MEMOIRS OF DR. DANIEL WILLIAMS. 423 rate delineation of human nature must extort praise from the learned, and will remain a standing monument of the skill and ingenuity of the writer. There are perhaps few books better adapted for family reading, for parochial libraries, or for circulation amongst the poor; and if the author had written nothing else, these volumes alone possess a sufficient merit to give him a high place amongst English moralists. It has occurred to the present writer, whether De Foe was not the author of the Life of Dr. Daniel Williams, published by Curll, in this year. There is not only a strong resemblance in the style, but there are other internal marks, which may be detected by a comparison with some of his writings (y). The work here alluded to is intitled, "Memoirs of the Life and Eminent Conduct of that learned and reverend divine, DANIEL WILLIAMS, D.D. With some Account of his Scheme for the vigorous Propagation of Religion, as well in England as in Scotland, and several other parts of the World. Addressed to Mr. Peirce. London: printed for E. Curll, at the Dial and Bible, against St. Dunstan's Church in Fleet Street. 1718. Price 2s. 6d. bound." 8vo. pp. 86. To this is annexed, "A true Copy of the last Will and Testament of Dr. Williams." pp. 45. Dr. Williams was an eminent Presbyterian divine, first in Dublin, and afterwards in London. He was a liberal benefactor to the Dissenters; and dying in 1716, left the bulk of his property, which was considerable, to charitable uses. He was the founder of an extensive library for the use of the Dissenters, bearing his name, and situated in Red-Cross Street, London. In the controversy concerning the doctrine of the Trinity, during the early part of the last century, the Dissenters, it is (x) See particularly "The Parallel: or, Persecution of Protestants the Shortest Way to prevent the Growth of Popery in Ireland. 1704." 424 LETTER TO THE DISSENTERS. well known, took a large share. During the contention, much angry feeling was discovered by both sides, and the cause of charity was sacrificed to a zeal for orthodoxy. Salters'-Hall, the arena of the disputes, exhibited scenes of tumult and discord, but little befitting an assembly of grave divines, met together for the avowed purpose of composing their differences. The conduct manifested by the more violent, drew down much obloquy upon the Dissenters, and exposed them to the talk and derision of their enemies. Pamphlets flew about in all directions, abounding in censures and recriminations, but having no tendency to settle the points at issue. In the midst of this paper war, De Foe stepped in, not as a partizan, nor as interfering in any way in the quarrel; but in the pacific character of a mediator between the two parties. He conjures them to lay aside their quarrels, and to consult the safety and reputation of their cause, as Dissenters, by studying the things that make for peace. The title of his tract is, "A Letter to the Dissenters. London: printed for J. Roberts, in Warwick-Lane. 1719. Price Sixpence." pp. 27. 8vo. Our author had so often appeared in the character of a peace-maker, and with so little success, that he was diffident of his labours upon this occasion. "The passions of men are none of their best friends; and though when the passions are most violent, they stand at that time in most need of advice, it seems of all times the most unseasonable to offer it." De Foe gives much judicious advice to the Dissenters, founded upon urgent motives, for allaying their animosities; but the disease was seated too deeply to yield to correctives, and diffused a poison that corrupted the whole mass. In the same year, De Foe appeared again before the world as the translator of a French work, relative to the disputes between the Jesuits and the Jansenists. It is intitled, "A Curious Oration delivered by Father Andrews, concerning DE FOE'S ASSIGNMENT OF PROPERTY. 425 the present Great Quarrels that divide the Clergy of France. Translated from the French. By D. De F-e. London: 1719." 8vo. In this year, De Foe assigned over some property that he had in the hands of the South-Sea Company, to the person named in the following deed; but for what purpose does not appear. The original is in the possession of Mr. Upcott, to whom the public is indebted for this copy. ~ "Know all Men by these Psents That I Daniel De Foe, of Stoke Newington in the County of Midx. Gent. have made, ordained, deputed, authorised, and appointed, and by these Psents do make, ordain, depute, authorize, and appoint Mordecai Jenkins of London, Gent., my true and lawful attorney, for me, and in my name, to assign and transfer to any person or persons whomsoever, the sum of One hundred Twenty seven pounds ten shillings, being all the stock which I have in the Books of the Governor and Company of Merchants of Great Britain, trading to the South Seas, and other parts of America, and for encouraging the Fishery, with full power to make and give proper and sufficient acquittance for the consideraen money to be had and received for the same, and generally to make and do all such other necessary acts and things proper to be done, as fully and effectually as I myself might or should do being personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming whatsoever my said Attorney shall lawfully do or cause to be done, in and about the premises. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this Two and Twentieth day of March, Anno Dom 1719. Anno R R* Georgii D. G. Mag. Brita cr. 6°” DANIEL DE FOE." "Sealed and delivered in the presence of us, JA. RUCK." CHAPTER XVII. De Foe's merits as a writer of Fiction.-Estimate of them by Charles Lamb. "Robinson Crusoe."-History of its Publication.-Its great success.-De Foe publishes a second volume.-Piracy of this Work.-Controversy concerning it.-Libel upon De Foe.-Blair's character of " Robinson Crusoe.”— Johnson's Eulogy.-De Foe publishes his "Serious Reflections."-Design of the Work.-The Author's allusions to Himself.-Subjects discussed.-Popularity and character of "Robinson Crusoe."-Rousseau's commendation.Judgment of Dr. Beattie.-Origin of the Work." Timothy Crusoe.”— "Account of Alexander Selkirk.”—Works relating to him.—Steele's Paper in the "Englishman."-How far De Foe was indebted to his story.—Idle tale of his Plagiarism discussed.-Writers for and against it.-The Work ascribed to Arbuthnot and Harley.-Various opinions upon the place of its birth.-Notice of its various editions.—French and Spanish translations.—A great favourite with the Arabs.—Imitations of the Work.—“Philip Quarll.” -Professor Campe's French Work-Spanish and Latin translations.Edition of Mad. Montmorency Lavale. 1719. WHATEVER fame De Foe had created for himself amongst his contemporaries by his previous writings, it has been eclipsed in the judgment of posterity, by the series of imaginative works which now fell from his pen with astonishing rapidity, and will entail honour upon his name so long as true genius, consecrated by moral worth, shall continue to be an object of estimation. There can be no doubt that long habit, urged on by necessity, contributed greatly to lessen the toils of composition; and that the readiness he had acquired, received an additional stimulus from the excitements of genius. Yet no DE FOE'S MERITS AS A WRITER OF FICTION. 427 man, without the resources of De Foe, could have combined, with the same rapidity, so much varied and useful information. To extensive reading upon almost every branch of literature, he united an intimate knowledge of the world; and his resources were so much at his command, that he appears to have drawn upon them with little apparent labour. Accustomed to view mankind in all its gradations of station and character; conversing sometimes with the great, at other times with the low, he had stored his mind with an abundance of materials, which a lively fancy enabled him to turn to a good account. His commerce with the world had brought him acquainted with its habits and occupations, its business and amusements, and with all the forms in which society has developed the human passions. Engaged from his earliest years in active pursuits, and thrown by the accidents of life into almost every variety of situation, he had an opportunity of reading instructive lessons upon human nature, and furnished many scenes of real life from the storehouse of his own experience. A character formed in so extensive a school, acutely alive to passing events, and disciplined by correct habits of thinking, was at no loss for incidents to awaken the attention of mankind; whilst his habitual seriousness led him to improve every occasion for converting them into channels of instruction. Intimately acquainted with the whole circle of common life, he possessed the talent above most men, of seizing upon ordinary occurrences, and throwing over them a charm which they owe entirely to the force of his own fancy. But his genius was happily chastened by a correct and solid judgment. His mind was no less vigorous than acute, and being tempered by a high tone of moral feeling, he insinuates instruction insensibly upon his readers, whilst he administers to their amusement. If some of his fictions partake of less refinement than can be desired, he does not, like many of his contemporaries, disgust us with their sallies of vulgarity; he no where sacrifices decency to wit; nor does he offend by |