The sun., 1879-03-23

road than tho remarkable pamphlet is
sued somewhat later, and signed by the
writer's namc, in defence OF a standing army
Thus late in life did Defoo lay tho first stone OF
his literary reputation. being now In tho thirty
eighth year OF his age. his controversial genius
in full vigor, and his mastery Of language
complete. Those who have read this pamphlot
assure us that mono Of his subsequent traits
eurpass this as piece Of incsive. spirited. and
persuasive writing. 1t shows. We are told, Mt
their npoGec his marvellous powers OF combln-
ing constructive with destructive criticism. OF
enlisting on his sido the interests. sympathlcs,
and preiudices OF plain people. To persuade
the mnss OF tho frocholders was his aim as II
is that Of the journalist to- day. and for such an
object thore are no political tracts In the Ian
RuaRe at all comparable TO Defoes. In Intent
and treatment he bears some resemblance to
Cobbet. but his faculties were far moro nimbe.
various. and adroit his range OF observation
broader and his insight more unerring. Htill,
on the journalistic side. Cobbett IL his nearest
analogue. while among wrtnrs OF fiction Swift
and Le Sngo present the most points OF eorre-
spondcnce.
In his profession OF journalist Defoe did
great deal Of useful and lucrative work for King
William. for the Whlg Ministers Of Anne. and
also for Harley. both during the retirement and
subsequent reinstatement OF that statesman,
whose secret relations with the Pretender his
Jealous scribe seems not to have suspected.
With the advent Of the House OF Hanover be-
gins tho lcnst credltablo period OF Defoo's life.
Heretofore whatever might be said OF his pri-
vatc character. his political record at least
had been kept clean. But now. while he took
service on the staif Of Tory newspap sup
ported by the friends Of his late patron the Earl
OF Oxford he was really acting as the paid spy
nn tool of ha WhfU Gavarnmant In aurh n
position the remnant OF manlness and seli-re-
spect. which had survived tho shocks OF
changeful existence. was speedily lost. and
amid the icers OF profession from
whose ranks he was elected after the
disclosure OF his dsgraceful double-deal-
ing ho passed his last years in seclusion,
IL not poverty. disreputable old man. Yet
1t was in the very epoch Of tho odious trans
actions above referred TO. when the journalist
took pay from the editor of newspaper for
seeming to write on one side and from his po-
litical opponents for really writing on the other.
that Defoe produced those masterpieces Of mar
rative fiction which have given him a high and
abiding place among English men Of letters.
The first part Of Robinson Crusoe" was pub
lishcd in l719. the second part, and tho curious
sequel to tho tale entitled Serious Reflections"
not long afterward. The journal OF the
Plague of 1866 was brought out in I72l and
we observe has lately been reprinted to meet
demand revived by the recent appearance Of
the historic pestlence on the eastern frontier OF
Europe. As for Captain Singleton" "Rox-
nna." Moll Flanders" and Colonel jack"
they are now as little read as the minor tales Of
lie Sage. or the so-caed Exemplary Novels
OF Cervantcs. II would be equally mistake in
each OF these cases TO ascribe the unparalleled
vitality Of one work out OF many TO n happy ne
cdent Like Don Quixote" and "Gil Bias"
" Robinson Crusoe" has lived longest because
1t has lived most intensely and individually.
because II was detached. as II were. from its
own time and organized for separate existence.
Mr.. Anto points out that in Mol Flanders"
Dcfoe has gone more deeply into the springs OF
human action. and sketched a richer. though
repulsive page In the natural history OF his
species. But MS compared with his masterpiece.
this narrative, In point Of construction is only
n string Of diverting incidents. the lowest tyne
Of book organism. with no unique creative pur-
pose 10 bind the whole together In Robinson
Crusoe." on the other hand. we have real growth
from fecund germ. The central idea round
which the tale is organized the situation Of
man cast ashore on a desert island abandoned
to his own resources. suddenly shot beyond
help or counsel from his fellow rreat"Ses, 10
may nve a. ionE rs the uncertainty OF
human life.