It's often a surprise to be reminded how far back into the C19 Chance were working - and a smaller than imagined amount paid by Sowerby who, fortuitously or otherwise, didn't really get going on a large scale until after the repeal of the glass tax in 1845. Imagine how much they would have been clobbered for if the tax had remained in place throughout the C19.
Probably most of the tax went to pay for what seemed like an endless round of military conflicts with all and sundry, and of course the extravagant life style of the House of Hanover.
thanks for posting m.