historian of a hundred centuries. Or, if some abatement be made in favour of the humbler labourer, it will hardly be found to counterbalance his disadvantages. The materials of the Historian may indeed be of difficult access, of dubious authority, meagre in amount, obscure in purport, and irreconcileable with each other. But there are substitutes for these deficiencies. Time to collect, to systematize, to collate, and to arrange his materials, is at the writer's command; and, where industry is totally unsuccessful, he possesses, or at least often claims, the right of exercising ingenuity and conjecture. The scantiness of facts may be lawfully supplied by hypotheses, provided the author can make those which he possesses hang together, and depend upon each other. If one volume supply him with the commencement of a war, and another authority with its termination, the space between may be safely filled with conjectures, which cannot be easily refuted, if accommodated to the admitted events. The historian may thus throw an arch over a gap in his authorities, for he has facts on which to found the abutments at each extremity. But the annalist has no such licence. His conjectures rather resemble the bridge in the Vision of Mirza; one end, indeed, fixed and visible, but the other lost in the clouds and darkness of futurity. Even while he writes, the passing hour may give the lie to his theory ere it is dry upon the paper; and, should he venture at prophecy, he will do well previously to insure the gift of inspiration. Of the quantity of his materials, the Annalist has indeed little reason to complain; but, in value, they are far inferior to those of the Historian. Authentic documents and original state papers, can only be recovered after the lapse of generations, and their place is but poorly supplied by contemporaneous reports, founded so frequently on wilful falsehood, or popular exaggeration. The superabundance of such ephemeral and apocryphal materials encreases the difficulties arising from contradictory authorities, and doubles those peculiar to the Annalist, from the shortness of time permitted for selection, collation, and arrangement. It were to be wished that the evil stopped here. But, although the Historian himself ought to beware how he yields to the seduction of theory, or of prejudice, the danger from such prepossessions is enhanced in a more formidable degree to him, whose narrative comprehends only the passing events of his own times. The prejudices of the former are those of a solitary student, peculiar to himself, and which either the counsel of friends, or the voice of candid criticism, may enable him. to correct. But the contagion of party feeling is not confined to the Annalist's own mind; it is above, about, and around him; he breathes in an infected atmosphere; and is strengthened in his ex

rors, scarcely more by the factious applause of his friends, than by the no less factious opposition of his adversaries.

Yet these various disadvantages, though formidable, are not insuperable; they may be lessened, if not totally overcome. Sedulous attention, and the assistance of judicious and well-informed friends, may enable the Annalist to sift his materials, and to digest them in an order, which, though it can hardly be expected to exhibit the philosophy of history, may present, in a connected and systematized narrative, those facts, which have been given to the public in insulated and individual irregularity. The advantage of such contemporaneous history will be readily appreciated, when we attempt, without its assistance, to recall to memory the events of our own time. Such and so rapid has been their transition, and so frequently have the important news of yesterday been lost and merged in the yet more momentous intelligence of to-day, that the confused, dark, and indistinct impression is as shapeless as the cloud that has drifted to leeward after discharging its thunders. To this may be added, that, from the abrupt mode in which intelligence is communicated through the channels of gazettes and newspapers, it is often difficult, or impossible, to trace events to their operating causes. The Historical part of THE REGISTER will at once have the advantage of recalling the events of the past year to the memory, and of tracing their progress, bearings, and dependencies. No efforts shall be spared to procure the most enlightened and authentic intelligence concerning occurrences of importance, both Foreign and Domestic; nor would the Editors intrude themselves upon such a task, were they not confident of possessing sources of information not generally accessible to the Public. In narrating public struggles, and particularly those of a domestic nature, they feel equally the delicacy and the importance of their duty. To assert that they are capable of reviewing and relating the debates of two contending parties, each claiming the praise of unbiassed rectitude of intention, and boasting the distinction of the most splendid mental endowments, with minds uninfluenced by the arguments of either, would be the extremity of presumption; since it would be assuming to themselves the power of observing a golden mean, while the ablest and most enlightened of the kingdom were swerving into extremes. But, if to ground their political creed, not upon party, but upon principle; if to be absolutely and utterly unconnected with any political persons, in power or in opposition; if to be alike without hope and without fear, beneath flattery, and far above threats;-if these can give a claim to independence, the Editors may assert it with confidence and with truth. They therefore trust, that the annals which they essay to compile, may be found useful

materials for future history, if themselves shall not be thought worthy of aspiring to that distinguished name. And if, as must happen after their best efforts, they shall be occasionally misled, future writers may learn from their errors the " form and pressure” of the time in which they lived, and observe, with advantage, how differently the same events affect the contemporary writer, and those who are removed from the misrepresentations and prejudices of the period in which they have passed.

II. As an APPENDIX to the History will be offered an ample COLLECTION OF THE STATE PAPERS of the year. The use of these is sufficiently obvious; and care will be taken, by comparing the translations with the originals, to give Foreign Documents in a more correct state than that in which they are usually offered to the British Public.

III. CHRONICLE OF REMARKABLE EVENTS. This is intended to comprehend such incidents, as either form no part of the general history of the year, or are only slightly touched upon. It will naturally contain

1. Proceedings of the Courts of Justice in remarkable cases in England, Scotland, and Ireland.

2. Casualties, and Remarkable Occurrences, Foreign and Domestic.

3. Promotions, Marriages, Births, and Deaths.

4. BIOGRAPHY of Remarkable and Eminent Persons. If the Editors are able to render their publication valuable in other respects, they have little fear that this Branch will be enlarged at least, if not altogether supplied, by the voluntary contributions of those who seek a respectable place of deposit for the commemoration of departed genius and worth.

IV. HISTORY OF LITERATURE, foreign and domestic. It has been common for works of this kind to contain a Review of new publications. But it appears to the Editors, that, from the limited space which could be assigned to such a Review in their volume, it would be in every point unsatisfactory, even if that high department of literature were not already in the hands of others, whose acknowledged abilities stand pledged to its fulfilment. But a historical account of the state of learning, which, without pretending to analyze popular works, or make extracts from them, only professes to point out the extent and the causes of their popularity; to trace how far they have been dictated by the taste of the public, or have given it a new impulse; and, to give a general and systematic view of contemporary literature;-this is still a desideratum, yet cannot be alleged to interfere with the labours of periodical criticism In this view of the publications of the period, the usual rule

of criticism is indeed in some degree reversed; because, instead of enquiring how far they deserve success, it is intended to ascertain, how far popularity, actually obtained, is grounded upon real merit, or upon adventitious circumstances. In short, it is designed to present a view rather of the state of public taste, than of the individual works by which it has been influenced, or attracted. General, however, as such a report proposes to be, it must necessarily include some account of those works which have gained a more than common share of popularity, as well as of the periodical criticism which has for its professed object the just direction of public taste. V. HISTORY OF SCIENCE. A difficult but most important object in the plan, is to trace the annual advances of Science. Philosophical discovery is by its nature progressive; new objects rise in endless succession; the circle of the horizon swells on the view; and that perfection which admits continual approach is the term of all human attainments. Science presents two grand divisions—the Mathematical, and the Physical. Mathematics, after so many ages of successful culture, may be presumed to have, at length, reached their maturity. They still continue, indeed, to advance; but their progress is not marked by those corruscations which dazzle the incurious spectator. Much, however, is yet wanting in the beauty and adaptation of the materials, to complete the symmetry of that vast creation of genius.-The scattered acquisitions, whether calculated to enlarge the structure, or to improve its simplicity and elegance, shall be noticed with peculiar satisfaction. The science of Physics forms the peculiar boast of modern times. Guided by the light of experiment, it has made the most astonishing advances, and continues to move forward with accumulated force. Wherever it has received the aid of Geometry, its progress has been solid and complete. Astronomy, founded on observation, combined with mathematical research, is justly regarded as the most perfect and sublime of all the sciences. It has acquired essential improvements, even in our own times; and the more recondite laws of the universe, which the revolution of ages will confirm, have been disclosed, by the skilful application of the higher analysis. These abstruse deductions will, no doubt, be gradually simplified and extended. But the kindred sciences of Navigation and Geography promise more rapid improvement. Discoveries must keep pace with that spirit of activity and enterprise which distinguishes the present period,-when intelligent travellers penetrate the remotcst countries,--and ships, in the pursuit of schemes, either of war or commerce, cover the face of the ocean.

Natural philosophy, in all its branches, acquires successive improvements. Mechanics and Hydrostatics have already attained a certain degree of stability. But Hydraulics, notwithstanding the

partial assistance it has derived from Geometry, is yet in a very imperfect state. Within these few years, however, the investigations have been resumed with better effect; and the improvements which this useful branch of science is destined to receive, may be anticipated with confidence.

Those parts of Physics which have not yet formed an union with mathematical science, are to be considered as still in their infancy, and therefore promising a plentiful harvest of discovery. Magnetism affords curious and interesting results; but Electricity exhibits the most brilliant and surprising combinations: And these popular sciences, inviting a greater number of inquirers, and as yet demanding no severe study, and little reach of thought, are proportionally enriched with new facts Galvanism, which so closely allies with Electricity, has very recently given occasion to some discoveries of the most unexpected and striking kind. Chemistry, for the came reason, is in a state of rapid advancement. Natural History continues to be cultivated with ardour and success. Mineralogy, in particular, has, within these few years, acquired consistency, and received prodigious improvements. Even Geology, which pretends, from such slender data, to explain the formation of our globe, if it should not withdraw the attention from more serious occupations, may at least amuse its zealous votaries.

The details respecting the progress of science, are dispersed through a multitude of works in various languages,-in Literary Journals,-in the Memoirs of Academics,-and in the Transactions of Learned Societies. It shall be the sedulous endeavour of the Editors to collect those scattered materials; to arrange, dispose, and condense them into one connected view; and to infuse interest and spirit into the historical deduction; to trace out the various bearings which the new objects present, and to offer such reflections and anticipations as the review of them may suggest. In the execution of this arduous task, the Editors are assured of powerful assistance, from some, who, having trod the paths of discovery, feel intensely the passion for philosophical inquiry, and will, with alacrity, contribute their unwearied efforts to forward a plan, which holds forth the prospect of such important benefits to the general interests of science.

VI. HISTORY OF THE FINE ARTS; comprehending Painting, Architecture, Music, and the Drama; in each of which departments, it is proposed annually to report new improvements and discoveries; the merits of new professors; the impression which they have made on the public, and its causes, to whatever sources they are to be ascribed.