gnificence and force
which had been maintained by former monarchs. But, while money thus
flowed into England, we may observe, that, at the same time, and
probably from that very cause, arts and industry of all kinds received
a mighty increase; and elegance in every enjoyment of life became better
known and more cultivated among all ranks of people.

* Besides the great alienation of the crown lands, the fee-
farm rents never increased, and the other lands were let on
long leases and at a great undervalue, little or nothing
above the old rent.

The king's servants, both civil and military, his courtiers, his
ministers, demanded more ample supplies from the impoverished prince,
and were not contented with the same simplicity of living which had
satisfied their ancestors. The prince himself began to regard an
increase of pomp and splendor as requisite to support the dignity of his
character, and to preserve the same superiority above his subjects which
his predecessors had enjoyed. Some equality, too, and proportion to the
other sovereigns of Europe, it was natural for him to desire; and as
they had universally enlarged their revenue, and multiplied their taxes,
the king of England deemed it reasonable that his subjects, who were
generally as rich as theirs, should bear with patience some additional
burdens and impositions.

Unhappily for the king, those very riches, with the increasing knowledge
of the age, bred opposite sentiments in his subjects; and, begetting a
spirit of freedom and independence, disposed them to pay little regard
either to the entreaties or menaces of their sovereign. While the barons
possessed their former immense property and extensive jurisdictions,
they were apt, at every disgust, to endanger the monarch, and throw the
whole government into confusion; but this confusion often, in its turn,
proved favorable to the monarch, and made the nation again submit to
him, in order to reestablish justice and tranquillity. After the power
of alienations, as well as the increase of commerce, had thrown the
balance of property into the hands of the commons, the situation of
affairs, and the dispositions of men, became susceptible of a more
regular plan of liberty; and the laws were not supported singly by
the authority of the sovereign. And though in that interval, after the
decline of the peers, and before the people had yet experienced
their force, the princes assumed an exorbitant pow