AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SCIENCE 31 



(1, p. 3, 1818), although "both in this country and in 

 Europe received in a very flattering manner, " did not 

 survive the death of its founder, and only a single vol- 

 ume of 270 pages appeared (1810-1813). * 

 Silliman continues : 



No one, it is presumed, will doubt that a journal devoted to 

 science, and embracing a sphere sufficiently extensive to allure 

 to its support the principal scientific men of our country, is 

 greatly needed; if cordially supported, it will be successful, 

 and if successful, it will be a great public benefit. 



Even a failure, in so good a cause, (unless it should arise from 

 incapacity or unfaithfulness,) cannot be regarded as dishonour- 

 able. It may prove only that the attempt was premature, and 

 that our country is not yet ripe for such an undertaking; for 

 without the efficient support of talent, knowledge, and money, 

 it cannot long proceed. No editor can hope to carry forward 

 such a work without the active aid of scientific and practical 

 men; but, at the same time, the public have a right to expect 

 that he will not be sparing of his own labour, and that his work 

 shall be generally marked by the impress of his own hand. To 

 this extent the editor cheerfully acknowledges his obligations 

 to the public ; and it will be his endeavour faithfully to redeem 

 his pledge. 



Most of the periodical works of our country have been short- 

 lived. This, also, may perish in its infancy ; and if any degree 

 of confidence is cherished that it will attain a maturer age, it is 

 derived from the obvious and intrinsic importance of the under- 

 taking; from its being built upon permanent and momentous 

 national interests; from the evidence of a decided approbation 

 of the design, on the part of gentlemen of the first eminence, 

 obtained in the progress of an extensive correspondence; from 

 assurance of support, in the way of contributions, from men of 

 ability in many sections of the union; and from the existence 

 of such a crisis in the affairs of this country and of the world, 

 as appears peculiarly auspicious to the success of every wise and 

 good undertaking. 



An interesting discussion follows (pp. 5-8) as to the 

 claims of the different branches of science, and the extent 

 to which they and their applications had been already 

 developed, also the spheres still open to discovery. 



The Introductory Remarks close, as follows : 



In a word, the whole circle of physical science is directly 

 applicable to human wants and constantly holds out a light to 



