Temple Bar; and T. Warner, at the Black Boy in Paternoster Row. 1720. 8vo. pp. 360. 2nd edition. 1737. 12mo. 3rd edition. 1768. 12mo.

"Bob Singleton, as he was familiarly called, knew nothing of his origin, having been trepanned when a child, and sold to a gipsey woman; who happening to be hanged, he was thrown upon the parish. At twelve years old he went to Newfoundland, and upon his return home was captured by a Turkish rover, but re-taken by the Portuguese, and carried to Lisbon. His master dying there, he engaged himself as cabin-boy in a Portuguese vessel bound to the East Indies, and became initiated in every vice. But degraded as he was, he could not but look with horror upon his shipmates, whom he describes as the most profligate of beings. However, he that is shipped with the devil, must sail with the devil;' so he continued his voyage. Upon his return from Goa, where he only escaped the inquisition by becoming a good Catholic, the vessel put into Madagascar; and a mutiny taking place amongst the seamen, twenty-seven of them, ...cluding young Singleton, were left upon shore. Here they were hospitably treated by the natives: but their new situation not sitting easy upon them, they longed for an opportunity of returning to Europe. Like men in despair, they wandered from one expedient to another; and at length committed themselves to the sea, in a vessel of their own construction. After a perilous voyage of twenty-four days, they reached the main land of Africa, but found themselves in a more barbarous country than that they had quitted. They had now to cross a large continent, which they performed upon foot; and we have a relation of many perilous adventures with wild beasts, and savage nations, as also, of the treasures they collected in their progress. Having at length

PREFATORY NOTICE TO CAPTAIN SINGLETON.

xiii

reached the western coast, Singleton separated himself from the rest of his companions, and embarking at Cape Coast Castle, returned to England, where he soon dissipated his property. And with this ends the first part of his adventures.

"The second part of his life was no less remarkable, but terminated more hopefully. As soon as he had seen the bottom of his purse, he went on board a trading vessel bound for Cadiz, where he engaged in a conspiracy to seize the ship. But the plot failing, he transferred himself to another vessel that was her companion, and where the crew met with better success. Having chosen Wilmot, one of them, their captain, and Singleton his lieutenant, they laid in stores for a voyage, and put to sea. It was not long before they captured a Spanish sloop, which they manned for a privateer, giving the command to Singleton. After a cruise of two years, they began to grow rich, disposed of the sloop, and transferred the crew to a large Spanish frigate carrying thirty-eight guns, of which Singleton had the command. With this force they swept the seas of every vessel that came within their reach. In one of their prizes was a Quaker from Pennsylvania, a surgeon by profession; who, being a useful person, was made to bear them company, and cuts a considerable figure in the story. They now thought of returning home with their booty, and agreed to rendezvous at Madagascar. Here they fell in with Captain Avery, a noted pirate of those times, whose exploits are matter of history. But a difference now arising between Singleton and the other commander, they parted company, Wilmot carrying away all the spoil. Our hero had now to begin the world again; but he was not disheartened. Having a large frigate carrying 44 guns, and four hundred men, besides a sloop at his disposal, he set sail

again, his friend the Quaker bearing him company. It was not long before they took some valuable prizes, with the contents of which they carried on a considerable trade, and in the end grew very rich. It was now time to think of leaving off so hazardous a mode of life, with the guilt of which our Captain began to have some compunctions of conscience, that were instilled into him by the Quaker. For some considerable time he was under great terror of mind, even bordering upon despair; but the Quaker's discourses brought him to some composure, with a resolution to reform his life, and make all the reparation in his power for the injustice he had committed. The Quaker had a sister in England, to whom he remitted a considerable sum of money, with directions to take a house in the country, as a retreat for them upon their arrival. This they at length accomplished; and the story ends by Singleton's marriage to the fair Quakeress.

"This work is inferior to some of De Foe's narratives. His hero is altogether a worthless character, and the actions recounted of him, are such as few readers would take delight in. From the nature of the story, these, indeed, could not be much otherwise. Singleton is a faithful portrait of a numerous herd that swarmed upon the seas at that period. The events of his life are those of any other pirate, but diversified by some strange adventures, which owe their existence to the fertile brain of the writer. Those who take delight in adventures of this nature, will find much to amuse, if not to instruct them. De Foe has less moralizing in this, than in most of his other works, yet it is not entirely lost sight of; for towards the close, his hero becomes a reformed man. The story of the Quaker, who was the agent in the change, is by far the best part of the work."

THE LIFE,

ADVENTURES, AND PYRACIES

OF THE FAMOUS

CAPTAIN SINGLETON:

CONTAINING

An Account of his being set on shore in the Island of Madagascar ; his Settlement there; with 8 Description of the Place and Inhabitants : of his Passage from thence in a Paraguay to the main land of Africa; with an Account of the Customs and Manners of the People; his great Deliverance from the barbarous Natives and wild Beasts; of his meeting with an Englishman, a Citizen of London, among the Indians; the great Riches he acquired; and his Voyage home to England. As, also, Captain Singleton's Return to Sea a; with an Account of his many Adventures and Pyracies with the famous Captain Avery and others.

LONDON:

Printed for J. BROTHERTON, at the Black Bull in Cornhill; J. GRAVES, in St. James's Street; A. DODD, at the Peacock, without Temple Bar; and T. WARNER, at the Black Boy, in Pater noster Row.

1720.