paper Stolen from the Coffee-Houses. —Advertises a Work upon Toleration against Toland.-- His narrow View of the Subject.-Remarks upon the Mode of Dealing with adverse Opinions. -Account of the Mine Adventure.-Submitted to the Judgment of De Foe. -He discusses its Merits.-And pronounces against it.-Bill for the Relief of Bankrupts.-De Foe's Zeal in Promoting it.-His Disinterested Conduct.-His Satire upon the Commissioners.—Answer to Threatenings.-He publishes Remarks upon the Bill.-His Satire upon the Bailiffs and Lawyers.-Reply to his Pamphlet.-Dr. Browne sets up a Paper against him. Some Account of it.-De Foe's Strictures upon his Writings.-He is Attacked by the Curate of Stepney.— His Poem on "The Fight of Ramillies." -His Scheme for the Regulation of Mad-houses.-He writes a Preface to" Delaune's Plea".-His Account of the Occasion of that Work.-And the Treatment of the Author.-- His Reply to Opponents.- Robertson's Reply to Delaune.-His Letter to De Foe.

1706.

THE disposition now manifested by the parliament to assuage the heat of parties, suggested an agreeable topic to the rhyming faculties of De Foe. The year 1706 was opened by him with, "A Hymn to Peace. Occasioned by the two Houses joining in one Address to the Queen. By the Author of 'The True-Born Englishman.' London: printed for John Nutt, near Stationers'-Hall. 1706." 4to. pp. 60. Published the 10th of January. The poem is in Pindaric verse, a metre much in vogue at the time, and strongly reprobated