The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1882-05-21
An Important Epoch OF Enginnds History.
We have before ia a further ipstallment of

We have before us further installment Of
the History Of England in the Eighteenth Cenhn'v
by WILLIAM EDWARD HARTPoLE LEcKY. In two
volumes tAppetonsl This section Of the work
covers the first twenty-five years OF the reign
OF George Ill. n period which. in Its bearing on
constitutional. political and social problems
was the most pregnant In the modern history
OF Great Britain. 1t was during these mo-
mcntous years that the relation OF the Crown
to Ministry representing the House Of Com
mons was definitely fixed. that the necessity
OF Parliamentary reform and the exredi-
ency of abolishing Catholic disabilities
were distinctly recognized. and that the
influence of the newspaper press ac-
quired unprecedented weight among po-
litical agencies and called for new guaran-
tees OF freedom BY changes IN the law Of libel.
This was the period OF Burke's most potent
and exemplary activity. Of the Middlesex cleo
ton in which Wilkes played part naosous
TO that taken by Bradlaugh in our own day. of
the Ministries Of Butte. Grenvile. Rockingham.
Chatham. Shelburne. and tho younger Pitt.
At home and abroad this quarter of n century
was memorable for cnn1uests and revolutions.
The affairs of the East India Company were
administered by Give. and the vast accessions
Of territory in Bengal were supplemented by
those resulting from the war with Hyder Ali. In
America the discomfort Of tho thirteen colonies
had rlpened into open revolt and all the phases
of the contest are exhibited in these
volumes, up to the last year Of exhaustion and
inactOn which preceded the final peace ST.
mutaneous With this movement on the other
side Of the Atlantic was the growth OF political
discomfort In Ireland, which eliminated in the
demand for legislative Independence All Of
these topics are carefully discussed by Mr..
Lccky. and the spirit which he evincos Is so
candid and impartial that his conclusions will
be listened to with attention and respect. even
where they run counter to the readers indi-
vidual opinions and predictions. We can
touch only two or three OF the interesting sub
jects examined in these volumes. and We natu-
rally turn with especial curiosity to Mr.. Leckys
remarks on the American Revolution. and on
the contemporaneous agitation for self-govern-
mcnt In Ireland.
To what extent was desire for complete
separation from the mother country felt among
the colonies at tho very time when the Decla-
ration OF Independence was put forth ? This Is
nm interesting question. and Mr.. Lecky has in
vestigated 1t more earnestly and successfully
than any other English historian. He begins
by showing that in the autumn Of 177i at all
events. when the Congress was held in Phla-
delphia. the wish to bring about an accom-
mediation with the mother country WAS uni
versnlly dominant, and the small minority
which entertained different viows dared not
avow them That n considerable party in New
England secretly anticipated and hoped for an
open breach with the parent State seems in
dubitabe to Mr.. Lccky; but he points ont
that even in that quarter many of the
leading agents in tho Revolution express
ed, even to the last moment. q strong desire
to remain united /? England The instruc-
tions OF the chief colonies to their delegates
In Congress on this subject were une1uvocal.
Thus New Hampshire ordered Its representa-
tlyes to endeavor to " restore that peace, har-
mohy. and mutual confidence which once hap
pliy subssted between the parent country and
her colonies" Equally distinct ssurances OF q