This book began life as a Cambridge Ph.D. thesis with the title ‘Political Argument and Propaganda in England, 1760–1770’. Since then it has changed somewhat. I have become increasingly less preoccupied with the issues of parliamentary politics, and ever more fascinated by political and social life beyond Westminster. I would not, however, wish to write a book that did not in some way bring together the worlds of parliamentary politics and of popular political culture.

During the course of my work I have used a number of archives and record deposits, the owners of which have treated me with unfailing kindness.

I have to acknowledge the gracious permission of Her Majesty the Queen to make use of the papers of George III in the Royal Archives at Windsor.

I have also to thank the Marquis of Bute, the Marquis of Salisbury, the Duke of Devonshire, the Duke of Bedford, the Earl Fitzwilliam and the Fitzwilliam Estates Company, Lord Denbigh and Lord Rayleigh for permission to use their collections.

I would also like to express my appreciation to the archivists and librarians at the national and university libraries as well as those in the local records offices for their cheerful help and cooperation. And I owe a special debt to Miss Catharine Armet, the archivist at Mount Stuart, for the loan of transcripts of the Bute–Campbell correspondence, and for her prompt help with my all too frequent inquiries.