"A history of education, which, like a field of almost endless perspective, stretches backward into ages of antiquity, and spreads around us in every direction of human thought and activity, requires the attention of an author for itself alone. Such special treatment is found in Compayre's 'History of Pedagogy,' Painter's 'History of Education,' and in other works of similar purport. The chapters here devoted to the subject, aim only to give such an outline as shall make historical references in later parts of this work more intelligible." [From the text]