Page:The reign of George VI - 1763.djvu/211

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OF GEORGE VI.
185

happiness than his predecessors; and make them no longer regret the loss of their former Kings. His management in France was certainly admirable: at the same time that he secured himself against all insurrections, he gratified the conquered people. He raised many French regiments; he promoted a multitude of French officers in English and German corps; he made a mixture of the two nations, in almost every thing, except religion; but he never shocked the people with any innovations in that tender point: he had indeed, long laid the plan of rooting superstition and enthusiasm out of the kingdom, but never thought of changing the established religion. By an edict, which was registered in parliament, he gave all his French subjects the privilege of both reading and publishing any books, with the same limitations as in England: this edict contained the substance of the Englishlaws