Excerpt from English Society of the Eighteenth Century in Contemporary Art Apart from any question Of sentiment, that may sanctify one age or execrate another, the Eighteenth Century is a period that is exceptionally interesting to glance over in search Of illustrations of Society in this country. For, as it happens, it is a period of continuous development in the art of painting; from a time, that is to say, when there was practically no English painting at all, till the arrival of Hogarth and his minor contemporaries; from him to the great age of Reynolds and Gainsborough; and though after these two nothing greater could be expected, yet in the close of the century, when their influence was still paramount, and when the Wider diffusion Of artistic influences that followed on the establish ment of the Royal Academy was giving a stimulus to almost every kind of art, it can hardly be said that there was any retrogression. At the same time, the choice of illustrations for a subject of this sort must necessarily prove to be a matter of some little difficulty; for While our public galleries are confined to exhibiting only works of the first importance, the minor pictures, from which the bulk of the selection would naturally be made, are mostly in country houses, and not easily available for reproduction. But the reader will, I hope, so far appreciate the series here given as to share the gratitude I feel for the kindness of both owners and custodians in helping me to make it SO full of interest and variety. To others, also, whom I have invoked and found such fair assist ance, I wish to acknowledge myself most gratefully indebted. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

Excerpt from English Society in the Eighteenth Century: As Influenced From Oversea Similarly were ramifications of world empire responsible for changes in the character and struc ture of the nation. Here, too, the lessons learned in business were responsible for the development of metropolitan standards, of civic and national con sciousness, and of a new morality in political life. The influx of wealth eventually benefited the entire nation and happily resulted in a higher standard of living. Furthermore the pursuit of wealth which was open to all helped to break down the barriers of caste, to level class distinction and to rebuild on the foundation of the old, a social structure which was comparatively mobile and fluid. Finally the growth of a new spirit of philanthropy at home and abroad may be traced to England's awakened responsibility for the moral and religious welfare of its world empire. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

Excerpt from English Literature and Society in the Eighteenth Century: Ford Lectures MY dear herbert, - I had prepared these Lectures for delivery, when a serious breakdown of health made it utterly impossible for me to appear in person. The University was then good enough to allow me to employ a deputy; and you kindly undertook to read the Lectures for me. I have every reason to believe that they lost nothing by the change. I need only explain that, although they had to be read in six sections, and are here divided into five chapters, no other change worth noticing has been made. Other changes probably ought to have been made, but my health has been unequal to the task of serious correction. The publication has been delayed from the same cause. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.