Daniel Defoe by William Minto
page 68 of 161 (42%)
page 68 of 161 (42%)
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despiteful and injurious treatment even by writers "embarked in the same
cause, and pretending to write for the same public good." "I contemn," he said in his _History_, "as not worth mentioning, the suggestions of some people, of my being employed thither to carry on the interest of a party. I have never loved any parties, but with my utmost zeal have sincerely espoused the great and original interest of this nation, and of all nations--I mean truth and liberty,--and whoever are of that party, I desire to be with them." He took up the same charges more passionately in the Preface to the third volume of the _Review_, and dealt with them in some brilliant passages of apologetic eloquence. "I must confess," he said, "I have sometimes thought it very hard, that having voluntarily, without the least direction, assistance, or encouragement, in spite of all that has been suggested, taken upon me the most necessary work of removing national prejudices against the two most capital blessings of the world, Peace and Union, I should have the disaster to have the nations receive the doctrine and damn the teacher." "Should I descend to particulars, it would hardly appear credible that in a Christian, a Protestant, and a Reformed nation, any man should receive such treatment as I have done, even from those very people whose consciences and judgments have stooped to the venerable truth, owned it has been useful, serviceable, and seasonable...." "I am charged with partiality, bribery, pensions, and payments--a thing the circumstances, family, and fortunes of a man devoted to his country's peace clears me of. If paid, gentlemen, for writing, if hired, if employed, why still harassed with merciless and malicious men, why pursued to all extremities by law for old accounts, which you clear other men of every day? Why oppressed, distressed, and driven from his |
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