Perhaps you should try some spelling variations:
ref history » reef history, brief history, bief history
c public » 2 public, 7 public, 8 public
23 great » 13 great, 23 green
23 get » 13 get, 23 geo, 33 get
2 1688 » _ 1688, 4 1688, b 1688
5 1688 » _ 1688, 5 1689, 4 1688

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%c public %((((23 great) OR (23 get))) OR (3 great)) britain %ref history %((2 1688) OR (5 1688))-1815%22.
• The words AND, OR and NOT may confuse the search; try adding quotes: "%22finance%c public %((((23 great) or (23 get))) or (3 great)) britain %ref history %((2 1688) OR (5 1688))-1815%22".
• Adding a wildcard symbol may retrieve word variants: %22finance%c public %((((23 great) or (23 get))) or (3 great)) britain %ref history %((2 1688) OR (5 1688))-1815%22*.