PREFACE. 



I VENTUEED on stating, nearly sixteen years ago, 

 when I was publishing my first two volumes, and I 

 anticipated that leisure would be afforded me here 

 for continuing my enquiry, that the economical history 

 of England is as important as the study of legal 

 antiquities, of diplomatic intrigues, and of military 

 campaigns. I cannot but recognise that some in- 

 dications of progress have been made in the accept- 

 ance of such a view about the proper functions of 

 history. Nor do I fail to see that, since the date of 

 my earlier volumes, there has been a growing dis- 

 position to test economical conclusions by the evidence 

 of facts, and to avoid the temptation of arriving at 

 general inferences from hypothetical and even imagina- 

 tive postulates. I do not doubt that at no remote 

 period, all history which has neglected the study of 

 the people, and all political economy which has dis- 

 dained the correction of its conclusions by the evidence 

 which facts supply, will be cast aside as incomplete 

 and even valueless. 



Many causes have delayed the appearance of these 

 volumes. I have not had the adequate leisure to 



follow out my researches. The pains which have sup- 

 VOL. iv. b 



