ANNUAL REGISTER. VOL. I. FROM JANUARY TO JUNE, 1802. LONDON: PRINTED BY COX AND BAYLIS, GREAT QUEEN STREET Сь V. I ADVERTISEMENT. When I first undertook the Political Register, I was fully persuaded, that the plan, which, indeed, I had long thought of, was well calculated insure a wide circulation, and to produce an extensive as well as a lasting effect. It appeared to me, that such a work, conducted with great diligence and with common ability, would, with relation to politics, at once embrace every rational object of a news-paper, a magazine, and a review. Here my prospect terminated; but, when I came to see a dozen or fifteen numbers collected together in the form of a book, when, I perceived the convenience and great utility of this book, and particularly when I came to compare its contents with those of the Annual Registers, I felt myself urged, by every motive which can actuate a writer to extend my plan, so as to make it include the purpose of an Annual Register, in which shape, and under which title, I now publish the first volume, notifying, at the same time, my intention of publishing a similar volume at the close of every half year. I once thought of giving a table of contents; but such a table, to a work of such a great number and variety of articles, would be too long to be of use. The index is, besides, so very complete as to supersede the necessity of any other means of reference. In the parliamentary papers only I have fallen short of my intention, and that for want of room. The papers, however, which have been omitted in this volume, shall find a place in the next. The price of the volume may, at first sight appear high; but, it will, in proportion to the quantity of print, be found to be cheaper than any other book published in London. It contains as much matter as four or five common octavo volumes. W. COBBETT. 555 |