Dana — American Journal of Science, 1818-1918. 10 



ability in many sections of the union; and from the existence 

 of such a crisis in the affairs of this country and of the world, 

 as appears peculiarly auspicious to the success of every wise and 

 good undertaking. 



An interesting* discussion follows (pp. 5-8) as to the 

 claims of the different branches of science, and the extent 

 to which they and their applications had been already 

 developed, also the spheres still open to discovery. 



The Introductory Remarks close, as follows : 



In a word, the whole circle of physical science is directly 

 applicable to human wants and constantly holds out a light to 

 the practical arts; it thus polishes and benefits society and 

 everywhere demonstrates both supreme intelligence and harmony 

 and beneficence of design in the Creator. 



The science of mathematics, both pure and mixed, can never 

 cease to be interesting and important to man, as long as the 

 relations of quantity shall exist, as long as ships shall traverse 

 the ocean, as long as man shall measure the surface or heights 

 of the earth on which he lives, or calculate the distances and 

 examine the relations of the planets and stars; and as long as 

 the iron reign of war shall demand the discharge of projectiles, 

 or the construction of complicated defences. 



The closing part of the paragraph shows the influence 

 exerted upon the mind of the editor by the serious wars 

 of the years preceding 1818, a subject alluded to again at 

 the close of this chapter. 



In February, 1822, with the completion of the fourth 

 volume, the editor reviews the situation which, though 

 encouraging is by no means fully assuring. He says 

 (preface to vol. 4, dated Feb. 15, 1822) : 



Two years and a half have elapsed, since the publication of 

 the first volume of this Journal, and one year and ten months 

 since the Editor assumed the . pecuniary responsibility. . 



The work has not, even yet, reimbursed its expenses, (we 

 speak not of editorial or of business compensation,) we intend, 

 that it has not paid for the paper, printing and engraving ; the 

 proprietors of the first volume being in advance, on those 

 accounts, and the Editor on the same score, with respect to the 

 aggregate expense of the three last volumes. This deficit is, 

 however, no longer increasing, as the receipts, at present, just 

 about cover the expense of the physical materials, and of the 

 manual labour. A reiterated disclosure of this kind is not 

 grateful, and would scarcely be manly, were it not that the 

 public, who alone have the power to remove the difficulty, have 



