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398 RISE OF THE CONTINENTALFIFTH PERIOD.FROM THE ACCESSION OF THE HOUSE OF HANOVER TOTHE FRENCH REVOLUTION, 17141789.The continental relations of England under the house ofHanover became still closer and more complicated than theyhad previously been. Our inquiry will therefore lead usmore deeply into the general system of Europe, and becomesproportionally more difficult, although at the same time moreinstructive; nay, perhaps we may add, more meritoriousalso, since this whole period of British history, however richin materials, has not as yet found an historian worthy of it.Although therefore what may here be offered can only serveas a brief introduction to such a work, we shall still find itworth while to follow the history of this nation in one of itsmost important aspects, during this itsmost prosperous period ;and perhaps at the same time to combat some prejudices which have arisen from partialviews of the subject.I believe that I have sufficiently established in the firsthalf of this inquiry, that when GeorgeI. ascended (1714)the British throne, the principal ties between England andthe continent were already in existence. These howeverwere now strengthened and some new ones added to them.The first and most important of these is generally consideredto be the circumstance, that the family which ascended thethrone of England was possessed of hereditary dominions onthe continent. That it is a totally false opinion which attributes to this the main foundation of the foreign policy ofEngland, is clear from what has preceded ; it certainly hadits influence, exaggerated as this has been at particularperiods by British authors, but an impartial estimate of itsextent requires a more minute consideration of the politicalsituation of George I. at his succession, as well in referenceto his position at home, as in his relations to the remainderof Europe. The internal position of England must at thatperiod have given rise to closer connexions with the continent, even had not external circumstances led to the sameresult.^Although the house of Hanover was called to thesuccession by the voice of the nation, it is well known howdivided within itself the nation was how thoroughly theparties of whig and tory became political factions, andwhat fierce convulsions were the consequence. There was