uilding,
well-ventilated, comfortably warm, and perfectly clean; the
children remain from six to twelve years of age. Saw the British
Charge d'Affaires, who procured me a general letter of introduction
to teachers, etc., throughout Holland, from the Minister of the
Interior. Visited the largest and principal free school at the
Hague; it contains about eleven hundred children, girls and boys,
taught by a head-master, aided by a second, and five other
under-masters, and five assistants, lads from fifteen to eighteen
years of age. No master ever sits, or has a seat to sit on. Were
conducted by the Russian clergymen to the palace again; the state
apartments were splendid indeed; collection of paintings extensive
and most select; hot-houses and gardens delightful. Spent the
evening with this gentleman, and was deeply interested in his
conversation on his own labours, and the customs and character of
the Hollanders.

_February 25th._--Left the Hague for Leyden. The country perfectly
level, looking like a low meadow won from the empire of water by
the industry of man, intersected by dykes and canals, interspersed
with villas and good private dwellings; here and there a wood of
twenty or fifty years growth. On our way we visited Dr. de Rendt,
who keeps the most select private school in Holland for the first
class of nobility and gentry.

_February 26th--Leyden._--Attended the University, and conversed at
large with the Inspector of Schools for the district, Mr. Blusse,
who gave the history, and explained the whole system of elementary
education in Holland. Visited six schools, admirable upon the
whole. Three thousand poor children are taught in them, at an
expense to the State. Visited the Museum, University, and Library;
then proceeded to Haarlem, examined the schoolrooms of the
celebrated Mr. Prinsen and afterwards heard his own views of the
essentials of a good system of popular education: his remarks were
profound and practical. He remarked, "a good system of education
consists in the men. Theory and practice make the teacher. The
government of the head, how acquired and how exercised. Few books;
much exposition." His business for forty-four years has been to
make school-masters. Religious instruction, history of his own
career and of his o