When
WILLIAM IV.
was King.

PREFACE.

Several "Life and Times of William IV." have been written, but theyall contain a great deal of "Life," and very little "Times." Thepresent book reverses this, and deals, primarily, with the chieftopics of conversation during the seven years of King William's reign,and, afterwards, with the social aspect of the times.

Although I treat of a period but sixty years since, it is a time ofwhich much is to be said which is unknown to the present generation,and one which has had a deep and lasting influence on our own times.Then began the mighty reign of steam; then was inaugurated the firstpassenger railway, to which small beginning England owes so much.Then, too, steam navigation began to be general, developing (p. vi)that commerce which has been the making of the country. Science wokeup, as did Art, whilst the introduction of the Railway caused ourmanufactures to progress by leaps and bounds.

Politics have been avoided as much as possible; and, although the bookis necessarily somewhat discursive, I would fain hope it will be foundinteresting; and, in the words of the writer of Maccabees (Book II.xv. 38), I say, "Which if I have done well, and as it becometh thehistory, it is what I desired, but, if not so perfectly, it must bepardoned me."

JOHN ASHTON.