256 



book rather than the general subject of which it treats. To this 

 division succeeds a miscellaneous ami heterogeneous assemblage of 

 bibliographical notices; the sweepings of the critical atelier; the rins- 

 ings ami heeltaps of the critical banquet; a necessary part of the 

 editor's prospectus, hut one which is least gratifying to minute in- 

 spection. Here the importunate friend receives his expected com- 

 pliment, the dull dignitary is pacified with his scanty morsel of 

 eulogy, the Maecenas is paid in fair words for his patronage; the 

 book which must be noticed and has not been read, is embalmed in 

 safe epithets and inurned in accommodating generalities. Lastly, a 

 considerable part of the number is made up of selections, either 

 taken promiscuously from other journals and recently published 

 works, or in the better managed periodicals classified so as to present 

 a summary of the recent progress of science in its several depart- 

 ments. 



The proportion allotted to these several divisions varies very 

 much. Taking into consideration the usual difference of type in 

 the original and borrowed matter, and the very liberal extracts 

 which the reviewers commonly make from the work before them, it 

 will be found that a very large part of all the journals is made up 

 of quotations; and to a considerable extent of the same quotations, 

 whatever may be the particular journal examined. The committee 

 have been struck with the fact, that the same articles have been 

 presented over and over again to their notice, in many different 

 periodicals, each borrowing from its neighbours the best papers of 

 the last preceding number, so that the perusal of many is not so 

 much more laborious than that of a single one, as would be antici- 

 pated. The ring of editors sit in each other's laps, with perfect 

 propriety, and great convenience it is true, but with a wonderful 

 saving in the article of furniture. 



In making these remarks, it is not intended to undervalue the 

 gnat amount of intelligence and industry embodied in these periodi- 

 cals, or to make any return of ingratitude to the faithful servants 

 of science and humanity, who, in the midst of innumerable distrac- 

 tions, and often at an absolute sacrifice of their material interests, 

 are giving their time and health, and substance, to the demands of 

 this most exacting department of mental labour. The task of filling 

 a vessel which had no bottom, used to be thought a severe punish- 

 ment enough for region- where the art of torture was a science, but 

 to fill a quarterly or monthly, or weekly receptacle with the pure 

 distillation of two or three brains which have been tapped once, thrice, 



