PREFACE, 



other to pains and penalties for daring to disagree. No sword is 

 here wielded, nor artillery thundered, to determine by force what 

 calm reason finds herself unable to settle. Rather, a greater incentive 

 to further inquiry is produced, to redoubled observation and verifica- 

 tion of facts, and to renewed diligence in the search after truth, if 

 haply they may find it ! Will the time ever come when Politicians 

 will condescend to follow the example of savans ? 



It is cheering: to observe the wider love of Nature and the 

 spread of scientific culture among all classes ; to note how the 

 pursuit of Science is a bright spot in the lives of toilers at the desk, 

 the loom, the anvil, and in the field. Our position fortunately makes 

 us acquainted with diligent and capable students, low in the scale 

 of worldly wealth and position, whose lives are sweetened by the 

 new interest in common things which popular Science has created 

 for them. Long may it continue to be so, and may the day soon 

 come when men and women will be rescued from their lower natures 

 by the calm dignity which Wisdom bestows on those who seek her ! 



As hitherto, our purpose is to keep pace with modern discovery 

 and investigation, and to throw open our columns to the recording 

 of new facts. Not less desirous are we of helping the young inquirer, 

 and of putting him in a way to gain higher and sounder knowledge. 

 Whilst endeavouring to keep clear of mere gossip, we do not wish 

 to write above the heads of our large circle of readers by essays on 

 abstruse subjects. Our aim is to spread and popularize Science, 

 and to encourage a love of it. 



In conclusion, we heartily thank all who have helped us, and 

 who have promised to continue their aid. At the same time, we 

 implore the sympathies of those who are unaware of the burden of 

 correspondence and work entailed in editing a journal like SciENCE- 

 GOSSIP, and who may feel aggrieved at imagined slights. To each 

 and all of those with whom we have been in cheerful literary 

 and scientific companionship for the last year, we wish a " Merry 

 Christmas and a Happy New Year !" 



