"Robinson Crusoe discovers himself to the three Prisoners" [Plate 11] — Illustrated Children's Edition of "Robinson Crusoe" (1818)

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Robinson Crusoe discovers himself to the three Prisoners

1818

Hand-tinted copper-engraving

8.1 cm high by 5.2 cm wide, framed

Pages: ii, 195 p., [12] leaves of illustrations

Source: Illustration for Daniel Defoe's Robinson Crusoe, facing page 158 [Plate 11].

[Click on image to enlarge it.]

Illustrations of children’s editions

Scanned image and text by Philip V. Allingham.

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Passage Illustrated: Crusoe negotiates his Escape

"Look you, sir," said I, "if I venture upon your deliverance, are you willing to make two conditions with me?" He anticipated my proposals by telling me that both he and the ship, if recovered, should be wholly directed and commanded by me in everything; and if the ship was not recovered, he would live and die with me in what part of the world soever I would send him; and the two other men said the same. "Well," says I, "my conditions are but two; first, that while you stay in this island with me, you will not pretend to any authority here; and if I put arms in your hands, you will, upon all occasions, give them up to me, and do no prejudice to me or mine upon this island, and in the meantime be governed by my orders; secondly, that if the ship is or may be recovered, you will carry me and my man to England passage free." [Chapter XVII, "Visit of the Mutineers"]

Facing Page of Text

. . . ward. Friday followed at a short distance, as formidably armed as his master, but not making quite so spectre-like a figure as he did.

When Crusoe approached the prisoners he called to them in Spanish, "Who are you, gentlemen?" They made no reply, and appeared ready to take flight. He then addressed them in English, and said, "Gentlemen, fear nothing; perhaps you have found a friend where you little expected one." "He must then be sent from Heaven," replied one of them gravely, taking off his hat, "for our misfortunes are past all human help." "All help comes from Heaven, sir," replied Crusoe; "but inform me, though a stranger, of the means of assisting you, for you appear to be in very great distress. I saw you land, and when you were discoursing with the villains who brought you hither, i saw one of them draw his sabre, as though he intended to kill you." [page 158]

Commentary

Robinson Crusoe, bearded and in his "island dress," and, like Friday, armed to the teeth, contrast to the despondent sailors sitting on the beach. The illustrator has Crusoe regard the frigate out in the bay even as he regards the three prisoners of the mutineers. Cruikshank offers another scene associated with Crusoe's negotiating his way off the island: Crusoe and Friday encounter the captain of a British ship whose crew have mutinied, towards the end of the first volume. Significantly, the illustrator has eliminated Crusoe's beard, making him look considerably younger.

Comparable Scenes from Stothard (1790), Cruikshank (1831), and Cassell's (1863-64)

Left: Stothard's 1790 realisation of another significant meeting at the end of the first book, Robinson Crusoe and Friday making a tent to lodge Friday's father and the Spaniard (Chapter XVI, "Rescue of the Prisoners from the Cannibals," copper-engraving). Right: Cruikshank's realisation of the interview between the Captain and Crusoe regarding the mutineers, Crusoe and Friday encounter the captain of a British ship whose crew have mutinied (1831). [Click on the images to enlarge them.]

Above: Cassell's realisation of the same scene, but with a decidedly theatrical interpretation, as if Crusoe, with Friday in the background, is meeting the three Englishmen (not distinguished by uniforms) in a stage set: Crusoe discovers Himself to the English Captain (1863). [Click on the image to enlarge it.]

Reference

Defoe, Daniel. The Adventures of Robinson Crusoe. A new and improved edition, interspersed with reflections, religious and moral. Adorned with engravings. London: J. Harris, 1818.

Last modified 17 February 2018