In 1773 there was a moment of strange repose in Western Europe, the little break of stillness that precedes the hurricane.

It was indeed the eve of a momentous epoch.

Before sixteen years were over, the American Republic had risen, like a new constellation into the firmament, and the French monarchy, of such antiquity and fame and high pre-eminence in European history, had been shattered to the dust.

We may not agree with Burke's appreciation of the forces that were behind these vast convulsions.
But at least he saw, and saw with eyes of passionate alarm, that strong speculative forces were at work, which must violently prove the very bases of the great social superstructure, and might not improbably break them up for ever.
Almost immediately after his return from France, he sounded a shrill note of warning.

Some Methodists from Chatham had petitioned Parliament against a bill for the relief of Dissenters from subscription to the Articles.