On these heads Defoe's enthusiasm was boundless, and his eloquence inexhaustible.

It is true also that he supported with all his might the commercial clauses of the Treaty of Utrecht, which sought to abolish the prohibitory duties on our trade with France.

It is this last circumstance which has earned for him the repute of being a pioneer of Free Trade.

But his title to that repute does not bear examination.

He was not so far in advance of his age as to detect the fallacy of the mercantile system.