If we may be allowed to express a wish relative to the nature of future communications, it would be, that those of a scientific nature should not be diminished, while those relating to the arts, to agriculture, and to domestic economy, should be increased; we particularly solicit the communications of practical men, versed in the useful and ornamental arts, and they will be acceptable should they not even be clothed in a scientific dress.
Arrangements have been made for the reception of an increased number of the best European Journals, both from the continent and from Britain; they have already begun to arrive, and we hope to give in future numbers, more full details of foreign scientific intelligence, although it is true that this species of information has hitherto been stinted, not from poverty of materials, but from the pressure of original American communications.
In justice to the publishers of this work, we add, that this publication is an expensive one; very heavy advances have been already made by them, while only a trivial amount has been received in return. It is hoped, therefore, that subscribers will promptly remit, free from postage, the small stipulated sum, and also make the required advance for the succeeding volume. This last is not due till the first number of that volume has been issued, but it would save postage to remit both sums at once, and thus also it will be known what subscriptions are continued. In a subscription so widely dispersed over a large portion of the United States, an inattention to punctual payment, must soon put in hazard the existence of a work, having otherwise the fairest prospects of continuance, and we hope of usefulness.
Should this appeal be promptly answered, the first number of the next volume (already in considerable forwardness,) will be published in the course of the summer; and should men of ability continue to furnish communications, and the public be willing to pay for the work, it is our wish to publish future numbers with greater frequency, and to complete our volumes whenever we are prepared, without confining ourselves to particular periods of time.
New-Haven, Conn. May 17, 1819.
POSTSCRIPT.
American geological society.