On one occasion, after he had visited Philadelphia and had seen the Congress in action, he unbosomed himself about it in a letter which contained these terrible words: If I was to be called upon to draw a picture of the times and of men, from what I have seen, and heard, and in part know, I should in one word say that idleness, dissipation and extravagance seems to have laid fast hold of most of them.

That speculation--peculation--and an insatiable thirst for riches seems to have got the better of every other consideration and almost of every order of men.

That party disputes and personal quarrels are the great business of the day whilst the momentous concerns of an empire--a great and accumulated debt--ruined finances--depreciated money--and want of credit (which in their consequences is the want of everything) are but secondary considerations, and postponed from day to day--from week to week as if our affairs wear the most-promising aspect.
The events of 1778 made a lasting impression on King George III.
The alliance of France with the Americans created a sort of reflex patriotism which the Government did what it could to foster.

British Imperialism flamed forth as an ideal, one whose purposes must be to crush the French.

The most remarkable episode was the return of the Earl of Chatham, much broken and in precarious health, to the King's fold.