The Popular Science Monthly. 309 



must give attention to the course of scientific inquiry. Be- 

 lieving that there are many such in this country, and that 

 they are certani to become more numerous in future, 7'he 

 Popular Science Monthly has been commenced with the in- 

 tention of meeting their wants more perfectly than any 

 other periodical they can get. 



The work of creating science has been organized for cen- 

 turies. Royal societies and scientific academies are hun- 

 dreds of years old. Men of science have their journals in 

 all departments, in which they report to each the results of 

 original work, describe their processes, engage in mutual 

 criticism, and cultivate a special literature in the interests 

 of scientific advancement. 



The work of diffusing science is, however, as yet but 

 very imperfectly organized, although it is clearly the next 

 great task of civilization. The signs, however, are promis- 

 ing. Schools of science are springing up in all enlightened 

 countries, and old educational establishments are yielding 

 to the reformatory spirit, modifying and modernizing their 

 systems of study. There is, besides, a growing sympathy 

 on the part of men of science of the highest character with 

 the work of popular teaching, and an increasing readiness 

 to co-operate in undertakings that shall promote it. There 

 is, in fact, growing up a valuable literature of popular sci- 

 ence — not the trash that caters to public ignorance, wonder, 

 and prejudice, but able and instructive essays and lectures 

 from men who are authorities upon the subjects which they 

 treat. But the task of systematically disseminating these 

 valuable productions is as yet but imperfectly executed, 

 and we propose to contribute what we can to it in the pres- 

 ent publication. 



The Popular Science Monthly will make its appeal not 

 to the illiterate, but to the generally educated classes. The 

 universities, colleges, academies, and high schools of this 

 country are numbered by hundreds, and their graduates by 



