2 
admitted, by all with whom I converse, that the American Journal is 
the best and most original Journal in-the English language.” We 
cannot expect the opinion of a partial foreign friend (although a very 
competent judge) to guide the public sentiment of this country ; and 
although we cannot with the Roman Poet exclaim “Exegi mon- 
umentum ere perennius,” it may perhaps, when we are cut down, 
be recorded on our humble stone, that the leader of a forlorn hope 
fell in the breach, and left it open, that abler and better men might 
enter. 
Plan.—May we presume again to recommend the simple expe- 
dient adopted, in case of this Journal in 1829, namely, that each. 
subscriber should kindly endeavor to obtain one more. In this man- 
ner with little trouble to any one, the subscription might be soon as 
it then was, doubled ; the work would then, be secure again for a se- 
ries of years, and its capabilities of usefulness would be greatly ex- 
tended. 
In this country, such a work, involving peculiar difficulties, can 
neither be got up, nor sustained, without great effort and persever- 
ance. Avoiding all local, personal, and party interests and ex- 
citements, it thus entirely foregoes the support afforded by popu- 
lar feeling, and therefore relies, as at has a full right to do, solely, 
upon the intelligent, the interested, the patriotic, and the philan- 
thropic. 
For the support of such a work, it is worse than useless, to resort 
to indiscriminate solicitations. ‘The transient subscriptions, obtained 
in that manner, will produce only a delusive expectation of support, 
and a certain increase of expense. 
Such persons, therefore, and such only, should be addressed, as, 
from thetr considerate and correct estimation of the value of useful 
knowledge, or from their interests and taste, will probably become per- 
manent patrons. 
PROSPECTUS. 
In 1810, 11 and 12, the late Dr. Bruce, of New York, published 
his Journal of Mineralogy and Geology in one volume of four num- 
bers. ! EN Pa 
The American Journal, was, however, the first, that in this coun- 
try, embraced in its plan, the entire circle of the Physical Sciences, 
and their applications to the arts. It was begun in July, 1818, and 
has completed its twenty seventh volume. 
While it has prompted original American efforts, it has been sus- 
tained by them, and being devoted to important national interests, in 
a great measure common also to all mankind, it is, in that character, 
known and accredited, both at home and abroad. It has: elicited 
many valuable researches and discoveries, and its miscellaneous de- 
