Select Vestries.-Third Volume of the "Family Instructor." -Subjects handled in it." Use and Abuse of the Marriage Bed."—" The Compleat Tradesman."-A Second Volume upon the Subject.-Merits of the Work.-" Plan of the English Commerce."-De Foe and Gee compared.-" Mili- tary Memoirs of Captain Carleton."-A favourite with Johnson." Augusta Triumphans."-London University.- De Foe a Practical Reformer.-His Scheme for the Preven- tion of Street Robberies.-Invasion of his Labours.-He publishes "Second Thoughts are Best."-Strictures upon the Beggars' Opera.-Schemes for Improvement of the Police." Dissectio Mentis Humanæ."-A Manuscript Some Particulars of De Foe during the latter years of his life. --Mr. Baker's account of his Habits.-And Courtship of his Daughter. He falls into Difficulties.-Unnatural Be- haviour of his Son.-His affecting Letter to Mr. Baker.- His Prospects as to another World.-Time and Circum- stances of his Death.-Some Errors corrected.-Registers of his Burial.-Letters of Administration upon his Effects.— View of De Foe's Character.-Mode of Dealing amongst Literary Men in his Day.-Wanton Manner of propagating Slander.-Mark Noble.-De Foe's Moral Character.-Pri- vate Habits.-Melmoth's Letter to him upon the Stage.- His Political Principles.-Patience under Suffering.-His Religious Character. -His Benevolence Illustrated.--Gene- ral View of his Character as a Writer.-His Pretensions as a Poet. As a Political Writer.-As a Commercial Writer. As an Historian.-As a Moralist.-As a Writer of Fic- tion.-Estimate of his Secondary Novels, by Charles Lamb. -Comparison with Richardson.—And Bunyan.-Conclud- CHAPTER I. De Foe returns to London.-Rewarded by the Ministers.-Intrigues at Court.-Disgrace of the Duchess of Marlborough.-New Favorite.Character of Harley.-His Intrigues Discovered.—Dismissed from Office• -Delicate Situation of De Foe.-His own Account of his Conduct at this time.- In Favour with Lord Godolphin.—Threatened Invasion of the Pretender.- Loyalty of the Scots.- De Foe Publishes "The Union Proverb."-Vindicates his Political Conduct.-He Publishes the Fourth Volume of his "Review.”—Subjects Discussed in it.—His zeal for Liberty. -And Political Independence.-Contests with the News- Writers.-The French Prophets.-De Foe's Remarks upon them.- He makes a Journey to Scotland.-New Elections.-De Foe's Strictures upon Bribery.- He makes a Tour in the Country.-His zeal for the Return of Whigs.Remarks upon the Triennial Bill.-And upon the Inconsistency of the Whigs.- De Foe receives some Threatening Letters.-Discourse concerning Trouble of Mind. 1708. EARLY in the month of January, 1708, De Foe returned to London, after an absence in Scotland of about sixteen months. He seems to have been anxious to obtain a settlement of his affairs; and his negociations with his creditors held out a prospect of success. Being now at the headquarters of the parties contending for power, he could not avoid being involved in their disputes; and of the various subjects that engaged his attention, the reader will be informed in the sequel. For his services in Scotland, or elsewhere, the ministers now rewarded him with an appointment, with a fixed salary; 2 INTRIGUES AT COURT. but the nature of it is not mentioned. It was obtained for him by the intervention of Harley, and continued to him. after the fall of that minister. As his name does not stand in the red book of Queen Anne, Mr. Chalmers was induced to think it was a pension rather than a place; but he speaks of it himself as an appointment, which seems to denote a place. It was probably a sinecure, that did not require a personal attendance, as may be gathered from his long and frequent absences; and it must have been one that did not demand the sacramental test, which De Foe always objected to. During the ministry of Lord Godolphin, after the retirement of Harley, his salary fell into arrears, perhaps in consequence of his long absence in Scotland; and notwithstanding his interest with the succeeding ministry, it does not appear that his claims were ever liquidated. The commencement of the year was marked by the discovery of some political intrigues, which produced several changes, both at court and in the ministry. Abigail Hill, who had been rescued from poverty, and introduced to court by her kinswoman, the Duchess of Marlborough, was rising fast in the royal favour. She had been several years dresser to the queen, and a lady of the bed-chamber; and, by her assiduous attentions, made her'self so acceptable to her mistress as greatly to relieve the Duchess, who sometimes remitted her attendance at court for several weeks together. This enabled the rising favorite to insinuate herself, by degrees, into the royal confidence, until she succeeded in supplanting her relative and benefactress. Her marriage to Mr. Masham, one of the queen's pages, in the preceding summer, was industriously concealed from the duchess, and occasioned a more than usual degree of reserve. This her Grace attributed to moroseness of temper, little suspecting that her relative had made so much progress in the art of dissimulation. But her surprise |