PREFACE. IT has been my aim, in undertaking this work, to illustrate not only the Political and Military, but the Social History of England, during the period to which it refers. The public transactions of the reign of George the Third are now perhaps completely elucidated by recent publications, and by documents which are easily accessible. But the progress of manners is to be traced through various sources of information, which have hitherto been little consulted by the professed historian. I do not undertake to write in any detail the history of India, of Ireland, of America, or of wars, each of which is properly the subject of a separate work; but shall refer to these collateral topics to such an extent only as is necessary for the purpose of the history of England. I shall also pass over lightly many occurrences which have appeared to b |