PREFACE. ANOTHER year has nearly sped its course: it closes amidst perplexity and misgivings. Our thoughts lead us to review the past, we scarcely venture to anticipate the future. Let us cast our eyes abroad and glance at the political state of Europe. Peace once more prevails both amongst the greater Powers and in the much ill-used Germanic States. The devastations occasioned by the blasts of war seem to be gradually disappearing. Yet it is difficult to persuade ourselves that the present armed cessation of hostilities-for it is nothing betterwill continue long. But for ourselves, we must be still and wait upon God, whose past mercies assure us that our iniquities have not prevailed against us, but that England is still, scarcely less than the Jews of old, the object of His paternal care. Our gratitude is more especially due for mercies too recent to be yet forgotten. The plague amongst our cattle has been healed. All classes share the benefit, but thousands of our working men have experienced a wonderful relief; food is much cheaper and work more plentiful. Yet bread-riots have disgraced Teignmouth, Crediton, Torquay, and even Oxford. Our agricultural labourers have been shamefully underpaid and miserably educated, coarse and scanty food has been their lot in health, and when sickness or old age arrive, the workhouse is all that awaits them, or at the |