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OF

THE REIGN

OF

KING GEORGE THE THIRD;

FROM ITS COMMENCEMENT

IN THE YEAR 1760,

TO THE DEATH OF HIS MAJESTY

IN THE YEAR 1820.

BY JOHN AIKIN, M.D.

The Second Edition.

IN TWO VOLUMES.

VOL. I.

LONDON:

PRINTED FOR LONGMAN, HURST, REES, ORME, AND BROWN,

PATERNOSTER-ROW.

PREFACE.

THE work here offered to the public has no other pretensions than those of a summary of the principal events, domestic and foreign, of the late reign. In its composition, the objects in view have been perspicuity and order in narrative, selection of the most important circumstances, and a strict impartiality, exhibited not only in a fair and ungarbled representation of facts, but in the absence of every kind of colouring which might favour the purposes of what may properly be denominated party. This last intention, which has never ceased to guide the writer's pen, did not appear to him necessarily to preclude every expression of his feelings on points involving moral or constitutional questions; but he trusts that he shall be found to have used this liberty with moderation and reserve, and without any effort to enforce opinions in their nature dubious or disputable. Where, indeed, in the records of history can the period be met with, which, to one whose life has passed in contemplating the whole shifting scene, is calculated to inculcate a more impressive lesson against presumptuous confidence in A 3

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speculative notions, or positive judgment respecting characters and actions?

It will be manifest that the compass of these pages could not afford scope for entering into those conjectures relative to the secrets of cabinets, or those discussions concerning the plans of policy that may be supposed to have influenced sovereigns or their ministers, which usually occupy a large space in professed histories. Perhaps, however, the utility of a historical narrative is not materially impaired by such an omission. Were it possible to attain more certainty with respect to such topics than can come within the reach of a private person, what, in general, would be gained, except a nearer insight into a drama of life representing the play of ordinary motives upon ordinary minds a view of the secondary movements of a machine, the mainsprings of which are acting according to known and obvious laws? In reality, the In reality, the great series of human affairs is directed by a chain of causes and effects of much superior potency to the efforts of individuals in any station, who, for the most part, are rather the subjects, than the rulers, of While men, in continued succession, under a variety of characters, probably at all times existing in nearly equal proportions, are pursuing a course influenced by their passions and interests, changes are operating in the large masses of mankind, the result of combinations of circumstances which the flux of ages has been requisite to produce. It is from the observation of these, and not from an acquaintance with court intrigues and party manoeuvres, that the true philosophy of history is to be deduced; and the

events.

impartial record of leading facts is the grand desideratum for obtaining this important addition to human wisdom. Of such incidents, the period which the present work comprehends has been singularly fertile; and the intelligent reader cannot fail of drawing inferences from them, which will have more value as the product of his own reflections, than as the promptings of a writer.

Although the title of "Annals of the Reign of George III." implies that the affairs of the countries of which he was the sovereign are peculiarly their subject, yet the concerns of all civilized states are so blended, and the events passing in one, exert so material an influence upon the policy of others, that it has been necessary to combine with the record of British history, a sketch of the most important occurrences of which not only the European continent, but a large portion of the inhabited world, was the theatre. Such a comprehensive view, was frequently requisite in order to elucidate our own political system; but independently of that consideration, it appeared desirable to associate in a reader's mind, with the memorable events of his native country, those which were simultaneously taking place in other scenes of action. The extraordinary character and momentous consequences of some of these transactions, especially of those which for the last thirty years have rendered France the object of universal interest, have sometimes made it difficult to keep this part of the narrative in due subordination to the leading topic; but such a subordination has always been the writer's purpose; and with respect to domestic affairs, in particular, he hopes it will

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