He was liberal and enlightened in his general rule.
With Maria Theresa (1740-1780) began the age of enlightened despotism.
These writings, mainly collections of articles and lectures intended for the general public, display enlightened views and wide information.
This enlightened policy was not continued by the successors of Joseph II.
He was also well known as a sanitary reformer, and during the last ten years of his life he did much useful work in inculcating more enlightened ideas on the subject both in Edinburgh and other places.
