346. round her shore. Throughout the country.
347-8. Note the metaphor in these lines.
The idea is that when the wheels of a carriage are subjected to too great friction they either refuse to turn, or else catch fire from the over-heating of the axle. So in society, this internal struggle and ferment (ll. 344-6) must result in a breakdown in the machinery of government or in political disturbances. The Traveller was written about the time of the Wilkes’ agitations in Britain.
351. Fictitious. Artificial.
357. noble stems. The heads of noble families.
359. sink. A drain to carry off impure water. By speaking of England as a sink he suggests that her ideals have become base and impure.
level avarice. Greed for money among all classes of people.
369. the changeful clime. Of Britain.
370. Just as plants are pruned to make them better and stronger, so if the freedom of the British people is repressed when it tends to go to extremes, it will bring greater security.
373-6. He means to say that if any class of people is to be allowed too great privileges it will affect the rights of others.