In that short period, prices have perhaps risen more than during the preceding hundred and fifty.
The public was entirely free from the danger and expense of a standing army.

While James was vaunting his divine vicegerency, and boasting of his high prerogative, he possessed not so much as a single regiment of guards to maintain his extensive claims; a sufficient proof that he sincerely believed his pretensions to be well grounded, and a strong presumption that they were at least built on what were then deemed plausible arguments.

The militia of England, amounting to one hundred and sixty thousand men,[*] was the sole defence of the kingdom.

It is pretended that they were kept in good order during his reign.[**] The city of London procured officers who had served abroad, and who taught the trained bands their exercises in Artillery Garden; a practice which had been discontinued since 1588.

All the counties of England, in emulation of the capital, were fond of showing a well-ordered and well-appointed militia.