LONDON:

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

for the Proprietors of Dodfley's Annual Regifler,

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.

PREFACE.

Τ'

Tin France, the prolific a

HE moft difting the feature of the Revolution in France, the prolific parent of changes and innovations in other countries aheady noticed in our volume for 1792, has been verified by the events that have taken place from that to the prefent period. The revolutionary spirit of the French Republic, like a lighted torch, moved rapidly round, fcarcely leaves room for the contemplation of its particular phases, in the different ftages of its progrefs, and is feen as one circle of fire.

The conftitution of 1795 contained, indeed, certain principles, which feemed to promife fome degree of both strength and duration; and to be more favourable, than any of the preceding, to the interests of humanity, by guarding not lefs against the wildness of democracy than the chains of defpotifm. Subfequent changes, however, and particularly the late metamorphofis of the Republic into a dictatorial or military government, (which will of course be noticed in its proper place and time) fhew how little is to be expected from any forms, where fimplicity of manners, and other requifites to the existence of a genuine Republic, are wanting.

10

Thefe