Chapter 257: Scientific Journals in the Nineteenth Century

"I heard that Gezhi Academy has a large collection of books, as well as the latest academic journals from Europe and the United States. I wonder if I can borrow one or two?" Zhang Xingjiu's treatment at the Society School was indeed good, but it was a pity that this school was run by the church after all, and focused on primary education, so it did not attach importance to academic journals.

It is very troublesome to subscribe to academic journals now, even if Zhang Xingjiu has money, he can't do it. Now that he has found that Gezhi Academy has it, he must borrow it quickly to read it, so as to understand the current level of global scientific and technological development and decide his next main direction.

"The academy will translate and disseminate some important articles. It's no problem to lend you this part, as long as you don't lose it. The rest are mostly written in English. Do you understand English?" Fu Lan-ya asked.

"I have learned some." Zhang Xingjiu replied. He already knew English and Japanese, and he had found a teacher in school to give him one-on-one tutoring. Now he can speak English well.

"Oh? How far have you learned?" Fu Lan-ya immediately asked him a few questions in English, and Zhang Xingjiu answered them fluently.

Ma Xiangbo introduced proudly, "Don't look at Zhou Ping's young age. He learned French, English and Spanish in just one year. You can lend him a few periodicals!"

"Incredible." Fu Lan-ya was also amazed. "I can lend you the journal, but there are many special words in the paper, and many of them don't even have standard Chinese translations. It may be a bit difficult for you to read. I will lend you an English dictionary. If you encounter a word you don't know, you can look it up yourself."

What Fu Lan-ya found was a special English dictionary of science and technology. There were probably not many copies of this large volume in the whole of Shanghai. If he had not met a true genius, he would definitely not be willing to lend it out.

Zhang Xingjiu took it with both hands and solemnly assured Fu Lanya, "I know this dictionary must be very valuable, so I dare not borrow it for too long. I will start to recite it when I get back, and return it to you as soon as I finish it."

Fu Lan-ya was stunned when she saw the dictionary that was as thick as a brick. "Are you kidding me? I have to memorize such a thick dictionary?"

"Zhou Ping has the ability to remember everything he sees. If you don't believe it, why not give it a try?" Ma Xiangbo had been shocked two days ago. Now seeing Fu Lanya's expression, he couldn't help but want him to experience it as well.

Fu Lan-ya immediately turned to a page and pointed to Zhang Xingjiu for demonstration. Zhang Xingjiu only glanced at it for a few seconds, then returned the dictionary to Fu Lan-ya and began to recite, ".the scientific study of matter and energy and the effect that each has on the other"

"Oh Mike, Incoredipo!" Fu Lanya's eyes widened immediately. Zhang Xingjiu's retelling was not wrong in even a word.

"Come again, try this page!"

".the scientific study of the basic characteristics of substances and the ways in which they react or combine: She studied chemistry and physics at college"

"continue!"

“.a gradual process in which very simple atoms and molecules develop into more complex chemicals”

Zhang Xingjiu recited the contents of six pages of the dictionary in one breath in front of everyone, which stunned Fu Lanya and others. Ma Xiangbo was the happiest. "If Zhou Ping had taken the imperial examination with this ability, he would have only needed to find out what the examiner likes and memorize the contemporary essay examples in advance, and he would have easily passed the examination. However, he gave up this path to success and devoted himself to studying science. It is really a blessing for China."

"I'm already beginning to envy Jiang Siduo. It would be great if you had come to our Gezhi Academy to register first! But it doesn't matter. Oxford and Cambridge are the best universities in the world today. I can find someone to recommend you in." Fu Lan-ya couldn't help wanting to poach people.

Wu Lien-teh seems to be studying in Cambridge now. It would be nice to be his classmate. Zhang Xingjiu was really tempted for a moment.

Ma Xiangbo hurriedly stopped him, "Stop, stop! When I asked Zhou Ping to come to the lecture, Father Jiang was a little worried. If he hears this now, I'm afraid he won't dare to let Zhou Ping out. Besides, the Bishop has already helped Zhou Ping contact a university in France, so don't steal his love."

"Okay." Fu Lanya could only give up with regret.

Although he could not recommend Zhang Xingjiu to study in his motherland, Fu Lan-ya did not become stingy because of this. He still lent him a thick stack of journals and magazines. "After you finish reading these, you can come to the academy to borrow more. Even if I am not in school, they will lend them to you."

"Thank you, sir." Zhang Xingjiu quickly stood up and bowed. This was a great favor and he was very grateful.

After returning to the academy, I spent several days memorizing the thick science and technology dictionary before I opened these journals and magazines to read them. I had to read them because today's English writing habits and specialized vocabulary are somewhat different from those of later generations. If I read them directly with the English level of later generations, I might make mistakes.

The first book he read was the issue of Nature in which Xu Shou had published an article. The printing quality was quite good, and even though more than ten years had passed and he had traveled across the ocean, the handwriting was still clearly visible.

By reading these Nature magazines, Zhang Xingjiu also learned about the current level of development of the world's cutting-edge technology. He only had a vague impression before, but now the understanding is clearer.

After reading several books, he discovered something interesting: Darwin seemed to regard Nature as his own exclusive publication, and his articles appeared in several issues of the magazine.

It is said that he published 41 articles in Nature in ten years, a publication speed that would be enough to make future scientists jealous.

The latest novel is published first on Liu9shuba!

In addition to "Nature", Zhang Xingjiu also read magazines such as "Science" in the United States, "Annals of Natural History" in the United Kingdom, "Annals of Chemistry" in France, and "Annals of Physics" in Germany. Most of these are also top publications in later generations.

We are now at a critical period for the formalization of scientific journals. In the mid-nineteenth century, the journals of most newly established scientific organizations were basically modeled after the Royal Society's "Philosophical Transactions". They were quarto, wide-margin, large-font, printed on high-quality glossy paper, and often contained a large number of hand-painted color illustrations. They were often published at irregular intervals, with the issue numbers arranged at a leisurely pace.

There is no doubt that such journals are expensive and the prices cannot be lowered. In addition, the irregular publishing rhythm leads to low printing volume and sales, which is very unfavorable for the dissemination of the latest scientific achievements.

Some knowledgeable people, such as Lockyer, the first editor-in-chief of Nature, noticed these problems and corrected them in time. They redefined the practical significance of a "scientific journal" by publishing regularly, emphasizing the timeliness of academic discoveries rather than just the long-term value of knowledge, and focusing on practicality rather than lengthy presentations.

Coupled with the development of printing, photography, transportation, and communication technologies, scientists around the world can finally learn the latest developments in the scientific field more quickly, conveniently, and cheaply.

Alas, the world is developing so rapidly, but China is still in slumber. When Zhang Xingjiu thought of this, his mood became heavier.

(End of this chapter)