It is to him, Mr.Lee says, and his researches entitle him to authority, that we owe the prototype of the leading article, a Letter Introductory, as it became the fashion to call it, written on some subject of general interest and placed at the commencement of each number.

The writer of this Letter Introductory was known as the "author" of the paper.
Another feature in journalism which Defoe greatly helped to develop, if he did not actually invent, was the Journal of Society.

In the _Review_ he had provided for the amusement of his readers by the device of a Scandal Club, whose transactions he professed to report.

But political excitement was intense throughout the whole of Queen Anne's reign; Defoe could afford but small space for scandal, and his Club was often occupied with fighting his minor political battles.

When, however, the Hanoverian succession was secured, and the land had rest from the hot strife of parties, light gossip was more in request.