Introductory Paper. 
13 
But there is a more important view of our Journal, in 
its relation to the general interests of the Colony—we 
mean, its bearing on the intellectual and moral character 
of the community. Though not professedly devoted to 
moral or religious subjects, it may nevertheless perform 
important service to both. In morals especially, causes 
which operate by an indirect and unobtrusive agency are 
not always the least efficacious. The circulation of a 
Journal of Science, upon matters of local interest, among 
the inhabitants of this rising country, is calculated to 
produce a most salutary effect upon their character: by 
leading them to the study of Nature, and habituating 
them to reflect on the interesting objects around them, 
it would afford valuable exercise to their mental powers, 
and open up new and most productive sources of pleasure 
and enjoyment. The situation of a settler in Australia 
is peculiarly in want of such a stimulus. He is not 
unfrequently a man of intelligence and education. But 
living in comparative seclusion, and far removed from 
the stirring scenes and transactions of European society, 
his mind is apt to become relaxed, and to lose its former 
tone and vigour ; or to be narrowed and contracted by 
exclusive converse with petty details ; or, still worse to 
be given up to the sordid passion for accumulating wealth. 
In such circumstances whatever would tend, like the 
Journal in question, to excite his attention to, and lead 
him to find an interest and pleasure in, the events and 
appearances of surrounding Nature, could not fail to be 
peculiarly beneficial. It would serve to alleviate the 
monotony and tediousness of his situation—to prevent the 
inactivity and consequent deterioration of his mental 
faculties—to counteract the power of ungenerous and 
debasing passions, and to add the dignity of a cultivated 
and well-informed mind to the simplicity of rural occu¬ 
pation and sequestered life. 
