THE 



AMERICAN JOURNAL 



OF 



SCIENCE AND ARTS, 



CONDUCTED BY 



Prof. B. SILLIMAN and B. SILLIMAN, Jr, 

 OF YALE COLLEGE. 



To the Friends of Science, and more particularly to the Subscribers 

 and Patrons of the American Journal of Science and Arts, from 

 the Editors, 



We beg leave to present to }'our consideration the following statement. The 

 American Journal has been sustained during twenty five years; a generation of 

 men has almost passed away, while death and misfortune have nearly cancelled the 

 original subscription, which has however, from time to time, been recruited by 

 many additional names ; but the severe pecuniary vicissitudes of the last six years, 

 (affecting also, as we regret to learn, our literary cotemporaries,) have again crip- 

 pled our subscription list, which is now barely sufficient to pay the expenses of the 

 publication of the Journal ; and any considerable additional diminution might place 

 its existence in hazard. 



In two former periods of exigency, a frank disclosure was made to our subscri- 

 bers and to the public, and we hesitate not to do it again, deeming it no personal 

 humiliation, but an act of fidelity to the honor and the welfare of our country. 



The remedy is at hand, and it has been heretofore applied with success. 



We therefore respectfully invite each of our subscribers, and each of the sub- 

 scribers of our agents, to obtain one additional name ; to receive the advance pay- 

 ment ; to retain, if agreeable, one dollar or mors for compensation, and to remit the 

 balance and the name to us or to our agents, as may be preferred, under the post- 

 master's frank. This measure — simple, definite, practicable, and we hope not 

 onerous — would now prove, as it has done twice before, entirely sufficient, if fully 

 carried out — especially, seconded, as it will be, by our own personal exertions, in 

 other directions and ways ; for we cannot admit the idea that our country will re- 

 linquish its long accredited Journal of Science, which for so many years, has com- 

 manded the respectful attention of Europe as well as its own ; and we therefore 

 look, with hope and confidence, for the aid which we need, and which we have 

 endeavored to deserve. As the reviving prosperity of the country favors our over- 

 ture, the above invitation is, of course, extended to our personal friends and to all 

 the friends of science, whether heretofore subscribers or not. 



This Journal embraces in its plan, the entire circle of the Physical Sciences, and 

 their applications to the arts. It was begun in July, 1818 ; the forty sixth volume 

 is now in the press, and we have paid between sixty and seventy thousand dollars 

 for its support. Its limited subscription, the great expense for illustrations, and often 

 expensive technical composition, prevent the editors from reducing the price, any 

 farther than to do justice to their mail subscribers. The work could not be sus- 

 tained at a lower price. 



While it has prompted original American efforts, it has been sustained by them ; 

 and being devoted to important national and universal interests, it is in that charac- 

 ter known and accredited, both at home and abroad. It has elicited many valuable 

 researches and discoveries ; its miscellaneous department has presented a great va- 

 riety of topics of general interest ; and a large part of the work is not only quite 

 intelligible but interesting to the reading public, whether scientific or not. 



Avoiding local, personal, and party interests and prejudices, it forgoes the support 

 of popular feeling, and relies solely upon the intelligent a*nd the patriotic. 



