nguished
themselves by their superior merit in portraits; a branch that was
successfully cultivated by many other English painters. Wootton
was famous for representing live animals in general; Seymour for
race-horses; Lambert and the Smiths for landscapes; and Scot for
sea-pieces. Several spirited attempts were made on historical subjects,
but little progress was made in the sublime parts of painting. Essays of
this kind were discouraged by a false taste, founded upon a reprobation
of British genius. The art of engraving was brought to perfection by
Strange, and laudably practised by Grignon, Baron, Ravenet, and several
other masters; great improvements were made in mezzotinto, miniature,
and enamel. Many fair monuments of sculpture or statuary were raised by
Rysbrach, Roubilliac, and Wilton. Architecture, which had been cherished
by the elegant taste of Burlington, soon became a favourite study; and
many magnificent edifices were reared in different parts of the kingdom.
Ornaments were carved in wood, and moulded in stucco, with all the
delicacy of execution; but a passion for novelty had introduced into
gardening, building, and furniture, an absurd Chinese taste, equally
void of beauty and convenience. Improvements in the liberal and useful
arts will doubtless be the consequence of that encouragement given
to merit by the society instituted for these purposes, which we have
described on another occasion. As for the Royal Society, it seems to
have degenerated in its researches, and to have had very little
share, for half a century at least, in extending the influence of true
philosophy.

We shall conclude this reign with a detail of the forces and fleets of
Great Britain, from whence the reader will conceive a just idea of her
opulence and power.

[Illustration: 574.jpg FORCES AND FLEETS OF GREAT BRITAIN]

{GEORGE II. 1727-1760}

NOTES TO VOLUME II.

[Footnote 237: Note 2 K, p.237 Nothing was heard within doors in
parliament, but sarcastic repartee and violent declamation between the
two parties, who did not confine their altercation to these debates, but
took the field against each other in periodical papers and occasional
pamphlets. The paper called The Craftsman, had already risen into high
reputation all over England, for the wit, humour, and solid reasoning
it contained. Some of the best writers in the opposition, including
lord Bolingbroke and Mr. P. made use of this vehicle to convey their
anima