2 On the utility of Scientific Periodical Publications . 
cise state of the different branches of human knowledge ; 
they teach him the necessary caution for conducting ex- 
periments with vigour and accuracy, instead of drawing 
conclusions from a few insulated analyses, or imagining 
that his data are sufficiently perfect for establishing new 
systems. By reading these publications it is that he will 
enlarge his general conceptions, and will learn to emulate 
the various illustrious characters of all the enlightened 
countries of the world. In these treatises his views will 
not be confined to one object, but he will contemplate a 
scene continually varying. The physiology and pheno- 
mena of the animal and vegetable kingdoms ; the actions 
and re-actions of the different elementary substances in 
nature, and their combinations with each other, will pass 
in succession under his observation. 
The great physical laws which constitute and main- 
tain the equilibrium of the world, are inserted in respect- 
able works of this nature as they are discovered and de- 
monstrated, while the errors of former philosophers are 
detected and exposed ; by which means he has an op- 
portunity of ascertaining the value and correctness of 
those works he may be already in possession of. 
To those who consult an Encyclopaedia for scientific 
matter, these publications are of indispensable utility, by 
continually pointing out the numerous improvements as 
they become public, and by that means the general sys- 
tem of philosophical knowledge is kept to the level of 
the existing state of discovery. 
To the mechanic a repository of this kind must be 
highly useful, as the receptacle in which he may record 
his labours and improvements, and secure to himself the 
well-earned fame of his discoveries, at the same time that 
he derives advantage from others following his example 
in their contributions to the general fund of science. 
In short, there is no class of individuals but may profit 
