Page:The reign of George VI - 1763.djvu/34

viii. first maritime power in the world, who had so long possessed the dominion of the sea, saw its fleets beaten, and its coasts insulted. The ministry was unsettled; and the violent agitation of the whole kingdom owing to the sad state of the public funds, on the whole, conspired to form one of those critical situations which required great judgement and abilities in the Prince, and a unanimous concurrence of his parliament, to guide the helm with success.

The King in part effected it; but during his long reign, the nation was far from being in a flourishing situation, and the dismal prospect of national bankruptcy, which the most penetrating politicians clearly foresaw must soon come to pass, cast a general damp on the spirits of the people, which consequently was attended with a certain languor in the administration that foretold some terrible crisis was at hand. In the midst of