AN ECONOMIC HISTORY OF ENGLAND: THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY. By T.
S. Ashton. (Methuen, 18s.) • THERE can surely be no better guide to the economic life of the eighteenth century than Professor Ashton. Economic historians have the hazardous task of dealing with a wide range of topics in which any lack of technical knowledge may lead to serious error. In this very readable book Professor Ashton has given generously from his intimate knowledge of a century in which every, aspect of econ'omic life was subject to far-reaching development. He provides an intriguing account of the main threads of economic activity and guides us with great skill past the many fallacies and miscon- ceptions which inevitably grow around a cen- tury of fundamental change.
Professor Ashton has very strong objections to the term 'revolution,' but what emerges from every chapter is a picture of economic evolu- tion. This is a book that should be read by all who wish to understand the origins of the modern economic community. It is also a book to be enjoyed for its clarity, insight and fine sense of proportion.
WILLIAM HORNBY
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