| ANNUAL REGISTER, OR A VIEW OF THE HISTORY, POLITICS, AND LITERATURE, For the YEAR 1795. THE SECOND EDITION. LONDON: Printed by J. WRIGHT, St. John's Square, for the Proprietors of Dodsley's Annual Register, W. OTRIDGE AND SON; R. FAULDER; CUTHELL AND MARTIN; OGILVY PREFACE. THE most distinguished feature of the Revolution in France, the prolific parent of changes and innovations in other countries, already noticed in our volume for 1792, has been verified by the events that have taken place from that to the present period. The revolutionary spirit of the French Republic, like a lighted torch, moved rapidly round, scarcely leaves room for the contemplation of its particular phases, in the different stages of its progress, and is seen as one circle of fire. The constitution of 1795 contained, indeed, certain principles, which seemed to promise some degree of both strength and duration; and to be more favourable, than any of the preceding, to the interests of humanity, by guarding not less against the wildness of democracy than the chains of despotism. Subsequent changes, however, and particularly the late metamorphosis of the Republic into a dictatorial or military government, (which will of course be noticed in its proper place and time) shew how little is to be exvected from any forms, where simplicity of manners, and other requisites to the existence of a genuine Republic, are wanting. 7 These |