Perhaps you should try some spelling variations:
ref history » reef history, brief history, bief history
2c public » 22 public, 21 public, c public
24 1688 » 2 1688, 4 1688, 28 1688
22 1688 » 2 1688
23 get » 13 get, 23 geo, 33 get

Try widening your search to All Fields.

You may be able to get more results by adjusting your search query.

• If you are trying to use Boolean operators, they must be ALL CAPS: %22finance%((2c public) OR (2 public)) %((23 get) OR (3 great)) britain %ref history %((24 1688) OR (22 1688))-1815%22.
• The words AND, OR and NOT may confuse the search; try adding quotes: "%22finance%((2c public) OR (2 public)) %((23 get) or (3 great)) britain %ref history %((24 1688) or (22 1688))-1815%22".
• Adding a wildcard symbol may retrieve word variants: %22finance%((2c public) OR (2 public)) %((23 get) or (3 great)) britain %ref history %((24 1688) or (22 1688))-1815%22*.