

Journal. 259 



States through the medium of valuable books in all the 

 leading departments of knowledge. In further pursuance 

 of this important object, and rerogni/ing the increasing 

 tendency of the public to cultivate the periodical form of 

 literature, the publishers have engaged in the enterprise of 

 a weekly Journal, which they design to make worthy the 

 liberal patronage of the reading community. 



Omitting ordinary news and avoiding partisan advocacy, 

 both political and sectarian, the Journal will be devoted to 

 general literature, to science, art, and education, and to the 

 diffusion of valuable information upon subjects of public 

 importance. It is intended to make use of all resources, 

 original and selected, domestic and foreign, which can give 

 interest and variety to its pages; and neither exertion nor 

 expense will be spared to secure the aid of the best talent 

 of the time. We abstain from the large professions and 

 the parade of conspicuous names so common on these oc- 

 casions, and, trusting to the intelligence of the people, 

 shall be content to let the Journal speak for itself. 



The principal " attraction " in the new Journal was 

 the translation of Victor Hugo's L'Homme qui Rit, 

 published simultaneously with the appearance oi the 

 original work. The first number contained an excel- 

 lent article by the editor, What we mean by Science. 

 It is reprinted in full in the present book as an illus- 

 tration of his clear thought and admirable manner of 

 exposition.* But there was not very much science in 

 the Journal, for comparatively little room was allowed 

 for it. In such a novel enterprise the publishers were 

 haunted by a nervous dread of boring the general 

 reader. As Youmans wrote with grim humour to 

 Spencer, April 27, 1869, after four numbers had been 

 issued : 



* See below, pp. 486-490. 



