16 “ AN ESSAY ON PROJECTS.”

which, however, was soon superseded at the request of his other creditors ;
and De Foe’s proposal of composition was accepted on his single bond. It
should be added, to his honour, that this he punctually paid by the most
indefatigable exertion of industry and self-denial. And afterwards, when
misfortune overtook some of these more lenient creditors, De Foe, whom King
William’s favour had meanwhile raised to a position of comparative afiiu-
ence, voluntarily paid the whole amount of their claims.

While his proposal was being debated by his creditors, De Foe, to avoid
imprisonment, had taken refuge in Bristol; and here, it is said, he was
known as the “ Sunday gentleman,” because, from fear of the bailiffs, he
could not appear in public on any other day. But on these. public appear-
ances ho was gaily dressed, in a fine flowing wig, lace ruffles, and with a
sword by his side. His enforced leisure he occupied in the composition of
his admirably practical “ Essay on Projects;” which, however, was not pub-
lished until two years afterwards.

Forster describes it as ‘“‘a most shrewd, wise, and memorable piece of
writing.” It suggested various reforms in the English system of banking,
and a plan for central county banks ; it demonstrated the immense advan-
tages of an efficient improvement of the public roads, as a source of public
benefit and revenue ; it recommended, for the security of trade, a mitigation
of the severities of the law against the honest bankrupt, and a more effect-
ual system of check against practised knavery; it proposed the general
establishment of offices for insurance “in every case of risk;” it enforced
in impressive language the expediency of friendly societies, and of a kind of
savings’ bank, among the poor ; and, with a sagacity far in advance of the
age, urged the solemn necessity of a more humane custody of lunatics, which
was aptly described as “a particular rent-charge on the great family of
mankind.”

His banishment at Bristol being terminated by his creditors’ frank accept-
ance of his proposal of composition, De Foe returned to London, where he was
soon afterwards concerned, ‘‘ with some eminent persons at home,” in pro-
posing financial ways and means to the English Government for conducting
the great war with France. This service led to his appointment as account-
ant to the Commissioners of the Glass Duty (1694-1699) ; and this appoint-
ment probably furnished him with resources for the establishment of exten-
sive tile-kiln and brick-kiln works at Tilbury,* on the Thames, where, for
several years, he gave employment to upwards of a hundred poor workmen,
and where, among the rough and daring men who frequented the banks of
the great river, he probably gathered much of that nautical knowledge and
information about strange countries which he afterwards turned to so
excellent an advantage.t

* He appears, at first, to have been one of a company, but, after a while, became sole

proprietor.
+ Mr. Lee describes an interesting visit which he paid to the site of these works. “In

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