INTRODUCTORY LETTER.

MADISON, WISCONSIN, 1868. SIR: I have the honor to transmit herewith the Report on Education, which, as one of the Commissioners to the Paris Universal Exposition of 1867, it was made my duty to prepare.

The work has not been a light one. Important in character and considerable in extent as it seemed in its first general aspect, in the detail of acccomplishment it has, of necessity, grown quite beyond the usual limits of such a report, while yet failing to meet the just demands of that great occasion.

If, therefore, because of insufficient time for their due preparation, or too limited space for their proper discussion, or for any other reason, I have failed to make a satisfactory and effective presentation of facts and conclusions, I shall, nevertheless, hope that some good may come of my endeavor to give a comprehensive view of the present condition of all classes of education in the countries there represented.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD,

J. W. HOYT, United States Commissioner.

Secretary of State.