Dana — American Journal of Science, 1818-1918. 17 



ume. No apology is needed for quoting at considerable 

 length, for only in this way can the situation be made 

 clear, as seen by the editor in 1818. Further we gain 

 here a picture of the intellectual life of the times and, not 

 less interesting, of the mind and personality of the writer. 

 With a frank kindliness, eminently characteristic of the 

 man, as will be seen, he takes the public fully into his 

 confidence. In the remarks made in subsequent vol- 

 umes, — also extensively quoted — the vicissitudes in the 

 conduct of the enterprise are brought out and when suc- 

 cess was no longer doubtful, there is a tone of quiet 

 satisfaction which was also characteristic and which the 

 circumstances fully justified. 



The Introductory Remarks begin as follows : 



The age in which we live is not less distinguished by a vigorous 

 and successful cultivation of physical science, than by its numer- 

 ous and important applications to the practical arts, and to the 

 common purposes of life. 



In every enlightened country, men illustrious for talent, worth 

 and knowledge, are ardently engaged in enlarging the bound- 

 aries of natural science; and the history of their labors and 

 discoveries is communicated to the world chiefly through the 

 medium of scientific journals. The utility of such journals has 

 thus become generally evident ; they are the heralds of science ; 

 they proclaim its toils and its achievements; they demonstrate 

 its intimate connection as well with the comfort, as with the 

 intellectual and moral improvement of our species ; and they 

 often procure for it enviable honors and substantial rewards. 



Mention is then made of the journals existing in 

 England and France in 1818 " which have long enjoyed a 

 high and deserved reputation. ' ' He then continues: 



From these sources our country reaps and will long continue 

 to reap, an abundant harvest of information: and if the light 

 of science, as well as of day, springs from the East, we will wel- 

 come the rays of both ; nor should national pride induce us to 

 reject so rich an offering. 



But can we do nothing in return? 



In a general diffusion of useful information through the vari- 

 ous classes of society, in activity of intellect and fertility of 

 resource and invention, producing a highly intelligent popula- 

 tion, we have no reason to shrink from a comparison with any 

 country. But the devoted cultivators of science in the United 

 States are comparatively few: they are, however, rapidly 

 increasing in number. Among them are persons distinguished 

 for their capacity and attainments, and, notwithstanding the 



