PREFACE. 
VU 
Another great advantage secured by periodical publication, in a cheap 
form, is the general diffusion of knowledge, and the consequent application 
of it to the common purposes and business of life. The time is past, when 
it was thought, that science was too great a mystery, to be within reach of 
the bulk of mankind ; when the philosopher, in the pride of his occult 
knowledge, exclaimed, Procul esteprofani . That knowledge w hich is only 
fit for the inquiries of the speculative in his closet, and has no reference to 
the general w ants, whether moral or physical, of mankind, is little thought 
of in the present day. Utility, in its enlarged sense, is the grand test; 
and as that which is known to few, cannot be of extensive utility, com- 
munication is one of the duties impressed upon us by the growing spirit 
of the age. There, is something peculiarly convenient too in the perio- 
dical recurrence of short communications ; the most busy may find time 
for their perusal, while those least disposed to reflection or study, are 
lured into an attention they had otherwise never manifested. Informa- 
tion is thus acquired almost unconsciously, by those who would other- 
wise startle at the very name of science, forgetting, that after all, science 
is but the knowledge and classification of facts ; and that he w ho 
can perceive the connection of two or more facts, and can sepa- 
rate that which is common to them, is so far acquiring science, and a 
knowledge of first principles. In this, as in all other cases, men have 
been imposed upon by words ; and it is not one of the least benefits attri- 
butable to these works, that they have, in some degree, tended to introduce 
just notions on the subject, and to familiarize us w r ith discussions which 
were vulgarly considered to be beyond the reach of ordinary readers. 
It will be obvious that we do not claim such high merits for our hum- 
ble publication. Its title sufficiently indicates its character, and the view's 
with which it has been projected. And if its tone appear to correspond less 
than could be expected, with the general views we have alluded to, it will, 
we doubt not, be taken into consideration by the candid, that it is a first 
attempt in a country w'here, till lately, every first attempt was certain to 
fail ; that it has been carried on by the unassisted means of a private indi- 
vidual; that the editorial duties are conducted by one w ho has other 
and large claims on his time ; and finally, that w ith the utmost possible en- 
couragement we could look to, funds could never be realized so as to 
admit of remuneration for able contributions. When, therefore, it is recol- 
lected, that the Proprietor, Editor, and Contributors, are all volunteers, who 
neither look to gain by the sale of the work, nor receive any pecuniary 
return for their assistance, it will, perhaps, be admitted, that if we fall 
short of accomplishing all that periodical publications, under more 
favorable circumstances, have effected in other countries, we have at least 
some excuse, for our failure. It is something to have established a 
