Star.
London, England, 1829-07-02 00:00:00

LITERATURE.

BULLETIN UNIVERSEL DES SCIENCES.
We have just perused a very interesting pamphlet,
r recently published in Paris, containing a discourse on
the necessity of a regular and active intercourse between
all the friends of science throughout the civilised world.
Baron Ferossac is the author, and the discourse wasl
pronounced at the sitting of the members of a newly
formed Society at Park, for the purpo.e of giving sta-
bility and effect to that gigantic periodical work, the
Bulletin Universal des Sciences, &c. which has been esta-
blished about five years.
The pamphlet urges In very eloquent terms, that for the general
benefit of science a centre should be found, and a medium of com-
munication opened, in order to eolkct together. in one grand depot,
the scientific wealth of all nations. The Author, with this view,
pleads that no better situation than Paris can be devised, and no
better language than the French imagined, for the organ of com-
munication ; and nothing can be more completely arranged to
I answer the end proposed than the Bulletin thsireesel, which has
already received the sanction and merited the applause of a vast
number of individuals residing in different parts of the Continent,
and who are interested in the cause of science. The universal phi-
lanthropist cannot but be pleased with such a plan, while the patriot
may perhaps aro, in favour of making the capital of his own;
country the point d'opprsi of such an undertaking. Still this attempt
on the part of the French deserves every encouragement, if it were
only on the principle that the mere fact of such a society being
established operates as a further remove from national prejudice.
and may produce a concentration of reciprocal interests and mutual
regard among all people.
The progress of science, says the Baron, depends greatly on the
knowledge of facts already well authenticated ; and the circulation
slew of these facts, through every channel, may save those en-
gaged in the pursuit of some particular branch of science a world of
time, lost in first attempts and dreumlocutory essays. The esta-
blishment, therefore, of an active and regular intercourse of cor-
respondence on the part of those who are engaged in the advance.
agent of science, must have the effect of increasing the zeal and
progress of the whole community; and thus the public mind, el-
cited by the periodical display of its Inventive powers, will be kept
in a continual state of activity, will acquire fresh energy at every
step, and will be effectually prevented from making any retrograde
movement.

The prosperity of society itself partly depends on the active and
regular communication of scientific facts, as by their numerous ap-
plications they modify it in ne inconsiderable degree. This truth
is new more apparent than ever, since it is found that commercial
success is the result of the proper application of the Arts, and that
that success, at its highest point, assumes the mastery of the world!
The knowledge of a single scientific fact may also turn the scale
of fortune In favour of an individual, or of an entire nation, inas-
much as it may lead to the discovery of a new machine, or to some
easier and more economical method of obtaining a result, through
which means the national or individual wealth may be rapidly
augmented.
Such are among the arguments employed by the Baron Femme,
in order to bring mankind to a proper sense of their own advan-
tage, and to endeavour to bring together such an assemblage of
talent as never before has congregated or been pledged to the sup-
port of a periodical work.
We have said that the Society is already formed, but we be-
liver its ranks are not yet complete. The Baron Ferussac is
now in town we bear, in fulfilment of a promise he makes In his
Discourse, to pay a visit to our Metropolis, and which is given
in the following terms:—" My intention Is to visit Great
Britain, in order to be the bearer of our common wishes. We
shall no doubt be entitled to a bearing In that classic country,
where the spirit of association so greatly prevails. The estimable
characters of every grade which England possesses, will acknow-
ledge that we are not inSuenced by a local or an exclusive feeling ;
on the contrary, we come to ask them to join haad in hand with
us In the same cause, and by our example to induce other nations
to follow in the same track. They will see all the Importance and
all the benefits attached to an institution cesceived in the spirit of
universality, and intended to promote the general interests of del
fixation."

The Society consists of a number of Shareholders. among wkoea
we distinguish the names of the weU known General Massena, the
talented Count Lanjuinais, Me Baron Du n, Silvestre de Secy. the
Minister. Baron Dames; the printer, Finales Uldot. has twelve
shares; the Baron himself, as original proprietor, holds thirty shares ;
and the great bookselling establishment of Treottel, Wertz. and
Co. hold twenty shares each. The Society is styled " The Societd
Anonym., on Balleth Universal peorle propagation des Connais-
sance', Scientifiques et Industrielles."