ppression of the Jacobite insurrection, the disastrous
collapse of the South Sea Bubble, and the introduction of vaccination
are the principle events.

George II--1727-1760

540. Accession and Character.

The second King George, who was also of German birth, was much like
his father, though he had the advantage of being able to speak English
readily, but with a strong German accent. His tastes were far from
being refined and he bluntly declared, "I don't like Boetry, and I
don't like Bainting." His wife, Queen Caroline, was an able woman.
She possessed the happy art of ruling her husband without his
suspecting it, while she, on the other hand, was ruled by Sir Robert
Walpole, whom the King hated, but whom he had to keep as Prime
Minister (SS534, 538). George II was a good soldier, and decidedly
preferred war to peace; but Walpole saw clearly that the peace policy
was best for the nation, and he and the Queen managed to persuaded the
King not to draw the sword.

541. The War of Jenkins's Ear (1739).

At the end of twelve years, however, trouble arose with Spain.
According to the London newspapers of that day, a certain Captain
Jenkins, while cruising, or, more probably, smuggling, in the West
Indies, had been seized by the Spaniards and barbarously maltreated.
They, if we accept his tory, accused him of attempting to land English
goods contrary to law, and searched his ship. Finding nothing against
him, they vented their rage and disappointment by hanging him to the
yardarm of his vessel until he was nearly dead.

They then tore off one of his ears, and bade him take it to the King
of England with their compliments. Jenkins, it is said, carefully
wrapped up his ear and put it in his pocket. When he reached England,
he went straight to the House of Commons, drew out the mutilated ear,
showed it to the House, and demanded justice.

The Spanish restrictions on English trade with the Indies and South
America[1] had long been a source of ill feeling. The sight of
Jenkins's ear brought matters to a climax; even Sir Robert Walpole,
the Prime Minister, could not resist the clamor for vengeance, and
contrary to his own judgment he had to vote for war (S538).

[1] By the Treaty of Utrecht one English ship was allowed to carry
slaves once a year to the colonies of Spanish America (S512, note 1).

Though Jenkins was the occasion, the real object of the war was to
compel Spain to permit the En