The display of jewels, plumes and lace, led horses and gilded coaches, which daily surrounded him, far outshone the splendour which, even on great public occasions, our princes were in the habit of displaying.

But the condition of the majority of the people of England was, beyond all doubt, such as the majority of the people of France might well have envied.

In truth what was called severe distress here would have been called unexampled prosperity there.
The land tax was not imposed without a quarrel between the Houses.
The Commons appointed commissioners to make the assessment.

These commissioners were the principal gentlemen of every county, and were named in the bill.

The Lords thought this arrangement inconsistent with the dignity of the peerage.