ANNUAL REGISTER R,

OR A VIEW OF THE

HISTORY,
POLITICS,

AND

L I T E R A T U RE,

LONDON:

Printed by T. Burton, No. 31, Little Queen-Atreet,
for the Proprietors of Dodsey's Annual Register,
W.OTRIDGE AND SON; R. FAULDER; J. CUTHELL; OGILVY AND SON;
R, LLA; J. NUNN; J. WALKER; LACKINGTON, ALLEN, AND CO.

E. JEFFERY; AND VERNOR AND HOOD.

PRE FACE

FROM a series of incidents, to which mortality is at all times liable, and all men must sometime encounter, the Annual Register had fallen more and more back in the time of publication. It was not an easy matter to remedy this defect, and to overtake time, in such eventful years as the last decade of the Eighteenth Century; amidst multiplied political intrigues, internal convulfions, and wars so wide in their extent, and complicated in their operation. This, however, has now been completely accomplished. We close the century, without being one volume in arrears; we conclude the volume for 1800, without leaving any event to be recorded in the next, that could, with any degree of propriety, be introduced and related in the present volume : so that, at the commencement of the century on which we have just entered, we set out, in our historical inquiries and narratives, without any encumbrance.

We congratulate our readers on that great, though somewhat unexpected, event, which so auspiciously marks the commencement of the present æra.* The Temple of Janus is shut: it is not unreasonable to hope that it will be long before it be again opened. A

. dreadful but salutary experiment, in the course of the

* For a summary review and character of the Eighteenth Century, and more especially at its close, see the conclusion of the History of Eu. Tope, in this volume.

last

last ten years, has been made by the nations. The rulers of states and kingdoms have been taught the danger of tyranny; the people, that of anarchy; the financier, that even commercial advantages may be too dearly purchased; the politican and statesman, that durable power consists not so much in extended territory, as compa&ted dominion, flourishing population, and, above all, in justice : justice in the conduct of governments external as well as internal.

We are henceforth, we hope, and doubt not, for many years, to be called from the miseries and horrors of war to progreslive improvement in all the arts of peace: a nobler, as well as more pleasing and profitable career of ambition, among civilized nations, than that of conquest. The energy of our ingenious and lively neighbours will return to the arts and sciences with an elastic force, proportioned to the misguided ardour that has too long propelled them to the ensanguined field of battle. Their improvements will be our gain, as ours also will be theirs. May all civilized nations consociate and co-operate for the general good; for lessening calamities, increasing comforts, and advancing human nature to greater and greater excellence, both intellectual and moral!

It will of courfe become our business to watch and trace the progress or the vicissitudes of arts and sciences, the condition of society, and public opinion: a talk, though more pleasing, yet not perhaps less difficult, than to describe the effects of public councils, and military operations; which, being marked by bolder and palpable lines, are more easily discerned, and more clearly comprehended.

THE

Return of Buonaparte from Egypt to France. His Letter to the Army of

Egypt. The Companions of his Yoyage.- Arrives at Corfica.- And at Frejus in Provence.-Enthufiaftic Joy with which he was every where received. --Proceeds by Lyons to Paris. -Hopes and Confidence of the PaTisans, and in general all the French centered on this military Chief:Situation of the French Republic at this Period, external and internal.State of Parties.-War in the Western Departments. Weakness and Halfmeafires of Government.--New political Changes ineditated by Abbé Sieyes. Perfonal Interview between the Abbé and Buonaparte.--Buonaparte can ressed and courted by all Parties.--The Army alone courted by him.--Ho favours and joins the ñoderate Party. Character of Albé Sieyes.- And of Buonaparte.--Splendid Feast given in Hononr of Buoriaparte.- Project for a Change in the Government and Constitution.Necessarily communicated to considerable Numbers of the Members of both Councils. -Yet kept Secret till the Moment of Explopon.-The Council of Elders empowered by the Conflitution of 1795 to transport the legijature whenever it should think Proper to any Coinmune within a certain Distance of Paris. -ComVOL. XLII.

[B]