iv PREFACE. 



of our bitterest and most powerful enemy have been 

 proved as vain as impotent; and we exulted in re-tra- 

 cing the steps which led to the most splendid Victory, 

 ever ob rained upon the ocean. On the favourite ser- 

 vice of Britain, its management at home, and its trans- 

 actions in every part of the globe, we have of course 

 expatiated in the fullest manner our limits would 

 afford. 



The investigation of Indian affairs, the importance 

 of which is every hour becoming more obvious, has 

 employed our best exertions, and will, we are con- 

 vinced, be found well worthy of perusal. 



To the domestic politics of the British empire we 

 have, as usual, devoted the greatest care, and we trust 

 the mode in which thev have been treated, will be 

 found to have been dictated by a spirit of truth and 

 impartiality. 



The miscellaneous part of the work, and the selec- 

 tions of >vhichit is in a great measure composed, have 

 been attended to with the utmost care; and the lover 

 of biograph}', poetry, natural philosophy, and anti- 

 quity, together with the mere annalist, Mall all find 

 here, subject matter, connected with their several 

 pursuits, drawn from the best sources of literature, 

 which have appeared within the period, treated of 

 in this volume. 



Upon the whole, we hope this fruit of our labours 

 will be found not onl}^ rich with instruction and 

 entertainment, but be considered so faithful a deposi- 

 tary of pass'ng events, that it may serve the future his^ 

 torian ai his best book of reference hereafter, and his 

 richest fund of materials. 



