geography, which, however, they must have studied for many years, for some of them still attended, with surprising regularity, the periodical lectures on the subject. When I pressed them on the point, they either gave me an astonished stare, as if to express their amazement that I could trouble myself about it, or they would say, "As it was no concern of theirs, they did not profess to understand it." Some would admit in confidence that they did not derive the slightest benefit from the constant instruction given in transcendental geography; but they were, notwithstanding, strong advocates for its retention as a branch of general education, for they were convinced it did a great deal of good to their neighbours, and especially to those who were but scantily educated in other matters. As for themselves, though it could do them no good, they attended the lectures regularly, by way of example, pour encourager les autres.
I encountered few enthusiasts for the science among my male friends, excepting always the professors themselves; but many of the ladies are very zealous for the diffusion of a knowledge of transcendental geography, and some even assist the public labours of the professors by their own private efforts.
It seemed to me that the ladies who chiefly occupied themselves in this manner were seldom very young, and, if young, were rarely among the best-looking. I observed that they did not frequent the gyrating assemblies, which I imagined might be due to their having little chance of being selected as partners by the young men, among their prettier and more graceful female companions. But I was mistaken, for one of them assured me it was entirely by their own choice that they eschewed these frivolous assemblies, as she
