By a curious convention, almost invariably observed until recently, the history of England was brought to an abrupt conclusion with the battle of Waterloo. The idea was, I suppose, similar to that which required that a fairy tale should end with the words: “And they lived happily ever after.” In point of fact, the history of England as a world power, instead of ending, begins with the battle of Waterloo, or thereabouts. The last chapter in our school histories is really the first in the annals of England as a factor of importance in world affairs, and what goes before is of the nature of a prologue or preface…
Download The Decline And Fall Of The British Empire-Robert Briffault-1938