SILLIMAN'S REVIEW 



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 auspi- 

 cious to the success of every wise and good undertaking.' 

 " After an interesting discussion of the claims of the 

 different branches of science as then recognized, the in- 

 troduction closes with the following paragraph : 



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

 directly applicable to human wants and constantly holds 

 out a light to the practical arts; it thus polishes and 

 benefits society and everywhere demonstrates both su- 

 preme intelligence and harmony and beneficence of design 

 in the Creator.' 



" In reviewing the work accomplished at the close of 

 more than thirty years of editorial labor, the editor writes 

 with a modest self-congratulation, not unnatural. He 

 says, referring to the introduction which has been quoted : 

 ' Such was the pledge which, on entering upon our 

 editorial labors in 1818, we gave to the public, and such 

 were the views which we then entertained regarding 

 science and the arts as connected with the interests and 

 honor of our country and of mankind. In the retrospect, 

 we realize a sober but grateful feeling of satisfaction in 

 having, to the extent of our power, discharged these self- 

 imposed obligations; this feeling is chastened also by a 

 deep sense of gratitude, first, to God for life and power 

 continued for so high a purpose; and next, to our noble 

 band of contributors, whose labors are recorded in half a 

 century of volumes, and in more than a quarter of a cen- 

 tury of years. We need not conceal our conviction, that 

 the views expressed in these " Introductory Remarks" 

 have been fully sustained by our fellow-laborers. . . . 

 If a retrospective survey of the labors of thirty years on 

 this occasion has rekindled a degree of enthusiasm, it is a 

 natural result of an examination of all our volumes, from 

 the contents of which we have endeavored to make out a 

 summary both of the laborers and their works. . . . 



' The series of volumes must ever form a work of 

 permanent interest on account of its exhibiting the pro- 

 gress of American science during the long period which 

 it covers. Comparing 1817 with 1847, we mark on this 

 subject a very gratifying change. The cultivators of 



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