After paſſing a general cenſure on the ſurrounding nations, Italy, Germany, France, &c. he then takes a view of England, which he charges with the black crime of ingratitude. He enumerates the ſeveral nations from whence we are derived, Gauls, Saxons, Danes, Iriſh, Scots, &c. and ſays,
From this amphibious ill-born mob began
That vain ill-natur’d thing, an Engliſhman.
This ſatire, written in a rough unpoliſhed manner, without art, or regular plan, contains ſome very bold and maſculine ſtrokes againſt the ridiculous vanity of valuing ourſelves upon deſcent and pedigree. In the concluſion he has the following ſtrong, and we fear too juſt, obſervation.
Could but our anceſtors retrieve their fate,
And ſee their offspring thus degenerate;
How we contend for birth, and names unknown,
And build on their paſt actions, not our own;
They’d cancel records, and their tombs deface,
And openly diſown the vile degenerate race:
For fame of families is all a cheat,
’Tis perſ’nal virtue only makes us great.
The next ſatire of any conſequence which De Foe wrote, was entitled Reformation of Manners, in which ſome private characters are ſeverely attacked. It is chiefly aimed at ſome perſons, who being veſted with authority to ſuppreſs vice, yet rendered themſelves a diſgrace to their country, encouraging wickedneſs by that very authority they have to ſuppreſs it.
Poetry was far from being the talent of De Foe. He wrote with more perſpicuity and ſtrength in proſe, and he ſeems to have underſtood, as well
