We have been induced to make this extract, as it seems to mew the genius and spirit of the author in a more advantageous light, than we could have otherwise done.  Though he was a resolute asserter of Whig principles, and a champion for the cause of liberty, yet was he never blinded by party prejudice, but could discern designing, and selfish men, and strip them of their disguises, though, joined with him in the same political contests.

In the conclusion of the Hymn to the Pillory, which is written with great strength of expression, he assigns the reasons for his being doomed to that ignominy.

  Thou Bugbear of the law stand up and speak,
    Thy long misconstru’d silence break,
  Tell us, who ’tis upon thy ridge stands there,
    So full of fault, and yet so void of fear;
    And from the paper in his hat. 
    Let all mankind be told for what.

  Tell them it was because he was too bold,
    And told those truths which should not ha’ been told. 
      Extol the justice of the land
    Who punish what they will not understand;
      Tell them that he stands there
      For speaking what we would not hear;
      And yet he might ha’ been secure,
  Had he said less, or would he ha’ said more. 
        Tell them that it was his reward,
        And worse is yet for him prepar’d,
  Because his foolish virtue was so nice
  As not to tell his friends, according to his friends advice.

    And thus he’s an example made,
  To make men of their honesty afraid,
    That from the time to come they may
    More willingly their friends betray,
  Tell them the ministers that plac’d him here,
  Are scandal to the times,
    Are at a loss to find his guilt,
    And can’t commit his crimes.

There are in the same volume many other poetical pieces, and political, and polemical tracts, the greatest part of which are written with great force of thought, though in an unpolished irregular stile.  The natural abilities of the author (for he was no scholar) seem to have been very high.  He had a great knowledge of men and things, particularly what related to the government, and trade of these kingdoms.  He wrote many pamphlets on both, which were generally well received, though his name was never prefixed.  His imagination was fertile, strong, and lively, as may be collected from his many works of fancy, particularly his Robinson Crusoe, which was written in so natural a manner, and with so many probable incidents, that, for some time after its publication, it was judged by most people to be a true story.  It was indeed written upon a model entirely new, and the success and esteem it met with, may be ascertained by the many editions it has sold, and the sums of money which have been gained by it.  Nor was he lest remarkable in his writings of a serious and religious turn, witness his Religious Courtship, and his Family Instructor; both of which strongly inculcate the worship of God, the relative duties of husbands, wives, parents, and children, not in a dry dogmatic manner, but in a kind of dramatic way, which excites curiosity, keeps the attention awake, and is extremely interesting, and pathetic.