Charles of Spain died on the 22nd of October, 1701; by the middle of November, a few days after the news had reached England, and before the French King's resolve to acknowledge the legacy was known, Defoe was ready with a pamphlet to the clear and stirring title of--_The Two Great questions considered_.

I._What the French King will do with respect to the Spanish Monarchy._ II.

_What measures the English ought to take._ If the French King were wise, he argued, he would reject the dangerous gift for his grandson.

But if he accepted it, England had no choice but to combine with her late allies the Emperor and the States, and compel the Duke of Anjou to withdraw his claims.

This pamphlet being virulently attacked, and its author accused of bidding for a place at Court, Defoe made a spirited rejoinder, and seized the occasion to place his arguments in still clearer light.