iv PREFACE. 



rulers of states and kingdoms have been taught the 

 danger of tyranny ; the people, that of anarchy ; the 

 financier, that even commercial advantages may be too 

 dearly purchased ; the politician and statesman, that 

 durable power consists not so much in extended terri- 

 tory, as compacted dominion, flourishing population, 

 and, above all, in justice : justice in the conduct of 

 governments external as well as internal. 



We are henceforth, we hope, and doubt not, for 

 many years, to be called from the miseries and horrors 

 of war to progressive improvement in all the arts of 

 peace : a nobler, as well as more pleasing and profit- 

 able career of ambition, among civilized nations, than 

 that of conquest. The energy of our ingenious and 

 lively neighbours will return to the arts and sciences 

 with an elastic force, proportioned to the misguided 

 ardour that has too long propelled them to the ensan- 

 guined field of battle. Their improvements will be our 

 gain, as ours also will be theirs. May all civilized 

 nations consociate and co-operate for the general good : 

 for lessening calamities, increasing comforts, and 

 advancing human nature to greater and greater excel- 

 lence, both intellectual and moral. 



It will of course become our business to watch and 

 trace the progress or the vicissitudes of arts and 

 sciences, the condition of society, and public opinion : 

 a task, though more pleasing, yet not perhaps less 

 difficult, than to describe the effects of public councils, 

 and military operations ; which, being marked by 

 bolder and palpable lines, are more easily discerned, 

 and more clearly comprehended. 



THE 



