The Popular Science Monthly has been well received by the press, and the project is cordially commended, as the following extracts will show:
"We think it is not too much to say that this is the best first number of any magazine ever published in America."—New York World.
"This is just the publication needed at the present day, when people are beginning to wake up to the importance of knowing something of the grand and beautiful processes of Nature, and of the thousand departments of scientific knowledge, the study of which strengthens and elevates the faculties, and opens up so many new sources of intellectual enjoyment."—Montreal Gazette.
"The new journal will meet with a deserved popular success, for the field is an open one, and The Popular Science Monthly is equal to the occasion; it is beyond comparison the best attempt at journalism of the kind ever made in this country."—Home Journal.
"The initial number is admirably constituted. It opens fittingly with a paper by Mr. Herbert Spencer which we commend most earnestly to all thoughtful men. With the improvements that will come by experience, we look to see The Popular Science Monthly a periodical of superlative merit, and a thorough success."—New York Evening Mail.
"The initial number amply fulfils the promise of its conductors, and, by the vigor and breadth of its discussions, no less than by the interest of the topics chosen, claims the public support and patronage. Scientific discovery in all departments moves forward so rapidly, and opinions, if it must be confessed, shift with such surprising readiness, that there is need of a full and well-conducted periodical to record the changes."—Boston Journal.
"The Popular Science Monthly, conducted by Prof. Youmans, and published by the Appletons, is a new-comer in the periodical field, and one for whose success we cannot but wish earnestly. In our opinion, the right idea has been happily hit in the plan of the new monthly. There is a positive need for such a journal as this, and we hope that the large number to whom its appearance must be welcome will see that it is a success from the start."—Buffalo Courier.
"This is a highly-auspicious beginning of a useful and much-needed enterprise in the way of publication for which the public owe a special debt of obligation to Messrs. D. Appleton & Co."—Boston Gazette.
"A journal which promises to be of eminent value to the cause of popular education in this country. It is to be hoped that an experiment of such unquestionable public utility will meet with support in accordance with its merits."—New York Tribune.
"We have not met a new acquaintance in the literary world which we can welcome more heartily than we do this new monthly. It meets a want which has long been felt by the friends of popular learning in our country.—Lockport (N. Y.) Daily Union.
"The articles selected from the leading foreign periodicals are of great value—particularly Mons. A. De Quatrefages's instructive and suggestive lecture on the Natural History of Man. The success of this periodical, so much needed and so well edited, may be taken for granted."—Philadelphia Press.
"This new enterprise appeals to all intelligent seekers for truth, all lovers of knowledge, all friends of investigation, and all who are interested in the laudable effort of diffusing that information which is best calculated to expand the mind, and improve the conditions and enhance the worth of life."—Golden Age.
"Messrs. D. Appleton & Co. have certainly carried out one of the memorable 'happy thoughts' of these times, in preparing The Popular Science Monthly. It is just what is wanted by the curious and progressive mind of this country, and ought to be widely circulated."—New York Evening Post.
"That there is a place for The Popular Science Monthly no one can doubt who has watched the steady increase of interest in scientific investigation manifested in this country, not only by a select class, but by the entire community. The success of a periodical of this nature, if it is rightly conducted, cannot for a moment be doubted, and, in this respect, we would say that, if the managers of this one will only continue as they have begun, they may be assured of a circulation at once large and appreciative. Prof. E. L. Youmans, who is the editor, has made arrangements with the leading scientific periodicals of Europe, so that he can publish papers of special interest from their advance-sheets among his selected articles."—New York Times.
"This new magazine, in our estimation, has more merit than the whole brood which have preceded it."—Oswego Press.
