During the reign of George III (1760-1820) the population of Great Britain passed from 7 million to 14 million. G.M. Trevelyan inclines to the belief that the main reason for this increase lays in the general betterment of the hygienical conditions of life. In addition, the progress made by science and medicine reduced the mortality. The Black Death and smallpox had been defeated after a lengthy struggle and the reclamation of lands had diminished the mortality derived from malaria. Besides, people began to use cotton clothes which were more hygienic. Mortality in France exceeded some 20% the English mortality.
Industrial Revolution was to worsen the conditions of life for many, especially the humblest, nevertheless it represented the only way to feed them and make them survive.
The way to the revolution was prepared by the quick betterment of transport, the first after the Roman domination. A net of canals was laid on in many regions of England in order to form an inner system of navigation for the transport of goods, coal primarily. Anyway, the golden age of transport through canals would be brief: the invention of the steam engine and (in the following century) the railway was at hand.
The communication between town and town was articulated through a net of roads used mainly by men on horseback, carts and diligencies. Both canals and roads were being built by the companies which needed them. They were also helped by the Post Office Board.