vi 
PREFACE. 
ther, but for this judicious resolution. We shall thus derive a twofold 
benefit from the enlightened and liberal views of Government ; and as we 
intend to devote any surplus arising from the work, to its improvement, 
we hope to make it, every year, more and more worthy of the attention 
of the public. In particular, we shall devote our attention to reports of 
the progress of European science, and large extracts from the European 
journals. Being no longer confined to the narrow compass of 32 pages, 
we shall be more able to do justice to this part of our Editorial labours. 
While thus adverting to the increase of patronage, public and private, 
which it has been our good fortune to experience, it would be unpardon- 
able to omit our acknowledgements for the notice taken of our labours by 
the Class of Natural History and Physics of the Asiatic Society. Besides 
subscribing liberally to the work, they have selected it as a vehicle .for 
publishing all the minor communications made to them, the ephemeral in- 
terest attaching to which, renders them unsuitable to publication in the 
regular volume of their Researches, on account of the necessary delay of 
printing a large work. These will, then, be given, in future, in our pages, 
and they will, we are confident, be found greatly to enhance the interest 
and value of our work, while, we doubt not, that in return the authors find- 
ing their views given quickly to the public, will thereby be stimulated to 
fresh exertions ; a reaction being thus established, which may have a bene- 
ficial effect on the Society itself, and add energy and interest to its pro- 
ceedings. 
Of the great utility of periodical publications, few, in the present a^e 
have any doubt. Were any proof wanting, the extraordinary progress 
of European science, since these publications have become more Gene- 
ral, would be sufficient. To construct, from our own materials, a Com- 
plete treatise on any subject, however limited, falls within the ability or 
industry of few men. But to cast a solitary ray of light on any particu- 
lar branch of a subject, is within the power of all, and the inclination of 
many. To collect and retain these scattered rays, till they can be com- 
bined into one strong focus of light, is the object of works devoted to 
periodical publication. Where such are fully established, and ably con- 
ducted, knowledge must be progressive, cannot be retrograde; every par- 
ticular is laid up for use, and the philosopher, when he proceeds to his 
task ol framing theories, has thus a rich storehouse of facts from which 
to draw his illustrations of new views, or refutations of the old ones. 
Any one, who will refer to the many volumes of scientific journals pub 
lished within the last 20 years, must be struck with the mass of informa- 
tion they contain, which requires but to be methodised, and arranged • to 
be but freed from its dross, and smelted down, to exhibit the rich metal 
of real science. 
