PREFACE. 



In the long and disastrous annals of the war which 

 has now become almost habitual to Europe, the 

 present year will be peculiarly memorable on account 

 of the variety and importance of its events — events, 

 however, more striking in their occurrence, than 

 decisive of the important concerns depending upon 

 the issue of the contest. Of these, the most promi- 

 nent in magnitude and interest was undoubtedly the 

 invasion of one great empire by the collected force of 

 the still greater empire, which in its spread had left 

 itself no other adequate antagonist. The conflagra- 

 tion of a capital, the horrid carnage consequent upon 

 well-fought battles between countless hosts, the still 

 more lavish and lamentable waste of lives occasioned 

 by the rigours of winter combining with the distresses 

 of retreat, and the inglorious flight of a leader who 

 scarcely ever before returned without fame and con- 

 quest from his daring expeditions ; form scenes of 

 tragic grandeur which the drama of human affairs has 

 rarely presented in modern times on the civilized parts 

 of the globe. 



The 



