PRINTED FOR W. OTRIDGE AND SONS; LONGMAN, HURST, REES AND ORME; J. WALKER; LACKINGTON, ALLEN, AND CO.; E. JEFFERY; VERNOR AND HOOD; J. ASPERNE; AND WYNNE AND SCHOLEY; By J. WRIGHT, St. John's Square, Clerkenwell. 1806. P RE F A СЕ. IN committing to the press this new volume of "The Annual Register," the Editor feels the anxiety of one who looks to the favourable reception of his work, as the best reward for so much. industry and labour bestowed upon it. He is sensible both of the difficulty and importance of the task he undertakes. The greatest of modern philosophers, himself an historian of no vulgar class, has ranked such publications as this among the most valuable of the materials of history:-and those labours which Lord Bacon valued, what other man shall venture to depreciate ? The Compiler of these annual records of the politics, the literature, and the manners of the British empire, does not, indeed, aspire to the station of an historian.-Time must complete the lesson;-Experience compare it ;-and Wisdom impart its method, before these materials can assume the shape of " Philosophy teaching by example." Yet the Editor of this work, (raised by the merit of those who have pre ceded |