PREFACE. 
— 
Tue third volume of this work being now completed, all 
concerned in its success will naturally wish some account 
its situation and prospects. The experiment of an original 
American Journal of Science, is novel, and it is but reason- 
able to allow sufficient time to the community to become 
informed as to the nature of the enterprize before we can 
expect them to feel interested in its prosperi The ques: 
tion whether it is to be supported by adequate pecuniary re 
muneration, is not one which can be hastily decided. a 
must require several years from the commencemen 
work, and the Editor (if God pases: his life and health) 
will endeavour to prove himse t impatient nor queru- 
lous, during the time that his countrymen hold the question 
undecided, whether there shall be an American Journal of 
Science and Arts. Another person may conduct it better, 
and to such an one, the task would be, without hesitation, 
resigned. But it is due to our numerous and highly respec- 
table band of contributors to say, that no successor, however 
meritorious, can hope to be better supported. That the 
Journal is appreciated abroad, in a manner gratifying to its 
friends, is sufficiently evinced by the. numerous extracts 
from it in the periodical scientific works o} by the 
readiness to exchange, evinced by the Editors of foreign 
Journals, and by letters on the subject, addressed to the edit- 
or of the American Journal, from scientific and literary men 
rra 
a Dvalast of Chemistry, &c. in the University of 
zow, of Mr. Tilloch of London, editor of eed Philoso catia) 
of Mr. Julien, editor of the F yclope- 
dique, and of Mr. Bron ngniart, both of Be, of Professor 
Germar and Sweigger of the University of Halle in Germany, 
and of Professor Berzelius of Stockholm. From one of 
these private communications, we shall me so far on 
the indulgence of the author, — “of the. public, as to cite a 
single ragra 
‘Dr. The ph. mson, speaking of the first five numbers of the 
* One o' other passage is selected from Mr. Brongniart’s letter. P 
218 of this Vol-] = 
¢ 
