It's funny that I've been reading for two years about this period and had not come across this very relevant fact before! Of course, maybe it would have been obvious to someone who was up on what was going on 200 years before that, but I'm afraid I've mostly only gone back to the 17th century for context...

ETA: Since you were interested: here's a sample of propaganda from the time. Henry Fielding, in 1745: I will not on this occasion descend to consider particular interests; I will not remind all those who are possessed of Abbey lands or forfeited estates, or who are interested in the Funds, how much they are concerned to oppose a torrent which threatens to overwhelm their fortunes. (Except obviously he does descend to that.)