The Daniel Defoe Library

In which the melancholy effects of the plague upon both body and mind are briefly recounted, and the plight of three poor men resolved to escape the contagion by journeying from the city is related with careful particularity. Their prudent preparations and cautious travels through watchful towns illustrate the hardships faced by those striving to preserve life amidst the devastation.

In which the narrator accompanies a waterman to Greenwich to observe the array of ships moored in the river, serving as refuge for those seeking safety from the plague, and reflects on the fearful consequences of the contagion infiltrating these floating sanctuaries. He further considers the tragic plight of Londoners, particularly women in childbirth and infants, who suffered grievously from negl...

In which the lamentable desolation of London’s streets and fields is observed during the height of the plague, revealing the fearful retreat of its inhabitants and the tireless efforts of many to manage the dead and provide spiritual comfort. A poignant encounter with a devoted waterman tending his infected family from afar illustrates both the merciless reach of the pestilence and the steadfast c...

In which the city is discovered wholly unprepared for the disastrous visitation, leaving the poor and tradespeople in pitiable distress amidst halted commerce and labour, yet charitable funds and the Lord Mayor’s prudent relief efforts strive to sustain the afflicted populace. The dreadful plague’s toll overwhelms official accounts, with multitudes perishing in secrecy and solitude beyond the reac...

In which the grim realities of the plague’s visitation are laid bare through the cries and confessions of despairing sufferers, the fearful ministrations of nurses, and the harrowing tales of death and misrule amid deserted streets and shuttered homes. Amidst these horrors, the courage and cunning of the poor, the grim labours of burial men, and a curious tale of mistaken death offer a somber glim...

In which the narrative recounts the profane mockery and atheistic rudeness of certain men amid the plague’s visitation, observing the divine judgement that befell them, whilst reflecting on the inefficacy and harm of forcibly shutting up infected houses and the hardships faced in procuring provisions during the calamity. The account further details the author's own fearful yet resolute efforts to...

In which the author reflects upon the varied human responses to the plague, from desperate attempts to escape confinement to the resolute self-isolation of prudent families, and recounts the heartrending spectacle of mass burial pits overcrowded with victims. He also bears witness to the sorrow of a bereaved gentleman and the impious levity of some who, in the face of overwhelming calamity, mock t...

In which the strict orders and regulations concerning infected houses, the burial of the dead, and the keeping of streets clean are described in detail, revealing the harsh measures taken to control the plague and prevent its spread within the city. The narrative also relates the various desperate and sometimes violent attempts by inhabitants to escape enforced quarantines, illustrating the confli...

In which the city, struck by the dread of the plague, wrought a sombre transformation upon its gaieties and diversions, and the common people, in their terror, fell prey to both quack remedies and superstitious charms, revealing the depths of human fear and folly. Meanwhile, the magistrates, guided by grave prudence, instituted strict regulations for identifying and isolating the infected, appoint...

In which the city of London, already swollen with a throng of new inhabitants and lofty fashions, finds itself overshadowed by strange celestial phenomena and an unsettled populace rife with fearful predictions, delusions, and many a wild oracle promising doom. Amidst this anxious backdrop, pious souls seek solace in prayer and repentance, while superstition and dread hold sway over the greater po...

In which the return of the plague to London is quietly noted at first, then gradually becomes an undeniable and growing calamity affecting various parishes, stirring fear and causing the more affluent to flee the city in haste. The narrator wrestles with the agonising choice between abandoning his business and staying to face the peril, seeking divine guidance and ultimately resolving to remain at...

In which the narrator recounts his encounters with a banished Russian prince who finds a greater felicity in self-mastery and restraint than in worldly authority, and undertakes a perilous journey through the harsh Siberian wilderness, encountering thieves and the stark realities of exile. The narrative quietly observes the struggles and resolutions of men amid unforgiving nature and the complex h...

In which the traveller and his companions journey through vast and perilous deserts, encountering fierce Tartars and pagan idolaters, whose irrational worship he boldly confronts and disrupts under cover of night. They find refuge in the Muscovite garrisons scattered across the wilds, and as winter approaches, the narrator resolves to winter in Siberia, where he is surprised to find company and ci...

In which our narrator embarks from Pekin with a diverse and well-armed caravan laden with precious silks and spices, encountering wondrous sights such as a house entirely adorned with porcelain tiles, and traversing the vast and triflingly defended Chinese Wall. Along the journey through populous villages and wild deserts, he faces the hazards of Tartar raids, experiences a skirmish led by a valor...

In which our adventurers, having safely arrived in China, navigate the curiosities and complexities of a foreign land, engaging with missionaries, merchants, and mandarins whilst reflecting on the peculiarities of the Chinese empire. They prepare for a significant journey to Pekin, accompanied by a retinue, with the provision of a promising opportunity to return to Europe by joining a caravan of M...

In which the crew of a beleaguered vessel fends off a hostile attack from local inhabitants using quick wit and seafaring skill, before seeking refuge and trade along the coast of China under the guidance of a seasoned Portuguese pilot. The narrator reflects upon the fears and moral considerations that beset them as they navigate threats not only of piracy but of cruel justice at the hands of fore...

In which the narrator and his partner acquire a suspiciously sold ship and undertake a trading voyage in Eastern seas, encountering a grave accusation of piracy that compels them to evade hostile English and Dutch pursuers. Through careful navigation and counsel from a benevolent stranger, they seek refuge along the coast of Tonquin, grappling with the perils of foreign lands and the precarious st...

In which the narrator experiences a grave moral conflict and discord among the crew following a bloody and lamentable conflict ashore, which leads to his enforced absence from the ship and a solitary sojourn in a distant land. During this enforced stay, he engages in mercantile ventures with a fellow Englishman, exploring the trade and riches of foreign ports, while wrestling with a restless desir...

In which our intrepid traveller recounts a perilous encounter on the island of Madagascar, where a fragile truce with the native inhabitants is broken by an ill-advised act, leading to a night of dreadful violence and burning. The narrative unfolds with sober reflection on the fury of men and the heavy cost of rash revenge, as the author bears witness to a grim and fiery assault that leaves sorrow...

In which the endeavours to convert and civilise the island’s savages are advanced through the earnest labours of a newly devout woman and the distribution of a Bible, proving the fruit of patient instruction and divine providence. Following a grievous loss and a fierce encounter with native canoes, preparations are made for further settlement and supply of the colony, revealing the enduring spirit...

In which the narrative tenderly unfolds the transformation of a wild island community through the gentle power of sincere repentance, religious instruction, and solemn ceremony, revealing the profound effect of faith and charity even among the most untamed and unfamiliar. The story further depicts the establishment of order and settled property among diverse inhabitants, under gentle governance an...

In which a devout clergyman earnestly exhorts the settlement’s English inhabitants to solemnly marry their native wives and to fervently instruct both them and their children in the knowledge of the Christian faith, pressing the importance of spiritual salvation above all worldly concerns. With heartfelt discourse and solemn ceremonies, the narrative paints a tender scene of awakening conscience,...

In which the narrator relates earnest dialogues with the Spaniards about their despair and struggles amid savages, and recounts his own efforts to unite and provide for the divided colony, furnishing them with tools, supplies, and skilled artificers to improve their condition. He also introduces a reflective French ecclesiastic whose grave admonitions concerning the moral and religious conduct of...

In which a formidable host of savages challenges the small colony, leading to fierce encounters that strain the men’s courage and resources, yet through stratagem and perseverance they prevail and gradually tame their foes into a subdued and helpful community. The narrative then turns to peaceful industry and ingenious constructions, with the colony making remarkable progress in civilising the nat...

In which a serious altercation arises between the Englishmen and Spaniards, leading to the exile of the troublesome Englishmen who later embark upon a perilous voyage to capture natives, only to return with a difficult burden of prisoners. Their colony, divided and marked by contrasting industry and negligence, faces a savage incursion that tests their courage and unity, revealing both the frailty...