~ PREFACE. v 
land, apologized for the excesses of democracy. On the 
whole, it appeared that the European nations, however ad- 
vanced in speculative knowledge, had made but very little 
progress in practical and political wisdom. 
Since the events of this period are manifold and surpriz- 
ing beyond all example, it may perhaps be expected by 
some of our readers, that we, like certain other journalists, 
should increase our volumes to a size, bearing a kind of 
proportion to the variety and extent of the busy scenes of 
the years that form their respective subjects: but this would 
be absurd, unless it should be thought proper wholly to call 
off attention from former scenes; or possible to enlarge the 
faculties of men, and extend the period of human life. 
Science does not exist in the enumeration of facts, but 
in their classification. There are no facts of any kind, 
either instructive or interesting, otherwise than as they are 
connected with principles and views; with theories, whether 
true or only hypothetical. When events cease to surprize 
by novelty they become instructive by their want of it. 
In proportion as transactions and operations of the same 
kind, springing from similar causes, and producing similar 
effects, are so multiplied as to become common, it is not ne- 
cessary to detail facts; but sufficient to mention general re- 
sults and principles of action. It is thus that knowledge 
of every kind is advanced: the gradual and leisurely de- 
ductions of one age, or generation, being taken in the 
next, for things granted.—If it were otherwise, the bound- 
aries of science could never be enlarged ; and the republic 
of letters, like that of Rome, would sink under its own 
magnitude. Ifin writing the History of Europe for 1791 
and 1792, we should attempt to describe every thing that 
_ passed, we should, in fact, describe nothing :—the compli- 
cated scene would be too various and vast for human com- 
prehension, 
