3. The French, German, and Italian languages began to be more generally studied in England: and the arts and sciences, especially painting and music, were more highly cultivated. 4. But I am sorry to say that, amid all these benefits, there was a great deal of distress among the laboring people, for the expenses of the war had been so heavy that it was some years before the blessings of peace could be felt; and thus all the necessaries of life continued to be very dear, and wages, in proportion, very low, which occasioned riots in many parts of the kingdom; for the poor people had expected that, as soon as there was peace, most of the taxes pressing on them would be taken off. 5. But the government thought it right first to take off the property tax, and then found they could not do without the money the other taxes produced. Then the people, not getting relief from the taxation, thought some alterations in the laws might remedy their distress, and sent petitions to parliament praying that these alterations might be made. The principal thing they wanted was, what you have perhaps heard called the Reform Bill. 6. This was a law to give the right of voting for members of parliament to a greater number of people, and also to make alterations with regard to the places that were allowed to send members to parliament; for there were many old boroughs that were formerly important places, but now had scarcely a house left standing, yet still were represented by two members in parliament; which was ridiculous, because the object of sending a member to parliament is, that he may do all the good he can for the people of the place he represents, as well as for the nation; then there were many large towns, such as Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow, &c., that had grown into importance since the time when it was settled what places should have representatives, and these had none at all. 7. Another thing desired by the people, was an alteration in the Corn Laws, so that bread might be cheaper; and this alteration was to be made by letting corn be brought from abroad without paying duty. Neither of these points were gained while George the Fourth was king; but the Reform Bill was passed during the reign of his successor, William the Fourth; and, in the year 1846, some important alterations were made in the corn and provision laws. 8. William the Fourth was the brother of George the Fourth, and on the death of that monarch, in 1830, succeeded to the throne. 9. That same year is memorable for the opening of the first Railway for travelling, which was that between Manchester and Liverpool; a circumstance that may be mentioned as the commencement of one of the greatest changes of modern times, and when we consider the number and extent of the railways now in use, we cannot but admire the immense works of the kind that have been performed in so short a space of time.