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A CYCH>BEr»fd’ ; 30tJ|5NlBi &NQ &EVTEW 
OF UNIVERSAL SPCJENCS'>AilD^lCl«'OWl.SDGD: 
HISTORICAL, NATURAL, (Alfp ^EpiCAL AftTS^AND SCIENCES: 
INDUSTRY, AGRICULTURE, EpuC|A£lp«> f In^ pv^RY'^EFUL INFORMATIONS 
with FlQVMs. 
EDITOR, C. S. RAFINESQUB,- 
Frofessor of Historical and Natural Sciences , 8{c.- 
VOL. I. 
PHILADELPHIA, spring of 183&. 
No. 1. 
ICnotvledge is the mental food of mam 
INTRODUCTION. 
Periodicals abound in the Uni- 
ted States ; but those calculated to 
Improve and instruct, to scatter the 
seeds of learning, and become emir 
nently useful by rendering all kind 
of knowledge and improvements 
popular, are as yet but few and 
costly; thus bejond the means of 
those whom they are most likely to 
benefit. It is such a deficiency that 
this journal is partly intended to 
It is contemplated therefore to 
publish, in the city of Philadelphia, 
a new periodical journal under the 
above title. It will be conducted 
by Prof. Rafinesque, assisted by 
several gentlemen of considerable 
talent and knowledge. 
This journal shall contain every 
iking calculated to enlighten, in- 
struct, and improve the mind. It 
will not be confined to any particu- 
lar branch of literature and science, 
but embrace by turns every subject 
useful or interesting. Agriculture 
and economy, with discoveries in 
the useful arts and practical sci- 
ences, will claim peculiar attention. 
Literature shall not be forgotten ; 
It is also a branch of knowledge, 
but facts shall have the preference 
over fiction. Reviews will be in- 
troduced on the new plan of stating 
the increase of knowledge afforded 
by books. The whole is intended 
to be original matter; selections 
shall seldom be resorted to. 
This journal is ventured without 
1 
any pretensions, and none of the 
usual pompous promises. It will 
be of a strikingly novel character, 
and must be left to speak for itself ; 
to deserve by its own intrinsic 
value and merit the patronage wdiich 
it claims from all the friends of 
knowledge, education and learning. 
The Editor being always in pur- 
suit of knowledge, will be able to 
furnish most of the articles, when 
not proffered by his collaborators. 
The subscription is limited to one 
dollar per annum, or two dollars 
for each volume of twelve numbers, 
or four hundred pages, title-page, 
index, and nearly fifty figures. This 
periodical is begun in a quarterly 
form, but it is hoped may soon be- 
come a monthly journal. 
Communications for this Journal, 
may be left at the post office or sent 
by mail, postage paid. None will 
be calculated for this paper unless 
very terse and concise, either use- 
ful or novel in character or purpose: 
new facts will be acceptable above 
all. Anonymous papers or Reviews 
will very seldom be accepted. 
Every writer ought never to be 
ashamed of his pen and deeds. The 
initials of C. S.R. will designate the 
editorial articles. 
1. LATENT KNOWLEDGE. 
Besides the actual active know- 
ledge of mankind, formed by the 
accumulation of exertions in all the 
branches of human acquirements; 
and spread in the numberless books 
