vi 
'points, in which our highest interests are concerned. To 
aid our researches, we still require that solid information 
arising out of extensive operations and experience, which 
European cotemporaries are continually affording. 
Let it not be said, we have the books amongst us from 
^vhich these treasures may he culled ! To be extensive- 
ly useful, they must be widely disseminated ; but this is 
not to be effected by a few imported copies. Our own 
presses must diffuse their contents, or they will continue 
to perish upon the shelves of individuals, or in our pub- 
lic libraries ! Independently too of this consideration, 
much foreign matter, useless to our country, adds greatly 
to the expense of the imported works in question. 
France, that imperial Colossus, has evinced by her 
present existence, the truth of the maxim, that 6i Know- 
ledge is power.” At the period in which she was threa- 
tened with the inroads of foreign enemies, her means of 
defence were poured in profusion from domestic sources 
into her lap, by the skilful operations of a few scientific 
men. Nitre, the chief constituent of the means of war, 
was abundantly formed by their directions, when all fo- 
reign sources were completely dried up : And to this pe- 
riod, the greater part of her powder is supplied from the 
products of her own soil. — How long did the scientific 
operations of Archimedes baffle the attacks of the vete- 
ran bands of Home ! Surely, then, reason and sound 
public policy will dictate the encouragement of a diffu- 
sion of knowledge, on which, perhaps, at some future 
day, the very destinies of our country may depend. 
The Emporium professes to be a source of practical 
information in the various branches of scientific research , 
and is intended to convey the rich harvest of facts , con- 
