THE MERRY PAST 



I 



TTE who studies the records of the eighteenth 

 century, and contrasts the Hfe of the past with 

 that of to-day, is of necessity impressed with the vast 

 changes that have, within the last hundred and fifty 

 years, entirely transformed England in its life, habits, 

 appearance, and, above all, in its traditional charac- 

 teristics. 



There was much about the old order of things 

 which it is impossible to condone, but, on the other 

 hand, in some respects England can hardly be said 

 to have changed for the better. A comparison of 

 the characteristics of other days with those of the 

 present time almost conveys the impression that this 

 country was formerly inhabited by a totally different 

 race, which vanished, leaving scarcely a descendant 

 to perpetuate the tradition of its ideas and ways. 



Thoroughly to realise the transformation which 

 has taken place, it is necessary not only to master 

 the great historical events of history, but also 

 to investigate the lighter phases of life, many of 

 which are only chronicled in the letters or ephemeral 

 publications of the time. These are of necessity often 



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