Earliest TIMES to the Rifing of the Parliament in 1779.

DESCRIBING THE

Origin and Progrefs of the British Power at Sea;-the Ex-
tenfion of its Commerce ;-its Foreign Conquefts ;-and
the Establishment and Growth of its Colonies.

INCLUDING THE

NAVAL EXPEDITIONS AND SEA-FIGHTS
In every Period of the

L

ENGLISH HISTORY;

And particularly recording the glorious Atchievements in the

A ST

ALSO THE

WA R.

Lives and Actions of thofe illuftrious Commanders and Navigators,
who have contributed to spread the Fame, and increase the Power of the
EMPIRE.

BRITISH

Particularly defigned to excite in the Breafts of Britons, at this important
Crifis, a noble Ardour, to emulate fuch bright Examples; and, by their
Firmnefs and Valour, to fecure to themselves and Pofterity, that envied
Pre-eminence which their Enemies have in vain attempted to fubvert.
With a great Number of beautiful COPPER-PLATES, and
accurate MAPS.

By FREDERIC HERVEY, Efq; and OTHERS.
Ifland of bliss! amid the subject feas
That thunder round thy rocky coafts, set up
At once the wonder, terror, and delight
Of diftant nations; whofe remoteft fhores
Can foon be fhaken by thy naval arm,

Not to be fhook thyself, but all affaults

Baffling, as thy hoar-cliffs the loud fea-wave.

IN

FIVE VOLUME S.

THOMSON.

Printed by WILLIAM ADLARD, Fleet-Street ;
For J. BEW, No. 28, Pater-nofter Row.

M DCC LXXIX.

PREFACE.

WHILST

go

HILST every thing in nature fsubsists by changes, it is not to be fuppofed that vernment and the conftitution of a kingdom, should remain fixed and permanent. It is highly neceffary, in order to read the history of our own country to advantage, that we obferve the variations which have taken place in its political system. During the reigns of the Stuarts, the people, ever jealous of the smallest infringements upon their liberties and natural rights, kept a watchful eye on the prerogatives of the crown, and were forward to reduce that ascendency which the fovereign poffeffed. When hereditary right was rendered fubfervient to parliamentary appointment, the crown began to find it neceffary to rule by making conceffions; and the rights of royalty were found to be best maintained by the