It has been said by a distinguished philosopher that England is “usually the last to enter into the general movement of the European mind.” The author of the remark probably meant to assert that a man or a system may have become famous on the continent, while we are almost ignorant of the name of the man and the claims of his system. Perhaps, however, a wider range might be given to the assertion. An exploded theory or a disadvantageous practice, like a rebel or a patriot in distress, seeks refuge on our shores to spend its last days in comfort if not in splendour. Just when those who originally set up an idol begin to suspect that they have been too extravagant in their devotions we receive the discredited image and commence our adorations. It is a less usual but more dangerous illustration of the principle, if just as foreigners are learning to admire one of our peculiarities we should grow weary of it.

In teaching elementary geometry in England we have for a long time been accustomed to use the well-known Elements of Euclid. At the present moment, when we learn from the best testimony, namely, the admission of anti-Euclideans, that both in France and Italy dissatisfaction is felt with the system hitherto used, accompanied with more or less desire to adopt ours, we are urged by many persons to exchange our system for one which is falling out of favour on the continent.