f a distinguished
physician whom he met at Rome:--

One of the most remarkable men with whom I became acquainted in
Italy, in my tour there in 1856-7, was Dr. Pantelioni, a scholar,
physician, patriot, and statesman; to whose character and
banishment from Rome the London _Times'_ newspaper devoted about
three columns.

Prefatory to the circumstances of my acquaintance with this
remarkable man, I may observe, that when in England in 1850-1, I
had a good deal of correspondence with Earl Grey, who was then
Secretary of State for the Colonies, and through whom I was able to
procure maps, globes, and essential text-books for Canadian
schools, at a discount of forty-three per cent. from the published
selling prices. Earl Grey was much pleased in being the instrument
of so much good to the cause of public education in Canada; wrote
to the English booksellers and got their consent to the
arrangement, shewed me much kindness, and invited me to dine at his
residence, in company with some distinguished English statesmen,
among whom was Sir Charles Wood (afterwards a peer), and the late
Marquis of Lansdowne, the Nestor of English statesmen, and beside
whom I was seated at dinner. The Countess of Grey shewed me many
kind attentions, and the Marquis of Lansdowne invited me to call
the next day at Lansdowne House, and explain to him the Canadian
system of education, as he was the Chairman of the Privy Council
Committee on Education, and wished to know what had been done, and
what might be done for the education of the labouring classes. I
called at Lansdowne House, as desired, and explained as briefly and
clearly as possible the Canadian school system, its popular
comprehensiveness and fairness to all parties, its Christian, yet
non-sectarian, character. At the conclusion of my remarks, the
noble Marquis observed, "I cannot conceive a greater blessing to
England than the introduction into it of the Canadian school
system; but, from our historical traditions and present state of
society, all we can do is to aid by Parliamentary grants the cause
of popular education through the agency of voluntary associations
and religious denominations."

Five years afterwards, in another educational tour in Europe,
myself and daughter spent some months at the Paris Exhib