the labours and discoveries in the various branches of 

 Natm-al Philosophy abroad, has, it is hoped, been to a 

 considerable extent fulfilled in the great number of 

 Translations and Abstracts which have been given from 

 the principal foreign Journals and Transactions, vrith a 

 view to enable the reader to keep pace with the progress 

 of science in every stage of its advancement. In this, as 

 well as in other departments of the Journal, the Editors 

 Avill now have the constant aid of Dr. William Francis, 

 the Editor of the ' Chemical Gazette,' to whose services 

 they have long been greatly indebted, and with whose 

 assistance arrangements are made for introducing ma- 

 terial improvements in the New Series, and particularly a 

 more regular and fuller account of scientific discoveries 

 in Foreign Countries. 



The commencement of this New Series suggests the 

 hope that the Philosophical Magazine may at this period 

 receive an accession to the number of its supporters. 

 Those of its Editors who have stood beside it for half a 

 century, and made it their endeavour that it should be 

 honestly, independently and usefully conducted, may be 

 permitted, on this occasion, to urge how much the means 

 of giving additional interest and value to the Journal 

 must depend upon the support afforded to them ; in 

 the hope that many lovers of science who are not already 

 subscribers may take this opportunity of adding to the 

 number of those by whose encouragement alone the work 

 has been upheld. 



In acknowledging the favours of theu- Correspondents, 

 the Editors confidently request a continuance of them as 

 the best means of insuring their future success. 



Richard Taylor. 



Jan. 1. 1851. 



