PREFACE 



i 



The utility of periodicals, in contributing to the rapid 

 progress of Science and Literature, is sufficiently evinced 

 in the simple fact, that their origin is but of recent date. 



It is true, that some have endeavoured to discover their 

 existence among the Romans, from a few obscure pas- 

 sages of Ovid and Tacitus. There can be little hesitation, 

 however, in concluding, that the allusions of these authors 

 refer not to publications analogous to our periodicals, 

 but to incomplete or unfinished works, corresponding 

 with the first editions of books in the present day. 



The first periodical appears to have been published in 

 the reign of Elizabeth in 1588, under the name of the 

 " English Mercurie," an "original number of which, is 

 preserved in the British Museum. Until the reign of 

 James II., periodicals Were warmly encouraged, when 

 bigotry and politics usurped their place. 



Towards the end of the sixteenth, and during the course 

 of the seventeenth centuries, numerous Scientific bodies 

 were formed throughout Europe, for the purpose of culti- 

 vating Science, and of disseminating the results of their 

 labours. Accordingly, the Royal Society of London, 

 commenced the publication of its transactions in 1665, 

 and its example was followed in 1699, by the Royal 

 Academy of Sciences of Paris. The succeeding century, 

 gave rise to many periodicals in Britain, which were sig- 

 nally effective, in spreading that taste for Science and 

 Letters, which has so long distinguished this great 

 country. 



vol. I. B 



