England

J. W. von Archenholtz’s England is a political and sociological description of Great Britain during the second half of the 18th century. Based primarily on Archenholtz’s firsthand observations from 1769 to 1779, England looks with precision and anecdotal detail at the behavior of Britons of all ranks. Never without an attitude, Archenholtz conveys a wide range of topics from debates in the House of Commons to the garb of serving women. Whether describing the newly formed militia or the shenanigans of James Graham and his “celestial bed,” he provides a focused, point-driven account that will inform history enthusiasts.