THE naval and military annals of Great Britain are the most illustrious in the world. In every quarter of the globe has her flag been triumphant-on almost every battle-field of Europe have her armies conquered. In arms, as in arts, she excels all ancient and modern nations, outrivalling the chronicled renown of Greece and Rome.

The most formidable enemy that she ever possessed, was France under the sway of Bonaparte; but, as in the days of TALBOT, when that country, by right of conquest, became a province of her own, her soldiers again and again subdued that proud and restless nation, and at last succeeded in humbling her Imperial Eagle in the dust. In the memorable struggle which ended with the victory of WATERLOO, where WELLINGTON became the conqueror of the greatest military despot that ever existed, overturning for ever his colossal empire, and securing the ascendancy of GREAT BRITAIN, innumerable acts of valour and enterprize, of emulation and daring, took place, which invest that period with an interest not belonging to any other portion of our national history, At sea, the deeds of Nelson, Howe, Duncan, Jervis, Exmouth, and others of her naval heroes, tended to raise the fame and the influence of England far above what they ever were before, even at the brightest period of her annals; while on land, the victories gained by Wolfe, Abercromby, Moore, Cornwallis, Wellington, and her other famous commanders, on the plains of Egypt, on the burning sands of India, on the fertile fields of the Netherlands, and the Peninsula-at Vittoria, Talavera, Vimiera, and Waterloo-equal, if they do not excel, any of those of which any other country in the world can boast. The wars in which England have been engaged are full of deeds of high emprise, of incident and adventure, the

details of which form reading of a very attractive and interesting kind.

The object of the Work now before the public is to furnish narratives and anecdotes of the most striking events which characterize so stirring a portion of our country's annals; comprehending also whatever appears remarkable in the conflicts and deeds in which our army and navy were engaged in former days, besides characteristic sketches of both services, accompanied by neatly-executed woodengravings illustrative of the principal subjects: forming altogether a bold, though unconnected, outline of the naval and military history of Great Britain, from the earliest period to the present time.

Neither exertion nor expense have been spared by the projector in the production of "Clark's Original Edition, of which this forms the first volume. The plan and title of the publication are bona fide his own; and its extensive and still increasing circulation is a gratifying assurance to him, that his labours have received the approbation of a discerning public, notwithstanding the attempts which have been made to deprive him of his just reward.

The greatest care and attention will be devoted to the completion of the Work. The contents, as heretofore, will be selected with judgment, and the engravings will be under the management of competent artists.

In conclusion, the proprietor cannot but offer his grateful acknowledgments for the flattering success which has attended this publication, and he confidently anticipates, when it is completed, that his principal object will be satisfactorily accomplished; namely, to present, in the most cheap and accessible form, a faithful record of the prowess of Britain's naval and military heroes, and to bring within one popular channel those episodes in their lives and actions which afford matter of an entertaining and spirit-stirring description.

3, Edward-street, Hampstead-road, Dec. 1, 1836.