A PREFACE NYONE who has attempted the task of writing the history of a crowded period in a given number of pages will judge leniently some at least of the many defects of this book. Of its defects-more particularly its sins of omission-no one can be so conscious as the author. Many paragraphs have had to be excised and some chapters to be omitted. But one thing I would crave permission to say. This is not a long book, still less can it pretend to be a great book, but it is at least the fruit of prolonged study and reflection. I began the accumulation of materials more than twenty years ago; some few sections of the book were actually written fifteen years ago, and during the intervening period the subject-in one or other of its varied aspects -has been rarely absent from my mind. The delay in the execution of my task has not only given me the opportunity for reconsideration and reflection but has enabled me to utilize many authorities of first-rate importance, only recently made available. Among these I regard the Letters of Queen Victoria as of primary significance for the period 1837-1861. Invaluable also (though utilized by previous writers) are Greville's Journals, the Creevey and Croker Papers, the Melbourne Papers, and above all the Peel Papers. The Canning Letters (ed. Bagot) have thrown considerable light upon an earlier period (1800-1827), while for the latest period (1860-1901) the historian is confronted with an ever-accumulating mass of materials in the shape of Biographies, Memoirs, Diaries, Letters, and Papers. Among a large number of such publications I would particularly mention the Life of Lord Palmerston, begun by Lord Dalling and completed by Mr. Evelyn Ashley; Lord Morley's Life of Gladstone, Lord Fitzmaurice's Life of Lord Granville, Mr. Holland's Life of the Duke of Devonshire, Mr. O'Brien's Life of C. S. Parnell, and the Memorials of Roundell Palmer, Earl of Selborne. The Novels of Disraeli seem to me hardly less worthy of study than his Speeches, and his brilliant Life of Lord George Bentinck; but Mr. Monypenny's volumes appeared too late for me to use. The plan of this work does not permit the parade of the apparatus of "original research," and I have had to keep "references" within narrow limits, but for years I have been a student of the original materials for the history of the nineteenth century, and if the results of this saturation are not apparent in the text, my critics must hold responsible either my lack of literary skill or the concentrated form of the narrative. Of secondary authorities also I have made full use, and I wish to acknowledge a special debt to the laborious work of Sir Spencer Walpole and the brilliant volumes of Mr. Herbert Paul. With the conclusions of both writers I have found myself frequently at variance, but no historian of this period can afford to neglect their works. I should like to add, as an act of piety, that it was the attractive pen of Mr. Justin McCarthy which first aroused my boyish interest in this period. I hope that I have not failed to acknowledge any specific debts, but in a work which has extended over a long period of time, especially if it has formed the basis of teaching, one can never be sure. For any unacknowledged borrowings, either of thought or expression, I ask pardon. The reader will perceive that I have frequently abandoned strict chronology. All that I have to say of India, for example, will be found in Chapters XIII., XIV., and XXIV., and, as far as possible, I have treated Foreign affairs apart from the details of domestic politics. I am aware of the objections to this method, but the advantages seem to me to outweigh the disadvantages. The book has been read in type-script by Professor Oman, the General Editor, and by the Rev. Alfred B. Beaven, late Head Master of Preston Grammar School. Both these scholars have made valuable suggestions, and to both my grateful thanks are due. I have also to acknowledge the courtesy of the proprietors and editors of the Quarterly Review and the Fortnightly Review in permitting me to utilize articles which I have contributed to those Reviews. In the compilation of the Index I have been assisted by my wife. J. A. R. M. April 7th, 1913 TABLE OF CONTENTS The end of the Great War-The Settlement of 1815-English gains- Economic distress and social unrest-The Industrial and Agrarian Revolutions-Main lines of development in the nineteenth century- Growth of Democracy-Local Government-Colonial self-government -Social changes-State interference-The Economic problem of Distribution-Trade Unions-Co-operation-Socialism-Science and Industry-The Ecclesiastical movement—Abolition of Tests-Religion and Theology-Education-Foreign and Colonial Policy-World Politics-Colonial expansion-Egypt and the Suez Canal-Ireland. PEACE WITHOUT PLENTY (1815-1822). The Prince Regent-The Liverpool Ministry-Lord Liverpool-Eldon, Sidmouth, and Castlereagh-Prevailing distress-Reasons for-Financial Policy-Marriage of Princess Charlotte-Agricultural distress-Depres- sion of trade-Epidemic of disorder-Political agitation-Repressive measures-Insurrectionary movements-Death of Princess Charlotte- General Election of 1818-Resumption of cash payments-Reform agitation-Peterloo-The Six Acts-Death of George III.-George IV. -Cato Street Conspiracy-Queen Caroline-Reconstruction of Liverpool |