18th Century Britain. Иностранный язык. Фомина И.В. - 5 стр.

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who had an office or place of profit under the king could serve as a member of the
House of Commons. All matters relating to the governing of the kingdom which were
the responsibility of the Privi Council were to be transacted there, and all resolutions
taken thereupon were to be signed by the individual responsible. This would have
involved a subordination of the administration to the legislature which would have
made impossible the development of a cabinet system by which the servants of the
king exercise his prerogatives – the essential executive powers on which the life of
the state depends – because they are members of the House of Commons and are
supported by a majority of it in the implementation of a policy approved by the
country, if necessary at a general election.
    The Septennial Act, 1715, increased the normal term of Parliament’s existence
from three to seven years and made it possible for the government in office to nurse
the constituencies on which its power depended.
    Looking back, we can se that in the eighteenth century Britain collaboration
between the king’s ministers and the representatives of his people was a better
instrument of government than the uncontrolled power of a legislature or continuous
friction between an independent royal executive and an irresponsible legislature.


Ex. 7. Fill in the blanks with the necessary prepositions.

1. William III had to do much to secure his hold … England, Scotland and Ireland. 2.
… 1689 James II landed … Ireland. 3. … July 1690 William defeated James … the
battle … Boyne. 4. This event has been celebrated … … Orangemen. 5. … October
1691 the last Irish general surrendered … Limerick … a brilliant but hopeless
struggle. 6. William promised religious toleration … the Irish Catholics. 7. The new
conquest … Ireland was followed … fresh confiscations … land. 8. The Septennial
Act, 1715, increased the normal term … Parliament’s existence … three … seven
years. 9. … the 18th century Britain collaboration … the king’s ministers and the
representatives … his people was a good instrument … government.


Ex. 8. Finish the following sentences using the necessary words and expressions
from the text.
1. William III had to do much…
2. James II landed in Ireland, where…
3. In July 1690 William…
4. In October 1691 the last Irish general…
5. As a condition of surrender William…
6. The new conquest of Ireland was followed by…
7. In Scotland the new regime…
8. After William of Orange and Mary had been declared king and queen, …
9. No person who had an office or place of profit under the king …
10. The Septennial Act, 1715, increased the normal term of Parliament’s existence…
.