PHEFACE. 
With the new year I shall begin a new book, in the strong 
hope that more readers and more correspondents will join in aiding me 
in my earnest desire to popularize and to extend the noble science of 
geology without sacrificing, in any way, its proper dignity. The 
responsibility, to a conscientious mind, of a popular Magazine is not 
slight. Nothing once printed is innocuous or inert. There is a corre- 
lation of human passions and intellect, as of physical force, and the 
effects of the printed sentence may be felt in eternity. The newspaper, 
with all its learning, its daily interest, the labour, skill, and cost of its 
production, passes with the day which gave it birth, but the magazine 
is bound into a volume, and may be read again months or years after- 
wards, and become, as it often does, the first course of instruction ^ to 
younger minds. To make, then, this Magazine something more than a 
mere mirror of passing events, has been my aim and object ; and the 
reward of all my anxiety and care to which I have hopefully looked 
forward, has been to see it not only a welcome monthly visitor, but a 
cherished friend. 
To my many friends I take this opportunity of offering my warmest 
thanks, but to none am I so much indebted as I am to my true and 
valued friend, Mr. T. Rupert Jones. For the communications of my 
numerous correspondents I would also return special thanks, and I 
desire again to express a hope that the humblest geologist in this 
or any other land will never hesitate to communicate anything that lie 
thinks a new fact or a discovery. No one at my hands will ever meet 
with a rebuff for his want of knowledge or skill, and it will ever be to 
those only who deserve it that I shall apply or sanction the sharp 
words of censure. 
In the interval before our monthly intercourse is resumed, the most 
genial season, and warmest of all the year in friendship and spirit — if 
the coldest in temperature — will have passed over, with the celebration 
of those cherished festivities in which few, indeed, willingly fail to 
participate. 
In the expressions of good wishes at this convivial season, none will 
be more sincere than those which I now oflfer to the many friends and 
acquaintances which my literary labours of the past year have gathered 
round me. 
S. J. MACKIE. 
Tachbrook-street, Pimlico, Dec. 1858. 
