PRINTED FOR W. OTRIDGE AND SON; J. CUTHELL; E. JEFFERY; J. BELL;
B. AND R. CROSBY AND CO.; LACKINGTON, ALLEN, AND CO.; LONGMAN,
HURST, REES, ORME, AND BROWN; J. ASPERNE; CRADOCK AND JOY;
SHERWOOD, NEELY, AND JONES; J. FAULDER; AND J. JOHNSON AND CO.

1813.

PREFACE.

IN the long and disastrous annals of the war

which has now become almost habitual to Eu

rope, the present year will be peculiarly memorable on account of the variety and importance of its events-events, however, more striking in their occurrence, than decisive of the important concerns depending upon the issue of the contest. Of these, the most prominent in magnitude and interest was undoubtedly the invasion of one great empire by the collected force of the still greater empire, which in its spread had left itself no other adequate antagonist. The conflagration of a capital, the horrid carnage consequent upon well-fought battles between countless hosts, the still more lavish and lamentable waste of lives occasioned by the rigours of winter combining with the distresses of retreat, and the inglorious flight of a leader who scarcely ever before returned without fame and conquest from his daring expeditions, form scenes of tragic grandeur which the drama of human affairs has rarely presented in modern times on the civilized parts of the globe.

The