List of Illustrations; List of Table; List of Abbreviations; Introduction; 1. Charing Cross and the City; 2. Coffee-House Politicians; 3. Weymouth Amusements; 4. Hair Powder; 5. Cottage Politics; Bibliography; Contents; Index
Summary
How was the social and cultural life of Britain affected by the fear that the French Revolution would spread across the channel? In his brilliant new book, John Barrell argues that the fear of revolution produced a culture of surveillance and suspicion which penetrated every aspect of private life. The Spirit of Despotism shows how the culture of suspicion affected how people spoke and behaved in London coffee-houses; how it influenced attitudes to the king's behaviour on. holiday; how it infiltrated the country cottage, previously idealised as haven of peace and retirement; and how it influen
Bibliography
Includes bibliographical references (pages 247-265) and index
