

CORRESPONDENCE. 327 



There are two general classes of people who ought to 

 take the " American Journal of Science," first, those who 

 are particularly interested in its subjects ; and secondly, 

 gentlemen not particularly devoted to any branch of study, 

 but who seek for valuable and popular works to supply their 

 libraries. In addition to these, every public library in the 

 country should take a copy. A reasonable patronage from 

 these sources would give the " Journal " a wide circulation, 

 and afford it ample support, such as would remunerate the 

 editors, publisher, and writers. In my mind, there is but 

 one mode of effecting this with any tolerable chance of 

 success, and that is for you to send out a circular, directed 

 to certain individuals by name, stating the present condition 

 of the " Journal," the importance it has acquired at home 

 and abroad, the influence it is calculated to exercise on the 

 progress of physical science in the country, by bringing 

 together the acquisitions of men of talents, learning, and 

 ardor ; also, the slender patronage it receives in proportion 

 to the expense and labor of the work ; and such other 

 things as may occur to you. Let this circular be sent only 

 to such persons as you have good reason to suppose will 

 feel an interest in the subject, such as contributors to the 

 work, physicians of eminence, men of skill and practice in 

 the mechanical arts, and professors of the sciences in the 

 colleges. Nor should this be done through the publisher, 

 but as coming directly from you, and with your own name, 

 accompanied with such suggestions and arguments as you 

 think will have weight. Let every one be solicited to pro- 

 cure names within the circle of his acquaintance, and let 

 him be urged to this by motives of patriotism, a love of 

 science, and the desire of encouraging research and the 

 diffusion of important knowledge by affording suitable re- 

 wards. Whether such a plan would be successful I know 

 not, but I should think it worthy of a trial, and in every 

 way consistent with the character and dignity of your work. 

 Meantime, the publisher must be spurred up to do his part. 



