Excerpt from The Popular Magazine of Anthropology, 1866, Vol. 1
There are persons who appear to be wilfully blind as to what is going on in Europe with regard to anthropological science. Some refuse to believe that a veritable science of man has already taken both a deep and firm root in this country. Others, having already had a glimmer of its vast extent and importance, are earnestly seeking for further information. There are also those who believe that anthropology is essentially a practical science, and that the diffusion of the results of anthropological research are eminently calculated to benefit all classes of society, and all races of man.
The object of our present undertaking is to endeavour to keep pace with the rapid development of the science, and to supply to the masses of the reading public an account of some of the more important discoveries in anthropology. We belong to that class of anthropologists who believe that there is an urgent demand at this time for a more general diffusion of the facts at present known with regard to the science of man. We propose to perform a function as regards anthropology which is not undertaken by any scientific body or by any periodical.
Professor Agassiz, one of the most eminent students of Natural History, has recently declared, "that the man of science who follows his studies into their application is false to his calling." We hold, on the contrary, the very reverse. We consider that it is alone the man of science who is able to explain the full and true application of the laws he has discovered. Be this however as it may, it will be the duty of this Magazine to afford every facility for the discussion of the best means of adapting the deductions of science to all questions connected with mankind. If it is not the duty of scientific men to do this, then there is an absolute necessity for the present work. Our sphere will be a humble one. We shall simply endeavour to record and to disseminate the conclusions of men of science. Our desire will be to increase the number of those who now take an interest in this science, and to effect practical good by the diffusion of facts, whatever they may be. We have no desire or intention of entering into any discussion of the different theories of the origin of man. We shall leave such discussions to those who feel it their duty, or whose taste may lead them to enter the arena of controversy. We shall be content to take the different races of man as they exist, and to interpret all that is known about them; in all cases giving preference to questions which shall assist to diffuse practical Anthropology.
Our contemporary the Anthropological Review recently expressed regret that anthropologists do not possess a text-book. This cry of regret has been taken up by others; but on this point we differ most entirely. We hold, on the contrary, that it is a most fortunate circumstance that there is no recognised anthropological text-book. Nothing could do more to impede the progress and development of the science of man than the publication of a text-book, which should be raised into the dignity of an authority.
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