Page:Archaeologia Volume 13.djvu/213

Rh than any other heretofore published: Ve'rie necessarie for all men. Nothing without labour. All things with reason."

Notwithstanding the circulation in print of the treatises above mentioned, which were to teach to reckon in a speedier and more complete method than had been hitherto pursued, is there not scope for a conjecture whether the proficients were as numerous as might reasonably have been expected under these advantages! The entries in the churchwardens books of accounts being made as far as yet has been traced in the Latin numerals, and indeed the very few specimens now remaining of practical Arithmetick in the vulgar figures, afford a presumptive proof in support of the surmise. And it is further observable, that so late as the year 1595, persons were taught to reckon with counters, most of them unquestionably because they were illiterate; and probably it might be found on examination, that there were then very few schools established, or encouraged by voluntary contributions, for instructing the children of the lower class of people in reading, writing, and cyphering.