ANNUAL REGISTER. The first volume of the useful work which bears this name appeared in 1759. Various publications of a similar character had previously existed, such as Boyer's Political State of Europe, which was published in monthly numbers and yearly volumes from 1711 to 1739; and the Historical Register, a quarterly publication, begun in 1716, and concluded in 1738. The A. R. differed from these in being published once a year, in containing a more full and able historical narrative, and in the addition of a literary and miscellaneous department, including notices of new books. The undertak ing was projected by Robert Dodsley, the bookseller, assisted by Edmund Burke, who for ' some years wrote the historical narrative, and assisted to some extent in the preparation of the Register during most of the subsequent part of his life. Indexes to the work have been published at various periods, and the work still goes on under the publishing care of Messrs. Riviugtou. A rival work, entitled The New A. R., was started in 1781 by Dr.
Kippis. It was edited after his death by Dr. Morgan, and came to a close in 1825. The Edinburgh A. R. was commenced in 1808, and terminated in 1827. The historical narra tive was for some years written by Sir Walter Scott, and afterwards, for a considerable time, by Southey. A similar work was commenced at Paris in 1818, under the title of Annuaire Histortque, and continued till 1849. The earlier volumes were compiled with much care, but latterly the work fell off. Its place was supplied by the Annuaire des Deu.r tlfondes, a publication connected with the well-known review of that name. The American A. R is published at New York.