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Little, wo believe, need be said of the advantages of the rapid dissemination of scientific information, and that little has been so well said by a great scientific authority, that we make no apology for quoting here from a work so well known as Sir John Herschel’s Preliminary Discourse on the Study of Natural Philosophy, “ Perhaps' it may be truly remarked,” says that distinguished man, “ that, next to the establishment of institutions having either the promotion of science in general, or, what is still more practically efficacious in its present advanced state, that of particular departments of physical inquiry for their express objects, nothing has exercised so powerful an influence on the progress of modern science as the publication of scientific journals, of which there is now scarcely a nation in Europe which does not produce several. The quick and universal circulation of these, places observers in all countries on the same level of perfect intimacy with each others objects and jnethods, and serves to direct the course of general observation, as well as to hold out in the most conspicuous manner models for emulative imitation. Nothing can be more discouraging to one engaged in active research than the impression that all he is doing may, very likely, be labour taken in vain; that it may, perhaps, have been already done, and much better done than with his opportunities or his resources he can hope to perform it; and on the other hand nothing can be more exciting than the contrary impression. Thus by giving a connected view of what has been done, and what remains to be accomplished, those digests and bodies of science which from time to time appear have, in fact, a very important weight in determining its future progress, quite independent of the quantity of information they communicate.” Wliat was so true in 1830 is still more so in 1860, for in these thirty years what progress has Chemistry male ! In 1830 one moderately sized octavo volume contained all that was known of the science, and the names of the observers were comparatively few. To day a “ Handbook ” of Chemistry already extends to thirteen volumes, and is still uncompleted, while the name of the experimenters is “ Legion.” From this cause the continual additions made to our knowledge of the science renders a special work on the subject out of date almost as soon as printed. It was to supply the English Chemist with these constant extensions that the Chemical News was first projected, and it is confidently hoped that the design lias been in a great measure fulfilled. That the attempt has-been well received is sufficiently shown by the circulation and influence the Journal has already attained, and which is still extending.