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to keep it back." The first paper published by him was the thirteenth of the seventh volume, and is the first with an imprint.

About this time, one Cooper, a Yorkshire clergyman, of loose morals, contrived to introduce himself to the notice of Lord Wharton; and by avowing the same political opinions as his lordship, hoped to secure his favour, and by that method to procure some preferment in the church. As the man was a stranger to that noble Lord, who seems to have been imposed upon by his representations, De Foe, who had become acquainted with his real character, was desirous of undeceiving him upon this point, as well as to spare the church the disgrace of so unholy a pastor. In pursuance of these laudable motives, he transmitted a private letter to Lord Wharton, to whom he appears to have been hitherto unknown. The effect of this communication cannot be now told; but the letter, for which the present writer is indebted to Mr. Upcott of the London Institution, the reader will find in the note. (s) De Foe, who seems to have had his eyes

(s)" My Lord,-As this is written from a sincere principle of duty, and respect to your Ldpp. and a just concern for that honest cause your Lapp. is so heartily embarked in, I hope your Lapp. will pardon the forwardness and presumption of the attempt, tho' you should not accept of ye hint. I am not going to offer to yor Lpp. any thing that wants proof, or that shuns sufficient inquiry. I should not have insulted a person of yor Ldpp's. character in that manner. The design is not to speak in ye dark, but to assist truth to come into ye light, and offer something to yr Lapp. for yr Lapp's farther and pticular enquiry, and services, and therefore, my Lord, I shall neither conceal from yor Ldpp. the story, nor who it is that writes it.

"I have my Lord repeated importunitys from some people in ye north, men of honesty and friends to yr Lapp's. interest, to acquaint yr Ldpp. of the following affair. Their only mistake is that they suppose I have ye honor to be known to yr Ldpp., which is their error as it is my misfortune, and my not having that honour is the occasion of my makeing so much preamble to yr Lapp. contrary to my custom in ye world, and for wch I ask yr Lapp's. pardon. The story is this:

There is one Cooper, a Clergy Man of or near Leeds, who if Fame

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CONCERNING A YORKSHIRE CLERGYMAN.

every where, was not unacquainted with the low state of morals amongst the Yorkshire clergy. In order to awaken the people, and especially the holders of church patronage, to the propriety of decorum in their teachers, he announced the following squib in his Review for January 14, 1710. "Just published, The Northern Worthies: Or a Visitation

sayes true, is now or has been lately, applying himself to yr Lapp. either to be entertained in yr Lapp's. service, or to obtain yr Lapp's favour and recommendation to some living, or some other way to be employ'd or advanced by yr Ldpp.; and pticularly, it is alledged that he gets himself recomended to yr Ldpp. as a Low Churchman or a moderate man, and as persecuted and turn'd out by the Vicar on account of his moderation, &c. "Now my Lord, the business of this Letter is to give yor Ldpp. a true accot of ye morals and manners of this man, that yor Ldpp. may be inform'd from unquestioned authority what kind of person he is, and nobody then questions but yr Lpp. knows what measures to take either that ye church may not be ill served and further reproacht, or yr Ldpp's. recommendacon dishonour'd by the most scandalous person alive.

"And my Lord, that yor Lpp. may not depend upon my single authority, I shall give yr Lapp. his brief character in the words I reca it, and the psons. shall at any time be produced for yor Lapp's. farther satisfaccon."

"From Leeds, March 22.- This scandalous priest his name is Cooper, he was seen in ye very act, debauching a woman on a Sunday morning, and pticularly. being to administer ye Sacrament the same day, and did also actually administer ye Sacram in our church that same day (called ye old Church in Leeds). Perjury in several cases can be proved against him, and that in severall places he has been discarded as a common drunkard, and for his being a common swearer our whole town will witness it. For these crymes our Vicar turn'd him out, and deny'd him his pulpit, upon which he is fled to my Ld Wharton for preferm1, and we are told my Lord has given him hope of a liveing, &c.'

"Thus far my author. There is more in my Letter, but I presume this is enough to prevent yo' Ldpp. being imposed upon-and this I thought it my duty to lay before yr Lapp. If your Ldpp. please to hear any more, or that I should make farther enquiry about it, in that, or any thing else for yr Lapp's service, I shall esteem it my honor to receive yr Lapp's. comands. "I am, may it please yor Lapp.

"Yor Lapp's. most humble and obedient Serv1, "DE FOE."

"From Newington, near Hackney, Apll 7th. 1710."

SATIRE UPON THE YORKSHIRE CLERGY.

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of the Yorkshire Clergy; a Satire humbly dedicated to Parson Plaxton, the Reverend Author of the Yorkshire Racers. To be bought where it is to be sold, and to be sold where it is to be bought: Written for the edification of the Northern Gentry, and to cure them of the Contagion of Priestcraft. In five volumes in Folio. Price 51. 7s. 6d. being a very voluminous work."

CHAPTER V.

Effects of Sucheverell's Trial.-De Foe's Picture of the Times.-His Opinion of the Tories.-Addresses to the Queen.-De Foe's Remarks upon them.-Letter to Sir Jacob Banks-Prosecution of the Author. -Further Remarks upon the Addresses.-De Foe threatened for his writings. Defies his Enemies.-Sacheverell's Progress in the Country.— De Foe's notice of it.-And of the expected change in the Ministry.— His character of the Earl of Sunderland.—And of the other Ministers.— Corruption of the Times.-Harley's Mysterious Conduct.-De Foe's Reflections upon the Times. He recommends a Sermon by Dr. Goddard.— Both Satirized by Dr. King.-Completion of the Ministerial Changes. -Character of Harley, St. John, and Harcourt.-Publications for and against the new Ministers.- Decline of Public Credit.-De Foe writes for its support.-Essay upon Public Credit.-Essay upon Loans.— Publication of the "Examiner."-History of that work." Swift's Political Conduct."- "The Whig Examiner."-" The Medley."-De Foe's Remarks upon these works.

1710.

THE trial of Sacheverell was the commencement of a drama, which unfolded plot after plot, and in which the whole nation became the actors. Church-politics, having become the order of the day, were no longer confined to the clergy and to ministers of state; even women and children arranged themselves in the hostile attitude of party, and the very street-gentry dealt out learned discourses upon the subject. In the following narrative, De Foe has furnished us with a curious picture of the times.

"The women lay aside their tea and chocolate, leave off visiting after dinner, and forming themselves into cabals,

DE FOE'S PICTURE OF THE TIMES.

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turn privy-councillors, and settle the affairs of state. Every lady of quality has her head more particularly full of business than usual; nay, some of the ladies talk of keeping female secretaries, and none will be fit for the office but such as can speak French, Dutch, and, which is worse, Latin. Gallantry and gaiety are now laid aside for business; matters of government and affairs of state are become the province of the ladies; and no wonder if they are too much engaged to concern themselves about the common impertinences of life. Indeed, they have hardly leisure to live, little time to eat and sleep, and none at all to say their prayers. If you turn your eye to the park, the ladies are not there; even the church is thinner than usual; for, you know, the mode is for privy-councils to meet on Sundays. The very play-house feels the effects of it; and the great Betterton died a beggar on this account. Nay, the Tatler, the immortal Tatler, the great Bickerstaff himself was fain to leave off talking to the ladies, during the Doctor's trial, and turn his sagacious pen to the dark subject of death, and the next world; though he has not yet decided the ancient debate, whether Pluto's regions were, in point of government, a kingdom or a commonwealth."

The influence of high-church politics upon the character of the nation in general, is thus described by our author. "Mobs, rabbles, and tumults, possess the streets; whores, pimps, and cullies, the walks; the dressing, the powdering, the beau-monde is adjourned to the chocolate-houses, and is all among the men: the ladies are otherwise engaged; even the little boys and girls talk politics. Little Miss has Dr. Sacheverell's picture put into her prayer-book, that God and the Doctor may take her up in the morning before breakfast; and all manner of discourse among the women runs now upon war and government. Tattling nonsense and slander is transferred to the males, and adjourned from the toilet to the coffee-houses and groom-porters. This