PREFACE. V 



rica, and the islands in the seas washing the coasts of 

 Europe, it may be possible to obtain equivalents for all 

 the usurpations of Buonaparte; — and, as far as Great 

 Britain is concerned, to render his power, immense as it 

 is, completely harmless.* 



Thus the year 1809 is principally characterised, by a 

 Briton, on a consideration of present interests and views. 

 But on casting our eyes back over long intervals of 

 time, and taking in the whole horizon of history, we con- 

 template the year 1809, chiefly as it is marked by the 

 total downfall of Imperial Rome, both political and 

 ecclesiastical. The venerable trunk which had hitherto 

 continued to send out some small ghoots, was finally 

 pulled up by the long-lingering roots. So long as the 

 power of France was in some measure balanced by that 

 of Austria, there were still some hopes that the German, 

 that is, what yet remained, or the shadow of the Roman 

 Empire, might be restored. While the temporal power, 

 dignity and splendor of the Roman pontiff remained, 

 nay even while he was suffered to remain at Rome, he 

 might still convoke councils, issue decrees, and appear in 

 all respects as the head of the Roman Catholic church. 

 Austria was humbled by the battle of Wagram, beyond 

 all hope of her ever rising again to the rank she had held 

 among nations. The Pope was led captive into France. 

 The remains of Roman arts, survive those of Roman 



institutions 

 * We consider it as a duty to the public, to recommend attention 

 to the admirable Tracts of Mr. Leckie on this subject. For an account 

 of his Foreign Affairs, &c. for 1809, see page 970 of this volume. 



