Book Reviews and Notices : England in the Eighteenth Century. BY W. T. SELLEY. (New York: Macmillan Company. 1949. Revised edition. Pp. vi, 389. $2.75.)

• Date: 01 December 1949
• Author: Goldwin Smith
• DOI: 10.1177/106591294900200425
• Published date: 01 December 1949
• Subject Matter: Articles

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England in the Eighteenth Century. BY W. T. SELLEY. (New York:
Macmillan Company. 1949. Revised edition. Pp. vi, 389. $2.75.)
This straightforward short account of eighteenth century England
was first published by Mr. Selley in 1934. It is a volume written primarily
for British students sitting for their intermediate degree examinations.
Mr. Selley makes no claim to originality. He merely tries to present the
most recent statements of reputable historians about the years between
the Whig Revolution and the Congress of Vienna.
The early and well-spaced chapters trace the main lines of England’s
political history and policy in the eighteenth century. The best chapters
are perhaps those about the Hanoverian succession, the administration
of Walpole, and George III and the American Revolution. The latter part
of the book presents &dquo;a more synthetic treatment of special topics.&dquo; The
best of these chapters are those about the economic revolution and the
developments in religion and philosophy. Less happily written and less
accurate is the section on the British Empire. Canadians, for example,
will be startled to learn that the wisdom of separating the two provinces
of Upper and Lower Canada is &dquo;still open to doubt.&dquo;
The lively and lucid prose of Mr. Selley is studded with judiciously
selected quotations. There are numerous and excellent footnotes, 16 maps,
a short...