Social and Economic Progress, 1760-1801.

[General character of the period][255]
[Amusements, gambling, racing, the drama, etc.][256]
[Travelling and the state of the roads][258]
[Literature: poetry, fiction, and serious prose works][259]
[The arts, architecture, painting, etc.][262]
[Natural science][263]
[Voyages of discovery][263]
[Religion][264]
[The criminal law][265]
[The prisons and transportation][266]
[The police system][267]
[Increase of trade and manufactures][268]
[The mercantile system and laissez-faire][269]
[Steam and water power: iron manufacture][270]
[Canals][271]
[Manufacture of textile fabrics][271]
[Failure of domestic industries][272]
[Wages of agricultural labourers][273]
[Regulation of corn trade][273]
[Improvements in agriculture][274]
[Enclosures][275]
[Combinations of workmen to raise wages][277]
[The poor law][277]
[Sufferings of the poor and specially of factory children][278]

[CHAPTER XIV.]

Early Years of Pitt's Administration.

1784.[Significance of Pitt's victory][280]
[Change in office of prime minister and in house of lords][281]
[Pitt's character and management of parliament][282]
[The Westminster election][283]
1784-85.[Pitt's finance][284]
Aug., 1784.[His bill for the government of India][286]
18 April, 1785.[His bill for parliamentary reform][287]
May.[His resolutions on Irish trade][288]
1786.[Establishment of the sinking fund][291]
26 Sept.[Commercial treaty with France][293]
1787.[Consolidation of customs and excise][294]
[Bill for relief of dissenters][295]
1788.[The slave trade question][295]
[Foreign policy][296]
1785.[Austrian aggression][297]
1786-87.[French influence in the United Provinces][298]
Oct., 1787.[Restoration of the stadholder][300]
April, 1788.[Triple alliance—Great Britain, Prussia, and the United Provinces][301]

[CHAPTER XV.]

The Regency Question.

1785.[Return of Hastings to England][302]
1786.[Pitt and the charges against Hastings][303]
13 Feb., 1788.[Trial of Hastings begun][304]
1788-93.[Cornwallis as governor-general of India][305]
Feb., 1788.[Pitt's (India) declaratory bill][305]
May, 1787.[The Prince of Wales's debts paid][307]
5 Nov., 1788.[The king's insanity][309]
10 Dec.[Fox asserts the prince's right to the regency][311]
[Pitt's resolutions][312]
10 Mar., 1789.[The king's recovery announced][314]
[The Irish parliament and the regency][314]
[The French revolution begins][315]
[English opinions on events in France][317]
1790.[Dispute with Spain relating to Nootka Sound][319]
28 Oct.[Convention with Spain][321]

[CHAPTER XVI.]

Declaration of War by France.