Were the term "leading periodical" intended to refer to any comparison of this with other works, the compliment would sink into utter insignificance in our estimation; it is not employed to class it with them, but to designate it as a standard work of science, and as an authority of high character.

Those works which have crept into existence since the establishment of this journal are of a character which will not admit of their being viewed in competition with it, and when mentioned, it must be in contrast, not in comparison; and those which preceded it obtained but a very limited circulation, chiefly confined to the older class of chemical readers who were actuated by respect for the Tillochs and Nicholsons of some forty-five years back, who would now make a very poor figure, unless they were drilled for some time in the new school. Our deep concern and anxiety for our national credit and honor, with regard to science, cause us to shrink with humility when called on to notice productions such as have lately appeared, and which are so much below the lowest grade of mediocrity that we cannot but lament the frequency of that intolerable nuisance-the cacoëthes scribendi. It would indeed give us much pain if these efforts were evidences of the state of science in this kingdom, far behind, as we regret to state it is, that of the Continent; but, happily, they expose only the ignorance of their authors.

Of very few journals of science has it been the lot to survive, much less to advance in public favor, for four years.

From our first number, we have labored, with no common pains and zeal, to promote the cultivation and encouragement of chemistry, as the means most conducive to the prosperity and happiness of a people among which flourish the arts of civilised society, and to whose very existence science is almost indispenable; and, looking at the results of its application to agriculture and physiology alone, we see still greater reason for urging its claims on those, who, from casualty, occupy the "vantage ground," feeling assured that its pursuit is far more honorable than horse-racing and such like frivolous diversions as occupy nearly the whole of the junior branches of the aristocracy. No gentleman's education can be complete without it; and every mechanic's condition would be improved by an acquaintance with chemistry, if he have the industry to acquire and the tact to apply it: there is no source whence improvements in the arts and manufactures can be so amply derived as from this science, from which new channels of profit and employment are of daily occurrence, and by means of which objects of luxury and refinement are produced.

We proceed to notice the more important contents of this volume.

Among the more valuable translated and selected articles we may mention:-" On Pepsin, the Principle of Digestion, by Dr.

VOGEL, jun.; a valuable paper, by DUMAS and CAHOURS, "On the Neutral Nitrogenous Matters of Organisation;"" On Chemical Equivalents, considered as simple Multiples of Hydrogen," by M. PELOUZE; MARCHAND "On the Chemical Composition of the Bones;" Drs. HAIDLEN and FRESENIUS "On the Employment of Cyanuret of Potassium in Chemical Analysis;" "On the Quantity of Carbonic Acid Exhaled by the Human Lungs," by MM. ANDRAL and GAVARRT; FREMY "On the Metallic Acids:" LIEBIG "On the Nitrogenous Nutritive principles of Plants;" "Analysis of Organicand Mineral Charcoals," by M. LASSAIGNE; Dr. J. LAWRENCE SMITH "On the Action of Potassa on Cholesterine;" GUIBOURT "On the Intestinal Concretions of Animals, known under the name of Bezoars;" Dr. J. L. SMITH "On the Composition and Products of Distillation of Spermaceti, with some few Remarks on its Oxidation by Nitric Acid," "On some Separations operated by means of Sulphurous Acid, and the Alkaline Sulphites," by M. P. BERTHIER; LASSAIGNE "On a Simple Process for Detecting the Presence of Nitrogen in Minute Quantities of Organic Matter;" GERHARDT'S "Investigations concerning the Organic Alkalis;" MILION "On the Oxygenous Compounds of Chlorine;" BERZELIUS, "On the Sulphurets of Phosphorus ;' Prince Louis LUCIEN BONAPARTE "On a Means of Separating Deutoxide of Cerium from Deutoxide of Didymium;" LEWY "On Bees' Wax;" ROUSSEAU "On Ferments;" Professor MAGONTY, "On the Specific Gravity of Metals;" FORDOS and GELIS "On the Action of Sulphurous Acids on the Metals ;" CHODNEW, "On the Action of Potassa on the Oxides of Copper, Iron, and Silver;" Dr. JULIUS HAIDLEN "On the Salts contained in the Milk of the Cow, and on the Analysis of Milk; "On Butyric Acid," by MM. PELOUZE and GELIS; PREVOST and MORIN "On the Digestion of the Herbivora;" WILL, "On the Determination of Nitrogen;" ROCHLEDER, "On Casein ;" Dr. VOGEL, sen., "On the Action of Sulphurous Acids on Metallic Oxides;""Experiments intended to Establish the Difference between Fluoboric and Hydrofluoboric Acids," by BERZELIUS; Dr. C. ENDERLIN "On the Acids of the Gastric Juice, &c., &c. ;" with many other very interesting articles by H. Rose, Fordos and Gélis, Bineau, Silliman, Buchner, Liebig, Wöhler, Marchand, Dumas, Frémy, Matteuci, Gmelin, Bouchardat, Berzelius, Erdmann, Lassaigne, Tracconot, Malaguti, Berthier, Gerhardt, Petzholte, Pelouze, Levol, Millon, Laurent, Cahours, Rousseau, Gay-Lussac, Meillet, Boullay, Vogel, Dœbereiner, Péligot, &c., &c.

The principal original contributions to this section are by our talented friend Mr. REUBEN PHILLIPS (our former pupil), of Exeter, Mr. LEWIS THOMPSON, of the Royal Polytechnic Institution; Mr. R. W. Fox; Mr. J. S. MUSPRATT, of Liverpool;

Dr. ROBERT HARE, Professor of Chemistry, Pennsylvania ; and Dr. P. J. MURPHY, of Liverpool.

In the department of CHEMICAL MANUFACTURES AND AGRICULTURAL CHEMISTRY We have given many papers of great value, abstracts of many specifications of improvements in the Arts, and many articles calculated to advance the Agriculture of this country: we may point out as among the most interesting:-"On Thermography," by our esteemed correspondent, Mr. R. HUNT; HOCHSTETTER "On the Formation of White Lead;" "An Improved Method of Obtaining Likenesses," &c., by RICHARD BEARD; "On Galvanography," by JACOBI; "Improvements in Manures;" "On the Manufacture of the Alkaline Chromates, and on the Analysis of Chrome Iron Ore," by C. WATT, jun.; "Improvements in the Manufacture of the Carbonates of Soda and Potassa," by W. T. CLOUGH; WATERTON'S "Improvements in the Manufacture of Sal-Ammoniac;" two memoirs "On Manures and their Comparative Values," by MM. BouSSINGAULT and PAYEN; "On the Analysis of Soils and Manures;" "Action of Ammoniacal Salts on Vegetation," by M. A. BOUCHARDAT; "Production of the Guano of Commerce," by Dr. M. HAMILTON; improvements in Dyeing Wool, Woollen Cloths, Cotton, Silks, and other Fabrics and Materials," by PETER KAGENBUSCH; "Fixation of Iron Mordants on Calico," by SCHLUMBERGER; "Investigations Concerning the Fattening of Cattle and the Formation of Milk," by LIEBIG, DUMAS, BOUSSINGAULT, MAGENDIE, and PAYEN; M. SAINT-CLAIR DUPORT'S "important memoir on the " Production of the Precious Metals in Mexico, Considered in its Relations to Geology, Metallurgy, and Political Economy;" "New Process of Polishing Daguerreotype Plates," by M. DAGUERRE; "Improvements in Paints;"" Process of Making Wrought Iron Direct from the Ore," by Mr. W. N. CLAY; "On Guano or Huano," by MM. GIRARDIN and BIDARD; "The Smoke Nuisance; on the Production and Prevention of Smoke," by Mr. H. DIRCKS; Mr. HUNT "On Chromatype;" "On the Electro-Chemical Application of Oxides and Metals on Metals," by M. E. BECQUEREL. With many others of great importance.

In the department of PHARMACY, MATERIA MEDICA, THERAPEUTICS, &c., we have given about 250 articles interesting to the Pharmaceutist. To give anything like an analysis of this portion of the work is, therefore, next to impossible. However, we may mention among the translated and selected articles :-AUBERGIER, "On Lactucarium;" "Association of Sulphate of Quinine with Carbonic Acid in the Treatment of Marsh Fevers," by M. MEIRIEU; "Numerous Cases of Poisoning;" "Adulterations;" A Discussion, conducted with ability, on the Use of Malt Liquors; "On the Use of the

Unripe Fruit of the Diospyros virginiana, as a Therapeutic Agent," by J. P. METTAUER, M.D.; "Antidotes for Poisons;" "Toxicological Studies Concerning the Vegetable Alkalis," by A. LAROCQUE and A. THIBIERGE;" "On some Obscure cases of Poisoning," by Dr. CHRISTISON; "Deleterious Effects Produced by an Infusion of Tobacco Applied to the Skins of Animals," by Dr. JOHN S. HILEY; F. G. LEROY on "Processes of Preparing Syrups of Acid Juices;" "Papers on the Indian Hemp ;" "Treatment of Gout with Carbonic Acids," by Mr. J. PARKIN; "Chemical and Toxicological Experiments Relative to Prussic Acid," by M. BONJEAN; "On the Special Function of the Skin," an ingenious paper, presented to the Royal Society by Dr. R. WILLIS. With useful papers by Meissner, Hooke, Lewinstein, Dr. Watson, Filhol, Buchner, Colla, Pitschaft, Du pasquier, Mililotti, Reinsch, Rousse, Stanley, Degrange, Salvolini, O'Shaughnessy, G. Boissière, Brousse, A. Bouchardat, Nasse, Meyer, O. Kohnke, Dr. Coulton, Dr. G. F. Collier, Dr. Bence Jones, Scharn, Bonjean, Barach, Professor Otto, Dr. T. J. Farre, Dr. Allé, Prince Louis Lucien Bonaparte, Soubeiran, Deschamps, Devergie, Calau, Lewis Thompson, A. J. Cooley, Davallon, Behrens, Dr. J. I. Nicol, Roelands, & c., &c., &c.

The valuable paper "On Medicinal Extracts," by our much esteemed friend, Mr. G. M. MOWBRAY, deserves especial notice, as the best Pharmaceutical paper in the volume, any expression concerning the character of which is quite unnecessary; our readers have, doubtless, attentively perused it, and cannot but feel grateful to its author.

In strict compliance with the principles by which we have ever been actuated in conducting this work, we have this year devoted much time, energy, and space, to subjects connected with the position of Pharmaceutical Chemists as a body. In several articles we have reviewed the Society which, numbering little more than three thousand, has arrogated to itself the title of the representative of those connected with the Pharmacy of Great Britain, who amount to more than ten times as many. We have proved it worse than uselessness, as at present managed; we have shown that there is no probabilty of its powers being extended; we have demonstrated that the provincial chemist is not placed on the same footing as his metropolitan brethren, except as to the amount of subscription. We have been unsparing and uncompromising in our denunciation of this Society and its management, and we will, desist from censuring it only when it ceases to merit reproof. Our readers must not suppose that we are sleeping; on the contrary, we have made up our mind to a course which must prove fatal to this Society, unless some very considerable reforms in its constitution be speedily effected; we "bide our time," and we will in the course

of two or three months, array against the Pharmaceutical Society such damning proofs of its worthlessness as shall almost make every member ashamed of, and regret, his even temporary connection with it. Our endeavors have been strenuous and sincere, and ultimately they must and will prevail against this monstrous mass of abuse.

We have also found occasion to censure the manner in which the "Commission to Inquire into the Present State of Large Towns in England and Wales, with reference to the causes of health and disease among the inhabitants, has been constituted; and we have shown the incompetency of one Commissioner, and, when the Report is printed, we shall no doubt find much

more matter for censure.

During a recent visit to Manchester and Liverpool, we devoted much time to examining into the state of those towns in this important respect, and we have given the result of our observations in the November number of this journal. We shall keep the subject in mind.

We take this opportunity of requesting our readers to alleviate our labors, and assist in advancing the science of their country, by communicating to THE CHEMIST any observations on subjects connected with it which may occur to them, and we shall at all times feel indebted to those who contribute to it.

In conclusion, we may mention that we have many promises of valuable papers, on important subjects, by gentlemen highly competent to treat of them; and we have no doubt of rendering the next volume of THE CHEMIST very far superior even to the one we have just completed. We have also some very important French and German Memoirs, by the most eminent chemists, to lay before our readers at the beginning of the year 1844. We have sources of matter and information not open to other journals, and of which we shall make extensive use for the benefit of our readers, to whom we sincerely wish full enjoyment of that festive season which, ere we again have the pleasure of addressing them, will have passed away, and in the anticipation of our fifth opportunity of wishing them a happy, prosperous New Year.