But he had not pursued it long when he was again called away.

The second diversion, as he pointed out, was strictly analogous to the first.

It was a summons to him to do his utmost to promote the union of the two kingdoms of England and Scotland.

"From the same zeal," Defoe said, "with which I first pursued this blessed subject of peace, I found myself embarked in the further extent of it, I mean the Union.

If I thought myself obliged in duty to the public interest to use my utmost endeavour to quiet the minds of enraged parties, I found myself under a stronger necessity to embark in the same design between two most enraged nations." The union of the two kingdoms had become an object of pressing and paramount importance towards the close of William's reign.