19. There is only one thing more of importance to mention in the reign of George the Second, and that is the conquest of the large country of Canada, in North America, which had belonged to the French, who had settled there as the English had in the United States, and built several good towns, one of which was Quebec.
20. There had frequently been quarrels between the French and English in America, respecting their possessions, which, at length, occasioned a war there, and soldiers were sent out both from France and England, the French wanting to conquer the British states, the English to gain possession of Canada.
21. This war had lasted about five years, when the renowned General Wolfe gained a great victory at the battle of Quebec; after which, the French gave up Canada, which has belonged to England ever since, and is a very useful possession, supplying abundance of fine corn, and timber for building.
22. General Wolfe was killed on the field of battle, just as the victory was won, and his death was much lamented in England, where the news of the conquest arrived a few days before the death of the king, which happened in October, 1760, after he had reigned thirty-three years.
23. The eldest son of George the Second was dead, but he had left a son, named George, who succeeded his grandfather, and was about twenty-two years old. He was a very good man and was highly respected, although many people say he was more fitted for a country gentleman than a king.
24. He married a German princess, whose name was Charlotte, and they had many children, some of whom are yet living. Our queen is the grand-daughter of George the Third.
25. About two years after the new king came to the throne, peace was made with France and Spain, and there were no more wars for thirteen years, when the Americans became dissatisfied with the English government, and resolved to have a government of their own.
26. But let us see what useful things were done in England during that thirteen years of peace. First of all, the manufacture of China ware was begun in Staffordshire, by a gentleman, named Wedgewood, who built large factories and employed a great number of people in this new branch of art. Then a machine was invented for spinning cotton, by which we were enabled to manufacture cotton goods in much larger quantities than before, and as they could be sold abroad, this was a great benefit.