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THE HISTORY OF ENGLAND

FROM

THE PEACE OF UTRECHT.

VOL. V.

CHAPTER XLI.

THE first ten years of the reign of George the Third are marked by frequent change of ministers, and intricate evolution of parties. To thread the maze which these afford is not always a pleasant, nor always a profitable, task. The want both of great men and of great objects is too often painfully apparent. Chatham, but Chatham only at this time, like some lofty pine tree in the forest, soars high above the under-growth of Rockinghams and Hillsboroughs, while the creeping parasite plants- the Rigbys and the Dodingtons- trail along the ground.

A knowledge of the party changes during these ten years is indeed essential to the study of English politics. But before we again embark upon them it may be instructive to reflect how far less important they were to the well-being of the country, than some other not so striking events which History does not always deign to record. What are they to the gradual extension of our manufacturing and commercial greatness? What are they to the growth of such cities as Manchester and Glasgow? What are they to that system of agricultural improvement under ler which som barren down has teemed with luxuriant harvests, system unknown to Virgil, which, leaving no fallo soil, loses no profit to the husbandman? How little thought Mahon, History. V. 1

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