THE

ANNUAL REGISTER,

OR A VIEW OF THE

HISTORY,

POLITICS,

AND

LITERATURE,

For the YEAR 1778.

THE FOURTH EDITION.

LONDON:

Printed for W. OTRIDGE and SON; R. FAULDER; J. CUTHELL;
OGILVY and SON; R. LEA; J. NUNN; J. WALKER; LACKING-
TON, ALLEN, and Co.; E. JEFFREY; and VERNOR and Hoop.

By Knight and Compton, Middle Street, Cloth-fair.

PREFACE.

THE

HE Hiftory of the year 1778 is more confined in its nature than that of many others. It is more properly the Hiftory of the British Nation, however separated, or into whatever divifions unhappily thrown, than that of the world in general, or of Europe in particular. If it is therefore lefs interefting to Foreigners, it is proportionally the more fo to Englishmen. It records matters in which they are all concerned. No man, nor no station, can be free from their confequences. No common apathy can afford an indifferent fpectator. We are exhibited upon the grand theatre of action, to perform a part equally confpicuous and perilous, and the world is fill in a gaze for the event,

Although