ROBERT HARLEY, EARL OF OXFORD. DEFOE'S PATRON AND FRIEND. IN THREE VOLUMES. Vol. III.-The Second Volume of his Writings. London: JOHN CAMDEN HOTTEN, PICCADILLY. 1869. PREFACE ΤΟ PR 3401 24 v.3 THE THIRD VOLUME, Being the Second Volume of Defoe's Uncollected Works. HA AVING in the preceding volume made such general prefatory observations as then occurred to me, I have little more to add than briefly to refer to a few of the Essays herein, which appear to me of peculiar excellence; and, to explain one or two things that might otherwise seem obscure. I have already noticed the necessarily fugitive character of Essays written under the pressure of the moment, and in the midst of other herculean literary labours, as a reason why these productions of Defoe's pen should not now be amenable to severe verbal criticism. I may add, that in the choice of his subjects, he was not only bound to take up passing events, often of little permanent interest; but also to consult, with a view of improvement, the taste and temper of the reading public in that age. Notwithstanding these limitations, I trust that this Volume, as well as its predecessor, will be found to contain so great variety, that few subjects of ordinary interest are left untouched; and that fine thoughts, happily expressed, abound in almost every page. The reader will find herein little of purely political or religious controversy; but it may be needful to bear in mind the great civil and social changes effected during the one hundred and fifty years that have elapsed between the composition of these writings and the present time. A sanguinary code of criminal Laws has been repealed. Education and intelligence have extended the power and franchises of the people. Roman |