e emigrated for the above reasons, they would find
that this striving for show is hardly perceptible now in England. Those
who have remained have either had sense enough, or have been forced by
circumstances, to reduce their expenditure.

Another cause is the easy introduction into what is called good society
abroad on the Continent, but which is in reality very bad society.
Certainly there are a sufficient number of Counts, Viscounts, and
Marquesses to associate with; but in France high birth is not proved by
titles, which are of little or no value, and do not even establish
gentility. This society may certainly be entered into at a much less
expense than that of England, especially in the metropolis; but, depend
upon it, there is a species of society dear at any price.

With respect to education of children, that boys may receive advantage
from a Continental education I admit; but woe be to the mother who
intrusts her daughter to the ruin of a French _Pension_!

In England there are many excellent schools in the country, as cheap and
cheaper than on the Continent: but the schoolmasters near London,
generally speaking, are ruining them by their adherence to the old
system, and their extravagant terms. The _system_ of education on the
Continent is certainly superior to that of England, and the attention to
the pupils is greater: of course there are bad schools abroad as well as
in England; but the balance is much in favour of those on the Continent,
with the advantage of being at nearly one-half the expense. A great
alteration has taken place in modern education; the living languages and
mathematics have been found to be preferable to the classics and other
instruction still adhered to in the English schools.

I have always considered, and have every reason to be confirmed in my
opinion, that the foundation of all education is mathematics. Every
thing else may be obtained by rote, and without thinking; but from the
elements of arithmetic up to Euclid and algebra, no boy can work his
task without thinking. I never yet knew a man who was a good
mathematician who was not well-informed upon almost every point; and the
reason is clear--mathematics have prepared his mind to receive and
retain. In all foreign schools this important branch of education is
more attended to than it is in England; and that alone would be a
sufficient reason for me to give them the preference. In point of
morals, I consider the schools o