The Annual Register, Or, A View of the History, Politics, and Literature for ...

Naples and of Spain, drove the court of Portugal to seek refuge in the Brazils, reduced Prussia to the shadow of a name, dictated to Austria in her capital, made even the Russian autocrat tremble on his distant throne, and found submission and inspired terror every where except in our native country. England, from the first, defied and resisted the gigantic despotism which thus overclouded the whole continent, encouraged others to share in the mighty struggle, and supplied them with aid in the moment of need; till Europe at length roused herself from her base lethargy, and the tyrant tumbled from a throne which mouldered suddenly into dust. After a short interval, accident enabled him again to collect around him an imposing display of force, and again to place himself at the head of the people, who had been the instruments of his past transgressions against the human race. But the arm of England, by a single stroke, laid him once more low; and he, who for a succession of years had spread misery over the fairest portion of the globe, at whose name monarchs had trembled, and whose word had created or annihilated states, was sent to pine out his days a lonely exile in St. Helena. The peace that has been since enjoyed, has not been a period of dull inactive repose. A great deal was to be done in settling the external relations of the different powers; and the internal economy of all Europe had been so much disturbed, that the home administration both of our own country and of others has been a spectacle of great and constant interest.

Such is the outline of the changes and transactions, of which, since the commencement of our career in 1758, we have been the historians and delineators. The public favour, which we have so long enjoyed, is the best proof that we have not been altogether unsuccessful in the discharge of our useful and important task. We hope that there is no undue presumption in venturing to say, that if any man wishes to acquire connected information with respect to the transactions of the civilized world since 1758, we know not any work to which he can apply with more advantage, than to Dodsley's Annual Register. It is true, that we must always record events as they appear at the time; for the periodical nature of our

publication will not allow us to wait for those sources of additional information, which the lapse of years discloses. Still it is extremely desirable to have a connected series of pictures delineating the events with all the lights and shadows under which they originally appeared. The study of them will enable us to contemplate with more advantage the new but partial and insulated views, which may afterwards come before us. The apparent aspect of transactions, no less than their real truth, is the proper subject of history.

In collecting into a moderate compass all that is necessary to give a complete picture of the times, we go far beyond the limits. within which the muse of history confines her walks, and find room for a variety of particulars, of which she may silently avail herself hereafter, in drawing and colouring those general comprehensive delineations, which are her proudest work. Not satisfied with merely recording events, and tracing the course and character of our parliamentary discussions, we collect in the Chronicle such of the more private incidents of the times, as have any claim to be remembered, assigning to the more remarkable of them a distinct place and detailed narration in the Appendix. We then give the most important public documents. Lastly, by a selection from

the practical inventions, the scientific speculations, and the literary productions of the year, we show our readers to what subjects the attention of the world has been chiefly directed, and what have been the prevailing currents of thought.

Such has always been our plan hitherto and it is so rational in itself, it has attracted so many imitators, and it has been so long ratified by the public approbation, that we see no reason for changing it. At the same time, there are occasions, on which, without deviating from the proper objects of the work, but on the contrary promoting them, we may depart to a certain extent from our usual plan. The year 1820 seems to be one of these occasions. As it is the commencement of a new reign, and forms, therefore, an epoch in our history, we have thought it advisable to present to our readers several abstracts and documents, which have not been usually given, and which we do not mean to repeat. Such are the analytical

lists of the Members of the two Houses of Parliament, and many of the tables relating to our public establishments, our Revenue, Trade, and Navigation. Our volume has been by this means, considerably, but unavoidably, enlarged.

Its size, however, has been increased still further by other causes. The trials of the Cato Street conspirators, and of Wolseley, Hunt, and other promoters of sedition; and the judicial proceedings against the late Queen, were cases of so much importance, and of such general interest, that it was thought desirable to give the details of the evidence with great minuteness. Abroad, too, no less than three Revolutions took place in Europe; and though we have compressed the narrative of them into a very moderate.compass, yet the documents connected with them, which it was necessary to give, have filled up a considerable space. These three causes the additional statistical, and political details, rendered requisite by the commencement of a new reign; the judicial proceedings against the Queen, and against traitors and exciters of sedition. ; the multitude of documents connected with the revolutions of Spain, Portugal, and Naples-these (notwithstanding the frequent use of a smaller type) have swelled our volume to such a size, that it has been found convenient to divide it into two parts. This will not occur again: at least we flatter ourselves that it will not; for we hope never to have the same reasons for having recourse to this expedient. May many years elapse, before the commencement of a new reign fixes another epoch in our labours; and may it never again be our lot to record such proceedings as those against her late Majesty; the trial of such wretches as Thistlewood and his associates; or the sudden subversion, by military violence, of the long established civil administration of three considerable kingdoms.

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