Note 138 — V THE HEIRESS OF GREAT BRITAIN (HERRENHAUSEN, 1701-1714)

It seems right to observe that, though the tone of refinement characteristic of the Hanoverian Court was largely due to the Electress Sophia, the Elector George Lewis was by no means insensible to her example. Toland speaks of the liberty of conversation, ‘that nobody who deserves it will abuse,’ allowed at the Elector’s table. And (which is a more entirely trustworthy statement, and one which Toland would hardly have made had there really been no contrast observable on this score with contemporary English habits) he adds that the vice of drinking, for which the German nation is so much branded, is so far from reigning at the Hanoverian court, that he never knew greater sobriety than is to be found there.