Although a different selection of an editor would have been much preferred, and many reasons, public and personal, concurred to produce diffidence of success, the arguments of Col. Gibbs, whose views on subjects of science were entitled to the most respectful consideration, and had justly great weight, being pressed with zeal and ability, induced a reluctant assent; and accordingly, after due consultation with many competent judges, the proposals were issued early in 1818, embracing the whole range of physical science and its applications. The Editor in entering on the duty, regarded it as an affair for life, and the thirty years of experience which he has now had, have proved that his views of the exigencies of the service were not erroneous.
The plan with which the editor began his work and the lines laid down by him at the outset can only be made clear by quoting entire the “Plan of the Work” which opens the first number. It seems desirable also to give this in its original form as to paragraphs and typography. The first page of the cover of the opening number has also been reproduced here. It will be seen that the plan of the young editor was as wide as the entire range of science and its applications and extended out to music and the fine arts. This seems strange to-day, but it must be remembered how few were the organs of publication open to contributors at the time. If the plan was unreasonably extended, that fact is to be taken not only as an expression of the enthusiasm of the editor, as yet inexperienced in his work, but also of the time when the sciences were still in their infancy.
He says (1, pp. v, vi):
“PLAN OF THE WORK.
This Journal is intended to embrace the circle of The Physical Sciences, with their application to The Arts, and to every useful purpose.
It is designed as a deposit for original American communications; but will contain also occasional selections from Foreign Journals, and notices of the progress of science in other countries. Within its plan are embraced
Natural History, in its three great departments of Mineralogy, Botany, and Zoology;
Chemistry and Natural Philosophy, in their various branches: and Mathematics, pure and mixed.
It will be a leading object to illustrate American Natural History, and especially our Mineralogy and Geology.
The Applications of these sciences are obviously as numerous as physical arts, and physical wants; for no one of these arts or wants can be named which is not connected with them.