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LONDON:

Printed by T. Burton, No. 31, Little Queen-ftreet,

for the Proprietors of Dodfley's Annual Regifter,

W.OTRIDGE AND SON; R. FAULDER; J. CUTHELL; OGILVY AND SON;
R. LEA; J. NUNN; J. WALKER; LACKINGTON, ALLEN, AND CO.
E. JEFFERY; AND VERNOR AND HOOD.

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PREFACE.

HERE is a difpofition, not only in individuals,

THE

but in nations of men, to magnify all things relating to themfelves beyond their juft dimensions and proportions. The Chinese, in their delineations of the world, were wont to reprefent their own empire as one vaft fquare, occupying the greater part, by far, of the earth; and, all other nations as forming only infignificant fpecks, here and there, around it. The enlargement of knowledge is accompanied by the enlargement of candour. It is in the nature of science to quell the extravagant fuggeftions of vanity and felf-love, to embrace a wider and wider fphere of obfervation, to view events in relations and

* A growing intercourfe with other parts of the world, and particularly the late interferences, on the Chinese frontier, of the Ruffians, and our Eaft-India Company, has begun, we prefume, fomewhat to abate this ridiculous prejudice.

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