He complained sorrowfully that in spite of this resolution, and though he had not written one book since the Queen's death, a great many things were called by his name.

In that case, he had no resource but to practise a Christian spirit and pray for the forgiveness of his enemies.

This was Defoe's own account, and it was accepted as the whole truth, till Mr.
Lee's careful research and good fortune gave a different colour to his personal history from the time of Harley's displacement.[3] [Footnote 3: In making mention of Mr.Lee's valuable researches and discoveries, I ought to add that his manner of connecting the facts for which I am indebted to him, and the construction he puts upon them, is entirely different from mine.

For the view here implied of Defoe's character and motives, Mr.Lee is in no way responsible.] During the dissensions, in the last days of the Queen which broke up the Tory Ministry, _Mercator_ was dropped.

Defoe seems immediately to have entered into communication with the printer of the Whig _Flying Post_, one William Hurt.