Modern History Sourcebook:
John Locke=20 (1632-1704):
Some Thoughts Concerning=20 Education, 1692

Introductory Note

John Locke was born near Bristol, England, on August 29, 1632; = and was=20 educated at Westminster School, where Dryden was his contemporary, and = at=20 Christ Church, Oxford. Of the discipline then in vogue in either = institution,=20 the future educational theorist had no high opinion, as may be = gathered from=20 allusions in the present treatise; yet, after taking his master's = degree in=20 1658, he became tutor of his college, and lecturer in Greek and = rhetoric.=20 After a visit to the Continent in 1665, as secretary to an embassy, he = returned to Oxford and took up the study of medicine. He became = attached, as=20 friend and physician, to Lord Ashley, afterward the first Earl of = Shaftesbury;=20 and while this nobleman was Lord Chancellor, Locke held the office of=20 Secretary of Presentations.

Shaftesbury went out of office in 1673, and two years later = Locke went=20 to France in search of health, supporting himself by acting as tutor = to the=20 son of Sir John Banks, and as physician to the wife of the English = Ambassador=20 at Paris. In 1679, Shaftesbury, being again in power, recalled Locke = to=20 England. He reluctantly obeyed, and remained in attendance on his = patron,=20 assisting him in political matters and superintending the education of = his=20 grandson, the future author of "Characteristics," till Shaftesbury's = political=20 fortunes finally collapsed, and both men took refuge in = Holland.

Locke's first two years in Holland were spent in traveling and = in=20 intercourse with scholars; but in 1685 the Dutch Government was asked = to=20 deliver him up to the English as a traitor, and he was forced to go = into=20 hiding till a pardon was granted by James II in 1686, though there is = no=20 evidence of his having been guilty of any crime beyond his friendship = with=20 Shaftesbury.

It was not till now, at the age of fifty-four, that Locke began = to=20 publish the results of a lifetime of study and thought. An epitome of = his=20 great "Essay Concerning Human Understanding" was printed in his friend = Le=20 Clerc's "Bibliotheque Universelle," and the work was finally published = in full=20 in 1690. It was from Holland also that he wrote, as advice to a friend = on the=20 bringing up of his son, those letters which were later printed as = "Thoughts=20 Concerning Education."

During his exile Locke had come into friendly relations with = his future=20 sovereigns, William and Mary; and when the Revolution was accomplished = he came=20 back to England with the Princess in 1689. He was offered the = Ambassadorship=20 to Prussia, but declined on account of his weak health and because he = thought=20 he was not valiant enough in strong drink to be Ambassador at the = court of the=20 Elector of Brandenburg; so he stayed at home and published his=20 "Essay."

The remainder of his life was spent chiefly at the home of his = friends,=20 the Cudworths and Mashams, at Oates in Essex. He held the office of=20 Commissioner of Appeals, and was for some years a member of the = Council of=20 Trade and Plantations, a position which led to his occupying himself = with=20 problems of economics. At Oates he had the opportunity of putting his=20 educational theories into practise in the training of the grandson of = his=20 host, and the results confirmed his belief in his methods. He died at = Oates,=20 October 27, 1704.

It has been noted that while at school and at the university = Locke=20 disapproved the educational methods employed; and this independence of = judgment marked him through life. In medicine he denounced the = scholasticism=20 which still survived and which in various branches of learning had = already=20 been attacked by Bacon and Hobbes; and he advocated the experimental = methods=20 adopted by his friend Sydenham, the great physician of the day. In = educational=20 theory and method he held advanced opinions, insisting especially on = the=20 importance of guarding the formation of habits, and on training in = wisdom and=20 virtue rather than on information as the main object of education. = Many of his=20 ideas are still among the objects aimed at, rather than achieved, by=20 educational reformers. It will be observed from the following = "Thoughts" that=20 they bear the mark of their original purpose, the individual education = of a=20 gentleman's son, not the formation of a school system.

But it is as a philosopher that Locke's fame is greatest. He = was the=20 ancestor of the English empirical school, and he exercised a profound=20 influence on philosophic thought throughout Europe. Almost all the = main lines=20 of the intellectual activity of the eighteenth century in England lead = back to=20 Locke, and the skepticism of Hume is the logical development of the = principles=20 laid down in the "Essay Concerning Human Understanding."

• Dedication=20
• Some=20 Thoughts Concerning Education=20
• When=20 Grammar should be taught?

---

Dedication

To Edward Clarke, of Chipley, Esq.

Sir:

These thoughts concerning education, which now come abroad into the = world,=20 do of right belong to you, being written several years since for your = sake,=20 and are no other than what you have already by you in my letters. I = have so=20 little vary'd any thing, but only the order of what was sent you at = different=20 times, and on several occasions, that the reader will easily find, in = the=20 familiarity and fashion of the stile, that they were rather the = private=20 conversation of two friends, than a discourse design'd for publick = view.

The importunity of friends is the common apology for publications = men are=20 afraid to own themselves forward to. But you know I can truly say, = that if=20 some, who having heard of these papers of mine, had not press'd to see = them,=20 and afterwards to have them printed, they had lain dormant still in = that=20 privacy they were design'd for. But those, whose judgment I defer much = to,=20 telling me, that they were persuaded, that this rough draught of mine = might be=20 of some use, if made more publick, touch'd upon what will always be = very=20 prevalent with me: for I think it every man's indispensable duty, to = do all=20 the service he can to his country; and I see not what difference he = puts=20 between himself and his cattle, who lives without that thought. This = subject=20 is of so great concernment, and a right way of education is of so = general=20 advantage, that did I find my abilities answer my wishes, I should not = have=20 needed exhortations or importunities from others. However, the = meanness of=20 these papers, and my just distrust of them, shall not keep me, by the = shame of=20 doing so little, from contributing my mite, when there is no more = requir'd of=20 me than my throwing it into the publick receptacle. And if there be = any more=20 of their size and notions, who lik'd them so well, that they thought = them=20 worth printing, I may flatter myself they will not be lost labour to = every=20 body.

I myself have been consulted of late by so many, who profess = themselves at=20 a loss how to breed their children, and the early corruption of youth = is now=20 become so general a complaint, that he cannot be thought wholly = impertinent,=20 who brings the consideration of this matter on the stage, and offers=20 something, if it be but to excite others, or afford matter of = correction: for=20 errors in education should be less indulg'd than any. These, like = faults in=20 the first concoction, that are never mended in the second or third, = carry=20 their afterwards incorrigible taint with them thro' all the parts and = stations=20 of life.

I am so far from being conceited of any thing I have here offer'd, = that I=20 should not be sorry, even for your sake, if some one abler and fitter = for such=20 a task would in a just treatise of education, suited to our English = gentry,=20 rectify the mistakes I have made in this; it being much more desirable = to me,=20 that young gentlemen should be put into (that which every one ought to = be=20 solicitous about) the best way of being form'd and instructed, than = that my=20 opinion should be receiv'd concerning it. You will, however, in the = mean time=20 bear me witness, that the method here propos'd has had no ordinary = effects=20 upon a gentleman's son it was not design'd for. I will not say the = good temper=20 of the child did not very much contribute to it; but this I think you = and the=20 parents are satisfy'd of, that a contrary usage, according to the = ordinary=20 disciplining of children, would not have mended that temper, nor have = brought=20 him to be in love with his book, to take a pleasure in learning, and = to=20 desire, as he does, to be taught more than those about him think fit = always to=20 teach him.

But my business is not to recommend this treatise to you, whose = opinion of=20 it I know already; nor it to the world, either by your opinion or = patronage.=20 The well educating of their children is so much the duty and concern = of=20 parents, and the welfare and prosperity of the nation so much depends = on it,=20 that I would have every one lay it seriously to heart; and after = having well=20 examin'd and distinguish'd what fancy, custom, or reason advises in = the case,=20 set his helping hand to promote every where that way of training up = youth,=20 with regard to their several conditions, which is the easiest, = shortest, and=20 likeliest to produce virtuous, useful, and able men in their distinct=20 callings; tho' that most to be taken care of is the gentleman's = calling. For=20 if those of that rank are by their education once set right, they will = quickly=20 bring all the rest into order.

I know not whether I have done more than shewn my good wishes = towards it in=20 this short discourse; such as it is, the world now has it, and if = there be any=20 thing in it worth their acceptance, they owe their thanks to you for = it. My=20 affection to you gave the first rise to it, and I am pleas'd, that I = can leave=20 to posterity this mark of the friendship that has been between us. For = I know=20 no greater pleasure in this life, nor a better remembrance to be left = behind=20 one, than a long continued friendship with an honest, useful, and = worthy man,=20 and lover of his country. I am, Sir,

Your most humble and most faithful servant,

John Locke.

March 7, 1692. [i.e. 1692/3].

 

Some Thoughts=20 Concerning Education

Part I.

Section I. A sound mind in a sound body, is a short, but full = description=20 of a happy state in this world. He that has these two, has little more = to wish=20 for; and he that wants either of them, will be but little the better = for any=20 thing else. Men's happiness or misery is most part of their own = making. He,=20 whose mind directs not wisely, will never take the right way; and he, = whose=20 body is crazy and feeble, will never be able to advance in it. I = confess,=20 there are some men's constitutions of body and mind so vigorous, and = well=20 fram'd by nature, that they need not much assistance from others; but = by the=20 strength of their natural genius, they are from their cradles carried = towards=20 what is excellent; and by the privilege of their happy constitutions, = are able=20 to do wonders. But examples of this kind are but few; and I think I = may say,=20 that of all the men we meet with, nine parts of ten are what they are, = good or=20 evil, useful or not, by their education. 'Tis that which makes the = great=20 difference in mankind. The little, or almost insensible impressions on = our=20 tender infancies, have very important and lasting consequences: and = there=20 'tis, as in the fountains of some rivers, where a gentle application = of the=20 hand turns the flexible waters in channels, that make them take quite = contrary=20 courses; and by this direction given them at first in the source, they = receive=20 different tendencies, and arrive at last at very remote and distant=20 places.

Section 2. I imagine the minds of children as easily turn'd this or = that=20 way, as water it self: and though this be the principal part, and our = main=20 care should be about the inside, yet the clay-cottage is not to be = neglected.=20 I shall therefore begin with the case, and consider first the health = of the=20 body, as that which perhaps you may rather expect from that study I = have been=20 thought more peculiarly to have apply'd my self to; and that also = which will=20 be soonest dispatch'd, as lying, if I guess not amiss, in a very = little=20 compass.

Section 3. How necessary health is to our business and happiness; = and how=20 requisite a strong constitution, able to endure hardships and fatigue, = is to=20 one that will make any figure in the world, is too obvious to need any = proof.

Section 4. The consideration I shall here have of health, shall be, = not=20 what a physician ought to do with a sick and crazy child; but what the = parents, without the help of physick, should do for the preservation = and=20 improvement of an healthy, or at least not sickly constitution in = their=20 children. And this perhaps might be all dispatch'd in this one short = rule,=20 viz. That gentlemen should use their children, as the honest farmers = and=20 substantial yeomen do theirs. But because the mothers possibly may = think this=20 a little too hard, and the fathers too short, I shall explain my self = more=20 particularly; only laying down this as a general and certain = observation for=20 the women to consider, viz. That most children's constitutions are = either=20 spoil'd, or at least harm'd, by cockering and tenderness.

Section 5. The first thing to be taken care of, is, that children = be not=20 too warmly clad or cover'd, winter or summer. The face when we are = born, is no=20 less tender than any other part of the body. 'Tis use alone hardens = it, and=20 makes it more able to endure the cold. And therefore the Scythian = philosopher=20 gave a very significant answer to the Athenian, who wonder'd how he = could go=20 naked in frost and snow. How, said the Scythian, can you endure your = face=20 expos'd to the sharp winter air? My face is us'd to it, said the = Athenian.=20 Think me all face, reply'd the Scythian. Our bodies will endure any = thing,=20 that from the beginning they are accustom'd to.

An eminent instance of this, though in the contrary excess of heat, = being=20 to our present purpose, to shew what use can do, I shall set down in = the=20 author's words, as I meet with it in a late ingenious voyage.

"The heats, says he, are more violent in Malta, than in any part of = Europe:=20 they exceed those of Rome itself, and are perfectly stifling; and so = much the=20 more, because there are seldom any cooling breezes here. This makes = the common=20 people as black as gypsies: but yet the peasants defy the sun; they = work on in=20 the hottest part of the day, without intermission, or sheltering = themselves=20 from his scorching rays. This has convinc'd me, that nature can bring = itself=20 to many things, which seem impossible, provided we accustom ourselves = from our=20 infancy. The Malteses do so, who harden the bodies of their children, = and=20 reconcile them to the heat, by making them go stark naked, without = shirt,=20 drawers, or any thing on their heads, from their cradles till they are = ten=20 years old."

Give me leave therefore to advise you not to fence too carefully = against=20 the cold of this our climate. There are those in England, who wear the = same=20 clothes winter and summer, and that without any inconvenience, or more = sense=20 of cold than others find. But if the mother will needs have an = allowance for=20 frost and snow, for fear of harm, and the father, for fear of censure, = be sure=20 let not his winter clothing be too warm: And amongst other things, = remember,=20 that when nature has so well covered his head with hair, and = strengthen'd it=20 with a year or two's age, that he can run about by day without a cap, = it is=20 best that by night a child should also lie without one; there being = nothing=20 that more exposes to headaches, colds, catarrhs, coughs, and several = other=20 diseases, than keeping the head warm.

Section 6. I have said he here, because the principal aim of my = discourse=20 is, how a young gentleman should be brought up from his infancy, which = in all=20 things will not so perfectly suit the education of daughters; though = where the=20 difference of sex requires different treatment, 'twill be no hard = matter to=20 distinguish.

Section 7. I will also advise his feet to be wash'd every day in = cold=20 water, and to have his shoes so thin, that they might leak and let in = water,=20 whenever he comes near it. Here, I fear I shall have the mistress and = maids=20 too against me. One will think it too filthy, and the other perhaps = too much=20 pains, to make clean his stockings. But yet truth will have it, that = his=20 health is much more worth than all such considerations, and ten times = as much=20 more. And he that considers how mischievous and mortal a thing taking = wet in=20 the feet is, to those who have been bred nicely, will wish he had, = with the=20 poor people's children, gone bare-foot, who, by that means, come to be = so=20 reconcil'd by custom to wet in their feet, that they take no more cold = or harm=20 by it, than if they were wet in their hands. And what is it, I pray, = that=20 makes this great difference between the hands and the feet in others, = but only=20 custom? I doubt not, but if a man from his cradle had been always us'd = to go=20 bare-foot, whilst his hands were constantly wrapt up in warm mittins, = and=20 cover'd with hand-shoes, as the Dutch call gloves; I doubt not, I say, = but=20 such a custom would make taking wet in his hands as dangerous to him, = as now=20 taking wet in their feet is to great many others. The way to prevent = this, is,=20 to have his shoes made so as to leak water, and his feet wash'd = constantly=20 every day in cold water. It is recommendable for its cleanliness; but = that=20 which I aim at in it, is health; and therefore I limit it not = precisely to any=20 time of the day. I have known it us'd every night with very good = success, and=20 that all the winter, without the omitting it so much as one night in = extreme=20 cold weather; when thick ice cover'd the water, the child bathed his = legs and=20 feet in it, though he was of an age not big enough to rub and wipe = them=20 himself, and when he began this custom was puling and very tender. But = the=20 great end being to harden those parts by a frequent and familiar use = of cold=20 water, and thereby to prevent the mischiefs that usually attend = accidental=20 taking wet in the feet in those who are bred otherwise, I think it may = be left=20 to the prudence and convenience of the parents, to chuse either night = or=20 morning. The time I deem indifferent, so the thing be effectually = done. The=20 health and hardiness procured by it, would be a good purchase at a = much dearer=20 rate. To which if I add the preventing of corns, that to some men = would be a=20 very valuable consideration. But begin first in the spring with = luke-warm, and=20 so colder and colder every time, till in a few days you come to = perfectly cold=20 water, and then continue it so winter and summer. For it is to be = observed in=20 this, as in all other alterations from our ordinary way of living, the = changes=20 must be made by gentle and insensible degrees; and so we may bring our = bodies=20 to any thing, without pain, and without danger.

How fond mothers are like to receive this doctrine, is not hard to = foresee.=20 What can it be less, than to murder their tender babes, to use them = thus?=20 What! put their feet in cold water in frost and snow, when all one can = do is=20 little enough to keep them warm? A little to remove their fears by = examples,=20 without which the plainest reason is seldom hearken'd to: Seneca tells = us of=20 himself, Ep. 53, and 83, that he used to bathe himself in cold = spring-water in=20 the midst of winter. This, if he had not thought it not only = tolerable, but=20 healthy too, he would scarce have done, in an exorbitant fortune, that = could=20 well have borne the expence of a warm bath, and in an age (for he was = then=20 old) that would have excused greater indulgence. If we think his = stoical=20 principles led him to this severity, let it be so, that this sect = reconciled=20 cold water to his sufferance. What made it agreeable to his health? = For that=20 was not impair'd by this hard usage. But what shall we say to Horace, = who=20 warm'd not himself with the reputation of any sect, and least of all = affected=20 stoical austerities? yet he assures us, he was wont in the winter = season to=20 bathe himself in cold water. But, perhaps, Italy will be thought much = warmer=20 than England, and the chillness of their waters not to come near ours = in=20 winter. If the rivers of Italy are warmer, those of Germany and Poland = are=20 much colder, than any in this our country, and yet in these, the Jews, = both=20 men and women, bathe all over, at all seasons of the year, without any = prejudice to their health. And every one is not apt to believe it is = miracle,=20 or any peculiar virtue of St. Winifred's Well, that makes the cold = waters of=20 that famous spring do no harm to the tender bodies that bathe in it. = Every one=20 is now full of the miracles done by cold baths on decay'd and weak=20 constitutions, for the recovery of health and strength; and therefore = they=20 cannot be impracticable or intolerable for the improving and hardening = the=20 bodies of those tho are in better circumstances.

If these examples of grown men be not thought yet to reach the case = of=20 children, but that they may be judg'd still to be too tender, and = unable to=20 bear such usage, let them examine what the Germans of old, and the = Irish now,=20 do to them, and they will find, that infants too, as tender as they = are=20 thought, may, without any danger, endure bathing, not only of their = feet, but=20 of their whole bodies, in cold water. And there are, at this day, = ladies in=20 the Highlands of Scotland who use this discipline to their children in = the=20 midst of winter, and find that cold water does them no harm, even when = there=20 is ice in it.

Section 8. I shall not need here to mention swimming, when he is of = an age=20 able to learn, and has any one to teach him. 'Tis that saves many a = man's=20 life; and the Romans thought it so necessary, that they rank'd it with = letters; and it was the common phrase to mark one ill-educated, and = good for=20 nothing, that he had neither learnt to read nor to swim: Nec literas = didicit=20 nec natare. But, besides the gaining a skill which may serve him at = need, the=20 advantages to health by often bathing in cold water during the heat of = summer,=20 are so many, that I think nothing need be said to encourage it; = provided this=20 one caution be us'd, that he never go into the water when exercise has = at all=20 warm'd him, or left any emotion in his blood or pulse.

Section 9. Another thing that is of great advantage to every one's = health,=20 but especially children's, is to be much in the open air, and as = little as may=20 be by the fire, even in winter. By this he will accustom himself also = to heat=20 and cold, shine and rain; all which if a man's body will not endure, = it will=20 serve him to very little purpose in this world; and when he is grown = up, it is=20 too late to begin to use him to it. It must be got early, and by = degrees. Thus=20 the body may be brought to bear almost any thing. If I should advise = him to=20 play in the wind and sun without a hat, I doubt whether it could be = borne.=20 There would a thousand objections be made against it, which at last = would=20 amount to no more, in truth, than being sun-burnt. And if my young = master be=20 to be kept always in the shade, and never expos'd to the sun and wind = for fear=20 of his complexion, it may be a good way to make him a beau, but not a = man of=20 business. And altho' greater regard be to be had to beauty in the = daughters;=20 yet I will take the liberty to say, that the more they are in the air, = without=20 prejudice to their faces, the stronger and healthier they will be; and = the=20 nearer they come to the hardships of their brothers in their = education, the=20 greater advantage will they receive from it all the remaining part of = their=20 lives.

Section 10. Playing in the open air has but this one danger in it, = that I=20 know; and that is, that when he is hot with running up and down, he = should sit=20 or lie down on the cold or moist earth. This I grant; and drinking = cold drink,=20 when they are hot with labour or exercise, brings more people to the = grave, or=20 to the brink of it, by fevers, and other diseases, than anything I = know. These=20 mischiefs are easily enough prevented whilst he is little, being then = seldom=20 out of sight. And if, during his childhood, he be constantly and = rigorously=20 kept form sitting on the ground, or drinking any cold liquor whilst he = is hot,=20 the custom of forbearing, grown into habit, will help much to preserve = him,=20 when he is no longer under his maid's or tutor's eye. This is all I = think can=20 be done in the case: for, as years increase, liberty must come with = them; and=20 in a great many things he must be trusted to his own conduct, since = there=20 cannot always be a guard upon him, except what you have put into his = own mind=20 by good principles, and establish'd habits, which is the best and = surest, and=20 therefore most to be taken care of. For, from repeated cautions and = rules,=20 never so often inculcated, you are not to expect any thing either in = this, or=20 any other case, farther than practice has establish'd them into = habits.

Section 11. One thing the mention of the girls brings into my mind, = which=20 must not be forgot; and that is, that your son's clothes be never made = strait,=20 especially about the breast. Let nature have scope to fashion the body = as she=20 thinks best. She works of herself a great deal better and exacter than = we can=20 direct her. And if women were themselves to frame the bodies of their = children=20 in their wombs, as they often endeavour to mend their shapes when they = are=20 out, we should as certainly have no perfect children born, as we have = few=20 well-shap'd that are strait-lac'd, or much tamper'd with. This = consideration=20 should, methinks, keep busy people (I will not say ignorant nurses and = bodice-makers) from meddling in a matter they understand not; and they = should=20 be afraid to put nature out of her way in fashioning the parts, when = they know=20 not how the least and meanest is made. And yet I have seen so many = instances=20 of children receiving great harm from strait-lacing, that I cannot but = conclude there are other creatures as well as monkeys, who, little = wiser than=20 they, destroy their young ones by senseless fondness, and too much=20 embracing.

Section 12. Narrow breasts, short and stinking breath, ill lungs, = and=20 crookedness, are natural and almost constant effects of hard bodice, = and=20 clothes that pinch. That way of making slender wastes, and fine = shapes, serves=20 but the more effectually to spoil them. Nor can there indeed but be=20 disproportion in the parts, when the nourishment prepared in the = several=20 offices of the body cannot be distributed as nature designs. And = therefore=20 what wonder is it, if, it being laid where it can, on some part not so = braced,=20 it often makes a shoulder or hip higher or bigger than its just = proportion?=20 'Tis generally known, that the women of China, (imagining I know not = what kind=20 of beauty in it) by bracing and binding them hard from their infancy, = have=20 very little feet. I saw lately a pair of China shoes, which I was told = were=20 for a grown woman: they were so exceedingly disproportion'd to the = feet of one=20 of the same age among us, that they would scarce have been big enough = for one=20 of our little girls. Besides this, 'tis observ'd, that their women are = also=20 very little, and short-liv'd; whereas the men are of the ordinary = stature of=20 other men, and live to a proportionable age. These defects in the = female sex=20 in that country, are by some imputed to the unreasonable binding of = their=20 feet, whereby the free circulation of the blood is hinder'd, and the = growth=20 and health of the whole body suffers. And how often do we see, that = some small=20 part of the foot being injur'd by a wrench or a blow, the whole leg or = thigh=20 thereby lose their strength and nourishment, and dwindle away? How = much=20 greater inconveniences may we expect, when the thorax, wherein is = placed the=20 heart and seat of life, is unnaturally compress'd, and hinder'd from = its due=20 expansion?

Section 13. As for his diet, it ought to be very plain and simple; = and, if=20 I might advise, flesh should be forborne as long as he is in coats, or = at=20 least till he is two or three years old. But whatever advantage this = may be to=20 his present and future health and strength, I fear it will hardly be = consented=20 to by parents, misled by the custom of eating too much flesh = themselves, who=20 will be apt to think their children, as they do themselves, in danger = to be=20 starv'd, if they have not flesh at least twice a-day. This I am sure, = children=20 would breed their teeth with much less danger, be freer from diseases = whilst=20 they were little, and lay the foundations of an healthy and strong=20 constitution much surer, if they were not cramm'd so much as they are = by fond=20 mothers and foolish servants, and were kept wholly from flesh the = first three=20 or four years of their lives.

But if my young master must needs have flesh, let it be but once a = day, and=20 of one sort of a meal. Plain beef, mutton, veal, &c. without other = sauce=20 than hunger, is best; and great care should be used, that he eat bread = plentifully, both alone and with every thing else; and whatever he = eats that=20 is solid, make him chew it well. We English are often negligent = herein; from=20 whence follow indigestion, and other great inconveniences.

Section 14. For breakfast and supper, milk, milk-pottage, = water-gruel,=20 flummery, and twenty other things, that we are wont to make in = England, are=20 very fit for children; only, in all these, let care be taken that they = be=20 plain, and without much mixture, and very sparingly season'd with = sugar, or=20 rather none at all; especially all spice, and other things that may = heat the=20 blood, are carefully to be avoided. Be sparing also of salt in the = seasoning=20 of all his victuals, and use him not to high-season'd meats. Our = palates grow=20 into a relish and liking of the seasoning and cookery which by custom = they are=20 set to; and an over-much use of salt, besides that it occasions = thirst, and=20 over-much drinking, has other ill effects upon the body. I should = think that a=20 good piece of well-made and well-bak'd brown bread, sometimes with, = and=20 sometimes without butter or cheese, would be often the best breakfast = for my=20 young master. I am sure 'tis as wholesome, and will make him as strong = a man=20 as greater delicacies; and if he be used to it, it will be as pleasant = to him.=20 If he at any time calls for victuals between meals, use him to nothing = but dry=20 bread. If he be hungry more than wanton, bread alone will down; and if = he be=20 not hungry, 'tis not fit he should eat. By this you will obtain two = good=20 effects: 1. That by custom he will come to be in love with bread; for, = as I=20 said, our palates and stomachs too are pleased with the things we are = used to.=20 2. Another good you will gain hereby is, that you will not teach him = to eat=20 more nor oftener than nature requires. I do not think that all = people's=20 appetites are alike; some have naturally stronger, and some weaker = stomachs.=20 But this I think, that many are made gormands and gluttons by custom, = that=20 were not so by nature; and I see in some countries, men as lusty and = strong,=20 that eat but two meals a-day, as others that have set their stomachs = by a=20 constant usage, like larums, to call on them for four or five. The = Romans=20 usually fasted till supper, the only set meal even of those who eat = more than=20 once a-day; and those who us'd breakfast, as some did, at eight, some = at ten,=20 others at twelve of the clock, and some later, neither eat flesh, nor = had any=20 thing made ready for them. Augustus, when the greatest monarch on the = earth,=20 tells us, he took a bit of dry bread in his chariot. And Seneca, in = his 83rd=20 Epistle, giving an account how he managed himself, even when he was = old, and=20 his age permitted indulgence, says, that he used to eat a piece of dry = bread=20 for his dinner, without the formality of sitting to it, tho' his = estate would=20 as well have paid for a better meal (had health requir'd it) as any = subject's=20 in England, were it doubled. The masters of the world were bred up = with this=20 spare diet; and the young gentlemen of Rome felt no want of strength = or=20 spirit, because they eat but once a day. Or if it happen'd by chance, = that any=20 one could not fast so long as till supper, their only set meal, he = took=20 nothing but a bit of dry bread, or at most a few raisins, or some such = slight=20 thing with it, to stay his stomach. This part of temperance was found = so=20 necessary both for health and business, that the custom of only one = meal a day=20 held out against that prevailing luxury which their Eastern conquests = and=20 spoils had brought in amongst them; and those who had given up their = old=20 frugal eating, and made feasts, yet began them not till the evening. = And more=20 than one set meal a-day was thought so monstrous, that it was a = reproach as=20 low down as Caesar's time, to make an entertainment, or sit down to a = full=20 table, till towards sun-set; and therefore, if it would not be thought = too=20 severe, I should judge it most convenient that my young master should = have=20 nothing but bread too for breakfast. You cannot imagine of what force = custom=20 is; and I impute a great part of our diseases in England, to our = eating too=20 much flesh, and too little bread.

Section 15. As to his meals, I should think it best, that as much = as it can=20 be conveniently avoided, they should not be kept constantly to an = hour: for=20 when custom has fix'd his eating to certain stated periods, his = stomach will=20 expect victuals at the usual hour, and grow peevish if he passes it; = either=20 fretting itself into a troublesome excess, or flagging into a = downright want=20 of appetite. Therefore I would have no time kept constantly to for his = breakfast, dinner and supper, but rather vary'd almost every day. And = if=20 betwixt these, which I call meals, he will eat, let him have, as often = as he=20 calls for it, good dry bread. If any one think this too hard and = sparing a=20 diet for a child, let them know, that a child will never starve nor = dwindle=20 for want of nourishment, who, besides flesh at dinner, and spoon-meat, = or some=20 such other thing, at supper, may have good bread and beer as often as = he has a=20 stomach. For thus, upon second thoughts, I should judge it best for = children=20 to be order'd. The morning is generally design'd for study, to which a = full=20 stomach is but an ill preparation. Dry bread, though the best = nourishment, has=20 the least temptation; and no body would have a child cramm'd at = breakfast, who=20 has any regard to his mind or body, and would not have him dull and = unhealthy.=20 Nor let any one think this unsuitable to one of estate and condition. = A=20 gentleman in any age ought to be so bred, as to be fitted to bear = arms, and be=20 a soldier. But he that in this, breeds his son so, as if he design'd = him to=20 sleep over his life in the plenty and ease of a full fortune he = intends to=20 leave him, little considers the examples he has seen, or the age he = lives=20 in.

Section 16. His drink should be only small beer; and that too he = should=20 never be suffer'd to have between meals, but after he had eat a piece = of=20 bread. The reasons why I say this are these.

Section 17. I. More fevers and surfeits are got by people's = drinking when=20 they are hot, than by any one thing I know. Therefore, if by play he = be hot=20 and dry, bread will ill go down; and so if he cannot have drink but = upon that=20 condition, he will be forced to forbear; for, if he be very hot, he = should by=20 no means drink; at least a good piece of bread first to be eaten, will = gain=20 time to warm the beer blood-hot, which then he may drink safely. If he = be very=20 dry, it will go down so warm'd, and quench his thirst better; and if = he will=20 not drink it so warm'd, abstaining will not hurt him. Besides, this = will teach=20 him to forbear, which is an habit of greatest use for health of body = and mind=20 too.

Part II.

Section 18. 2. Not being permitted to drink without eating, will = prevent=20 the custom of having the cup often at his nose; a dangerous beginning, = and=20 preparation to good-fellowship. Men often bring habitual hunger and = thirst on=20 themselves by custom. And if you please to try, you may, though he be = wean'd=20 from it, bring him by use to such a necessity again of drinking in the = night,=20 that he will not be able to sleep without it. It being the lullaby = used by=20 nurses to still crying children, I believe mothers generally find some = difficulty to wean their children from drinking in the night, when = they first=20 take them home. Believe it, custom prevails as much by day as by = night; and=20 you may, if you please, bring any one to be thirsty every hour.

I once liv'd in a house, where, to appease a forward child, they = gave him=20 drink as often as he cry'd; so that he was constantly bibbing. And = tho' he=20 could not speak, yet he drank more in twenty-four hours than I did. = Try it=20 when you please, you may with small, as well as with strong beer, = drink your=20 self into a drought. The great thing to be minded in education is, = what habits=20 you settle; and therefore in this, as all other things, do not begin = to make=20 any thing customary, the practice whereof you would not have continue = and=20 increase. It is convenient for health and sobriety, to drink no more = than=20 natural thirst requires; and he that eats not salt meats, nor drinks = strong=20 drink, will seldom thirst between meals, unless he has been accustom'd = to such=20 unseasonable drinking.

Section 19. Above all, take great care that he seldom, if ever, = taste any=20 wine or strong drink. There is nothing so ordinarily given children in = England, and nothing so destructive to them. They ought never to drink = any=20 strong liquor but when they need it as a cordial, and the doctor = prescribes=20 it. And in this case it is, that servants are most narrowly to be = watch'd and=20 most severely to be reprehended when they transgress. Those mean sort = of=20 people, placing a great part of their happiness in strong drink, are = always=20 forward to make court to my young master by offering him that which = they love=20 best themselves: and finding themselves made merry by it, they = foolishly think=20 'twill do the child no harm. This you are carefully to have your eye = upon, and=20 restrain with all the skill and industry you can, there being nothing = that=20 lays a surer foundation of mischief, both to body and mind than = children's=20 being us'd to strong drink, especially to drink in private with the=20 servants.

Section 20. Fruit makes one of the most difficult chapters in the=20 government of health, especially that of children. Our first parents = ventur'd=20 Paradise for it; and 'tis no wonder our children cannot stand the = temptation,=20 tho' it cost them their health. The regulation of this cannot come = under any=20 one general rule; for I am by no means of their mind, who would keep = children=20 almost wholly from fruit, as a thing totally unwholesome for them; by = which=20 strict way, they make them but the more ravenous after it, and to eat = good or=20 bad, ripe or unripe, all that they can get, whenever they come at it. = Melons,=20 peaches, most sorts of plums, and all sorts of grapes in England, I = think=20 children should be wholly kept from, as having a very tempting taste, = in a=20 very unwholesome juice; so that if it were possible, they should never = so much=20 as see them, or know there were any such thing. But strawberries, = cherries,=20 gooseberres, or currants, when thorough ripe, I think may be very = safely=20 allow'd them, and that with a pretty liberal hand, if they be eaten = with these=20 cautions: 1. Not after meals, as we usually do, when the stomach is = already=20 full of other food: but I think they should be eaten rather before or = between=20 meals, and children should have them for their breakfast. 2. Bread = eaten with=20 them. 3. Perfectly ripe. If they are thus eaten, I imagine them rather = conducing than hurtful to our health. Summer-fruits, being suited to = the hot=20 season of the year they come in, refresh our stomachs, languishing and = fainting under it; and therefore I should not be altogether so strict = in this=20 point, as some are to their children; who being kept so very short, = instead of=20 a moderate quantity of well-chosen fruit, which being allow'd them = would=20 content them, whenever they can get loose, or bribe a servant to = supply them,=20 satisfy their longing with any trash they can get, and eat to a = surfeit.

Apples and pears too, which are thorough ripe, and have been = gather'd some=20 time, I think may be safely eaten at any time, and in pretty large = quantities,=20 especially apples; which never did any body hurt, that I have heard, = after=20 October.

Fruits also dry'd without sugar, I think very wholesome. But = sweet-meats of=20 all kinds are to be avoided; which whether they do more harm to the = maker or=20 eater, is not easy to tell. This I am sure, it is one of the most = inconvenient=20 ways of expence that vanity hath yet found out; and so I leave them to = the=20 ladies.

Section 21. Of all that looks soft and effeminate, nothing is more = to be=20 indulg'd children, than sleep. In this alone they are to be permitted = to have=20 their full satisfaction; nothing contributing more to the growth and = health of=20 children, than sleep. All that is to be regulated in it, is, in what = part of=20 the twenty-four hours they should take it; which will easily be = resolved, by=20 only saying that it is of great use to accustom 'em to rise early in = the=20 morning. It is best so to do, for health; and he that, from his = childhood,=20 has, by a settled custom, made rising betimes easy and familiar to = him, will=20 not, when he is a man, waste the best and most useful part of his life = in=20 drowsiness, and lying a-bed. If children therefore are to be call'd up = early=20 in the morning, it will follow of course, that they must go to bed = betimes;=20 whereby they will be accustom'd to avoid the unhealthy and unsafe = hours of=20 debauchery, which are those of the evenings; and they who keep good = hours,=20 seldom are guilty of any great disorders. I do not say this, as if = your son,=20 when grown up, should never be in company past eight, nor ever chat = over a=20 glass of wine 'till midnight. You are now, by the accustoming of his = tender=20 years, to indispose him to those inconveniences as much as you can; = and it=20 will be no small advantage, that contrary practice having made sitting = up=20 uneasy to him, it will make him often avoid, and very seldom propose=20 midnight-revels. But if it should not reach so far, but fashion and = company=20 should prevail, and make him live as others do above twenty, 'tis = worth the=20 while to accustom him to early rising and early going to bed, between = this and=20 that, for the present improvement of his health and other = advantages.

Though I have said, a large allowance of sleep, even as much as = they will=20 take, should be made to children when they are little; yet I do not = mean, that=20 it should always be continued to them in so large a proportion, and = they=20 suffer'd to indulge a drowsy laziness in their bed, as they grow up = bigger.=20 But whether they should begin to be restrained at seven or ten years = old, or=20 any other time, is impossible to be precisely determined. Their = tempers,=20 strength, and constitutions, must be consider'd. But some time between = seven=20 and fourteen, if they are too great lovers of their beds, I think it = may be=20 seasonable to begin to reduce them by degrees to about eight hours, = which is=20 generally rest enough for healthy grown people. If you have accustom'd = him, as=20 you should do, to rise constantly very early in the morning, this = fault of=20 being too long in bed will easily be reform'd, and most children will = be=20 forward enough to shorten that time themselves, by coveting to sit up = with the=20 company at night; tho' if they be not look'd after, they will be apt = to take=20 it out in the morning, which should by no means be permitted. They = should=20 constantly be call'd up and made to rise at their early hour; but = great care=20 should be taken in waking them, that it be not done hastily, nor with = a loud=20 or shrill voice, or any other sudden violent noise. This often = affrights=20 children, and does them great harm; and sound sleep thus broke off, = with=20 sudden alarms, is apt enough to discompose any one. When children are = to be=20 waken'd out of their sleep, be sure to begin with a low call, and some = gentle=20 motion, and so draw them out of it by degrees, and give them none but = kind=20 words and usage, 'till they are come perfectly to themselves, and = being quite=20 dress'd you are sure they are thoroughly awake. The being forc'd from = their=20 sleep, how gently so ever you do it, is pain enough to them; and care = should=20 be taken not to add any other uneasiness to it, especially such that = may=20 terrify them.

Section 22. Let his bed be hard, and rather quilts than feathers. = Hard=20 lodging strengthens the parts; whereas being bury'd every night in = feathers=20 melts and dissolves the body, is often the cause of weakness, and = forerunner=20 of an early grave. And, besides the stone, which has often its rise = from this=20 warm wrapping of the reins, several other indispositions, and that = which is=20 the root of them all, a tender weakly constitution, is very much owing = to=20 down-beds. Besides, he that is used to hard lodging at home, will not = miss his=20 sleep (where he has most need of it) in his travels abroad, for want = of his=20 soft bed, and his pillows laid in order. And therefore, I think it = would not=20 be amiss, to make his bed after different fashions, sometimes lay his = head=20 higher, sometimes lower, that he may not feel every little change he = must be=20 sure to meet with, who is not design'd to lie always in my young = master's bed=20 at home, and to have his maid lay all things in print, and tuck him in = warm.=20 The great cordial of nature is sleep. He that misses that, will suffer = by it;=20 and he is very unfortunate, who can take his cordial only in his = mother's fine=20 gilt cup, and not in a wooden dish. He that can sleep soundly, takes = the=20 cordial; and it matters not whether it be on a soft bed or the hard = boards.=20 'Tis sleep only that is the thing necessary.

Section 23. One thing more there is, which has a great influence = upon the=20 health, and that is, going to stool regularly; people that are very = loose,=20 have seldom strong thoughts, or strong bodies. But the cure of this, = both by=20 diet and medicine, being much more easy than the contrary evil, there = needs=20 not much to be said about it; for if it come to threaten, either by = its=20 violence or duration, it will soon enough, and sometimes too soon, = make a=20 physician be sent for; and if it be moderate or short, it is commonly = best to=20 leave it to nature. On the other side, costiveness has too its ill = effects,=20 and is much harder to be dealt with by physick; purging medicines, = which seem=20 to give relief, rather increasing them than removing the evil.

Section 24. It being an indisposition I had a particular reason to = enquire=20 into, and not finding the cure of it in books, I set my thoughts on = work,=20 believing that greater changes than that might be made in our bodies, = if we=20 took the right course, and proceeded by rational steps.

1. Then I consider'd, that going to stool, was the effect of = certain=20 motions of the body; especially of the peristaltick motion of the = guts.

2. I consider'd that several motions, that were not perfectly = voluntary,=20 might yet, by use and constant application, be brought to be habitual, = if by=20 an unintermitted custom they were at certain seasons endeavour'd to be = constantly produced.

3. I had observ'd some men, who by taking after supper a pipe of = tobacco,=20 never fail'd of a stool, and began to doubt with myself, whether it = were not=20 more custom, than the tobacco, that gave them the benefit of nature; = or at=20 least, if the tobacco did it, it was rather by exciting a vigorous = motion in=20 the guts, than by any purging quality; for then it would have had = other=20 effects.

Having thus once got the opinion that it was possible to make it = habitual,=20 the next thing was to consider what way and means was the likeliest to = obtain=20 it.

4. Then I guess'd, that if a man, after his first eating in the = morning,=20 would presently solicit nature, and try whether he could strain = himself so as=20 to obtain a stool, he might in time, by constant application, bring it = to be=20 habitual.

Section 25. The reasons that made me chuse this time, were,

1. Because the stomach being then empty, if it receiv'd any thing = grateful=20 to it (for I would never, but in case of necessity, have any one eat = but what=20 he likes, and when he has an appetite) it was apt to embrace it close = by a=20 strong constriction of its fibres; which constriction, I suppos'd, = might=20 probably be continu'd on in the guts, and so increase their = peristaltick=20 motion, as we see in the Ileus, that an inverted motion, being begun = any where=20 below, continues itself all the whole length, and makes even the = stomach obey=20 that irregular motion.

2. Because when men eat, they usually relax their thoughts, and the = spirits=20 then, free from other employments, are more vigorously distributed = into the=20 lower belly, which thereby contribute to the same effect.

3. Because, whenever men have leisure to eat, they have leisure = enough also=20 to make so much court to Madam Cloacina, as would be necessary to our = present=20 purpose; but else, in the variety of human affairs and accidents, it = was=20 impossible to affix it to any hour certain, whereby the custom would = be=20 interrupted. Whereas men in health seldom failing to eat once a day, = tho' the=20 hour chang'd, the custom might still be preserv'd.

Section 26. Upon these grounds the experiment began to be try'd, = and I have=20 known none who have been steady in the prosecution of it, and taken = care to go=20 constantly to the necessary-house, after their first eating, whenever = that=20 happen'd, whether they found themselves call'd on or no, and there = endeavoured=20 to put nature upon her duty, but in a few months they obtain'd the = desired=20 success, and brought themselves to so regular an habit, that they = seldom ever=20 fail'd of a stool after their first eating, unless it were by their = own=20 neglect: for, whether they have any motion or no, if they go to the = place, and=20 do their part, they are sure to have nature very obedient.

Section 27. I would therefore advise, that this course should be = taken with=20 a child every day presently after he has eaten his breakfast. Let him = be set=20 upon the stool, as if disburthening were as much in his power as = filling his=20 belly; and let not him or his maid know any thing to the contrary, but = that it=20 is so; and if he be forc'd to endeavour, by being hinder'd from his = play or=20 eating again 'till he has been effectually at stool, or at least done = his=20 utmost, I doubt not but in a little while it will become natural to = him. For=20 there is reason to suspect, that children being usually intent on = their play,=20 and very heedless of any thing else, often let pass those motions of = nature,=20 when she calls them but gently; and so they, neglecting the seasonable = offers,=20 do by degrees bring themselves into an habitual costiveness. That by = this=20 method costiveness may be prevented, I do more than guess; having = known by the=20 constant practice of it for some time, a child brought to have a stool = regularly after his breakfast every morning.

Section 28. How far any grown people will think fit to make trial = of it,=20 must be left to them; tho' I cannot but say, that considering the many = evils=20 that come from that defect, of a requisite easing of nature, I scarce = know any=20 thing more conducing to the preservation of health, than this is. Once = in four=20 and twenty hours, I think is enough; and no body, I guess, will think = it too=20 much. And by this means it is to be obtain'd without physick, which = commonly=20 proves very ineffectual in the cure of a settled and habitual = costiveness.

Section 29. This is all I have to trouble you with concerning his=20 management in the ordinary course of his health. Perhaps it will be = expected=20 from me, that I should give some directions of physick, to prevent = diseases;=20 for which I have only this one, very sacredly to be observ'd, never to = give=20 children any physick for prevention. The observation of what I have = already=20 advis'd, will, I suppose, do that better than the ladies' diet-drinks = or=20 apothecaries' medicines. Have a great care of tampering that way, = lest,=20 instead of preventing, you draw on diseases. Nor even upon every = little=20 indisposition is physick to be given, or the physician to be call'd to = children, especially if he be a busy man, that will presently fill = their=20 windows with gally-pots, and their stomachs with drugs. It is safer to = leave=20 them wholly to nature, than to put 'em into the hands of one forward = to=20 tamper, or that thinks children are to be cur'd, in ordinary = distempers, by=20 any thing but diet, or by a method very little distant from it: it = seeming=20 suitable both to my reason and experience, that the tender = constitutions of=20 children should have as little done to them as is possible, and as the = absolute necessity of the case requires. A little cold-still'd red=20 poppy-water, which is the true surfeit-water with ease, and abstinence = from=20 flesh, often puts an end to several distempers in the beginning, = which, by too=20 forward applications, might have been made lusty diseases. When such a = gentle=20 treatment will not stop the growing mischief, nor hinder it from = turning into=20 a form'd disease, it will be time to seek the advice of some sober and = discreet physician. In this part, I hope, I shall find an easy belief; = and no=20 body can have a pretence to doubt the advice of one who has spent some = time in=20 the study of physick, when he counsels you not to be too forward in = making use=20 of physick and physicians.

Section 30. And thus I have done with what concerns the body and = health,=20 which reduces itself to these few and easy observable rules: plenty of = open=20 air, exercise, and sleep, plain diet, no wine or strong drink, and = very little=20 or no physick, not too warm and strait clothing, especially the head = and feet=20 kept cold, and the feet often us'd to cold water, and expos'd to = wet.

Section 31. Due care being had to keep the body in strength and = vigour, so=20 that it may be able to obey and execute the orders of the mind; the = next and=20 principal business is, to set the mind right, that on all occasions it = may be=20 dispos'd to consent to nothing but what may be suitable to the dignity = and=20 excellency of a rational creature.

Section 32. If what I have said in the beginning of this discourse = be true,=20 as I do not doubt but it is, viz. That the difference to be found in = the=20 manners and abilities of men is owing more to their education than to = any=20 thing else, we have reason to conclude, that great care is to be had = of the=20 forming children's minds, and giving them that seasoning early, which = shall=20 influence their lives always after: For when they do well or ill, the = praise=20 and blame will be laid there; and when any thing is done awkwardly, = the common=20 saying will pass upon them, that it's suitable to their breeding.

Section 33. As the strength of the body lies chiefly in being able = to=20 endure hardships, so also does that of the mind. And the great = principle and=20 foundation of all virtue and worth is plac'd in this: that a man is = able to=20 deny himself his own desires, cross his own inclinations, and purely = follow=20 what reason directs as best, tho' the appetite lean the other way.

Section 34. The great mistake I have observ'd in people's breeding = their=20 children, has been, that this has not been taken care enough of in its = due=20 season: that the mind has not been made obedient to discipline, and = pliant to=20 reason, when at first it was most tender, most easy to be bow'd. = Parents being=20 wisely ordain'd by nature to love their children, are very apt, if = reason=20 watch not that natural affection very warily, are apt, I say, to let = it run=20 into fondness. They love their little ones and it is their duty; but = they=20 often, with them, cherish their faults too. They must not be cross'd,=20 forsooth; they must be permitted to have their wills in all things; = and they=20 being in their infancies not capable of great vices, their parents = think they=20 may safe enough indulge their irregularities, and make themselves = sport with=20 that pretty perverseness which they think well enough becomes that = innocent=20 age. But to a fond parent, that would not have his child corrected for = a=20 perverse trick, but excus'd it, saying it was a small matter, Solon = very well=20 reply'd, aye, but custom is a great one.

Section 35. The fondling must be taught to strike and call names, = must have=20 what he cries for, and do what he pleases. Thus parents, by humouring = and=20 cockering them when little, corrupt the principles of nature in their=20 children, and wonder afterwards to taste the bitter waters, when they=20 themselves have poison'd the fountain. For when their children are = grown up,=20 and these ill habits with them; when they are now too big to be = dandled, and=20 their parents can no longer make use of them as play-things, then they = complain that the brats are untoward and perverse; then they are = offended to=20 see them wilful, and are troubled with those ill humours which they = themselves=20 infus'd and fomented in them; and then, perhaps too late, would be = glad to get=20 out those weeds which their own hands have planted, and which now have = taken=20 too deep root to be easily extirpated. For he that hath been us'd to = have his=20 will in every thing, as long as he was in coats, why should we think = it=20 strange, that he should desire it, and contend for it still, when he = is in=20 breeches? Indeed, as he grows more towards a man, age shews his faults = the=20 more; so that there be few parents then so blind as not to see them, = few so=20 insensible as not to feel the ill effects of their own indulgence. He = had the=20 will of his maid before he could speak or go; he had the mastery of = his=20 parents ever since he could prattle; and why, now he is grown up, is = stronger=20 and wiser than he was then, why now of a sudden must he be restrain'd = and=20 curb'd? Why must he at seven, fourteen, or twenty years old, lose the=20 privilege, which the parents' indulgence 'till then so largely allow'd = him?=20 Try it in a dog or an horse or any other creature, and see whether the = ill and=20 resty tricks they have learn'd when young, are easily to be mended = when they=20 are knit; and yet none of those creatures are half so wilful and = proud, or=20 half so desirous to be masters of themselves and others, as man.

Section 36. We are generally wise enough to begin with them when = they are=20 very young, and discipline betimes those other creatures we would make = useful=20 and good for somewhat. They are only our own offspring, that we = neglect in=20 this point; and having made them ill children, we foolishly expect = they should=20 be good men. For if the child must have grapes or sugar-plums when he = has a=20 mind to them, rather than make the poor baby cry or be out of humour; = why,=20 when, he is grown up, must he not be satisfy'd too, if his desires = carry him=20 to wine or women? They are objects as suitable to the longing of one = of more=20 years, as what he cry'd for, when little, was to the inclinations of a = child.=20 The having desires accommodated to the apprehensions and relish of = those=20 several ages, is not the fault; but the not having them subject to the = rules=20 and restraints of reason: the difference lies not in having or not = having=20 appetites, but in the power to govern, and deny ourselves in them. He = that is=20 not us'd to submit his will to the reason of others when he is young, = will=20 scarce hearken to submit to his own reason when he is of an age to = make use of=20 it. And what kind of a man such an one is like to prove, is easy to=20 foresee.

Section 37. These are oversights usually committed by those who = seem to=20 take the greatest care of their children's education. But if we look = into the=20 common management of children, we shall have reason to wonder, in the = great=20 dissoluteness of manners which the world complains of, that there are = any=20 footsteps at all left of virtue. I desire to know what vice can be = nam'd,=20 which parents, and those about children, do not season them with, and = drop=20 into 'em the seeds of, as soon as they are capable to receive them? I = do not=20 mean by the examples they give, and the patterns they set before them, = which=20 is encouragement enough; but that which I would take notice of here = is, the=20 downright teaching them vice, and actual putting them out of the way = of=20 virtue. Before they can go, they principle 'em with violence, revenge, = and=20 cruelty. Give me a blow, that I may beat him, is a lesson which most = children=20 every day hear; and it is thought nothing, because their hands have = not=20 strength to do any mischief. But I ask, does not this corrupt their = mind? Is=20 not this the way of force and violence, that they are set in? And if = they have=20 been taught when little, to strike and hurt others by proxy, and = encourag'd to=20 rejoice in the harm they have brought upon them, and see them suffer, = are they=20 not prepar'd to do it when they are strong enough to be felt = themselves, and=20 can strike to some purpose?

The coverings of our bodies which are for modesty, warmth and = defence, are=20 by the folly or vice of parents recommended to their children for = other uses.=20 They are made matters of vanity and emulation. A child is set = a-longing after=20 a new suit, for the finery of it; and when the little girl is trick'd = up in=20 her new gown and commode, how can her mother do less than teach her to = admire=20 herself, by calling her, her little queen and her princess? Thus the = little=20 ones are taught to be proud of their clothes before they can put them = on. And=20 why should they not continue to value themselves for their outside=20 fashionableness of the taylor or tirewoman's making, when their = parents have=20 so early instructed them to do so?

Lying and equivocations, and excuses little different from lying, = are put=20 into the mouths of young people, and commended in apprentices and = children,=20 whilst they are for their master's or parents' advantage. And can it = be=20 thought, that he that finds the straining of truth dispens'd with, and = encourag'd, whilst it is for his godly master's turn, will not make = use of=20 that privilege for himself, when it may be for his own profit?

Those of the meaner sort are hinder'd, by the straitness of their = fortunes,=20 from encouraging intemperance in their children by the temptation of = their=20 diet, or invitations to eat or drink more than enough; but their own = ill=20 examples, whenever plenty comes in their way, shew, that 'tis not the = dislike=20 of drunkenness or gluttony, that keeps them from excess, but want of=20 materials. But if we look into the houses of those who are a little = warmer in=20 their fortunes, their eating and drinking are made so much the great = business=20 and happiness of life, that children are thought neglected, if they = have not=20 their share of it. Sauces and ragoos, and food disguis'd by all the = arts of=20 cookery, must tempt their palates, when their bellies are full; and = then, for=20 fear the stomach should be overcharg'd, a pretence is found for = t'other glass=20 of wine to help digestion, tho' it only serves to increase the = surfeit.

Is my young master a little out of order, the first question is, = What will=20 my dear eat? What shall I get for thee? Eating and drinking are = instantly=20 press'd; and every body's invention is set on work, to find out = something=20 luscious and delicate enough to prevail over that want of appetite, = which=20 nature has wisely order'd in the beginning of distempers, as a defence = against=20 their increase; that being freed from the ordinary labour of digesting = any new=20 load in the stomach, she may be at leisure to correct and master the = peccant=20 humours.

And where children are so happy in the care of their parents, as by = their=20 prudence to be kept from the excess of their tables, to the sobriety = of a=20 plain and simple diet, yet there too they are scarce to be preserv'd = from the=20 contagion that poisons the mind; though, by a discreet management = whilst they=20 are under tuition, their healths perhaps may be pretty well secure, = yet their=20 desires must needs yield to the lessons which every where will be read = to them=20 upon this part of epicurism. The commendation that eating well has = every=20 where, cannot fail to be a successful incentive to natural appetites, = and=20 bring them quickly to the liking and expence of a fashionable table. = This=20 shall have from every one, even the reprovers of vice, the title of = living=20 well. And what shall sullen reason dare to say against the publick = testimony?=20 Or can it hope to be heard, if it should call that luxury, which is so = much=20 own'd and universally practis'd by those of the best quality?

This is now so grown a vice, and has so great supports, that I know = not=20 whether it do not put in for the name of virtue; and whether it will = not be=20 thought folly, or want of knowledge of the world, to open one's mouth = against=20 it? And truly I should suspect, that what I have here said of it, = might be=20 censur'd as a little satire out of my way, did I not mention it with = this=20 view, that it might awaken the care and watchfulness of parents in the = education of their children, when they see how they are beset on every = side,=20 not only with temptations, but instructors to vice, and that, perhaps, = in=20 those they thought places of security.

I shall not dwell any longer on this subject, much less run over = all the=20 particulars that would shew what pains are us'd to corrupt children, = and=20 instil principles of vice into them: but I desire parents soberly to = consider,=20 what irregularity or vice there is which children are not visibly = taught, and=20 whether it be not their duty and wisdom to provide them other=20 instructions.

Section 38. It seems plain to me, that the principle of all virtue = and=20 excellency lies in a power of denying ourselves the satisfaction of = our own=20 desires, where reason does not authorize them. This power is to be got = and=20 improv'd by custom, made easy and familiar by an early practice. If = therefore=20 I might be heard, I would advise, that, contrary to the ordinary way, = children=20 should be us'd to submit their desires, and go without their longings, = even=20 from their very cradles. The first thing they should learn to know, = should be,=20 that they were not to have anything because it pleas'd them, but = because it=20 was thought fit for them. If things suitable to their wants were = supply'd to=20 them, so that they were never suffer'd to have what they once cry'd = for, they=20 would learn to be content without it, would never, with bawling and=20 peevishness, contend for mastery, nor be half so uneasy to themselves = and=20 others as they are, because from the first beginning they are not thus = handled. If they were never suffer'd to obtain their desire by the = impatience=20 they express'd for it, they would no more cry for another thing, than = they do=20 for the moon.

Section 39. I say not this, as if children were not to be indulg'd = in=20 anything, or that I expected they should in hanging-sleeves have the = reason=20 and conduct of counsellors. I consider them as children, who must be = tenderly=20 us'd, who must play, and have play-things. That which I mean, is, that = whenever they crav'd what was not fit for them to have or do, they = should not=20 be permitted it because they were little, and desir'd it: nay, = whatever they=20 were importunate for, they should be sure, for that very reason, to be = deny'd.=20 I have seen children at a table, who, whatever was there, never ask'd = for=20 anything, but contentedly took what was given them; and at another = place, I=20 have seen others cry for everything they saw; must be serv'd out of = every=20 dish, and that first too. What made this vast difference but this? = that one=20 was accustom'd to have what they call'd or cry'd for, the other to go = without=20 it. The younger they are, the less I think are their unruly and = disorderly=20 appetites to be comply'd with; and the less reason they have of their = own, the=20 more are they to be under the absolute power and restraint of those in = whose=20 hands they are. From which I confess it will follow, that none but = discreet=20 people should be about them. If the world commonly does otherwise, I = cannot=20 help that. I am saying what I think should be; which if it were = already in=20 fashion, I should not need to trouble the world with a discourse on = this=20 subject. But yet I doubt not, but when it is consider'd, there will be = others=20 of opinion with me, that the sooner this way is begun with children, = the=20 easier it will be for them and their governors too; and that this = ought to be=20 observ'd as an inviolable maxim, that whatever once is deny'd them, = they are=20 certainly not to obtain by crying or importunity, unless one has a = mind to=20 teach them to be impatient and troublesome, by rewarding them for it = when they=20 are so.

 

Part III.

Section 40. Those therefore that intend ever to govern their = children,=20 should begin it whilst they are very little, and look that they = perfectly=20 comply with the will of their parents. Would you have your son = obedient to you=20 when past a child; be sure then to establish the authority of a father = as soon=20 as he is capable of submission, and can understand in whose power he = is. If=20 you would have him stand in awe of you, imprint it in his infancy; and = as he=20 approaches more to a man, admit him nearer to your familiarity; so = shall you=20 have him your obedient subject (as is fit) whilst he is a child, and = your=20 affectionate friend when he is a man. For methinks they mightily = misplace the=20 treatment due to their children, who are indulgent and familiar when = they are=20 little, but severe to them, and keep them at a distance, when they are = grown=20 up: for liberty and indulgence can do no good to children; their want = of=20 judgment makes them stand in need of restraint and discipline; and on = the=20 contrary, imperiousness and severity is but an ill way of treating = men, who=20 have reason of their own to guide them; unless you have a mind to make = your=20 children, when grown up, weary of you, and secretly to say within = themselves,=20 When will you die, father?

Section 41. I imagine every one will judge it reasonable, that = their=20 children, when little, should look upon their parents as their lords, = their=20 absolute governors, and as such stand in awe of them; and that when = they come=20 to riper years, they should look on them as their best, as their only = sure=20 friends, and as such love and reverence them. The way I have = mention'd, if I=20 mistake not, is the only one to obtain this. We must look upon our = children,=20 when grown up, to be like ourselves, with the same passions, the same = desires.=20 We would be thought rational creatures, and have our freedom; we love = not to=20 be uneasy under constant rebukes and brow-beatings, nor can we bear = severe=20 humours and great distance in those we converse with. Whoever has such = treatment when he is a man, will look out other company, other = friends, other=20 conversation, with whom he can be at ease. If therefore a strict hand = be kept=20 over children from the beginning, they will in that age be tractable, = and=20 quietly submit to it, as never having known any other: and if, as they = grow up=20 to the use of reason, the rigour of government be, as they deserve it, = gently=20 relax'd, the father's brow more smooth'd to them, and the distance by = degrees=20 abated, his former restraints will increase their love, when they find = it was=20 only a kindness to them, and a care to make them capable to deserve = the favour=20 of their parents, and the esteem of everybody else.

Section 42. Thus much for the settling your authority over your = children in=20 general. Fear and awe ought to give you the first power over their = minds, and=20 love and friendship in riper years to hold it: for the time must come, = when=20 they will be past the rod and correction; and then, if the love of you = make=20 them not obedient and dutiful, if the love of virtue and reputation = keep them=20 not in laudable courses, I ask, what hold will you have upon them to = turn them=20 to it? Indeed, fear of having a scanty portion if they displease you, = may make=20 them slaves to your estate, but they will be nevertheless ill and = wicked in=20 private; and that restraint will not last always. Every man must some = time or=20 other be trusted to himself and his own conduct; and he that is a = good, a=20 virtuous, and able man, must be made so within. And therefore what he = is to=20 receive from education, what is to sway and influence his life, must = be=20 something put into him betimes; habits woven into the very principles = of his=20 nature, and not a counterfeit carriage, and dissembled outside, put on = by=20 fear, only to avoid the present anger of a father who perhaps may = disinherit=20 him.

Section 43. This being laid down in general, as the course that = ought to be=20 taken, 'tis fit we now come to consider the parts of the discipline to = be=20 us'd, a little more particularly. I have spoken so much of carrying a = strict=20 hand over children, that perhaps I shall be suspected of not = considering=20 enough, what is due to their tender age and constitutions. But that = opinion=20 will vanish, when you have heard me a little farther: for I am very = apt to=20 think, that great severity of punishment does but very little good, = nay, great=20 harm in education; and I believe it will be found that, caeteris = paribus,=20 those children who have been most chastis'd, seldom make the best men. = All=20 that I have hitherto contended for, is, that whatsoever rigor is = necessary, it=20 is more to be us'd, the younger children are; and having by a due = application=20 wrought its effect, it is to be relax'd, and chang'd into a milder = sort of=20 government.

Section 44. A compliance and suppleness of their wills, being by a = steady=20 hand introduc'd by parents, before children have memories to retain = the=20 beginnings of it, will seem natural to them, and work afterwards in = them as if=20 it were so, preventing all occasions of struggling or repining. The = only care=20 is, that it be begun early, and inflexibly kept to 'till awe and = respect be=20 grown familiar, and there appears not the least reluctancy in the = submission,=20 and ready obedience of their minds. When this reverence is once thus=20 established, (which it must be early, or else it will cost pains and = blows to=20 recover it, and the more the longer it is deferr'd) 'tis by it, still = mix'd=20 with as much indulgence as they make not an ill use of, and not by = beating,=20 chiding, or other servile punishments, they are for the future to be = govern'd=20 as they grow up to more understanding.

Section 45. That this is so, will be easily allow'd, when it is but = consider'd, what is to be aim'd at in an ingenuous education; and upon = what it=20 turns.

1. He that has not a mastery over his inclinations, he that knows = not how=20 to resist the importunity of present pleasure or pain, for the sake of = what=20 reason tells him is fit to be done, wants the true principle of virtue = and=20 industry, and is in danger never to be good for anything. This temper=20 therefore, so contrary to unguided nature, is to be got betimes; and = this=20 habit, as the true foundation of future ability and happiness, is to = be=20 wrought into the mind as early as may be, even from the first dawnings = of=20 knowledge or apprehension in children, and so to be confirm'd in them, = by all=20 the care and ways imaginable, by those who have the oversight of their = education.

Section 46. 2. On the other side, if the mind be curb'd, and = humbled too=20 much in children; if their spirits be abas'd and broken much, by too = strict an=20 hand over them, they lose all their vigour and industry, and are in a = worse=20 state than the former. For extravagant young fellows, that have = liveliness and=20 spirit, come sometimes to be set right, and so make able and great = men; but=20 dejected minds, timorous and tame, and low spirits, are hardly ever to = be=20 rais'd, and very seldom attain to any thing. To avoid the danger that = is on=20 either hand, is the great art; and he that has found a way how to keep = up a=20 child's spirit easy, active, and free, and yet at the same time to = restrain=20 him from many things he has a mind to, and to draw him to things that = are=20 uneasy to him; he, I say, that knows how to reconcile these seeming=20 contradictions, has, in my opinion, got the true secret of = education.

Section 47. The usual lazy and short way by chastisement and the = rod, which=20 is the only instrument of government that tutors generally know, or = ever think=20 of, is the most unfit of any to be us'd in education, because it tends = to both=20 those mischiefs; which, as we have shewn, are the Scylla and = Charybdis, which=20 on the one hand or the other ruin all that miscarry.

Section 48. 1. This kind of punishment contributes not at all to = the=20 mastery of our natural propensity to indulge corporal and present = pleasure,=20 and to avoid pain at any rate, but rather encourages it, and thereby=20 strengthens that in us, which is the root from whence spring all = vicious=20 actions, and the irregularities of life. For what other motive, but of = sensual=20 pleasure and pain, does a child act by, who drudges at his book = against his=20 inclination, or abstains from eating unwholesome fruit, that he takes = pleasure=20 in, only out of fear of whipping? He in this only prefers the greater = corporal=20 pleasure, or avoids the greater corporal pain. And what is it, to = govern his=20 actions, and direct his conduct by such motives as these? What is it, = I say,=20 but to cherish that principle in him, which it is our business to root = out and=20 destroy? And therefore I cannot think any correction useful to a = child, where=20 the shame of suffering for having done amiss, does not work more upon = him than=20 the pain.

Section 49. 2. This sort of correction naturally breeds an aversion = to that=20 which 'tis the tutor's business to create a liking to. How obvious is = it to=20 observe, that children come to hate things which were at first = acceptable to=20 them, when they find themselves whipp'd, and chid, and teas'd about = them? And=20 it is not to be wonder'd at in them, when grown men would not be able = to be=20 reconcil'd to any thing by such ways. Who is there that would not be = disgusted=20 with any innocent recreation, in itself indifferent to him, if he = should with=20 blows or ill language be haled to it, when he had no mind? Or be = constantly so=20 treated, for some circumstances in his application to it? This is = natural to=20 be so. Offensive circumstances ordinarily infect innocent things which = they=20 are join'd with; and the very sight of a cup wherein any one uses to = take=20 nauseous physick, turns his stomach, so that nothing will relish well = out of=20 it, tho' the cup be never so clean and well-shap'd, and of the richest = materials.

Section 50. 3. Such a sort of slavish discipline makes a slavish = temper.=20 The child submits, and dissembles obedience, whilst the fear of the = rod hangs=20 over him; but when that is remov'd, and by being out of sight, he can = promise=20 himself impunity, he gives the greater scope to his natural = inclination; which=20 by this way is not at all alter'd, but, on the contrary, heighten'd = and=20 increas'd in him; and after such restraint, breaks out usually with = the more=20 violence; or,

Section 51. 4. If severity carry'd to the highest pitch does = prevail, and=20 works a cure upon the present unruly distemper, it often brings in the = room of=20 it a worse and more dangerous disease, by breaking the mind; and then, = in the=20 place of a disorderly young fellow, you have a low spirited moap'd = creature,=20 who, however with his unnatural sobriety he may please silly people, = who=20 commend tame unactive children, because they make no noise, nor give = them any=20 trouble; yet at last, will probably prove as uncomfortable a thing to = his=20 friends, as he will be all his life an useless thing to himself and=20 others.

Section 52. Beating them, and all other sorts of slavish and = corporal=20 punishments, are not the discipline fit to be used in the education of = those=20 we would have wise, good, and ingenuous men; and therefore very rarely = to be=20 apply'd, and that only in great occasions, and cases of extremity. On = the=20 other side, to flatter children by rewards of things that are pleasant = to=20 them, is as carefully to be avoided. He that will give to his son = apples or=20 sugar-plumbs, or what else of this kind he is most delighted with, to = make him=20 learn his book, does but authorize his love of pleasure, and cocker up = that=20 dangerous propensity, which he ought by all means to subdue and stifle = in him.=20 You can never hope to teach him to master it, whilst you compound for = the=20 check you gave his inclination in one place, by the satisfaction you = propose=20 to it in another. To make a good, a wise, and a virtuous man, 'tis fit = he=20 should learn to cross his appetite, and deny his inclination to = riches,=20 finery, or pleasing his palate, &c. whenever his reason advises = the=20 contrary, and his duty requires it. But when you draw him to do any = thing that=20 is fit by the offer of money, or reward the pains of learning his book = by the=20 pleasure of a luscious morsel; when you promise him a lace-cravat or a = fine=20 new suit, upon performance of some of his little tasks; what do you by = proposing these as rewards, but allow them to be the good things he = should aim=20 at, and thereby encourage his longing for 'em, and accustom him to = place his=20 happiness in them? Thus people, to prevail with children to be = industrious=20 about their grammar, dancing, or some other such matter, of no great = moment to=20 the happiness or usefulness of their lives, by misapply'd rewards and=20 punishments, sacrifice their virtue, invert the order of their = education, and=20 teach them luxury, pride, or covetousness, &c. For in this way, = flattering=20 those wrong inclinations which they should restrain and suppress, they = lay the=20 foundations of those future vices, which cannot be avoided but by = curbing our=20 desires and accustoming them early to submit to reason.

Section 53. I say not this, that I would have children kept from = the=20 conveniences or pleasures of life, that are not injurious to their = health or=20 virtue. On the contrary, I would have their lives made as pleasant and = as=20 agreeable to them as may be, in a plentiful enjoyment of whatsoever = might=20 innocently delight them; provided it be with this caution, that they = have=20 those enjoyments, only as the consequences of the state of esteem and=20 acceptation they are in with their parents and governors; but they = should=20 never be offer'd or bestow'd on them, as the rewards of this or that=20 particular performance, that they shew an aversion to, or to which = they would=20 not have apply'd themselves without that temptation.

Section 54. But if you take away the rod on one hand, and these = little=20 encouragements which they are taken with, on the other, how then (will = you=20 say) shall children be govern'd? Remove hope and fear, and there is an = end of=20 all discipline. I grant that good and evil, reward and punishment, are = the=20 only motives to a rational creature: these are the spur and reins = whereby all=20 mankind are set on work, and guided, and therefore they are to be made = use of=20 to children too. For I advise their parents and governors always to = carry this=20 in their minds, that children are to be treated as rational = creatures.

Section 55. Rewards, I grant, and punishments must be proposed to = children,=20 if we intend to work upon them. The mistake I imagine is, that those = that are=20 generally made use of, are ill chosen. The pains and pleasures of the = body=20 are, I think, of ill consequence, when made the rewards and = punishments=20 whereby men would prevail on their children; for, as I said before, = they serve=20 but to increase and strengthen those inclinations, which 'tis our = business to=20 subdue and master. What principle of virtue do you lay in a child, if = you will=20 redeem his desires of one pleasure, by the proposal of another? This = is but to=20 enlarge his appetite, and instruct it to wander. If a child cries for = an=20 unwholesome and dangerous fruit, you purchase his quiet by giving him = a less=20 hurtful sweet-meat. This perhaps may preserve his health, but spoils = his mind,=20 and sets that farther out of order. For here you only change the = object, but=20 flatter still his appetite, and allow that must be satisfy'd, wherein, = as I=20 have shew'd, lies the root of the mischief; and till you bring him to = be able=20 to bear a denial of that satisfaction, the child may at present be = quiet and=20 orderly, but the disease is not cured. By this way of proceeding, you = foment=20 and cherish in him that which is the spring from whence all the evil = flows,=20 which will be sure on the next occasion to break out again with more = violence,=20 give him stronger longings, and you more trouble.

Section 56. The rewards and punishments then, whereby we should = keep=20 children in order, are quite of another kind, and of that force, that = when we=20 can get them once to work, the business, I think, is done, and the = difficulty=20 is over. Esteem and disgrace are, of all others, the most powerful = incentives=20 to the mind, when once it is brought to relish them. If you can once = get into=20 children a love of credit, and an apprehension of shame and disgrace, = you have=20 put into 'em the true principle, which will constantly work and = incline them=20 to the right. But it will be ask'd, How shall this be done?

I confess it does not at first appearance want some difficulty; but = yet I=20 think it worth our while to seek the ways (and practise them when = found) to=20 attain this, which I look on as the great secret of education.

Section 57. First, children (earlier perhaps than we think) are = very=20 sensible of praise and commendation. They find a pleasure in being = esteem'd=20 and valu'd, especially by their parents and those whom they depend on. = If=20 therefore the father caress and commend them when they do well, shew a = cold=20 and neglectful countenance to them upon doing ill, and this = accompany'd by a=20 like carriage of the mother and all others that are about them, it = will, in a=20 little time, make them sensible of the difference; and this, if = constantly=20 observ'd, I doubt not but will of itself work more than threats or = blows,=20 which lose their force when once grown common, and are of no use when = shame=20 does not attend them; and therefore are to be forborne, and never to = be us'd,=20 but in the case hereafter-mention'd, when it is brought to = extremity.

Section 58. But secondly, to make the sense of esteem or disgrace = sink the=20 deeper, and be of the more weight, other agreeable or disagreeable = things=20 should constantly accompany these different states; not as particular = rewards=20 and punishments of this or that particular action, but as necessarily=20 belonging to, and constantly attending one, who by his carriage has = brought=20 himself into a state of disgrace or commendation. By which way of = treating=20 them, children may as much as possible be brought to conceive, that = those that=20 are commended, and in esteem for doing well, will necessarily be = belov'd and=20 cherish'd by every body, and have all other good things as a = consequence of=20 it; and on the other side, when any one by miscarriage falls into = disesteem,=20 and cares not to preserve his credit, he will unavoidably fall under = neglect=20 and contempt; and in that state, the want of whatever might satisfy or = delight=20 him will follow. In this way the objects of their desires are made = assisting=20 to virtue, when a settled experience from the beginning teaches = children that=20 the things they delight in, belong to, and are to be enjoy'd by those = only who=20 are in a state of reputation. If by these means you can come once to = shame=20 them out of their faults, (for besides that, I would willingly have no = punishment) and make them in love with the pleasure of being well = thought on,=20 you may turn them as you please, and they will be in love with all the = ways of=20 virtue.

Section 59. The great difficulty here is, I imagine, from the folly = and=20 perverseness of servants, who are hardly to be hinder'd from crossing = herein=20 the design of the father and mother. Children discountenanc'd by their = parents=20 for any fault, find usually a refuge and relief in the caresses of = those=20 foolish flatterers, who thereby undo whatever the parents endeavour to = establish. When the father or mother looks sowre on the child, = everybody else=20 should put on the same coldness to him, and nobody give him = countenance, 'till=20 forgiveness ask'd, and a reformation of his fault has set him right = again, and=20 restor'd him to his former credit. If this were constantly observ'd, I = guess=20 there would be little need of blows or chiding: their own ease and=20 satisfaction would quickly teach children to court commendation, and = avoid=20 doing that which they found everybody condemn'd and they were sure to = suffer=20 for, without being chid or beaten. This would teach them modesty and = shame;=20 and they would quickly come to have a natural abhorrence for that = which they=20 found made them slighted and neglected by every body. But how this=20 inconvenience from servants is to be remedy'd, I must leave to = parents' care=20 and consideration. Only I think it of great importance; and that they = are very=20 happy who can get discreet people about their children.

Section 60. Frequent beating or chiding is therefore carefully to = be=20 avoided: because this sort of correction never produces any good, = farther than=20 it serves to raise shame and abhorrence of the miscarriage that = brought it on=20 them. And if the greatest part of the trouble be not the sense that = they have=20 done amiss, and the apprehension that they have drawn on themselves = the just=20 displeasure of their best friends, the pain of whipping will work but = an=20 imperfect cure. It only patches up for the present, and skins it over, = but=20 reaches not to the bottom of the sore; ingenuous shame, and the = apprehensions=20 of displeasure, are the only true restraint. These alone ought to hold = the=20 reins, and keep the child in order. But corporal punishments must = necessarily=20 lose that effect, and wear out the sense of shame, where they = frequently=20 return. Shame in children has the same place that modesty has in = women, which=20 cannot be kept and often transgress'd against. And as to the = apprehension of=20 displeasure in the parents, that will come to be very insignificant, = if the=20 marks of that displeasure quickly cease, and a few blows fully = expiate.=20 Parents should well consider what faults in their children are weighty = enough=20 to deserve the declaration of their anger: but when their displeasure = is once=20 declar'd to a degree that carries any punishment with it, they ought = not=20 presently to lay by the severity of their brows, but to restore their = children=20 to their former grace with some difficulty, and delay a full = reconciliation,=20 'till their conformity and more than ordinary merit, make good their=20 amendment. If this be not so order'd, punishment will, by familiarity, = become=20 a mere thing of course, and lose all its influence; offending, being=20 chastised, and then forgiven, will be thought as natural and = necessary, as=20 noon, night, and morning following one another.

Section 61. Concerning reputation, I shall only remark this one = thing more=20 of it, that though it be not the true principle and measure of virtue, = (for=20 that is the knowledge of a man's duty, and the satisfaction it is to = obey his=20 maker, in following the dictates of that light God has given him, with = the=20 hopes of acceptation and reward) yet it is that which comes nearest to = it: and=20 being the testimony and applause that other people's reason, as it = were by a=20 common consent, gives to virtuous and well-order'd actions, it is the = proper=20 guide and encouragement of children, 'till they grow able to judge for = themselves, and to find what is right by their own reason.

Section 62. This consideration may direct parents how to manage = themselves=20 in reproving and commending their children. The rebukes and chiding, = which=20 their faults will sometimes make hardly to be avoided, should not only = be in=20 sober, grave, and unpassionate words, but also alone and in private: = but the=20 commendations children deserve, they should receive before others. = This=20 doubles the reward, by spreading their praise; but the backwardness = parents=20 shew in divulging their faults, will make them set a greater value on = their=20 credit themselves, and teach them to be the more careful to preserve = the good=20 opinion of others, whilst they think they have it: but when being = expos'd to=20 shame by publishing their miscarriages, they give it up for lost, that = check=20 upon them is taken off, and they will be the less careful to preserve = others'=20 good thoughts of them, the more they suspect that their reputation = with them=20 is already blemish'd.

Section 63. But if a right course be taken with children, there = will not be=20 so much need of the application of the common rewards and punishments = as we=20 imagine, and as the general practice has establish'd. For all their = innocent=20 folly, playing and childish actions, are to be left perfectly free and = unrestrain'd, as far as they can consist with the respect due to those = that=20 are present; and that with the greatest allowance. If these faults of = their=20 age, rather than of the children themselves, were, as they should be, = left=20 only to time and imitation and riper years to cure, children would = escape a=20 great deal of misapply'd and useless correction, which either fails to = overpower the natural disposition of their childhood, and so by an = ineffectual=20 familiarity, makes correction in other necessary cases of less use; or = else if=20 it be of force to restrain the natural gaiety of that age, it serves = only to=20 spoil the temper both of body and mind. If the noise and bustle of = their play=20 prove at any time inconvenient, or unsuitable to the place or company = they are=20 in, (which can only be where their parents are) a look or a word from = the=20 father or mother, if they have establish'd the authority they should, = will be=20 enough either to remove or quiet them for that time. But this gamesome = humour,=20 which is wisely adapted by nature to their age and temper, should = rather be=20 encourag'd to keep up their spirits, and improve their strength and = health,=20 than curb'd and restrain'd; and the chief art is to make all that they = have to=20 do, sport and play too.

Section 64. And here give me leave to take notice of one thing I = think a=20 fault in the ordinary method of education; and that is, the charging = of=20 children's memories, upon all occasions, with rules and precepts, = which they=20 often do not understand, and constantly as soon forget as given. It be = some=20 action you would have done, or done otherwise, whenever they forget, = or do it=20 awkwardly, make them do it over and over again, 'till they are = perfect,=20 whereby you will get these two advantages. First, to see whether it be = an=20 action they can do, or is fit to be expected of them: for sometimes = children=20 are bid to do things which upon trial they are found not able to do, = and had=20 need be taught and exercis'd in before they are requir'd to do them. = But it is=20 much easier for a tutor to command than to teach. Secondly, another = thing got=20 by it will be this, that by repeating the same action 'till it be = grown=20 habitual in them, the performance will not depend on memory or = reflection, the=20 concomitant of prudence and age, and not of childhood, but will be = natural in=20 them. Thus bowing to a gentleman, when he salutes him, and looking in = his=20 face, when he speaks to him, is by constant use as natural to a = well-bred man,=20 as breathing; it requires no thought, no reflection. Having this way = cured in=20 your child any fault, it is cured for ever: and thus one by one you = may weed=20 them out all, and plant what habits you please.

Section 65. I have seen parents so heap rules on their children, = that it=20 was impossible for the poor little ones to remember a tenth part of = them, much=20 less to observe them. However, they were either by words or blows = corrected=20 for the breach of those multiply'd and often very impertinent = precepts. Whence=20 it naturally follow'd that the children minded not what was said to = them, when=20 it was evident to them that no attention they were capable of was = sufficient=20 to preserve them from transgression, and the rebukes which follow'd = it.

Let therefore your rules to your son be as few as possible, and = rather=20 fewer than more than seem absolutely necessary. For if you burden him = with=20 many rules, one of these two things must necessarily follow; that = either he=20 must be very often punish'd, which will be of ill consequence, by = making=20 punishment too frequent and familiar; or else you must let the = transgressions=20 of some of your rules go unpunish'd, whereby they will of course grow=20 contemptible, and your authority become cheap to him. Make but few = laws, but=20 see they be well observ'd when once made. Few years require but few = laws, and=20 as his age increases, when one rule is by practice well establish'd, = you may=20 add another.

Section 66. But pray remember, children are not to be taught by = rules which=20 will be always slipping out of their memories. What you think = necessary for=20 them to do, settle in them by an indispensable practice, as often as = the=20 occasion returns; and if it be possible, make occasions. This will = beget=20 habits in them which being once establish'd, operate of themselves = easily and=20 naturally, without the assistance of the memory. But here let me give = two=20 cautions. 1. The one is, that you keep them to the practice of what = you would=20 have grow into a habit in them, by kind words, and gentle admonitions, = rather=20 as minding them of what they forget, than by harsh rebukes and = chiding, as if=20 they were wilfully guilty. 2. Another thing you are to take care of, = is, not=20 to endeavour to settle too many habits at once, lest by variety you = confound=20 them, and so perfect none. When constant custom has made any one thing = easy=20 and natural to 'em, and they practise it without reflection, you may = then go=20 on to another.

This method of teaching children by a repeated practice, and the = same=20 action done over and over again, under the eye and direction of the = tutor,=20 'till they have got the habit of doing it well, and not by relying on = rules=20 trusted to their memories, has so many advantages, which way soever we = consider it, that I cannot but wonder (if ill customs could be = wondered at in=20 any thing) how it could possibly be so much neglected. I shall name = one more=20 that comes now in my way. By this method we shall see whether what is = requir'd=20 of him be adapted to his capacity, and any way suited to the child's = natural=20 genius and constitution; for that too much be consider'd in a right = education.=20 We must not hope wholly to change their original tempers, nor make the = gay=20 pensive and grave, nor the melancholy sportive, without spoiling them. = God has=20 stamp'd certain characters upon men's minds, which like their shapes, = may=20 perhaps be a little mended, but can hardly be totally alter'd and = transform'd=20 into the contrary.

He therefore that is about children should well study their natures = and=20 aptitudes, and see by often trials what turn they easily take, and = what=20 becomes them; observe what their native stock is, how it may be = improv'd, and=20 what it is fit for: he should consider what they want, whether they be = capable=20 of having it wrought into them by industry, and incorporated there by=20 practice; and whether it be worth while to endeavour it. For in many = cases,=20 all that we can do, or should aim at, is, to make the best of what = nature has=20 given, to prevent the vices and faults to which such a constitution is = most=20 inclin'd, and give it all the advantages it is capable of. Every one's = natural=20 genius should be carry'd as far as it could; but to attempt the = putting=20 another upon him, will be but labour in vain; and what is so = plaister'd on,=20 will at best sit but untowardly, and have always hanging to it the=20 ungracefulness of constraint and affectation.

Affectation is not, I confess, an early fault of childhood, or the = product=20 of untaught nature. It is of that sort of weeds which grow not in the = wild=20 uncultivated waste, but in garden-plots, under the negligent hand or = unskilful=20 care of a gardener. Management and instruction, and some sense of the=20 necessity of breeding, are requisite to make any one capable of = affectation,=20 which endeavours to correct natural defects, and has always the = laudable aim=20 of pleasing, though it always misses it; and the more it labours to = put on=20 gracefulness, the farther it is from it. For this reason, it is the = more=20 carefully to be watch'd, because it is the proper fault of education; = a=20 perverted education indeed, but such as young people often fall into, = either=20 by their own mistake, or the ill conduct of those about them.

He that will examine wherein that gracefulness lies, which always = pleases,=20 will find it arises from that natural coherence which appears between = the=20 thing done and such a temper of mind as cannot but be approv'd of as = suitable=20 to the occasion. We cannot but be pleas'd with an humane, friendly, = civil=20 temper wherever we meet with it. A mind free, and master of itself and = all its=20 actions, not low and narrow, not haughty and insolent, not blemish'd = with any=20 great defect, is what every one is taken with. The actions which = naturally=20 flow from such a well-form'd mind, please us also, as the genuine = marks of it;=20 and being as it were natural emanations from the spirit and = disposition=20 within, cannot but be easy and unconstrain'd. This seems to me to be = that=20 beauty which shines through some men's actions, sets off all that they = do, and=20 takes all they come near; when by a constant practice, they have = fashion'd=20 their carriage, and made all those little expressions of civility and = respect,=20 which nature or custom has establish'd in conversation, so easy to = themselves,=20 that they seem not artificial or studied, but naturally to follow from = a=20 sweetness of mind and a well-turn'd disposition.

On the other side, affectation is an awkward and forc'd imitation = of what=20 should be genuine and easy, wanting the beauty that accompanies what = is=20 natural; because there is always a disagreement between the outward = action,=20 and the mind within, one of these two ways: 1. Either when a man would = outwardly put on a disposition of mind, which then he really has not, = but=20 endeavours by a forc'd carriage to make shew of; yet so, that the = constraint=20 he is under discovers itself: and thus men affect sometimes to appear = sad,=20 merry, or kind, when in truth they are not so.

2. The other is, when they do not endeavour to make shew of = dispositions of=20 mind, which they have not, but to express those they have by a = carriage not=20 suited to them. And such in conversation are all constrain'd motions, = actions,=20 words, or looks, which, though design'd to shew either their respect = or=20 civility to the company, or their satisfaction and easiness in it, are = not yet=20 natural nor genuine marks of the one or the other, but rather of some = defect=20 or mistake within. Imitation of others, without discerning what is = graceful in=20 them, or what is peculiar to their characters, often makes a great = part of=20 this. But affectation of all kinds, whencesoever it proceeds, is = always=20 offensive; because we naturally hate whatever is counterfeit, and = condemn=20 those who have nothing better to recommend themselves by.

Plain and rough nature, left to itself, is much better than an = artificial=20 ungracefulness, and such study'd ways of being illfashion'd. The want = of an=20 accomplishment, or some defect in our behaviour, coming short of the = utmost=20 gracefulness, often escapes observation and censure. But affectation = in any=20 part of our carriage is lighting up a candle to our defects, and never = fails=20 to make us be taken notice of, either as wanting sense, or wanting = sincerity.=20 This governors ought the more diligently to look after, because, as I = above=20 observ'd, 'tis an acquir'd ugliness, owing to mistaken education, few = being=20 guilty of it but those who pretend to breeding, and would not be = thought=20 ignorant of what is fashionable and becoming in conversation; and, if = I=20 mistake not, it has often its rise from the lazy admonitions of those = who give=20 rules, and propose examples, without joining practice with their = instructions=20 and making their pupils repeat the action in their sight, that they = may=20 correct what is indecent or constrain'd in it, till it be perfected = into an=20 habitual and becoming easiness.

 

Part IV.

Section 67. Manners, as they call it, about which children are so = often=20 perplex'd, and have so many goodly exhortations made them by their = wise maids=20 and governesses, I think, are rather to be learnt by example than = rules; and=20 then children, if kept out of ill company, will take a pride to behave = themselves prettily, after the fashion of others, perceiving = themselves=20 esteem'd and commended for it. But if by a little negligence in this = part, the=20 boy should not pull off his hat, nor make legs very gracefully, a=20 dancing-master will cure that defect, and wipe off all that plainness = of=20 nature, which the a-la-mode people call clownishness. And since = nothing=20 appears to me to give children so much becoming confidence and = behaviour, and=20 so to raise them to the conversation of those above their age, as = dancing, I=20 think they should be taught to dance as soon as they are capable of = learning=20 it. For tho' this consist only in outward gracefulness of motion, yet, = I know=20 not how, it gives children manly thoughts and carriage, more than any = thing.=20 But otherwise, I would not have little children much tormented about=20 punctilio's or niceties of breeding.

Never trouble your self about those faults in them, which you know = age will=20 cure: and therefore want of well-fashion'd civility in the carriage, = whilst=20 civility is not wanting in the mind, (for there you must take care to = plant it=20 early) should be the parents' least care, whilst they are young. If = his tender=20 mind be fill'd with a veneration for his parents and teachers, which = consists=20 of love and esteem, and a fear to offend them: and with respect and = good will=20 to all people; that respect will of itself teach those ways of = expressing it,=20 which he observes most acceptable. Be sure to keep up in him the = principles of=20 good nature and kindness; make them as habitual as you can, by credit = and=20 commendation, and the good things accompanying that state: and when = they have=20 taken root in his mind, and are settled there by a continued practice, = fear=20 not, the ornaments of conversation, and the outside of fashionable = manners,=20 will come in their due time: if when they are remov'd out of their = maid's=20 care, they are put into the hands of a well-bred man to be their = governor.

Whilst they are very young, any carelessness is to be borne with in = children, that carries not with it the marks of pride or ill nature; = but=20 those, whenever they appear in any action, are to be corrected = immediately by=20 the ways above-mention'd. What I have said concerning manners, I would = not=20 have so understood, as if I meant that those who have the judgment to = do it,=20 should not gently fashion the motions and carriage of children, when = they are=20 very young. It would be of great advantage, if they had people about = them from=20 their being first able to go, that had the skill, and would take the = right way=20 to do it. That which I complain of, is the wrong course that is = usually taken=20 in this matter. Children, who were never taught any such thing as = behaviour,=20 are often (especially when strangers are present) chid for having some = way or=20 other fail'd in good manners, and have thereupon reproofs and precepts = heap'd=20 upon them, concerning putting off their hats, or making of legs, = &c.=20 Though in this, those concern'd pretend to correct the child, yet in = truth,=20 for the most part, it is but to cover their own shame; and they lay = the blame=20 on the poor little ones, sometimes passionately enough, to divert it = from=20 themselves, for fear the by-standers should impute to their want of = care and=20 skill the child's ill behaviour.

For, as for the children themselves, they are never one jot = better'd by=20 such occasional lectures. They at other times should be shewn what to = do, and=20 by reiterated actions be fashion'd beforehand into the practice of = what is fit=20 and becoming, and not told and talk'd to do upon the spot, of what = they have=20 never been accustom'd nor know how to do as they should. To hare and = rate them=20 thus at every turn, is not to teach them, but to vex and torment them = to no=20 purpose. They should be let alone, rather than chid for a fault which = is none=20 of theirs, nor is in their power to mend for speaking to. And it were = much=20 better their natural childish negligence or plainness should be left = to the=20 care of riper years, than that they should frequently have rebukes = misplac'd=20 upon them, which neither do nor can give them graceful motions. If = their minds=20 are well-dispos'd, and principled with inward civility, a great part = of the=20 roughness which sticks to the outside for want of better teaching, = time and=20 observation will rub off, as they grow up, if they are bred in good = company;=20 but if in ill, all the rules in the world, all the correction = imaginable, will=20 not be able to polish them. For you must take this for a certain = truth, that=20 let them have what instructions you will, and ever so learned lectures = of=20 breeding daily inculcated into them, that which will most influence = their=20 carriage will be the company they converse with, and the fashion of = those=20 about them. Children (nay, and men too) do most by example. We are all = a sort=20 of camelions, that still take a tincture from things near us; nor is = it to be=20 wonder'd at in children, who better understand what they see than what = they=20 hear.

Section 68. I mention'd above one great mischief that came by = servants to=20 children, when by their flatteries they take off the edge and force of = the=20 parents' rebukes, and so lessen their authority: and here is another = great=20 inconvenience which children receive from the ill examples which they = meet=20 with amongst the meaner servants.

They are wholly, if possible, to be kept from such conversation; = for the=20 contagion of these ill precedents, both in civility and virtue, = horribly=20 infects children, as often as they come within reach of it. They = frequently=20 learn from unbred or debauch'd servants such language, untowardly = tricks and=20 vices, as otherwise they possibly would be ignorant of all their = lives.

Section 69. 'Tis a hard matter wholly to prevent this mischief. You = will=20 have very good luck, if you never have a clownish or vicious servant, = and if=20 from them your children never get any infection: but yet as much must = be done=20 towards it as can be, and the children kept as much as may = be¹ in=20 the company of their parents, and those to whose care they are = committed. To=20 this purpose, their being in their presence should be made easy to = them; they=20 should be allow'd the liberties and freedoms suitable to their ages, = and not=20 be held under unnecessary restraints, when in their parents' or = governor's=20 sight. If it be a prison to them, 'tis no wonder they should not like = it. They=20 must not be hinder'd from being children, or from playing, or doing as = children, but from doing ill; all other liberty is to be allow'd them. = Next,=20 to make them in love with the company of their parents, they should = receive=20 all their good things there, and from their hands. The servants should = be=20 hinder'd from making court to them by giving them strong drink, wine, = fruit,=20 playthings, and other such matters, which may make them in love with = their=20 conversation.

Section 70. Having nam'd company, I am almost ready to throw away = my pen,=20 and trouble you no farther on this subject: for since that does more = than all=20 precepts, rules and instructions, methinks 'tis almost wholly in vain = to make=20 a long discourse of other things, and to talk of that almost to no = purpose.=20 For you will be ready to say, what shall I do with my son? If I keep = him=20 always at home, he will be in danger to be my young master; and if I = send him=20 abroad, how is it possible to keep him from the contagion of rudeness = and=20 vice, which is every where so in fashion? In my house he will perhaps = be more=20 innocent, but more ignorant too of the world; wanting there change of = company,=20 and being us'd constantly to the same faces, he will, when he comes = abroad, be=20 a sheepish or conceited creature.

[Footnote 1: How much the Romans thought the education of their = children=20 a business that properly belong'd to the parents themselves, see in=20 Suetonius, August. Section 64. Plutarch in vita Catonis Censoris, = Diodorus=20 Siculus, l. 2, cap. 3.]

I confess both sides have their inconveniences. Being abroad, 'tis = true,=20 will make him bolder, and better able to bustle and shift among boys = of his=20 own age; and the emulation of school-fellows often puts life and = industry into=20 young lads. But still you can find a school, wherein it is possible = for the=20 master to look after the manners of his scholars, and can shew as = great=20 effects of his care of forming their minds to virtue, and their = carriage to=20 good breeding, as of forming their tongues to the learned languages, = you must=20 confess, that you have a strange value for words, when preferring the=20 languages of the antient Greeks and Romans to that which made 'em such = brave=20 men, you think it worth while to hazard your son's innocence and = virtue for a=20 little Greek and Latin. For, as for that boldness and spirit which = lads get=20 amongst their play-fellows at school, it has ordinarily such a mixture = of=20 rudeness and ill-turn'd confidence, that those misbecoming and = disingenuous=20 ways of shifting in the world must be unlearnt, and all the tincture = wash'd=20 out again, to make way for better principles, and such manners as make = a truly=20 worthy man. He that considers how diametrically opposite the skill of = living=20 well, and managing, as a man should do, his affairs in the world, is = to that=20 mal-pertness, tricking, or violence learnt amongst schoolboys, will = think the=20 faults of a privater education infinitely to be preferr'd to such=20 improvements, and will take care to preserve his child's innocence and = modesty=20 at home, as being nearer of kin, and more in the way of those = qualities which=20 make an useful and able man. Nor does any one find, or so much as = suspect,=20 that that retirement and bashfulness which their daughters are brought = up in,=20 makes them less knowing, or less able women. Conversation, when they = come into=20 the world, soon gives them a becoming assurance; and whatsoever, = beyond that,=20 there is of rough and boisterous, may in men be very well spar'd too; = for=20 courage and steadiness, as I take it, lie not in roughness and ill=20 breeding.

Virtue is harder to be got than a knowledge of the world; and if = lost in a=20 young man, is seldom recover'd. Sheepishness and ignorance of the = world, the=20 faults imputed to a private education, are neither the necessary = consequences=20 of being bred at home, nor if they were, are they incurable evils. = Vice is the=20 more stubborn, as well as the more dangerous evil of the two; and = therefore in=20 the first place to be fenced against. If that sheepish softness which = often=20 enervates those who are bred like fondlings at home, be carefully to = be=20 avoided, it is principally so for virtue's sake; for fear lest such a = yielding=20 temper should be too susceptible of vicious impressions, and expose = the novice=20 too easily to be corrupted. A young man before he leaves the shelter = of his=20 father's house, and the guard of a tutor, should be fortify'd with = resolution,=20 and made acquainted with men, to secure his virtues, lest he should be = led=20 into some ruinous course, or fatal precipice, before he is = sufficiently=20 acquainted with the dangers of conversation, and has steadiness enough = not to=20 yield to every temptation. Were it not for this, a young man's = bashfulness and=20 ignorance in the world, would not so much need an early care. = Conversation=20 would cure it in a great measure; or if that will not do it early = enough, it=20 is only a stronger reason for a good tutor at home. For if pains be to = be=20 taken to give him a manly air and assurance betimes, it is chiefly as = a fence=20 to his virtue when he goes into the world under his own conduct.

It is preposterous therefore to sacrifice his innocency to the = attaining of=20 confidence and some little skill of bustling for himself among others, = by his=20 conversation with ill-bred and vicious boys; when the chief use of = that=20 sturdiness, and standing upon his own legs, is only for the = preservation of=20 his virtue. For if confidence or cunning come once to mix with vice, = and=20 support his miscarriages, he is only the surer lost; and you must undo = again,=20 and strip him of that he has got from his companions, or give him up = to ruin.=20 Boys will unavoidably be taught assurance by conversation with men, = when they=20 are brought into it; and that is time enough. Modesty and submission, = till=20 then, better fits them for instruction; and therefore there needs not = any=20 great care to stock them with confidence beforehand. That which = requires most=20 time, pains, and assiduity, is, to work into them the principles and = practice=20 of virtue and good breeding. This is the seasoning they should be = prepar'd=20 with, so as not easily to be got out again. This they had need to be = well=20 provided with, for conversation, when they come into the world, will = add to=20 their knowledge and assurance, but be too apt to take from their = virtue; which=20 therefore they ought to be plentifully stor'd with, and have that = tincture=20 sunk deep into them.

How they should be fitted for conversation, and enter'd into the = world,=20 when they are ripe for it, we shall consider in another place. But how = any=20 one's being put into a mix'd herd of unruly boys, and there learning = to=20 wrangle at trap, or rook at span-farthing, fits him for civil = conversation or=20 business, I do not see. And what qualities are ordinarily to be got = from such=20 a troop of play-fellows as schools usually assemble together from = parents of=20 all kinds, that a father should so much covet, is hard to divine. I am = sure,=20 he who is able to be at the charge of a tutor at home, may there give = his son=20 a more genteel carriage, more manly thoughts, and a sense of what is = worthy=20 and becoming, with a greater proficiency in learning into the bargain, = and=20 ripen him up sooner into a man, than any at school can do. Not that I = blame=20 the schoolmaster in this, or think it to be laid to his charge. The = difference=20 is great between two or three pupils in the same house, and three or = four=20 score boys lodg'd up and down: for let the master's industry and skill = be=20 never so great, it is impossible he should have fifty or an hundred = scholars=20 under his eye, any longer than they are in the school together: Nor = can it be=20 expected, that he should instruct them successfully in any thing but = their=20 books; the forming of their minds and manners requiring a constant = attention,=20 and particular application to every single boy, which is impossible in = a=20 numerous flock, and would be wholly in vain (could he have time to = study and=20 correct every one's particular defects and wrong inclinations) when = the lad=20 was to be left to himself, or the prevailing infection of his fellows, = the=20 greatest part of the four and twenty hours.

But fathers, observing that fortune is often most successfully = courted by=20 bold and bustling men, are glad to see their sons pert and forward = betimes;=20 take it for an happy omen that they will be thriving men, and look on = the=20 tricks they play their school-fellows, or learn from them, as a = proficiency in=20 the art of living, and making their way through the world. But I must = take the=20 liberty to say, that he that lays the foundation of his son's fortune = in=20 virtue and good breeding, takes the only sure and warrantable way. And = 'tis=20 not the waggeries or cheats practis'd amongst school-boys, 'tis not = their=20 roughness one to another, nor the well-laid plots of robbing an = orchard=20 together, that make an able man; but the principles of justice, = generosity,=20 and sobriety, join'd with observation and industry, qualities which I = judge=20 school-boys do not learn much of one another. And if a young gentleman = bred at=20 home, be not taught more of them than he could learn at school, his = father has=20 made a very ill choice of a tutor. Take a boy from the top of a=20 grammar-school, and one of the same age bred as he should be in his = father's=20 family, and bring them into good company together, and then see which = of the=20 two will have the more manly carriage, and address himself with the = more=20 becoming assurance to strangers. Here I imagine the school-boy's = confidence=20 will either fail or discredit him; and if it be such as fits him only = for the=20 conversation of boys, he were better to be without it.

Vice, if we may believe the general complaint, ripens so fast = now-a-days,=20 and runs up to seed to early in young people, that it is impossible to = keep a=20 lad from the spreading contagion, if you will venture him abroad in = the herd,=20 and trust to chance or his own inclination for the choice of his = company at=20 school. By what fate Vice has so thriven amongst us these years past, = and by=20 what hands it has been nurs'd up into so uncontroul'd a dominion, I = shall=20 leave to others to enquire. I wish that those who complain of the = great decay=20 of Christian piety and virtue every where, and of learning and = acquir'd=20 improvements in the gentry of this generation, would consider how to = retrieve=20 them in the next. This I am sure, that if the foundation of it be not = laid in=20 the education and principling of the youth, all other endeavours will = be in=20 vain. And if the innocence, sobriety, and industry of those who are = coming up,=20 be not taken care of and preserv'd, 'twill be ridiculous to expect, = that those=20 who are to succeed next on the stage, should abound in that virtue, = ability,=20 and learning, which has hitherto made England considerable in the = world. I was=20 going to add courage too, though it has been look'd on as the natural=20 inheritance of Englishmen. What has been talk'd of some late actions = at sea,=20 of a kind unknown to our ancestors, gives me occasion to say, that = debauchery=20 sinks the courage of men; and when dissoluteness has eaten out the = sense of=20 true honour, bravery seldom stays long after it. And I think it = impossible to=20 find an instance of any nation, however renown'd for their valour, who = ever=20 kept their credit in arms, or made themselves redoubtable amongst = their=20 neighbours, after corruption had once broke through and dissolv'd the=20 restraint of discipline, and vice was grown to such an head, that it = durst=20 shew itself barefac'd without being out of countenance.

'Tis virtue then, direct virtue, which is the hard and valuable = part to be=20 aim'd at in education, and not a forward pertness, or any little arts = of=20 shifting. All other considerations and accomplishments should give way = and be=20 postpon'd to this. This is the solid and substantial good which tutors = should=20 not only read lectures, and talk of, but the labour and art of = education=20 should furnish the mind with, and fasten there, and never cease till = the young=20 man had a true relish of it, and plac'd his strength, his glory, and = his=20 pleasure in it.

The more this advances, the easier way will be made for other=20 accomplishments in their turns. For he that is brought to submit to = virtue,=20 will not be refractory, or resty, in any thing that becomes him; and = therefore=20 I cannot but prefer breeding of a young gentleman at home in his = father's=20 sight, under a good governour, as much the best and safest way to this = great=20 and main end of education, when it can be had, and is order'd as it = should be.=20 Gentlemen's houses are seldom without variety of company. They should = use=20 their sons to all the strange faces that come here, and engage them in = conversation with men of parts and breeding, as soon as they are = capable of=20 it. And why those who live in the country should not take them with = them, when=20 they make visits of civility to their neighbours, I know not. This I = am sure,=20 a father that breeds his son at home, has the opportunity to have him = more in=20 his own company, and there give him what encouragement he thinks fit, = and can=20 keep him better from the taint of servants and the meaner sort of = people, than=20 is possible to be done abroad. But what shall be resolv'd in the case, = must in=20 great measure be left to the parents, to be determin'd by their = circumstances=20 and conveniences; only I think it the worst sort of good husbandry for = a=20 father not to strain himself a little for his son's breeding; which, = let his=20 condition be what it will, is the best portion he can leave him. But = if, after=20 all, it shall be thought by some, that the breeding at home has too = little=20 company, and that at ordinary schools, not such as it should be for a = young=20 gentleman, I think there might be ways found out to avoid the = inconveniences=20 on the one side and the other.

Section 71. Having under consideration how great the influence of = company=20 is, and how prone we are all, especially children, to imitation, I = must here=20 take the liberty to mind parents of this one thing, viz. That he that = will=20 have his son have a respect for him and his orders, must himself have = a great=20 reverence for his son. Maxima debetur pueris reverentia. You must do = nothing=20 before him, which you would not have him imitate. If any thing escape = you,=20 which you would have pass for a fault in him, he will be sure to = shelter=20 himself under your example, and shelter himself so as that it will not = be easy=20 to come at him, to correct it in him the right way. If you punish him = for what=20 he sees you practise yourself, he will not think that severity to = proceed from=20 kindness in you, careful to amend a fault in him; but will be apt to = interpret=20 it the peevishness and arbitrary imperiousness of a father, who, = without any=20 ground for it, would deny his son the liberty and pleasures he takes = himself.=20 Or if you assume to yourself the liberty you have taken, as a = privilege=20 belonging to riper years, to which a child must not aspire, you do but = add new=20 force to your example, and recommend the action the more powerfully to = him.=20 For you must always remember, that children affect to be men earlier = than is=20 thought; and they love breeches, not for their cut or ease, but = because the=20 having them is a mark or step towards manhood. What I say of the = father's=20 carriage before his children, must extend itself to all those who have = any=20 authority over them, or for whom he would have them have any = respect.

Section 72. But to return to the business of rewards and = punishments. All=20 the actions of childishness, and unfashionable carriage, and whatever = time and=20 age will of itself be sure to reform, being (as I have said) exempt = from the=20 discipline of the rod, there will not be so much need of beating = children as=20 is generally made use of. To which if we add learning to read, write, = dance,=20 foreign language, &c. as under the same privilege, there will be = but very=20 rarely an occasion for blows or force in an ingenuous education. The = right way=20 to teach them those things, is, to give them a liking and inclination = to what=20 you suppose to them to be learn'd, and that will engage their industry = and=20 application. This I think no hard matter to do, if children be handled = as they=20 should be, and the rewards and punishments above-mention'd be = carefully=20 apply'd, and with them these few rules observ'd in the method of = instructing=20 them.

Section 73. 1. None of the things they are to learn, should ever be = made a=20 burthen to them, or impos'd on them as a task. Whatever is so = propos'd,=20 presently becomes irksome; the mind takes an aversion to it, though = before it=20 were a thing of delight or indifferency. Let a child but be order'd to = whip=20 his top at a certain time every day, whether he has or has not a mind = to it;=20 let this be but requir'd of him as a duty, wherein he must spend so = many hours=20 morning and afternoon, and see whether he will not soon be weary of = any play=20 at this rate. Is it not so with grown men? What they do chearfully of=20 themselves, do they not presently grow sick of, and can no more = endure, as=20 soon as they find it is expected of them as a duty? Children have as = much a=20 mind to shew that they are free, that their own good actions come from = themselves, that they are absolute and independent, as any of the = proudest of=20 you grown men, think of them as you please.

Section 74. 2. As a consequence of this, they should seldom be put = about=20 doing even those things you have got an inclination in them to, but = when they=20 have a mind and disposition to it. He that loves reading, writing, = musick,=20 &c. finds yet in himself certain seasons wherein those things have = no=20 relish to him; and if at that time he forces himself to it, he only = pothers=20 and wearies himself to no purpose. So it is with children. This change = of=20 temper should be carefully observ'd in them, and the favourable = seasons of=20 aptitude and inclination be heedfully laid hold of: and if they are = not often=20 enough forward of themselves, a good disposition should be talk'd into = them,=20 before they be set upon any thing. This I think no hard matter for a = discreet=20 tutor to do, who has study'd his pupil's temper, and will be at a = little pains=20 to fill his head with suitable ideas, such as may make him in love = with the=20 present business. By this means a great deal of time and tiring would = be=20 sav'd: for a child will learn three times as much when he is in tune, = as he=20 will with double the time and pains when he goes awkwardly or is = dragg'd=20 unwillingly to it. If this were minded as it should, children might be = permitted to weary themselves with play, and yet have time enough to = learn=20 what is suited to the capacity of each age. But no such thing is = consider'd in=20 the ordinary way of education, nor can it well be. That rough = discipline of=20 the rod is built upon other principles, has no attraction in it, = regards not=20 what humour children are in, nor looks after favourable seasons of=20 inclination. And indeed it would be ridiculous, when compulsion and = blows have=20 rais'd an aversion in the child to his task, to expect he should = freely of his=20 own accord leave his play, and with pleasure court the occasions of = learning;=20 whereas, were matters order'd right, learning anything they should be = taught=20 might be made as much a recreation to their play, as their play is to = their=20 learning. The pains are equal on both sides. Nor is it that which = troubles=20 them; for they love to be busy, and the change and variety is that = which=20 naturally delights them. The only odds is, in that which we call play = they act=20 at liberty, and employ their pains (whereof you may observe them never = sparing) freely; but what they are to learn is forc'd upon them, they = are=20 call'd, compell'd, and driven to it. This is that, that at first = entrance=20 balks and cools them; they want their liberty. Get them but to ask = their tutor=20 to teach them, as they do often their play-fellows, instead of his = calling=20 upon them to learn, and they being satisfy'd that they act as freely = in this=20 as they do in other things, they will go on with as much pleasure in = it, and=20 it will not differ from their other sports and play. By these ways, = carefully=20 pursu'd, a child may be brought to desire to be taught any thing you = have a=20 mind he should learn. The hardest part, I confess, is with the first = or=20 eldest; but when once he is set right, it is easy by him to lead the = rest=20 whither one will.

Section 75. Though it be past doubt, that the fittest time for = children to=20 learn any thing, is, when their minds are in tune, and well dispos'd = to it;=20 when neither flagging of spirit, nor intentness of thought upon = something=20 else, makes them awkward and averse; yet two things are to be taken = care of:=20 1. That these seasons either not being warily observ'd, and laid hold = on as=20 often as they return, or else, not returning as often as they should, = the=20 improvement of the child be not thereby neglected, and so he be let = grow into=20 an habitual idleness, and confirm'd in this disposition: 2. That = though other=20 things are ill learn'd, when the mind is either indispos'd, or = otherwise taken=20 up; yet it is of great moment, and worth our endeavours, to teach the = mind to=20 get the mastery over itself, and to be able, upon choice, to take = itself off=20 from the hot pursuit of one thing, and set itself upon another with = facility=20 and delight, or at any time to shake off its sluggishness, and = vigorously=20 employ itself about what reason, or the advice of another shall = direct. This=20 is to be done in children, by trying them sometimes, when they are by = laziness=20 unbent, or by avocation bent another way, and endeavouring to make = them buckle=20 to the thing propos'd. If by this means the mind can get an habitual = dominion=20 over itself, lay by ideas or business as occasion requires, and betake = itself=20 to new and less acceptable employments without reluctancy or = discomposure, it=20 will be an advantage of more consequence than Latin or logick or most = of those=20 things children are usually requir'd to learn.

Section 76. Children being more active and busy in that age, than = in any=20 other part of their life, and being indifferent to any thing they can = do, so=20 they may be but doing, dancing and Scotch-hoppers would be the same = thing to=20 them, were the encouragements and discouragements equal. But to things = we=20 would have them learn, the great and only discouragement I can = observe, is,=20 that they are call'd to it, 'tis made their business, they are teaz'd = and chid=20 about it, and do it with trembling and apprehension; or, when they = come=20 willingly to it, are kept too long at it, till they are quite tir'd: = all which=20 intrenches too much on that natural freedom they extremely affect. And = it is=20 that liberty alone which gives the true relish and delight to their = ordinary=20 play-games. Turn the tables, and you will find they will soon change = their=20 application; especially if they see the examples of others whom they = esteem=20 and think above themselves. And if the things which they observe = others to do,=20 be order'd so, that they insinuate themselves into them as the = privilege of an=20 age or condition above theirs; then ambition, and the desire still to = get=20 forward and higher, and to be like those above them, will set them on = work,=20 and make them go on with vigour and pleasure; pleasure in what they = have begun=20 by their own desire, in which way the enjoyment of their dearly = beloved=20 freedom will be no small encouragement to them. To all which, if there = be=20 added the satisfaction of credit and reputation, I am apt to think = there will=20 need no other spur to excite their application and assiduity, as much = as is=20 necessary. I confess, there needs patience and skill, gentleness and=20 attention, and a prudent conduct to attain this at first. But why have = you a=20 tutor, if there needed no pains? But when this is once establish'd, = all the=20 rest will follow, more easily than in any more severe and imperious=20 discipline. And I think it no hard matter to gain this point; I am = sure it=20 will not be, where children have no ill examples set before them. The = great=20 danger therefore, I apprehend, is only from servants, and other = ill-order'd=20 children, or such other vicious or foolish people, who spoil children = both by=20 the ill pattern they set before them in their own ill manners, and by = giving=20 them together the two things they should never have at once; I mean = vicious=20 pleasures and commendation.

Section 77. As children should very seldom be corrected by blows, = so I=20 think frequent, and especially passionate chiding of almost as ill=20 consequence. It lessens the authority of the parents, and the respect = of the=20 child; for I bid you still remember, they distinguish early betwixt = passion=20 and reason: and as they cannot but have a reverence for what comes = from the=20 latter, so they quickly grow into a contempt of the former; or if it = causes a=20 present terror, yet it soon wears off, and natural inclination will = easily=20 learn to slight such scare-crows which make a noise, but are not = animated by=20 reason. Children being to be restrain'd by the parents only in vicious = (which,=20 in their tender years, are only a few) things, a look or nod only = ought to=20 correct them when they do amiss; or, if words are sometimes to be = us'd, they=20 ought to be grave, kind, and sober, representing the ill or = unbecomingness of=20 the faults, rather than a hasty rating of the child for it; which = makes him=20 not sufficiently distinguish, whether your dislike be not more = directed to him=20 than his fault. Passionate chiding usually carries rough and ill = language with=20 it, which has this fartser ill effect, that it teaches and justifies = it in=20 children: and the names that their parents or praeceptors give them, = they will=20 not be asham'd or backward to bestow on others, having so good = authority for=20 the use of them.

 

Part V.

Section 78. I foresee here it will be objected to me, what then, = will you=20 have children never beaten nor chid for any fault? This will be to let = loose=20 the reins to all kind of disorder. Not so much, as is imagin'd, if a = right=20 course has been taken in the first seasoning of their minds, and = implanting=20 that awe of their parents above mentioned. For beating, by constant=20 observation, is found to do little good, where the smart of it is all = the=20 punishment is fear'd or felt in it; for the influence of that quickly = wears=20 out, with the memory of it. But yet there is one, and but one fault, = for=20 which, I think, children should be beaten, and that is, obstinacy or=20 rebellion. And in this too, I would have it order'd so, if it can be, = that the=20 shame of the whipping, and not the pain, should be the greatest part = of the=20 punishment. Shame of doing amiss, and deserving chastisement, is the = only true=20 restraint belonging to virtue. The smart of the rod, if shame = accompanies it=20 not, soon ceases, and is forgotten, and will quickly by use lose its = terror. I=20 have known the children of a person of quality kept in awe by the fear = of=20 having their shoes pull'd off, as much as others by apprehensions of a = rod=20 hanging over them. Some such punishment I think better than beating; = for 'tis=20 shame of the fault, and the disgrace that attends it, that they should = stand=20 in fear of, rather than pain, if you would have them have a temper = truly=20 ingenuous. But stubbornness, and an obstinate disobedience, must be = master'd=20 with force and blows; for this there is no other remedy. Whatever = particular=20 action you bid him do, or forbear, you must be sure to see your self = obey'd;=20 no quarter in this case, no resistance: for when once it comes to be a = trial=20 of skill, a contest for mastery betwixt you, as it is if you command = and he=20 refuses, you must be sure to carry it, whatever blows it costs, if a = nod or=20 words will not prevail; unless, for ever after you intend to live in = obedience=20 to your son. A prudent and kind mother of my acquaintance, was, on = such an=20 occasion, forc'd to whip her little daughter, at her first coming home = from=20 nurse, eight times successively the same morning, before she could = master her=20 stubbornness, and obtain a compliance in a very easy and indifferent = matter.=20 If she had left off sooner, and stopp'd at the seventh whipping, she = had=20 spoil'd the child for ever, and, by her unprevailing blows, only = confirm'd her=20 refractoriness, very hardly afterwards to be cur'd: but wisely = persisting till=20 she had bent her mind, and suppled her will, the only end of = correction and=20 chastisement, she establish'd her authority thoroughly in the very = first=20 occasions, and had ever after a very ready compliance and obedience in = all=20 things from her daughter; for as this was the first time, so I think = it was=20 the last too she ever struck her.

The pain of the rod, the first occasion that requires it, continu'd = and=20 increas'd, without leaving off till it has throughly prevail'd, should = first=20 bend the mind, and settle the parent's authority; and then gravity, = mix'd with=20 kindness, should for ever after keep it.

This, if well reflected on, would make people more wary in the use = of the=20 rod and the cudgel, and keep them from being so apt to think beating = the safe=20 and universal remedy to be apply'd at random on all occasions. This is = certain, however, if it does no good, it does great harm; if it = reaches not=20 the mind, and makes not the will supple, it hardens the offender; and = whatever=20 pain he has suffer'd for it, does but endear him to his beloved = stubbornness,=20 which has got him this time the victory, and prepares him to contest, = and hope=20 for it for the future. This I doubt not but by ill-order'd correction = many=20 have been taught to be obstinate and refractory who otherwise would = have been=20 very pliant and tractable. For if you punish a child so, as if it were = only to=20 revenge the past fault, which has rais'd your choler, what operation = can this=20 have upon his mind, which is the part to be amended? If there were no = sturdy=20 humor or wilfulness mix'd with his fault, there was nothing in it that = requir'd the severity of blows. A kind or grave admonition is enough = to remedy=20 the slips of frailty, forgetfulness, or inadvertency, and is as much = as they=20 will stand in need of. But if there were a perverseness in the will, = if it=20 were a design'd, resolv'd disobedience, the punishment is not to be = measur'd=20 by the greatness or smallness of the matter wherein it appear'd, but = by the=20 opposition it carries, and stands in, to that respect and submission = is due to=20 the father's orders; which must always be rigorously exacted, and the = blows by=20 pauses laid on, till they reach the mind, and you perceive the signs = of a true=20 sorrow, shame, and purpose of obedience.

This, I confess, requires something more than setting children a = task, and=20 whipping them without any more a-do if it be not done, and done to our = fancy.=20 This requires care, attention, observation, and a nice study of = children's=20 tempers, and weighing their faults well, before we come to this sort = of=20 punishment. But is not that better than always to have the rod in hand = as the=20 only instrument of government? And by frequent use of it on all = occasions,=20 misapply and render inefficacious this last and useful remedy, where = there is=20 need of it? For what else can be expected, when it is promicuously = us'd upon=20 every little slip? When a mistake in concordance, or a wrong position = in=20 verse, shall have the severity of the lash, in a well-temper'd and = industrious=20 lad, as surely as a wilful crime in an obstinate and perverse = offender; how=20 can such a way of correction be expected to do good on the mind, and = set that=20 right? Which is the only thing to be look'd after; and when set right, = brings=20 all the rest that you can desire along with it.

Section 79. Where a wrong bent of the will wants not amendment, = there can=20 be no need of blows. All other faults, where the mind is rightly = dispos'd, and=20 refuses not the government and authority of the father or tutor, are = but=20 mistakes, and may often be overlook'd; or when they are taken notice = of, need=20 no other but the gentle remedies of advice, direction, and reproof, = till the=20 repeated and wilful neglect of those, shews the fault to be in the = mind, and=20 that a manifest perverseness of the will lies at the root of their=20 disobedience. But whenever obstinacy, which is an open defiance, = appears, that=20 cannot be wink'd at or neglected, but must, in the first instance, be = subdu'd=20 and master'd; only care must be had, that we mistake not and we must = be sure=20 it is obstinacy and nothing else.

Section 80. But since the occasions of punishment, especially = beating, are=20 as much to be avoided as may be, I think it should not be often = brought to=20 this point. If the awe I spoke of be once got, a look will be = sufficient in=20 most cases. Nor indeed should the same carriage, seriousness, or = application=20 be expected from young children as from those of riper growth. They = must be=20 permitted, as I said, the foolish and childish actions suitable to = their=20 years, without taking notice of them. Inadvertency, carelessness, and = gayety,=20 is the character of that age. I think the severity I spoke of is not = to extend=20 itself to such unseasonable restraints. Nor is that hastily to be = interpreted=20 obstinacy or wilfulness, which is the natural product of their age or = temper.=20 In such miscarriages they are to be assisted, and help'd towards an = amendment,=20 as weak people under a natural infirmity; which, though they are = warn'd of,=20 yet every relapse must not be counted a perfect neglect, and they = presently=20 treated as obstinate. Faults of frailty, as they should never be = neglected, or=20 let pass without minding, so, unless the will mix with them, they = should never=20 be exaggerated, or very sharply reprov'd; but with a gentle hand set = right, as=20 time and age permit. By this means, children will come to see what = 'tis in any=20 miscarriage that is chiefly offensive, and so learn to avoid it. This = will=20 encourage them to keep their wills right; which is the great business, = when=20 they find that it preserves them from any great displeasure, and that = in all=20 their other failings they meet with the kind concern and help, rather = than the=20 anger and passionate reproaches of their tutor and parents. Keep them = from=20 vice and vicious dispositions, and such a kind of behaviour in general = will=20 come with every degree of their age, as is suitable to that age and = the=20 company they ordinarily converse with; and as they grow in years, they = will=20 grow in attention and application. But that your words may always = carry weight=20 and authority with them, if it shall happen, upon any occasion, that = you bid=20 him leave off the doing of any even childish things, you must be sure = to carry=20 the point, and not let him have the mastery. But yet, I say, I would = have the=20 father seldom interpose his authority and command in these cases, or = in any=20 other, but such as have a tendency to vicious habits. I think there = are better=20 ways of prevailing with them: and a gentle persuasion in reasoning, = (when the=20 first point of submission to your will is got) will most times do much = better.

Section 81. It will perhaps be wonder'd, that I mention reasoning = with=20 children; and yet I cannot but think that the true way of dealing with = them.=20 They understand it as early as they do language; and, if I misobserve = not,=20 they love to be treated as rational creatures, sooner than is = imagin'd. 'Tis a=20 pride should be cherish'd in them, and, as much as can be, made the = greatest=20 instrument to turn them by.

But when I talk of reasoning, I do not intend any other but such as = is=20 suited to the child's capacity and apprehension. No body can think a = boy or=20 three of seven years old should be argu'd with as a grown man. Long=20 discourses, and philosophical reasonings, at best, amaze and confound, = but do=20 not instruct children. When I say, therefore, that they must be = treated as=20 rational creatures, I mean that you should make them sensible, by the = mildness=20 of your carriage, and the composure even in your correction of them, = that what=20 you do is reasonable in you, and useful and necessary for them; and = that it is=20 not out of caprichio, passion or fancy, that you command or forbid = them any=20 thing. This they are capable of understanding; and there is no virtue = they=20 should be excited to, nor fault they should be kept from, which I do = not think=20 they may be convinced of; but it must be by such reasons as their age = and=20 understandings are capable of, and those propos'd always in very few = and plain=20 words. The foundations on which several duties are built, and the = fountains of=20 right and wrong from which they spring, are not perhaps easily to be = let into=20 the minds of grown men, not us'd to abstract their thoughts from = common=20 receiv'd opinions. Much less are children capable of reasonings from = remote=20 principles. They cannot conceive the force of long deductions. The = reasons=20 that move them must be obvious, and level to their thoughts, and such = as may=20 (if I may so say) be felt and touch'd. But yet, if their age, temper, = and=20 inclination be consider'd, there will never want such motives as may = be=20 sufficient to convince them. If there be no other more particular, yet = these=20 will always be intelligible, and of force, to deter them from any = fault fit to=20 be taken notice of in them, (viz.) That it will be a discredit and = disgrace to=20 them, and displease you.

Section 82. But of all the ways whereby children are to be = instructed, and=20 their manners formed, the plainest, easiest, and most efficacious, is, = to set=20 before their eyes the examples of those things you would have them do, = or=20 avoid; which, when they are pointed out to them, in the practice of = persons=20 within their knowledge, with some reflections on their beauty and=20 unbecomingness, are of more force to draw or deter their imitation, = than any=20 discourses which can be made to them. Virtues and vices can by no = words be so=20 plainly set before their understandings as the actions of other men = will shew=20 them, when you direct their observation, and bid them view this or = that good=20 or bad quality in their practice. And the beauty or uncomeliness of = many=20 things, in good and ill breeding, will be better learnt, and make = deeper=20 impressions on them, in the examples of others, than from any rules or = instructions can be given about them.

This is a method to be us'd, not only whilst they are young, but to = be=20 continu'd even as long as they shall be under another's tuition or = conduct;=20 nay, I know not whether it be not the best way to be us'd by a father, = as long=20 as he shall think fit, on any occasion, to reform any thing he wishes = mended=20 in his son; nothing sinking so gently, and so deep, into men's minds, = as=20 example. And what ill they either overlook or indulge in themselves, = they=20 cannot but dislike and be asham'd of, when it is set before them in=20 another.

Section 83. It may be doubted, concerning whipping, when as the = last=20 remedy, it comes to be necessary, at what times, and by whom it should = be=20 done; whether presently upon the committing the fault, whilst it is = yet fresh=20 and hot; and whether parents themselves should beat their children. As = to the=20 first, I think it should not be done presently, lest passion mingle = with it;=20 and so, though it exceed the just proportion, yet it lose of its due = weight:=20 for even children discern when we do things in passion. But, as I said = before,=20 that has most weight with them, that appears sedately to come from = their=20 parents' reason; and they are not without this distinction. Next, if = you have=20 any discreet servant capable of it, and has the place of governing = your child=20 (for if you have a tutor, there is no doubt) I think it is best the = smart=20 should come immediately from another's hand, though by the parent's = order, who=20 should see it done; whereby the parent's authority will be preserv'd, = and the=20 child's aversion, for the pain it suffers, rather to be turn'd on the = person=20 that immediately inflicts. For I would have a father seldom strike his = child,=20 but upon very urgent necessity, and as the last remedy; and then = perhaps it=20 will be fit to do it so that the child should not quickly forget = it.

Section 84. But, as I said before, beating is the worst, and = therefore the=20 last means to be us'd in the correction of children, and that only in = cases of=20 extremity, after all gentle ways have been try'd, and prov'd = unsuccessful;=20 which, if well observ'd, there will be very seldom any need of blows. = For, it=20 not being to be imagin'd that a child will often, if ever, dispute his = father's present command in any particular instance, and the father = not=20 interposing his absolute authority, in peremptory rules, concerning = either=20 childish or indifferent actions, wherein his son is to have his = liberty, or=20 concerning his learning or improvement, wherein there is no compulsion = to be=20 us'd: there remains only the prohibition of some vicious actions, = wherein a=20 child is capable of obstinacy, and consequently can deserve beating; = and so=20 there will be but very few occasions of that discipline to be us'd by = any one=20 who considers well and orders his child's education as it should be. = For the=20 first seven years, what vices can a child be guilty of, but lying or = some=20 ill-natur'd tricks; the repeated commission whereof, after his = father's direct=20 command against it, shall bring him into the condemnation of = obstinacy, and=20 the chastisement of the rod? If any vicious inclination in him be, in = the=20 first appearance and instances of it, treated as it should be, first = with your=20 wonder, and then, if returning again, a second time discountenanc'd = with the=20 severe brow of a father, tutor, and all about him, and a treatment = suitable to=20 the state of discredit before-mention'd; and this continu'd till he be = made=20 sensible and asham'd of his fault, I imagine there will be no need of = any=20 other correction, nor ever any occasion to come to blows. The = necessity of=20 such chastisement is usually the consequence only of former = indulgences or=20 neglects: If vicious inclinations were watch'd from the beginning, and = the=20 first irregularities which they cause, corrected by those gentler = ways, we=20 should seldom have to do with more than one disorder at once; which = would be=20 easily set right without any stir or noise, and not require so harsh a = discipline as beating. Thus one by one as they appear'd, they might = all be=20 weeded out, without any signs or memory that ever they had been there. = But we=20 letting their faults (by indulging and humouring our little ones) grow = up,=20 till they are sturdy and numerous, and the deformity of them makes us = asham'd=20 and uneasy, we are fain to come to the plough and the harrow; the = spade and=20 the pick-ax must go deep to come at the roots; and all the force, = skill, and=20 diligence we can use, is scarce enough to cleanse the vitiated = seed-plat,=20 overgrown with weeds, and restore us the hopes of fruits, to reward = our pains=20 in its season.

Section 85. This course, if observ'd, will spare both father and = child the=20 trouble of repeated injunctions, and multiply'd rules of doing and = forbearing.=20 For I am of opinion, that of those actions which tend to vicious = habits,=20 (which are those alone that a father should interpose his authority = and=20 commands in) none should be forbidden children till they are found = guilty of=20 them. For such untimely prohibitions, if they do nothing worse, do at = least so=20 much towards teaching and allowing 'em, that they suppose that = children may be=20 guilty of them, who would possibly be safer in the ignorance of any = such=20 faults. And the best remedy to stop them, is, as I have said, to shew = wonder=20 and amazement at any such action as hath a vicious tendency, when it = is first=20 taken notice of in a child. For example, when he is first found in a = lie, or=20 any ill-natur'd trick, the first remedy should be, to talk to him of = it as a=20 strange monstrous matter, that it could not be imagin'd he would have = done,=20 and so shame him out of it.

Section 86. It will be ('tis like) objected, that whatsoever I = fancy of the=20 tractableness of children, and the prevalency of those softer ways of = shame=20 and commendation; yet there are many who will never apply themselves = to their=20 books, and to what they ought to learn, unless they are scourg'd to = it. This,=20 I fear, is nothing but the language of ordinary schools and fashion, = which=20 have never suffer'd the other to be try'd as it should be, in places = where it=20 could be taken notice of. Why, else, does the learning of Latin and = Greek need=20 the rod, when French and Italian need it not? Children learn to dance = and=20 fence without whipping; nay, Arithmetick, drawing, &c. they apply=20 themselves well enough to without beating: which would make one = suspect, that=20 there is something strange, unnatural, and disagreeable to that Age, = in the=20 things required in grammar-schools, or in the methods us'd there, that = children cannot be brought to, without the severity of the lash, and = hardly=20 with that too; or else, that it is a mistake, that those tongues could = not be=20 taught them without beating.

Section 87. But let us suppose some so negligent or idle, that they = will=20 not be brought to learn by the gentle ways propos'd, (for we must = grant, that=20 there will be children found of all tempers,) yet it does not thence = follow,=20 that the rough discipline of the cudgel is to be us'd to all. Nor can = any one=20 be concluded unmanageable by the milder methods of government, till = they have=20 been thoroughly try'd upon him; and if they will not prevail with him = to use=20 his endeavours, and do what is in his power to do, we make no excuses = for the=20 obstinate. Blows are the proper remedies for those; but blows laid on = in a way=20 different from the ordinary. He that wilfully neglects his book, and=20 stubbornly refuses any thing he can do, requir'd of him by his father, = expressing himself in a positive serious command, should not be = corrected with=20 two or three angry lashes, for not performing his task, and the same=20 punishment repeated again and again upon every the like default; but = when it=20 is brought to that pass, that wilfulness evidently shews itself, and = makes=20 blows necessary, I think the chastisement should be a little more = sedate, and=20 a little more severe, and the whipping (mingled with admonition = between) so=20 continu'd, till the impressions of it on the mind were found legible = in the=20 face, voice, and submission of the child, not so sensible of the smart = as of=20 the fault he has been guilty of, and melting in true sorrow under it. = If such=20 a correction as this, try'd some few times at fit distances, and = carry'd to=20 the utmost severity, with the visible displeasure of the father all = the while,=20 will not work the effect, turn the mind, and produce a future = compliance, what=20 can be hop'd from blows, and to what purpose should they be any more = us'd?=20 Beating, when you can expect no good from it, will look more like the = fury of=20 an enrag'd enemy, than the good-will of a compassionate friend; and = such=20 chastisement carries with it only provocation, without any prospect of = amendment. If it be any father's misfortune to have a son thus = perverse and=20 untractable, I know not what more he can do but pray for him. But, I = imagine,=20 if a right course be taken with children from the beginning, very few = will be=20 found to be such; and when there are any such instances, they are not = to be=20 the rule for the education of those who are better natur'd, and may be = manag'd=20 with better usage.

Section 88. If a tutor can be got, that, thinking himself in the = father's=20 place, charg'd with his care, and relishing these things, will at the=20 beginning apply himself to put them in practice, he will afterwards = find his=20 work very easy; and you will, I guess, have your son in a little time = a=20 greater proficient in both learning and breeding than perhaps you = imagine. But=20 let him by no means beat him at any time without your consent and = direction;=20 at least till you have experience of his discretion and temper. But = yet, to=20 keep up his authority with his pupil, besides concealing that he has = not the=20 power of the rod, you must be sure to use him with great respect = yourself, and=20 cause all your family to do so too: for you cannot expect your son = should have=20 any regard for one whom he sees you, or his mother, or others slight. = If you=20 think him worthy of contempt, you have chosen amiss; and if you shew = any=20 contempt of him, he will hardly escape it from your son: and whenever = that=20 happens, whatever worth he may have in himself, and abilities for this = employment, they are all lost to your child, and can afterwards never = be made=20 useful to him.

Section 89. As the father's example must teach the child respect = for his=20 tutor, so the tutor's example must lead the child into those actions = he would=20 have him do. His practice must by no means cross his precepts, unless = he=20 intend to set him wrong. It will be to no purpose for the tutor to = talk of the=20 restraint of the passions whilst any of his own are let loose; and he = will in=20 vain endeavour to reform any vice or indecency in his pupil, which he = allows=20 in himself. Ill patterns are sure to be follow'd more than good rules; = and=20 therefore he must always carefully preserve him from the influence of = ill=20 precedents, especially the most dangerous of all, the examples of the=20 servants; from whose company he is to be kept, not by prohibitions, = for that=20 will but give him an itch after it, but by other ways I have = mention'd.

Section 90. In all the whole business of education, there is = nothing like=20 to be less hearken'd to, or harder to be well observ'd, than what I am = now=20 going to say; and that is, that children should, from their first = beginning to=20 talk, have some discreet, sober, nay, wise person about them, whose = care it=20 should be to fashion them aright, and keep them from all ill, = especially the=20 infection of bad company. I think this province requires great = sobriety,=20 temperance, tenderness, diligence, and discretion; qualities hardly to = be=20 found united in persons that are to be had for ordinary salaries, nor = easily=20 to be found any where. As to the charge of it, I think it will be the = money=20 best laid out that can be, about our children; and therefore, though = it may be=20 expensive more than is ordinary, yet it cannot be thought dear. He = that at any=20 rate procures his child a good mind, well-principled, temper'd to = virtue and=20 usefulness, and adorn'd with civility and good breeding, makes a = better=20 purchase for him that if he laid out the money for an addition of more = earth=20 to his former acres. Spare it in toys and play-games, in silk and = ribbons,=20 laces, and other useless expenses, as much as you please; but be not = sparing=20 in so necessary a part as this. 'Tis not good husbandry to make his = fortune=20 rich, and his mind poor. I have often with great admiration seen = people lavish=20 it profusely in tricking up their children in fine clothes, lodging = and=20 feeding them sumptuously, allowing them more than enough of useless = servants,=20 and yet at the same time starve their minds, and not take sufficient = care to=20 cover that which is the most shameful nakedness, viz. their natural = wrong=20 inclinations and ignorance. This I can look on as no other than a = sacrificing=20 to their own vanity, it shewing more their pride than true care of the = good of=20 their children; whatsoever you employ to the advantage of your son's = mind,=20 will shew your true kindness, tho' it be to the lessening of his = estate. A=20 wise and good man can hardly want either the opinion or reality of = being great=20 and happy; but he that is foolish or vicious, can be neither great nor = happy,=20 what estate soever you leave him: and I ask you whether there be not = men in=20 the world, whom you had rather have your son be with five hundred = pounds per=20 annum, than some other you know with five thousand pounds.

Section 91. The consideration of charge ought not therefore to = deter those=20 who are able. The great difficulty will be where to find a proper = person: for=20 those of small age, parts, and virtue, are unfit for this employment, = and=20 those that have greater, will hardly be got to undertake such a = charge. You=20 must therefore look out early, and enquire every where; for the world = has=20 people of all sorts. And I remember, Montaigne says in one of his = essays, that=20 the learned Castalio was fain to make trenchers at Basle, to keep = himself from=20 starving, when his father would have given any money for such a tutor = for his=20 son, and Castalio have willingly embrac'd such an employment upon very = reasonable terms; but this was for want of intelligence.

Section 92. If you find it difficult to meet with such a tutor as = we=20 desire, you are not to wonder. I only can say, spare no care nor cost = to get=20 such an one. All things are to be had that way: and I dare assure you, = that if=20 you can get a good one, you will never repent the charge; but will = always have=20 the satisfaction to think it the money of all other the best laid out. = But be=20 sure take no body upon friends, or charity, no, nor upon great = commendations.=20 Nay, if you will do as you ought, the reputation of a sober man, with = a good=20 stock of learning, (which is all usually requir'd in a tutor) will not = be=20 enough to serve your turn. In this choice be as curious as you would = be in=20 that of a wife for him; for you must not think of trial or changing=20 afterwards: This will cause great inconvenience to you, and greater to = your=20 son. When I consider the scruples and cautions I here lay in your way, = methinks it looks as if I advis'd you to something which I would have = offer'd=20 at, but in effect not done. But he that shall consider how much the = business=20 of a tutor, rightly employ'd, lies out of the road, and how remote it = is from=20 the thoughts of many, even of those who propose to themselves this = employment,=20 will perhaps be of my mind, that one fit to educate and form the mind = of a=20 young gentleman is not everywhere to be found, and that more than = ordinary=20 care is to be taken in the choice of him, or else you may fail of your = end.

Section 93. The character of a sober man and a scholar is, as I = have above=20 observ'd, what every one expects in a tutor. This generally is thought = enough,=20 and is all that parents commonly look for: But when such an one has = empty'd=20 out into his pupil all the Latin and logick he has brought from the=20 university, will that furniture make him a fine gentleman? Or can it = be=20 expected, that he should be better bred, better skill'd in the world, = better=20 principled in the grounds and foundations of true virtue and = generosity, than=20 his young tutor is?

To form a young gentleman as he should be, 'tis fit his governor = should=20 himself be well-bred, understanding the ways of carriage and measures = of=20 civility in all the variety of persons, times, and places; and keep = his pupil,=20 as much as his age requires, constantly to the observation of them. = This is an=20 art not lo be learnt nor taught by books. Nothing can give it but good = company=20 and observation join'd together. The taylor may make his clothes = modish, and=20 the dancing-master give fashion to his motions; yet neither of these, = tho'=20 they set off well, make a well-bred gentleman: no, tho' he have = learning to=20 boot, which, if not well manag'd, makes him more impertinent and = intolerable=20 in conversation. Breeding is that which sets a gloss upon all his = other good=20 qualities, and renders them useful to him, in procuring him the esteem = and=20 good-will of all that he comes near. Without good breeding his other=20 accomplishments make him pass but for proud, conceited, vain, or = foolish.

Courage in an ill-bred man has the air and escapes not the opinion = of=20 brutality: Learning becomes pedantry; wit, buffoonery; plainness, = rusticity;=20 good nature, fawning. And there cannot be a good quality in him, which = want of=20 breeding will not warp and disfigure to his disadvantage. Nay, virtue = and=20 parts, though they are allow'd their due commendation, yet are not = enough to=20 procure a man a good reception, and make him welcome wherever he = comes. No=20 body contents himself with rough diamonds, and wears them so, who = would appear=20 with advantage. When they are polish'd and set, then they give a = lustre. Good=20 qualities are the substantial riches of the mind, but 'tis good = breeding sets=20 them off: and he that will be acceptable, must give beauty, as well as = strength, to his actions. Solidity, or even usefulness, is not enough: = a=20 graceful way and fashion in every thing, is that which gives the = ornament and=20 liking. And in most cases, the manner of doing is of more consequence = than the=20 thing done; and upon that depends the satisfaction or disgust = wherewith it is=20 receiv'd. This therefore, which lies not in the putting off the hat, = nor=20 making of compliments, but in a due and free composure of language, = looks,=20 motion, posture, place, &c. suited to persons and occasions, and = can be=20 learn'd only by habit and use, though it be above the capacity of = children,=20 and little ones should not be perplex'd about it, yet it ought to be = begun and=20 in a good measure learn'd by a young gentleman whilst he is under a = tutor,=20 before he comes into the world upon his own legs: for then usually it = is too=20 late to hope to reform several habitual indecencies, which lie in = little=20 things. For the carriage is not as it should be, till it is become = natural in=20 every part, falling, as skilful musicians' fingers do, into harmonious = order=20 without care and without thought. If in conversation a man's mind be = taken up=20 with a solicitous watchfulness about any part of his behaviour; = instead of=20 being mended by it, it will be constrain'd, uneasy, and = ungraceful.

Besides, this part is most necessary to be form'd by the hand and = care of a=20 governor, because, though the errors committed in breeding are the = first that=20 are taken notice of by others, yet they are the last that any one is = told of;=20 not but that the malice of the world is forward enough to tattle of = them; but=20 it is always out of his hearing, who should make profit of their = judgment and=20 reform himself by their censure. And indeed, this is so nice a point = to be=20 meddled with, that even those who are friends, and wish it were = mended, scarce=20 ever dare mention it, and tell those they love that they are guilty in = such or=20 such cases of ill breeding. Errors in other things may often with = civility be=20 shewn another; and 'tis no breach of good manners or friendship to set = him=20 right in other mistakes; but good breeding itself allows not a man to = touch=20 upon this, or to insinuate to another that he is guilty of want of = breeding.=20 Such information can come only from those who have authority over = them; and=20 from them too it comes very hardly and harshly to a grown man; and = however=20 soften'd, goes but ill down with any one who has liv'd ever so little = in the=20 world. Wherefore it is necessary that this part should be the = governor's=20 principal care, that an habitual gracefulness, and politeness in all = his=20 carriage, may be settled in his charge, as much as may be, before he = goes out=20 of his hands; and that he may not need advice in this point when he = has=20 neither time nor disposition to receive it, nor has any body left to = give it=20 him. The tutor therefore ought in the first place to be well-bred: and = a young=20 gentleman, who gets this one qualification from his governor, sets out = with=20 great advantage, and will find that this one accomplishment will more = open his=20 way to him, get him more friends, and carry him farther in the world, = than all=20 the hard words or real knowledge he has got from the liberal arts, or = his=20 tutor's learned encyclopaedia: not that those should be neglected, but = by no=20 means preferr'd, or suffer'd to thrust out the other.

 

Part VI.

Section 94. Besides being well-bred, the tutor should know the = world well;=20 the ways, the humours, the follies, the cheats, the faults of the age = he is=20 fallen into, and particularly of the country he lives in. These he = should be=20 able to shew to his pupil, as he finds him capable; teach him skill in = men,=20 and their manners; pull off the mask which their several callings and=20 pretences cover them with, and make his pupil discern what lies at the = bottom=20 under such appearances, that he may not, as unexperienc'd young men = are apt to=20 do if they are unwarn'd, take one thing for another, judge by the = outside, and=20 give himself up to shew, and the insinuation of a fair carriage, or an = obliging application. A governor should teach his scholar to guess at = and=20 beware of the designs of men he hath to do with, neither with too much = suspicion, nor too much confidence; but as the young man is by nature = most=20 inclin'd to either side, rectify him, and bend him the other way. He = should=20 accustom him to make, as much as is possible, a true judgment of men = by those=20 marks which serve best to shew what they are, and give a prospect into = their=20 inside, which often shows itself in little things, especially when = they are=20 not in parade, and upon their guard. He should acquaint him with the = true=20 state of the world, and dispose him to think no man better or worse, = wiser or=20 foolisher, than he really is. chus, by safe and insensible degrees, he = will=20 pass from a boy to a man; which is the most hazardous step in all the = whole=20 course of life. This therefore should be carefully watch'd, and a = young man=20 with great diligence handed over it; and not as now usually is done, = be taken=20 from a governor's conduct, and all at once thrown into the world under = his=20 own, not without manifest dangers of immediate spoiling; there being = nothing=20 more frequent than instances of the great looseness, extravagancy, and = debauchery, which young men have run into as soon as they have been = let loose=20 from a severe and strict education: Which I think may be chiefly = imputed to=20 their wrong way of breeding, especially in this part; for having been = bred up=20 in a great ignorance of what the world truly is, and finding it a = quite other=20 thing, when they come into it, than what they were taught it should = be, and so=20 imagin'd it was, are easily persuaded, by other kind of tutors, which = they are=20 sure to meet with, that the discipline they were kept under, and the = lectures=20 read to them, were but the formalities of education and the restraints = of=20 childhood; that the freedom belonging to men is to take their swing in = a full=20 enjoyment of what was before forbidden them. They shew the young = novice the=20 world full of fashionable and glittering examples of this every where, = and he=20 is presently dazzled with them. My young master failing not to be = willing to=20 shew himself a man, as much as any of the sparks of his years, lets = himself=20 loose to all the irregularities he finds in the most debauch'd; and = thus=20 courts credit and manliness in the casting off the modesty and = sobriety he has=20 till then been kept in; and thinks it brave, at his first setting out, = to=20 signalize himself in running counter to all the rules of virtue which = have=20 been preach'd to him by his tutor.

The shewing him the world as really it is, before he comes wholly = into it,=20 is one of the best means, I think, to prevent this mischief. He should = by=20 degrees be informed of the vices in fashion, and warned of the = applications=20 and designs of those who will make it their business to corrupt him. = He should=20 be told the arts they use, and the trains they lay; and now and then = have set=20 before him the tragical or ridiculous examples of those who are = ruining or=20 ruin'd this way. The age is not like to want instances of this kind, = which=20 should be made land-marks to him, that by the disgraces, diseases, = beggary,=20 and shame of hopeful young men thus brought to ruin, he may be = precaution'd,=20 and be made see, how those join in the contempt and neglect of them = that are=20 undone, who, by pretences of friendship and respect, lead them to it, = and help=20 to prey upon them whilst they were undoing; that he may see, before he = buys it=20 by a too dear experience, that those who persuade him not to follow = the sober=20 advices he has receiv'd from his governors, and the counsel of his own = reason,=20 which they call being govern'd by others, do it only that they may = have the=20 government of him themselves; and make him believe, he goes like a man = of=20 himself, by his own conduct, and for his own pleasure, when in truth = he is=20 wholly as a child led by them into those vices which best serve their=20 purposes. This is a knowledge which, upon all occasions, a tutor = should=20 endeavour to instil, and by all methods try to make him comprehend, = and=20 thoroughly relish.

I know it is often said, that to discover to a young man the vices = of the=20 age is to teach them him. That, I confess, is a good deal so, = according as it=20 is done; and therefore requires a discreet man of parts, who knows the = world,=20 and can judge of the temper, inclination, and weak side of his pupil. = This=20 farther is to be remember'd, that it is not possible now (as perhaps = formerly=20 it was) to keep a young gentleman from vice by a total ignorance of = it, unless=20 you will all his life mew him up in a closet, and never let him go = into=20 company. The longer he is kept thus hoodwink'd, the less he will see = when he=20 comes abroad into open daylight, and be the more expos'd to be a prey = to=20 himself and others. And an old boy, at his first appearance, with all = the=20 gravity of his ivy-bush about him, is sure to draw on him the eyes and = chirping of the whole town volery; amongst which there will not be = wanting=20 some birds of prey, that will presently be on the wing for him.

The only fence against the world, is, a thorough knowledge of it, = into=20 which a young gentleman should be enter'd by degrees, as he can bear = it; and=20 the earlier the better, so he be in safe and skilful hands to guide = him. The=20 scene should be gently open'd, and his entrance made step by step, and = the=20 dangers pointed out that attend him from the several degrees, tempers, = designs, and clubs of men. He should be prepar'd to be shock'd by = some, and=20 caress'd by others; warn'd who are like to oppose, who to mislead, who = to=20 undermine him, and who to serve him. He should be instructed how to = know and=20 distinguish them; where he should let them see, and when dissemble the = knowledge of them and their aims and workings. And if he be too = forward to=20 venture upon his own strength and skill, the perplexity and trouble of = a=20 misadventure now and then, that reaches not his innocence, his health, = or=20 reputation, may not be an ill way to teach him more caution.

This, I confess, containing one great part of wisdom, is not the = product of=20 some superficial thoughts, or much reading; but the effect of = experience and=20 observation in a man who has liv'd in the world with his eyes open, = and=20 convers'd with men of all sorts. And therefore I think it of most = value to be=20 instill'd into a young man upon all occasions which offer themselves, = that=20 when he comes to launch into the deep himself, he may not be like one = at sea=20 without a line, compass or sea-chart; but may have some notice = before-hand of=20 the rocks and shoals, the currents and quick-sands, and know a little = how to=20 steer, that he sink not before he get experience. He that thinks not = this of=20 more moment to his son, and for which he more needs a governor, than = the=20 languages and learned sciences, forgets of how much more use it is to = judge=20 right of men, and manage his affairs wisely with them, than to speak = Greek and=20 Latin, or argue in mood and figure; or to have his head fill'd with = the=20 abstruse speculations of natural philosophy and metaphysicks; nay, = than to be=20 well vers'd in Greek and Roman writers, though that be much better for = a=20 gentleman than to be a good Peripatetick or Cartesian, because those = antient=20 authors observ'd and painted mankind well, and give the best light = into that=20 kind of knowledge. He that goes into the eastern parts of Asia, will = find able=20 and acceptable men without any of these; but without virtue, knowledge = of the=20 world, and civility, an accomplish'd and valuable man can be found no=20 where.

A great part of the learning now in fashion in the schools of = Europe, and=20 that goes ordinarily into the round of education, a gentleman may in a = good=20 measure be unfurnish'd with, without any great disparagement to = himself or=20 prejudice to his affairs. But prudence and good breeding are in all = the=20 stations and occurrences of life necessary; and most young men suffer = in the=20 want of them, and come rawer and more awkward into the world than they = should,=20 for this very reason, because these qualities, which are of all other = the most=20 necessary to be taught, and stand most in need of the assistance and = help of a=20 teacher, are generally neglected and thought but a slight or no part = of a=20 tutor's business. Latin and learning make all the noise; and the main = stress=20 is laid upon his proficiency in things a great part whereof belong not = to a=20 gentleman's calling; which is to have the knowledge of a man of = business, a=20 carriage suitable to his rank, and to be eminent and useful in his = country,=20 according to his station. Whenever either spare hours from that, or an = inclination to perfect himself in some parts of knowledge, which his = tutor did=20 but just enter him in, set him upon any study, the first rudiments of = it,=20 which he learn'd before, will open the way enough for his own industry = to=20 carry him as far as his fancy will prompt, or his parts enable him to = go. Or,=20 if he thinks it may save his time and pains to be help'd over some=20 difficulties by the hand of a master, he may then take a man that is = perfectly=20 well skilled in it, or chuse such an one as he thinks fittest for his = purpose.=20 But to initiate his pupil in any part of learning, as far as is = necessary for=20 a young man in the ordinary course of his studies, an ordinary skill = in the=20 governor is enough. Nor is it requisite that he should be a thorough = scholar,=20 or possess in perfection all those sciences which 'tis convenient a = young=20 gentleman should have a taste of in some general view, or short = system. A=20 gentleman that would penetrate deeper must do it by his own genius and = industry afterwards: For no body ever went far in knowledge, or became = eminent=20 in any of the sciences, by the discipline and constraint of a = master.

The great work of a governor, is to fashion the carriage, and form = the=20 mind; to settle in his pupil good habits and the principles of virtue = and=20 wisdom; to give him by little and little a view of mankind, and work = him into=20 a love and imitation of what is excellent and praise-worthy; and, in = the=20 prosecution of it, to give him vigour, activity, and industry. The = studies=20 which he sets him upon, are but as it were the exercises of his = faculties, and=20 employment of his time, to keep him from sauntering and idleness, to = teach him=20 application, and accustom him to take pains, and to give him some = little taste=20 of what his own industry must perfect. For who expects, that under a = tutor a=20 young gentleman should be an accomplish'd critick, orator, or = logician? go to=20 the bottom of metaphysicks, natural philosophy, or mathematicks? or be = a=20 master in history or chronology? though something of each of these is = to be=20 taught him: But it is only to open the door, that he may look in, and = as it=20 were begin an acquaintance, but not to dwell there: And a governor = would be=20 much blam'd that should keep his pupil too long, and lead him too far = in most=20 of them. But of good breeding, knowledge of the world, virtue = industry, and a=20 love of reputation, he cannot have too much: And if he have these, he = will not=20 long want what he needs or desires of the other.

And since it cannot be hop'd he should have time and strength to = learn all=20 things, most pains should be taken about that which is most necessary; = and=20 that principally look'd after which will be of most and frequentest = use to him=20 in the world.

Seneca complains of the contrary practice in his time; and yet the=20 Burgursdicius' and the Scheiblers did not swarm in those days as they = do now=20 in these. What would he have thought if he had liv'd now, when the = tutors=20 think it their great business to fill the studies and heads of their = pupils=20 with such authors as these? He would have had much more reason to say, = as he=20 does, non vitae sed scholae discimus, we learn not to live, but to = dispute;=20 and our education fits us rather for the university than the world. = But 'tis=20 no wonder if those who make the fashion suit it to what they have, and = not to=20 what their pupils want. The fashion being once establish'd, who can = think it=20 strange, that in this, as well as in all other things, it should = prevail? And=20 that the greatest part of those, who find their account in an easy = submission=20 to it, should be ready to cry out, Heresy, when any one departs from = it? 'Tis=20 nevertheless matter of astonishment that men of quality and parts = should=20 suffer themselves to be so far misled by custom and implicit faith. = Reason, if=20 consulted with, would advise, that their children's time should be = spent in=20 acquiring what might be useful to them when they come to be men, = rather than=20 to have their heads stuff'd with a deal of trash, a great part whereof = they=20 usually never do ('tis certain they never need to) think on again as = long as=20 they live: and so much of it as does stick by them they are only the = worse=20 for. This is so well known, that I appeal to parents themselves, who = have been=20 at cost to have their young heirs taught it, whether it be not = ridiculous for=20 their sons to have any tincture of that sort of learning, when they = come=20 abroad into the world? whether any appearance of it would not lessen = and=20 disgrace them in company? And that certainly must be an admirable = acquisition,=20 and deserves well to make a part in education, which men are asham'd = of where=20 they are most concern'd to shew their parts and breeding.

There is yet another reason why politeness of manners, and = knowledge of the=20 world should principally be look'd after in a tutor; and that is, = because a=20 man of parts and years may enter a lad far enough in any of those = sciences,=20 which he has no deep insight into himself. Books in these will be able = to=20 furnish him, and give him light and precedency enough to go before a = young=20 follower: but he will never be able to set another right in the = knowledge of=20 the world, and above all in breeding, who is a novice in them = himself.

This is a knowledge he must have about him, worn into him by use = and=20 conversation and a long forming himself by what he has observ'd to be=20 practis'd and allow'd in the best company. This, if he has it not of = his own,=20 is no where to be borrowed for the use of his pupil; or if he could = find=20 pertinent treatises of it in books that would reach all the = particulars of an=20 English gentleman's behaviour, his own ill-fashion'd example, if he be = not=20 well-bred himself, would spoil all his lectures; it being impossible, = that any=20 one should come forth well-fashion'd out of unpolish'd, ill-bred = company.

I say this, not that I think such a tutor is every day to be met = with, or=20 to be had at the ordinary rates; but that those who are able, may not = be=20 sparing of enquiry or cost in what is of so great moment; and that = other=20 parents, whose estates will not reach to greater salaries, may yet = remember=20 what they should principally have an eye to in the choice of one to = whom they=20 would commit the education of their children; and what part they = should=20 chiefly look after themselves, whilst they are under their care, and = as often=20 as they come within their observation; and not think that all lies in = Latin=20 and French or some dry systems of logick and philosophy.

Section 95. But to return to our method again. Though I have = mention'd the=20 severity of the father's brow, and the awe settled thereby in the mind = of=20 children when young, as one main instrument whereby their education is = to be=20 manag'd; yet I am far from being of an opinion that it should be = continu'd all=20 along to them, whilst they are under the discipline and government of=20 pupilage; I think it should be relax'd, as fast as their age, = discretion and=20 good behaviour could allow it; even to that degree, that a father will = do=20 well, as his son grows up, and is capable of it, to talk familiarly = with him;=20 nay, ask his advice, and consult with him about those things wherein = he has=20 any knowledge or understanding. By this, the father will gain two = things, both=20 of great moment. The one is, that it will put serious considerations = into his=20 son's thoughts, better than any rules or advices he can give him. The = sooner=20 you treat him as a man, the sooner he will begin to be one: and if you = admit=20 him into serious discourses sometimes with you, you will insensibly = raise his=20 mind above the usual amusements of youth, and those trifling = occupations which=20 it is commonly wasted in. For it is easy to observe, that many young = men=20 continue longer in the thought and conversation of school-boys than = otherwise=20 they would, because their parents keep them at that distance, and in = that low=20 rank, by all their carriage to them.

Section 96. Another thing of greater consequence, which you will = obtain by=20 such a way of treating him, will be his friendship. Many fathers, = though they=20 proportion to their sons liberal allowances, according to their age = and=20 condition, yet they keep the knowledge of their estates and concerns = from them=20 with as much reservedness as if they were guarding a secret of state = from a=20 spy or an enemy. This, if it looks not like jealousy, yet it wants = those marks=20 of kindness and intimacy which a father should shew to his son, and no = doubt=20 often hinders or abates that chearfulness and satisfaction wherewith a = son=20 should address himself to and rely upon his father. And I cannot but = often=20 wonder to see fathers who love their sons very well, yet so order the = matter=20 by a constant stiffness and a mien of authority and distance to them = all their=20 lives, as if they were never to enjoy, or have any comfort from those = they=20 love best in the world, till they had lost them by being remov'd into = another.=20 Nothing cements and establishes friendship and good-will so much as = confident=20 communication of concernments and affairs. Other kindnesses, without = this,=20 leave still some doubts: but when your son sees you open your mind to = him,=20 when he finds that you interest him in your affairs, as things you are = willing=20 should in their turn come into his hands, he will be concern'd for = them as for=20 his own, wait his season with patience, and love you in the mean time, = who=20 keep him not at the distance of a stranger. This will also make him = see, that=20 the enjoyment you have, is not without care; which the more he is = sensible of,=20 the less will he envy you the possession, and the more think himself = happy=20 under the management of so favourable a friend and so careful a = father. There=20 is scarce any young man of so little thought, or so void of sense, = that would=20 not be glad of a sure friend, that he might have recourse to, and = freely=20 consult on occasion. The reservedness and distance that fathers keep, = often=20 deprive their sons of that refuge which would be of more advantage to = them=20 than an hundred rebukes and chidings. Would your son engage in some = frolick,=20 or take a vagary, were it not much better he should do it with, than = without=20 your knowledge? For since allowances for such things must be made to = young=20 men, the more you know of his intrigues and designs, the better will = you be=20 able to prevent great mischiefs; and by letting him see what is like = to=20 follow, take the right way of prevailing with him to avoid less=20 inconveniences. Would you have him open his heart to you, and ask your = advice?=20 you must begin to do so with him first, and by your carriage beget = that=20 confidence.

Section 97. But whatever he consults you about, unless it lead to = some=20 fatal and irremediable mischief, be sure you advise only as a friend = of more=20 experience; but with your advice mingle nothing of command or = authority, nor=20 more than you would to your equal or a stranger. That would be to = drive him=20 for ever from any farther demanding, or receiving advantage from your = counsel.=20 You must consider that he is a young man, and has pleasures and = fancies which=20 you are pass'd. You must not expect his inclination should be just as = yours,=20 nor that at twenty he should have the same thoughts you have at fifty. = All=20 that you can wish, is, that since youth must have some liberty, some = outleaps,=20 they might be with the ingenuity of a son, and under the eye of a = father, and=20 then no very great harm can come of it. The way to obtain this, as I = said=20 before, is (according as you find him capable) to talk with him about = your=20 affairs, propose matters to him familiarly, and ask his advice; and = when he=20 ever lights on the right, follow it as his; and if it succeed well, = let him=20 have the commendation. This will not at all lessen your authority, but = increase his love and esteem of you. Whilst you keep your estate, the = staff=20 will be in your own hands; and your authority the surer, the more it = is=20 strengthen'd with confidence and kindness. For you have not that power = you=20 ought to have over him, till he comes to be more afraid of offending = so good a=20 friend than of losing some part of his future expectation.

Section 98. Familiarity of discourse, if it can become a father to = his son,=20 may much more be condescended to by a tutor to his pupil. All their = time=20 together should not be spent in reading of lectures, and magisterially = dictating to him what he is to observe and follow. Hearing him in his = turn,=20 and using him to reason about what is propos'd, will make the rules go = down=20 the easier and sink the deeper, and will give him a liking to study = and=20 instruction: And he will then begin to value knowledge, when he sees = that it=20 enables him to discourse, and he finds the pleasure and credit of = bearing a=20 part in the conversation, and of having his reasons sometimes approv'd = and=20 hearken'd to; particularly in morality, prudence, and breeding, cases = should=20 be put to him, and his judgment ask'd. This opens the understanding = better=20 than maxims, how well soever explain'd, and settles the rules better = in the=20 memory for practice. This way lets things into the mind which stick = there, and=20 retain their evidence with them; whereas words at best are faint=20 representations, being not so much as the true shadows of things, and = are much=20 sooner forgotten. He will better comprehend the foundations and = measures of=20 decency and justice, and have livelier, and more lasting impressions = of what=20 he ought to do, by giving his opinion on cases propos'd, and reasoning = with=20 his tutor on fit instances, than by giving a silent, negligent, sleepy = audience to his tutor's lectures; and much more than by captious = logical=20 disputes, or set declamations of his own, upon any question. The one = sets the=20 thoughts upon wit and false colours, and not upon truth; the other = teaches=20 fallacy, wrangling, and opiniatry; and they are both of them things = that spoil=20 the judgment, and put a man out of the way of right and fair = reasoning; and=20 therefore carefully to be avoided by one who would improve himself, = and be=20 acceptable to others.

Section 99. When by making your son sensible that he depends on = you, and is=20 in your power, you have established your authority; and by being = inflexibly=20 severe in your carriage to him when obstinately persisting in any = ill-natur'd=20 trick which you have forbidden, especially lying, you have imprinted = on his=20 mind that awe which is necessary; and, on the other side, when (by = permitting=20 him the full liberty due to his age, and laying no restraint in your = presence=20 to those childish actions and gaiety of carriage, which, whilst he is = very=20 young, is as necessary to him as meat or sleep) you have reconcil'd = him to=20 your company, and made him sensible of your care and love of him, by=20 indulgence and tenderness, especially caressing him on all occasions = wherein=20 he does any thing well, and being kind to him after a thousand = fashions=20 suitable to his age, which nature teaches parents better than I can: = When, I=20 say, by these ways of tenderness and affection, which parents never = want for=20 their children, you have also planted in him a particular affection = for you;=20 he is then in the state you could desire, and you have form'd in his = mind that=20 true reverence which is always afterwards carefully to be continu'd, = and=20 maintain'd in both parts of it, love, and fear, as the great = principles=20 whereby you will always have hold upon him, to turn his mind to the = ways of=20 virtue and honour.

Section 100. When this foundation is once well lay'd, and you find = this=20 reverence begin to work in him, the next thing to be done, is = carefully to=20 consider his temper, and the particular constitution of his mind.=20 Stubbornness, lying, and ill-natur'd actions, are not (as has been = said) to be=20 permitted in him from the beginning, whatever his temper be. Those = seeds of=20 vices are not to be suffer'd to take any root, but must be carefully = weeded=20 out, as soon as ever they begin to shew themselves in him; and your = authority=20 is to take place and influence his mind, from the very dawning of any=20 knowledge in him, that it may operate as a natural principle, whereof = he never=20 perceiv'd the beginning, never knew that it was, or could be = otherwise. By=20 this, if the reverence he owes you be establish'd early, it will = always be=20 sacred to him, and it will be as hard for him to resist as the = principles of=20 his nature.

Section 101. Having thus very early set up your authority, and by = the=20 gentler applications of it sham'd him out of what leads towards an = immoral=20 habit, as soon as you have observ'd it in him, (for I would by no = means have=20 chiding us'd, much less blows, till obstinacy and incorrigibleness = make it=20 absolutely necessary) it will be fit to consider which way the natural = make of=20 his mind inclines him. Some men by the unalterable frame of their=20 constitutions, are stout, others timorous, some confident, others = modest,=20 tractable, or obstinate, curious or careless, quick or slow. There are = not=20 more differences in men's faces, and the outward lineaments of their = bodies,=20 than there are in the makes and tempers of their minds; only there is = this=20 difference, that the distinguishing characters of the face, and the = lineaments=20 of the body, grow more plain and visible with time and age; but the = peculiar=20 physiognomy of the mind is most discernible in children, before art = and=20 cunning have taught them to hide their deformities, and conceal their = ill=20 inclinations under a dissembled outside.

Section 102. Begin therefore betimes nicely to observe your son's = temper;=20 and that, when he is under least restraint, in his play, and as he = thinks out=20 of your sight. See what are his predominate passions and prevailing=20 inclinations; whether he be fierce or mild, bold or bashful, = compassionate or=20 cruel, open or reserv'd, &c. For as these are different in him, so = are=20 your methods to be different, and your authority must hence take = measures to=20 apply itself different ways to him. These native propensities, these=20 prevalencies of constitution, are not to be cur'd by rules, or a = direct=20 contest, especially those of them that are the humbler and meaner = sort, which=20 proceed from fear, and lowness of spirit; though with art they may be = much=20 mended, and turn'd to good purposes. But this, be sure, after all is = done, the=20 byass will always hang on that side that nature first plac'd it: And = if you=20 carefully observe the characters of his mind, now in the first scenes = of his=20 life, you will ever after be able to judge which way his thoughts = lean, and=20 what he aims at even hereafter, when, as he grows up, the plot = thickens, and=20 he puts on several shapes to act it.

Section 103. I told you before, that children love liberty; and = therefore=20 they should be brought to do the things are fit for them, without = feeling any=20 restraint laid upon them. I now tell you, they love something more; = and that=20 is dominion: And this is the first original of most vicious habits, = that are=20 ordinary and natural. This love of power and dominion shews itself = very early,=20 and that in these two things.

Section 104. I. We see children, as soon almost as they are born (I = am sure=20 long before they can speak) cry, grow peevish, sullen, and out of = humour, for=20 nothing but to have their wills. They would have their desires = submitted to by=20 others; they contend for a ready compliance from all about them, = especially=20 from those that stand near or beneath them in age or degree, as soon = as they=20 come to consider others with those distinctions.

Section 105. 2. Another thing wherein they shew their love of = dominion, is,=20 their desire to have things to be theirs: They would have propriety = and=20 possession, pleasing themselves with the power which that seems to = give, and=20 the right they thereby have, to dispose of them as they please. He = that has=20 not observ'd these two humours working very betimes in children, has = taken=20 little notice of their actions: And he who thinks that these two roots = of=20 almost all the injustice and contention that so disturb human life, = are not=20 early to be weeded out, and contrary habits introduc'd, neglects the = proper=20 season to lay the foundations of a good and worthy man. To do this, I = imagine=20 these following things may somewhat conduce.

Section 106. I. That a child should never be suffer'd to have what = he=20 craves, much less what he cries for, I had said, or so much as speaks = for: But=20 that being apt to the misunderstood, and interpreted as if I meant a = child=20 should never speak to his parents for any thing, which will perhaps be = thought=20 to lay too great a curb on the minds of children, to the prejudice of = that=20 love and affection which should be between them and their parents; I = shall=20 explain my self a little more particularly. It is fit that they should = have=20 liberty to declare their wants to their parents, and that with all = tenderness=20 they should be hearken'd to, and supply'd, at least whilst they are = very=20 little. But 'tis one thing to say, I am hungry, another to say, I = would have=20 roastmeat. Having declar'd their wants, their natural wants, the pain = they=20 feel from hunger, thirst, cold, or any other necessity of nature, 'tis = the=20 duty of their parents and those about them to relieve them: But = children must=20 leave it to the choice and ordering of their parents, what they think=20 properest for them, and how much; and must not be permitted to chuse = for=20 themselves, and say, I would have wine, or white-bread; the very = naming of it=20 should make them lose it.

Section 107. That which parents should take care of here, is to = distinguish=20 between the wants of fancy, and those of nature; which Horace has well = taught=20 them to do in this verse:

Queis humana sibi doleat natura negatis.

Those are truly natural wants, which reason alone, without some = other help,=20 is not able to fence against, nor keep from disturbing us. The pains = of=20 sickness and hurts, hunger, thirst, and cold, want of sleep and rest = or=20 relaxation of the part weary'd with labour, are what all men feel and = the best=20 dispos'd minds cannot but be sensible of their uneasiness; and = therefore=20 ought, by fit applications, to seek their removal, though not with = impatience,=20 or over great haste, upon the first approaches of them, where delay = does not=20 threaten some irreparable harm. The pains that come from the = necessities of=20 nature, are monitors to us to beware of greater mischiefs, which they = are the=20 forerunners of; and therefore they must not be wholly neglected, nor = strain'd=20 too far. But yet the more children can be inur'd to hardships of this = kind, by=20 a wise care to make them stronger in body and mind, the better it will = be for=20 them. I need not here give any caution to keep within the bounds of = doing them=20 good, and to take care, that what children are made to suffer, should = neither=20 break their spirits, nor injure their health, parents being but too = apt of=20 themselves to incline more than they should to the softer side.

But whatever compliance the necessities of nature may require, the = wants of=20 fancy children should never be gratify'd in, nor suffered to mention. = The very=20 speaking for any such thing should make them lose it. Clothes, when = they need,=20 they must have; but if they speak for this stuff or that colour, they = should=20 be sure to go without it. Not that I would have parents purposely = cross the=20 desires of their children in matters of indifference,; on the = contrary, where=20 their carriage deserves it, and one is sure it will not corrupt or = effeminate=20 their minds, and make them fond of trifles, I think all things should = be=20 contriv'd, as much as could be, to their satisfaction, that they may = find the=20 ease and pleasure of doing well. The best for children is that they = should not=20 place any pleasure in such things at all, nor regulate their delight = by their=20 fancies, but be indifferent to all that nature has made so. This is = what their=20 parents and teachers should chiefly aim at; but till this be obtain'd, = all=20 that I oppose here, is the liberty of asking, which in these things of = conceit=20 ought to be restrain'd by a constant forfeiture annex'd to it.

This may perhaps be thought a little too severe by the natural = indulgence=20 of tender parents; but yet it is no more than necessary: For since the = method=20 I propose is to banish the rod, this restraint of their tongues will = be of=20 great use to settle that awe we have elsewhere spoken of, and to keep = up in=20 them the respect and reverence due to their parents. Next, it will = teach to=20 keep in, and so master their inclinations. By this means they will be = brought=20 to learn the art of stifling their desires, as soon as they rise up in = them,=20 when they are easiest to be subdu'd. For giving vent, gives life and = strength=20 to our appetites; and he that has the confidence to turn his wishes = into=20 demands, will be but a little way from thinking he ought to obtain = them. This,=20 I am sure, every one can more easily bear a denial from himself, than = from any=20 body else. They should therefore be accustom'd betimes to consult, and = make=20 use of their reason, before they give allowance to their inclinations. = 'Tis a=20 great step towards the mastery of our desires, to give this stop to = them, and=20 shut them up in silence. This habit got by children, of staying the=20 forwardness of their fancies, and deliberating whether it be fit or = no, before=20 they speak, will be of no small advantage to them in matters of = greater=20 consequence, in the future course of their lives. For that which I = cannot too=20 often inculcate, is, that whatever the matter be about which it is = conversant,=20 whether great or small, the main (I had almost said only) thing to be=20 consider'd in every action of a child, is, what influence it will have = upon=20 his mind; what habit it tends to, and is like to settle in him; how it = will=20 become him when he is bigger; and if it be encourag'd, whither it will = lead=20 him when he is grown up.

My meaning therefore is not, that children should purposely be made = uneasy.=20 This would relish too much of inhumanity and ill-nature, and be apt to = infect=20 them with it. They should be brought to deny their appetites; and = their minds,=20 as well as bodies, be made vigorous, easy, and strong, by the custom = of having=20 their inclinations in subjection, and their bodies exercis'd with = hardships:=20 But all this, without giving them any mark or apprehension of ill-will = towards=20 them. The constant loss of what they crav'd or carv'd to themselves, = should=20 teach them modesty, submission, and a power to forbear: But the = rewarding=20 their modesty, and silence, by giving them what they lik'd, should = also assure=20 them of the love of those who rigorously exacted this obedience. The=20 contenting themselves now in the want of what they wish'd for, is a = virtue=20 that another time should be rewarded with what is suited and = acceptable to=20 them; which should be bestow'd on them as if it were a natural = consequence of=20 their good behaviour, and not a bargain about it. But you will lose = your=20 labour, and what is more, their love and reverence too, if they can = receive=20 from others what you deny them. This is to be kept very staunch, and = carefully=20 to be watch'd. And here the servants come again my way.

 

Part VII.

Section 108. If this be begun betimes, and they accustom themselves = early=20 to silence their desires, this useful habit will settle them; and as = they come=20 to grow up in age and discretion, they may be allow'd greater liberty, = when=20 reason comes to speak in 'em, and not passion: For whenever reason = would=20 speak, it should be hearken'd to. But as they should never be heard, = when they=20 speak for any particular thing they would have, unless it be first = propos'd to=20 them; so they should always be heard, and fairly and kindly answer'd, = when=20 they ask after any thing they would know, and desire to be inform'd = about.=20 Curiosity should be as carefully cherish'd in children, as other = appetites=20 suppress'd.

However strict an hand is to be kept upon all desires of fancy, yet = there=20 is one case wherein fancy must be permitted to speak, and be hearken'd = to=20 also. Recreation is as necessary as labour or food. But because there = can be=20 no recreation without delight, which depends not always on reason, but = oftner=20 fancy, it must be permitted children not only to divert themselves, = but to do=20 it after their own fashion, provided it be innocently, and without = prejudice=20 to their health; and therefore in this case they should not be deny'd, = if they=20 proposed any particular kind of recreation. Tho' I think in a = well-order'd=20 education, they will seldom be brought to the necessity of asking any = such=20 liberty. Care should be taken, that what is of advantage to them, they = should=20 always do with delight; and before they are weary'd with one, they = should be=20 timely diverted to some other useful employment. But if they are not = yet=20 brought to that degree of perfection, that one way of improvement can = be made=20 a recreation to them, they must be let loose to the childish play they = fancy;=20 which they should be wean'd from by being made to surfeit of it: But = from=20 things of use, that they are employ'd in, they should always be sent = away with=20 an appetite; at least be dismiss'd before they are tir'd, and grow = quite sick=20 of it, that so they may return to it again, as to a pleasure that = diverts=20 them. For you must never think them set right, till they can find = delight in=20 the practice of laudable things; and the useful exercises of the body = and=20 mind, taking their turns, make their lives and improvement pleasant in = a=20 continu'd train of recreations, wherein the weary'd part is constantly = reliev'd and refresh'd. Whether this can be done in every temper, or = whether=20 tutors and parents will be at the pains, and have the discretion and = patience=20 to bring them to this, I know not; but that it may be done in most = children,=20 if a right course be taken to raise in them the desire of credit, = esteem, and=20 reputation, I do not at all doubt. And when they have so much true = life put=20 into them, they may freely be talk'd with about what most delights = them, and=20 be directed or let loose to it; so that they may perceive that they = are=20 belov'd and cherish'd, and that those under whose tuition they are, = are not=20 enemies to their satisfaction. Such a management will make them in = love with=20 the hand that directs them, and the virtue they are directed to.

This farther advantage may be made by a free liberty permitted them = in=20 their recreations, that it will discover their natural tempers, shew = their=20 inclinations and aptitudes, and thereby direct wise parents in the = choice both=20 of the course of life and employment they shall design them for, and = of fit=20 remedies, in the mean time, to be apply'd to whatever bent of nature = they may=20 observe most likely to mislead any of their children.

Section 109. 2. Children who live together, often strive for = mastery, whose=20 wills shall carry it over the rest: whoever begins the contest, should = be sure=20 to be cross'd in it. But not only that, but they should be taught to = have all=20 the deference, complaisance, and civility one for the other = imaginable. This,=20 when they see it procures them respect, love and esteem, and that they = lose no=20 superiority by it, they will take more pleasure in, than in insolent=20 domineering; for so plainly is the other.

The accusations of children one against another, which usually are = but the=20 clamours of anger and revenge desiring aid, should not be favourably = received,=20 nor hearken'd to. It weakens and effeminates their minds to suffer = them to=20 complain; and if they endure sometimes crossing or pain from others = without=20 being permitted to think it strange or intolerable, it will do them no = harm to=20 learn sufferance, and harden them early. But though you give no = countenance to=20 the complaints of the querulous, yet take care to curb the insolence = and ill=20 nature of the injurious. When you observe it yourself, reprove it = before the=20 injur'd party: but if the complaint be of something really worth your = notice,=20 and prevention another time, then reprove the offender by himself = alone, out=20 of sight of him that complain'd and make him go and ask pardon, and = make=20 reparation: which coming thus, as it were from himself, will be the = more=20 chearfully performed, and more kindly receiv'd, the love strengthen'd = between=20 them, and a custom of civility grow familiar amongst your = children.

Section 110. 3. As to the having and possessing of things, teach = them to=20 part with what they have, easily and freely to their friends, and let = them=20 find by experience that the most liberal has always the most plenty, = with=20 esteem and commendation to boot, and they will quickly learn to = practise it.=20 This I imagine, will make brothers and sisters kinder and civiller to = one=20 another, and consequently to others, than twenty rules about good = manners,=20 with which children are ordinarily perplex'd and cumber'd. = Covetousness, and=20 the desire of having in our possession, and under our dominion, more = than we=20 have need of, being the root of all evil, should be early and = carefully weeded=20 out, and the contrary quality of a readiness to impart to others, = implanted.=20 This should be encourag'd by great commendation and credit, and = constantly=20 taking care that he loses nothing by his liberality. Let all the = instances he=20 gives of such freeness be always repay'd, and with interest; and let = him=20 sensibly perceive, that the kindness he shews to others, is no ill = husbandry=20 for himself; but that it brings a return of kindness both from those = that=20 receive it, and those who look on. Make this a contest among children, = who=20 shall out-do one another this way: and by this means, by a constant = practice,=20 children having made it easy to themselves to part with what they = have, good=20 nature may be settled in them into an habit, and they may take = pleasure, and=20 pique themselves in being kind, liberal and civil, to others.

If liberality ought to be encourag'd certainly great care is to be = taken=20 that children transgress not the rules of Justice: and whenever they = do, they=20 should be set right, and if there be occasion for it, severely = rebuk'd.

Our first actions being guided more by self-love than reason or = reflection,=20 'tis no wonder that in children they should be very apt to deviate = from the=20 just measures of right and wrong; which are in the mind the result of = improv'd=20 reason and serious meditation. This the more they are apt to mistake, = the more=20 careful guard ought to be kept over them; and every the least slip in = this=20 great social virtue taken notice of, and rectify'd; and that in things = of the=20 least weight and moment, both to instruct their ignorance, and prevent = ill=20 habits; which from small beginnings in pins and cherry-stones, will, = if let=20 alone, grow up to higher frauds, and be in danger to end at last in = downright=20 harden'd dishonesty. The first tendency to any injustice that appears, = must be=20 suppress'd with a shew of wonder and abhorrence in the parents and = governors.=20 But because children cannot well comprehend what injustice is, till = they=20 understand property, and how particular persons come by it, the safest = way to=20 secure honesty, is to lay the foundations of it early in liberality, = and an=20 easiness to part with to others whatever they have or like themselves. = This=20 may be taught them early, before they have language and understanding = enough=20 to form distinct notions of property, and to know what is theirs by a = peculiar=20 right exclusive of others. And since children seldom have any thing = but by=20 gift, and that for the most part from their parents, they may be at = first=20 taught not to take or keep any thing but what is given them by those, = whom=20 they take to have power over it. And as their capacities enlarge, = other rules=20 and cases of justice, and rights concerning Meum and Tuum, may be = propos'd and=20 inculcated. If any act of injustice in them appears to proceed, not = from=20 mistake, but a perverseness in their wills, when a gentle rebuke and = shame=20 will not reform this irregular and covetous inclination, rougher = remedies must=20 be apply'd: And 'tis but for the father and tutor to take and keep = from them=20 something that they value and think their own, or order somebody else = to do=20 it; and by such instances, make them sensible what little advantage = they are=20 like to make by possessing themselves unjustly of what is another's, = whilst=20 there are in the world stronger and more men than they. But if an = ingenuous=20 detestation of this shameful vice be but carefully and early instill'd = into=20 'em, as I think it may, that is the true and genuine method to obviate = this=20 crime, and will be a better guard against dishonesty than any = considerations=20 drawn from interest; habits working more constantly, and with greater=20 facility, than reason, which, when we have most need of it, is seldom = fairly=20 consulted, and more rarely obey'd.

Section 111. Crying is a fault that should not be tolerated in = children;=20 not only for the unpleasant and unbecoming noise it fills the house = with, but=20 for more considerable reasons, in reference to the children = themselves; which=20 is to be our aim in education.

Their crying is of two sorts; either stubborn and domineering, or = querulous=20 and whining.

1. Their crying is very often a striving for mastery, and an open=20 declaration of their insolence or obstinacy; when they have not the = power to=20 obtain their desire, they will, by their clamour and sobbing, maintain = their=20 title and right to it. This is an avow'd continuing their claim, and a = sort of=20 remonstrance against the oppression and injustice of those who deny = them what=20 they have a mind to.

Section 112. 2 Sometimes their crying is the effect of pain, or = true=20 sorrow, and a bemoaning themselves under it.

These two, if carefully observ'd, may, by the mien, looks, actions, = and=20 particularly by the tone of their crying be easily distinguished; but = neither=20 of them must be suffer'd, much less encourag'd.

1. The obstinate or stomachful crying should by no means be = permitted,=20 because it is but another way of flattering their desires, and = encouraging=20 those passions which 'tis our main business to subdue: and if it be, = as often=20 it is, upon the receiving any correction, it quite defeats all the = good=20 effects of it; for any chastisement which leaves them in this declar'd = opposition, only serves to make them worse. The restraints and = punishments=20 laid on children are all misapply'd and lost, as far as they do not = prevail=20 over their wills, teach them to submit their passions, and make their = minds=20 supple and pliant to what their parents' reason advises them now, and = so=20 prepare them to obey what their own reason shall advise hereafter. But = if in=20 any thing wherein they are cross'd, they may be suffer'd to go away = crying,=20 they confirm themselves in their desires, and cherish the ill humour, = with a=20 declaration of their right, and a resolution to satisfy their = inclination the=20 first opportunity. This therefore is another argument against the = frequent use=20 of blows: for, whenever you come to that extremity, 'tis not enough to = whip or=20 beat them, you must do it, till you find you have subdu'd their minds, = till=20 with submission and patience they yield to the correction; which you = shall=20 best discover by their crying, and their ceasing from it upon your = bidding.=20 Without this, the beating of children is but a passionate tyranny over = them;=20 and it is mere cruelty, and not correction, to put their bodies in = pain,=20 without doing their minds any good. As this gives us a reason why = children=20 should seldom be corrected, so it also prevents their being so. For = if,=20 whenever they are chastis'd, it were done thus without passion, = soberly, and=20 yet effectually too, laying on the blows and smart not furiously, and = all at=20 once, but slowly, with reasoning between, and with observation how it = wrought,=20 stopping when it had made them pliant, penitent and yielding; they = would=20 seldom need the like punishment again, being made careful to avoid the = fault=20 that deserv'd it. Besides, by this means, as the punishment would not = be lost=20 for being too little, and not effectual, so it would be kept from = being too=20 much, if we gave off as soon as we perceiv'd that it reach'd the mind, = and=20 that was better'd. For since the chiding or beating of children should = be=20 always the least that possibly may be, that which is laid on in the = heat of=20 anger, seldom observes that measure, but is commonly more than it = should be,=20 though it prove less than enough.

Section 113. 2. Many children are apt to cry, upon any little pain = they=20 suffer, and the least harm that befalls them puts them into complaints = and=20 bawling. This few children avoid: for it being the first and natural = way to=20 declare their sufferings or wants, before they can speak, the = compassion that=20 is thought due to that tender age foolishly encourages, and continues = it in=20 them long after they can speak. 'Tis the duty, I confess, of those = about=20 children, to compassionate them, whenever they suffer any hurt; but = not to=20 shew it in pitying them. Help and ease them the best you can, but by = no means=20 bemoan them. This softens their minds, and makes them yield to the = little=20 harms that happen to them; whereby they sink deeper into that part = which alone=20 feels, and makes larger wounds there, than otherwise they would. They = should=20 be harden'd against all sufferings, especially of the body, and have = no=20 tenderness but what rises from an ingenuous shame, and a quick sense = of=20 reputation. The many inconveniences this life is expos'd to, require = we should=20 not be too sensible of every little hurt. What our minds yield not to, = makes=20 but a slight impression, and does us but very little harm. 'Tis the = suffering=20 of our spirits that gives and continues the pain. This brawniness and=20 insensibility of mind, is the best armour we can have against the = common evils=20 and accidents of life; and being a temper that is to be got by = exercise and=20 custom, more than any other way, the practice of it should be begun = betimes;=20 and happy is he that is taught it early. That effeminacy of spirit, = which is=20 to be prevented or cured, as nothing that I know so much increases in = children=20 as crying; so nothing, on the other side, so much checks and = restrains, as=20 their being hinder'd from that sort of complaining. In the little = harms they=20 suffer from knocks and falls, they should not be pitied for falling, = but bid=20 do so again; which besides that it stops their crying, is a better way = to cure=20 their heedlessness, and prevent their tumbling another time, than = either=20 chiding or bemoaning them. But, let the hurts they receive be what = they will,=20 stop their crying, and that will give them more quiet and ease at = present, and=20 harden them for the future.

Section 114. The former sort of crying requires severity to silence = it; and=20 where a look, or a positive command will not do it, blows must: for it = proceeding from pride, obstinacy, and stomach, the will, where the = fault lies,=20 must be bent, and made to comply, by a rigour sufficient to master it. = But=20 this latter being ordinarily from softness of mind, a quite contrary = cause,=20 ought to be treated with a gentler hand. Persuasion, or diverting the = thoughts=20 another way, or laughing at their whining, may perhaps be at first the = proper=20 method: but for this, the circumstances of the thing, and the = particular=20 temper of the child, must be considered. No certain unvariable rules = can be=20 given about it; but it must be left to the prudence of the parents or = tutor.=20 But this, I think, I may say in general, that there should be a = constant=20 discountenancing of this sort of crying also; and that the father, by = his=20 authority, should always stop it, mixing a greater degree of roughness = in his=20 looks or words, proportionately as the child is of a greater age, or a = sturdier temper: But always let it be enough to silence their = whimpering, and=20 put an end to the disorder.

Section 115. Cowardice and courage are so nearly related to the=20 foremention'd tempers, that it may not be amiss here to take notice of = them.=20 Fear is a passion that, if rightly governed, has its use. And though = self-love=20 seldom fails to keep it watchful and high enough in us, yet there may = be an=20 excess on the daring side; fool-hardiness and insensibility of danger = being as=20 little reasonable, as trembling and shrinking at the approach of every = little=20 evil. Fear was given us as a monitor to quicken our industry, and keep = us upon=20 our guard against the approaches of evil; and therefore to have no=20 apprehension of mischief at hand, not to make a just estimate of the = danger,=20 but heedlessly to run into it, be the hazard what it will, without = considering=20 of what use or consequence it may be, is not the resolution of a = rational=20 creature, but brutish fury. Those who have children of this temper, = have=20 nothing to do, but a little to awaken their reason, which = self-preservation=20 will quickly dispose them to hearken to, unless (which is usually the = case)=20 some other passion hurries them on head-long, without sense and = without=20 consideration. A dislike of evil is so natural to mankind, that = nobody, I=20 think, can be without fear of it: fear being nothing but an uneasiness = under=20 the apprehension of that coming upon us, which we dislike. And = therefore,=20 whenever any one runs into danger, we may say, 'tis under the conduct = of=20 ignorance, or the command of some more imperious passion, nobody being = so much=20 an enemy to himself, as to come within the reach of evil, out of free = choice,=20 and court danger for danger's sake. If it be therefore pride, = vain-glory, or=20 rage, that silences a child's fear, or makes him not hearken to its = advice,=20 those are by fit means to be abated, that a little consideration may = allay his=20 heat, and make him bethink himself, whether this attempt be worth the = venture.=20 But this being a fault that children are not so often guilty of, I = shall not=20 be more particular in its cure. Weakness of spirit is the more common = defect,=20 and therefore will require the greater care.

Fortitude is the guard and support of the other virtues; and = without=20 courage a man will scarce keep steady to his duty, and fill up the = character=20 of a truly worthy man.

Courage, that makes us bear up against dangers that we fear and = evils that=20 we feel, is of great use in an estate, as ours is in this life, = expos'd to=20 assaults on all hands: and therefore it is very advisable to get = children into=20 this armour as early as we can. Natural temper, I confess, does here a = great=20 deal: but even where that is defective, and the heart is in itself = weak and=20 timorous, it may, by a right management, be brought to a better = resolution.=20 What is to be done to prevent breaking children's spirits by frightful = apprehensions instill'd into them when young, or bemoaning themselves = under=20 every little suffering, I have already taken notice; how to harden = their=20 tempers, and raise their courage, if we find them too much subject to = fear, is=20 farther to be consider'd.

True fortitude, I take to be the quiet possession of a man's self, = and an=20 undisturb'd doing his duty, whatever evil besets, or danger lies in = his way.=20 This there are so few men attain to, that we are not to expect it from = children. But yet something may be done: and a wise conduct by = insensible=20 degrees may carry them farther than one expects.

The neglect of this great care of them, whilst they are young, is = the=20 reason, perhaps, why there are so few that have this virtue in its = full=20 latitude when they are men. I should not say this in a nation so = naturally=20 brave, as ours is, did I think that true fortitude required nothing = but=20 courage in the field, and a contempt of life in the face of an enemy. = This, I=20 confess, is not the least part of it, nor can be denied the laurels = and=20 honours always justly due to the valour of those who venture their = lives for=20 their country. But yet this is not all. Dangers attack us in other = places=20 besides the field of battle; and though death be the king of terrors, = yet=20 pain, disgrace and poverty, have frightful looks, able to discompose = most men=20 whom they seem ready to seize on: and there are those who contemn some = of=20 these, and yet are heartily frighted with the other. True fortitude is = prepar'd for dangers of all kinds, and unmoved, whatsoever evil it be = that=20 threatens. I do not mean unmoved with any fear at all. Where danger = shews it=20 self, apprehension cannot, without stupidity, be wanting; where danger = is,=20 sense of danger should be; and so much fear as should keep us awake, = and=20 excite our attention, industry, and vigour; but not disturb the calm = use of=20 our reason, nor hinder the execution of what that dictates.

The first step to get this noble and manly steadiness, is, what I = have=20 above mentioned, carefully to keep children from frights of all kinds, = when=20 they are young. Let not any fearful apprehensions be talk'd into them, = nor=20 terrible objects surprise them. This often so shatters and discomposes = the=20 spirits, that they never recover it again; but during their whole = life, upon=20 the first suggestion or appearance of any terrifying idea, are = scatter'd and=20 confounded; the body is enervated, and the mind disturb'd, and the man = scarce=20 himself, or capable of any composed or rational action. Whether this = be from=20 an habitual motion of the animal spirits, introduc'd by the first = strong=20 impression, or from the alteration of the constitution by some more=20 unaccountable way, this is certain, that so it is. Instances of such = who in a=20 weak timorous mind, have borne, all their whole lives through, the = effects of=20 a fright when they were young, are every where to be seen, and = therefore as=20 much as may be to be prevented.

The next thing is by gentle degrees to accustom children to those = things=20 they are too much afraid of. But here great caution is to be used, = that you do=20 not make too much haste, nor attempt this cure too early, for fear = lest you=20 increase the mischief instead of remedying it. Little ones in arms may = be=20 easily kept out of the way of terrifying objects, and till they can = talk and=20 understand what is said to them, are scarce capable of that reasoning = and=20 discourse which should be used to let them know there is no harm in = those=20 frightful objects, which we would make them familiar with, and do, to = that=20 purpose by gentle degrees bring nearer and nearer to them. And = therefore 'tis=20 seldom there is need of any application to them of this kind, till = after they=20 can run about and talk. But yet, if it should happen that infants = should have=20 taken offence at any thing which cannot be easily kept out of their = way, and=20 that they shew marks of terror as often as it comes in sight; all the = allays=20 of fright, by diverting their thoughts, or mixing pleasant and = agreeable=20 appearances with it, must be used, till it be grown familiar and = inoffensive=20 to them.

I think we may observe, that, when children are first born, all = objects of=20 sight that do not hurt the eyes, are indifferent to them; and they are = no more=20 afraid of a blackamoor or a lion, than of their nurse or a cat. What = is it=20 then, that afterwards, in certain mixtures of shape and colour, comes = to=20 affright them? Nothing but the apprehensions of harm that accompanies = those=20 things. Did a child suck every day a new nurse, I make account it = would be no=20 more affrighted with the change of faces at six months old, than at = sixty. The=20 reason then why it will not come to a stranger, is, because having = been=20 accustomed to receive its food and kind usage only from one or two = that are=20 about it, the child apprehends, by coming into the arms of a stranger, = the=20 being taken from what delights and feeds it and every moment supplies = its=20 wants, which it often feels, and therefore fears when the nurse is = away.

The only thing we naturally are afraid of is pain, or loss of = pleasure. And=20 because these are not annexed to any shape, colour, or size of visible = objects, we are frighted with none of them, till either we have felt = pain from=20 them, or have notions put into us that they will do us harm. The = pleasant=20 brightness and lustre of flame and fire so delights children, that at = first=20 they always desire to be handling of it: but when constant experience = has=20 convinced them, by the exquisite pain it has put them to, how cruel = and=20 unmerciful it is, they are afraid to touch it, and carefully avoid it. = This=20 being the ground of fear, 'tis not hard to find whence it arises, and = how it=20 is to be cured in all mistaken objects of terror. And when the mind is = confirm'd against them, and has got a mastery over it self and its = usual fears=20 in lighter occasions, it is in good preparation to meet more real = dangers.=20 Your child shrieks, and runs away at the sight of a frog; let another = catch=20 it, and lay it down at a good distance from him: at first accustom him = to look=20 upon it; when he can do that, then to come nearer to it, and see it = leap=20 without emotion; then to touch it lightly, when it is held fast in = another's=20 hand; and so on, till he can come to handle it as confidently as a = butterfly=20 or a sparrow. By the same way any other vain terrors may be remov'd; = if care=20 be taken, that you go not too fast, and push not the child on to a new = degree=20 of assurance, till he be thoroughly confirm'd in the former. And thus = the=20 young soldier is to be train'd on to the warfare of life; wherein care = is to=20 be taken, that more things be not represented as dangerous than really = are so;=20 and then, that whatever you observe him to be more frighted at than he = should,=20 you be sure to tole him on to by insensible degrees, till he at last, = quitting=20 his fears, masters the difficulty, and comes off with applause. = Successes of=20 this kind, often repeated, will make him find, that evils are not = always so=20 certain or so great as our fears represent them; and that the way to = avoid=20 them, is not to run away, or be discompos'd, dejected, and deterr'd by = fear,=20 where either our credit or duty requires us to go on.

But since the great foundation of fear in children is pain, the way = to=20 harden and fortify children against fear and danger is to accustom = them to=20 suffer pain. This 'tis possible will be thought, by kind parents, a = very=20 unnatural thing towards their children; and by most, unreasonable, to=20 endeavour to reconcile any one to the sense of pain, by bringing it = upon him.=20 'Twill be said: 'It may perhaps give the child an aversion for him = that makes=20 him suffer; but can never recommend to him suffering itself. This is a = strange=20 method. You will not have children whipp'd and punish'd for their = faults, but=20 you would have them tormented for doing well, or for tormenting sake.' = I doubt=20 not but such objections as these will be made, and I shall be thought=20 inconsistent with my self, or fantastical, in proposing it. I confess, = it is a=20 thing to be managed with great discretion, and therefore it falls not = out=20 amiss, that it will not be receiv'd or relish'd, but by those who = consider=20 well, and look into the reason of things. I would not have children = much=20 beaten for their faults, because I would not have them think bodily = pain the=20 greatest punishment: and I would have them, when they do well, be = sometimes=20 put in pain, for the same reason, that they might be accustom'd to = bear it,=20 without looking on it as the greatest evil. How much education may = reconcile=20 young people to pain and sufference, the examples of Sparta do = sufficiently=20 shew: and they who have once brought themselves not to think bodily = pain the=20 greatest of evils, or that which they ought to stand most in fear of, = have=20 made no small advance towards virtue. But I am not so foolish to = propose the=20 Lacedaemonian discipline in our age or constitution. But yet I do say, = that=20 inuring children gently to suffer some degrees of pain without = shrinking, is a=20 way to gain firmness to their minds, and lay a foundation for courage = and=20 resolution in the future part of their lives.

Not to bemoan them, or permit them to bemoan themselves, on every = little=20 pain they suffer, is the first step to be made. But of this I have = spoken=20 elsewhere.

The next thing is, sometimes designedly to put them in pain: but = care must=20 be taken that this be done when the child is in good humour, and = satisfied of=20 the good-will and kindness of him that hurts him, at the time that he = does it.=20 There must no marks of anger or displeasure on the one side, nor = compassion or=20 repenting on the other, go along with it: and it must be sure to be no = more=20 than the child can bear without repining or taking it amiss, or for a=20 punishment. Managed by these degrees, and with such circumstances, I = have seen=20 a child run away laughing with good smart blows of a wand on his back, = who=20 would have cried for an unkind word, and have been very sensible of = the=20 chastisement of a cold look, from the same person. Satisfy a child by = a=20 constant course of your care and kindness, that you perfectly love = him, and he=20 may by degrees be accustom'd to bear very painful and rough usage from = you,=20 without flinching or complaining: and this we see children do every = day in=20 play one with another. The softer you find your child is, the more you = are to=20 seek occasions, at fit times, thus to harden him. The great art in = this is, to=20 begin with what is but very little painful, and to proceed by = insensible=20 degrees, when you are playing, and in good humour with him, and = speaking well=20 of him: and when you have once got him to think himself made amends = for his=20 suffering by the praise is given him for his courage; when he can take = a pride=20 in giving such marks of his manliness, and can prefer the reputation = of being=20 brave and stout, to the avoiding a little pain, or the shrinking under = it; you=20 need not despair in time and by the assistance of his growing reason, = to=20 master his timorousness, and mend the weakness of his constitution. As = he=20 grows bigger, he is to be set upon bolder attempts than his natural = temper=20 carries him to; and whenever he is observ'd to flinch from what one = has reason=20 to think he would come off well in, if he had but courage to = undertake, that=20 he should be assisted in at first, and by degrees sham'd to, till at = last=20 practice has given more assurance, and with it a mastery; which must = be=20 rewarded with great praise, and the good opinion of others, for his=20 performance. When by these steps he has got resolution enough not to = be=20 deterr'd from what he ought to do, by the apprehension of danger; when = fear=20 does not, in sudden or hazardous occurrences, discompose his mind, set = his=20 body a-trembling, and make him unfit for action, or run away from it, = he has=20 then the courage of a rational creature: and such an hardiness we = should=20 endeavour by custom and use to bring children to, as proper occasions = come in=20 our way.

Section 116. One thing I have frequently observ'd in children, that = when=20 they have got possession of any poor creature, they are apt to use it = ill:=20 they often torment, and treat very roughly, young birds, butterflies, = and such=20 other poor animals which fall into their hands, and that with a = seeming kind=20 of pleasure. This I think should be watched in them, and if they = incline to=20 any such cruelty, they should be taught to contrary usage. For the = custom of=20 tormenting and killing of beasts, will, by degrees, harden their minds = even=20 towards men; and they who delight in the suffering and destruction of = inferior=20 creatures, will not be apt to be very compassionate or benign to those = of=20 their own kind. Our practice takes notice of this in the exclusion of = butchers=20 from juries of life and death. Children should from the beginning be = bred up=20 in an abhorrence of killing or tormenting any living creature; and be = taught=20 not to spoil or destroy any thing, unless it be for the preservation = or=20 advantage of some other that is nobler. And truly, if the preservation = of all=20 mankind, as much as in him lies, were every one's persuasion, as = indeed it is=20 every one's duty, and the true principle to regulate our religion, = politics=20 and morality by, the world would be much quieter, and better natur'd = than it=20 is. But to return to our present business; I cannot but commend both = the=20 kindness and prudence of a mother I knew, who was wont always to = indulge her=20 daughters, when any of them desired dogs, squirrels, birds, or any = such things=20 as young girls use to be delighted with: but then, when they had them, = they=20 must be sure to keep them well, and look diligently after them, that = they=20 wanted nothing, or were not ill used. For if they were negligent in = their care=20 of them, it was counted a great fault, which often forfeited their = possession,=20 or at least they fail'd not to be rebuked for it; whereby they were = early=20 taught diligence and good nature. And indeed, I think people should be = accustomed, from their cradles, to be tender to all sensible = creatures, and to=20 spoil or waste nothing at all.

This delight they take in doing of mischief, whereby I mean = spoiling of any=20 thing to no purpose, but more especially the pleasure they take to put = any=20 thing in pain, that is capable of it; I cannot persuade my self to be = any=20 other than a foreign and introduced disposition, an habit borrowed = from custom=20 and conversation. People teach children to strike, and laugh when they = hurt or=20 see harm come to others: and they have the examples of most about = them, to=20 confirm them in it. All the entertainment and talk of history is = nothing=20 almost but fighting and killing: and the honour and renown that is = bestowed on=20 conquerors (who for the most part are but the great butchers of = mankind)=20 farther mislead growing youth, who by this means come to think = slaughter the=20 laudable business of mankind, and the most heroic of virtues. By these = steps=20 unnatural cruelty is planted in us; and what humanity abhors, custom=20 reconciles and recommends to us, by laying it in the way to honour. = Thus, by=20 fashion and opinion, that comes to be a pleasure, which in itself = neither is,=20 nor can be any. This ought carefully to be watched, and early = remedied; so as=20 to settle and cherish the contrary and more natural temper of = benignity and=20 compassion in the room of it; but still by the same gentle methods = which are=20 to be applied to the other two faults before mention'd. It may not = perhaps be=20 unreasonable here to add this farther caution, viz., That the = mischiefs or=20 harms that come by play, inadvertency, or ignorance, and were not = known to be=20 harms, or design'd for mischief's sake, though they may perhaps be = sometimes=20 of considerable damage, yet are not at all, or but very gently, to be = taken=20 notice of. For this, I think, I cannot too often inculcate, that = whatever=20 miscarriage a child is guilty of, and whatever be the consequence of = it, the=20 thing to be regarded in taking notice of it, is only what root it = springs=20 from, and what habit it is like to establish: and to that the = correction ought=20 to be directed, and the child not to suffer any punishment for any = harm which=20 may have come by his play or inadvertency. The faults to be amended = lie in the=20 mind; and if they are such as either age will cure, or no ill habits = will=20 follow from, the present action, whatever displeasing circumstances it = may=20 have, is to be passed by without any animadversion.

 

Part VIII.

Section 117. Another way to instill sentiments of humanity, and to = keep=20 them lively in young folks, will be, to accustom them to civility in = their=20 language and deportment towards their inferiors and the meaner sort of = people,=20 particularly servants. It is not unusual to observe the children in=20 gentlemen's families treat the servants of the house with domineering = words,=20 names of contempt, and an imperious carriage; as if they were of = another race=20 and species beneath them. Whether ill example, the advantage of = fortune, or=20 their natural vanity, inspire this haughtiness, it should be = prevented, or=20 weeded out; and a gentle, courteous, affable carriage towards the = lower ranks=20 of men, placed in the room of it. No part of their superiority will be = hereby=20 lost; but the distinction increased, and their authority strengthen'd; = when=20 love in inferiors is join'd to outward respect, and an esteem of the = person=20 has a share in their submission: and domestics will pay a more ready = and=20 chearful service, when they find themselves not spurn'd because = fortune has=20 laid them below the level of others at their master's feet. Children = should=20 not be suffer'd to lose the consideration of human nature in the = shufflings of=20 outward conditions. The more they have, the better humor'd they should = be=20 taught to be, and the more compassionate and gentle to those of their = brethren=20 who are placed lower, and have scantier portions. If they are suffer'd = from=20 their cradles to treat men ill and rudely, because, by their father's = title,=20 they think they have a little power over them, at best it is ill-bred; = and if=20 care be not taken, will by degrees nurse up their natural pride into = an=20 habitual contempt of those beneath them. And where will that probably = end but=20 in oppression and cruelty?

Section 118. Curiosity in children (which I had occasion just to = mention=20 Section 108) is but an appetite after knowledge; and therefore ought = to be=20 encouraged in them, not only as a good sign, but as the great = instrument=20 nature has provided to remove that ignorance they were born with; and = which,=20 without this busy inquisitiveness, will make them dull and useless = creatures.=20 The ways to encourage it, and keep it active and busy, are, I suppose, = these=20 following:

1. Not to check or discountenance any enquiries he shall make, nor = suffer=20 them to be laugh'd at; but to answer all his questions, and explain = the matter=20 he desires to know, so as to make them as much intelligible to him as = suits=20 the capacity of his age and knowledge. But confound not his = understanding with=20 explications or notions that are above it; or with the variety or = number of=20 things that are not to his present purpose. Mark what 'tis his mind = aims at in=20 the question, and not what words he expresses it in: and when you have = informed and satisfied him in that, you shall see how his thoughts = will=20 enlarge themselves, and how by fit answers he may be led on farther = than=20 perhaps you could imagine. For knowledge is grateful to the = understanding, as=20 light to the eyes: children are pleased and delighted with it = exceedingly,=20 especially if they see that their enquiries are regarded, and that = their=20 desire of knowing is encouraged and commended. And I doubt not but one = great=20 reason why many children abandon themselves wholly to silly sports, = and trifle=20 away all their time insipidly, is, because they have found their = curiosity=20 baulk'd, and their enquiries neglected. But had they been treated with = more=20 kindness and respect, and their questions answered, as they should, to = their=20 satisfaction; I doubt not but they would have taken more pleasure in = learning,=20 and improving their knowledge, wherein there would be still newness = and=20 variety, which is what they are delighted with, than in returning over = and=20 over to the same play and play-things.

Section 119. 2. To this serious answering their questions, and = informing=20 their understandings, in what they desire, as if it were a matter that = needed=20 it, should be added some peculiar ways of commendation. Let others = whom they=20 esteem, be told before their faces of the knowledge they have in such = and such=20 things; and since we are all, even from our cradles, vain and proud = creatures,=20 let their vanity be flatter'd with things that will do them good; and = let=20 their pride set them on work on something which may turn to their = advantage.=20 Upon this ground you shall find, that there cannot be a greater spur = to the=20 attaining what you would have the eldest learn, and know himself, than = to set=20 him upon teaching it his younger brothers and sisters.

Section 120. 3. As children's enquiries are not to be slighted; so = also=20 great care is to be taken, that they never receive deceitful and = eluding=20 answers. They easily perceive when they are slighted or deceived; and = quickly=20 learn the trick of neglect, dissimulation and falsehood, which they = observe=20 others to make use of. We are not to intrench upon truth in any = conversation,=20 but least of all with children; since if we play false with them, we = not only=20 deceive their expectation, and hinder their knowledge, but corrupt = their=20 innocence, and teach them the worst of vices. They are travellers = newly=20 arrived in a strange country, of which they know nothing; we should = therefore=20 make conscience not to mislead them. And though their questions seem = sometimes=20 not very material, yet they should be seriously answer'd; for however = they may=20 appear to us (to whom they are long since known) enquiries not worth = the=20 making; they are of moment to those who are wholly ignorant. Children = are=20 strangers to all we are acquainted with; and all the things they meet = with,=20 are at first unknown to them, as they once were to us: and happy are = they who=20 meet with civil people, that will comply with their ignorance, and = help them=20 to get out of it.

If you or I now should be set down in Japan, with all our prudence = and=20 knowledge about us, a conceit whereof makes us, perhaps, so apt to = slight the=20 thoughts and enquiries of children; should we, I say, be set down in = Japan, we=20 should, no doubt (if we would inform our selves of what is there to be = known)=20 ask a thousand questions, which, to a supercilious or inconsiderate = Japaner,=20 would seem very idle and impertinent; though to us they would be very = material=20 and of importance to be resolved; and we should be glad to find a man = so=20 complaisant and courteous, as to satisfy our demands, and instruct our = ignorance.

When any new thing comes in their way, children usually ask the = common=20 question of a stranger: What is it? Whereby they ordinarily mean = nothing but=20 the name; and therefore to tell them how it is call'd, is usually the = proper=20 answer to that demand. And the next question usually is, What is it = for? And=20 to this it should be answered truly and directly. The use of the thing = should=20 be told, and the way explained, how it serves to such a purpose, as = far as=20 their capacities can comprehend it. And so of any other circumstances = they=20 shall ask about it; not turning them going, till you have given them = all the=20 satisfaction they are capable of; and so leading them by your answers = into=20 farther questions. And perhaps to a grown man, such conversation will = not be=20 altogether so idle and insignificant as we are apt to imagine. The = native and=20 untaught suggestions of inquisitive children do often offer things, = that may=20 set a considering man's thoughts on work. And I think there is = frequently more=20 to be learn'd from the unexpected questions of a child, than the = discourses of=20 men, who talk in a road, according to the notions they have borrowed, = and the=20 prejudices of their education.

Section 121. 4. Perhaps it may not sometimes be amiss to excite = their=20 curiosity by bringing strange and new things in their way, on purpose = to=20 engage their enquiry, and give them occasion to inform themselves = about them=20 and if by chance their curiosity leads them to ask what they should = not know,=20 it is a great deal better to tell them plainly, that it is a thing = that=20 belongs not to them to know, than to pop them off with a falsehood of = a=20 frivolous answer.

Section 122. Pertness, that appears sometimes so early, proceeds = from a=20 principle that seldom accompanies a strong constitution of body, or = ripens=20 into a strong judgment of mind. If it were desirable to have a child a = more=20 brisk talker, I believe there might be ways found to make him so: But = I=20 suppose a wise father had rather that his son should be able and = useful, when=20 a man, than pretty company, and a diversion to others, whilst a child: = though=20 if that too were to be consider'd, I think I may say, there is not so = much=20 pleasure to have a child prattle agreeably, as to reason well. = Encourage=20 therefore his inquisitiveness all you can, by satisfying his demands, = and=20 informing his judgment, as far as it is capable. When his reasons are = any way=20 tolerable, let him find the credit and commendation of it: and when = they are=20 quite out of the way, let him, without being laugh'd at for his = mistake be=20 gently put into the right; and if he shew a forwardness to be = reasoning about=20 things that come in his way, take care, as much as you can, that no = body check=20 this inclination in him, or mislead it by captious or fallacious ways = of=20 talking with him. For when all is done, this, as the highest and most=20 important faculty of our minds, deserves the greatest care and = attention in=20 cultivating it: the right improvement, and exercise of our reason = being the=20 highest perfection that a man can attain to in this life.

Section 123. Contrary to this busy inquisitive temper, there is = sometimes=20 observable in children, a listless carelessness, a want of regard to = any=20 thing, and a sort of trifling even at their business. This sauntring = humour I=20 look on as one of the worst qualities can appear in a child, as well = as one of=20 the hardest to be cured, where it is natural. But it being liable to = be=20 mistaken in some cases, care must be taken to make a right judgment = concerning=20 than trifling at their books or business, which may sometimes be = complained of=20 in a child. Upon the first suspicion a father has, that his son is of = a=20 sauntring temper, he must carefully observe him, whether he be = listless and=20 indifferent in all in his actions, or whether in some things alone he = be slow=20 and sluggish, but in others vigorous and eager. For tho' we find that = he does=20 loiter at his book, and let a good deal of the time he spends in his = chamber=20 or study, run idly away; he must not presently conclude, that this is = from a=20 sauntring humour in his temper. It may be childishness, and a = preferring=20 something to his study, which his thoughts run on; and he dislikes his = book,=20 as is natural, because it is forced upon him as a task. To know this=20 perfectly, you must watch him at play, when he is out of his place and = time of=20 study, following his own inclination; and see there whether he be = stirring and=20 active; whether he designs any thing, and with labour and eagerness = pursues=20 it, till he has accomplished what he aimed at, or whether he lazily = and=20 listlessly dreams away his time. If this sloth be only when he is = about his=20 book, I think it may be easily cured. If it be in his temper, it will = require=20 a little more pains and attention to remedy it.

Section 124. If you are satisfied by his earnestness at play, or = any thing=20 else he sets his mind on, in the intervals between his hours of = business, that=20 he is not of himself inclined to laziness, but that only want of = relish of his=20 book makes him negligent and sluggish in his application to it; the = first step=20 is to try by talking to him kindly of the folly and inconvenience of = it,=20 whereby he loses a good part of his time, which he might have for his=20 diversion: but be sure to talk calmly and kindly, and not much at = first, but=20 only these plain reasons in short. If this prevails, you have gain'd = the point=20 in the most desirable way, which is that of reason and kindness. If = this=20 softer application prevails not, try to shame him out of it, by = laughing at=20 him for it, asking every day, when he comes to table, if there be no = strangers=20 there, how long he was that day about his business: And if he has not = done it=20 in the time he might be well supposed to have dispatched it, expose = and turn=20 him into ridicule for it; but mix no chiding, only put on a pretty = cold brow=20 towards him, and keep it till he reform; and let his mother, tutor, = and all=20 about him do so too. If this work not the effect you desire, then tell = him he=20 shall be no longer troubled with a tutor to take care of his = education, you=20 will not be at the charge to have him spend his time idly with him; = but since=20 he prefers this or that [whatever play he delights in] to his book, = that only=20 he shall do; and so in earnest set him to work on his beloved play, = and keep=20 him steadily, and in earnest, to it morning and afternoon, till he be = fully=20 surfeited, and would, at any rate, change it for some hours at his = book again.=20 But when you thus set him his task of play, you must be sure to look = after him=20 your self, or set somebody else to do it, that may constantly see him = employed=20 in it, and that he be not permitted to be idle at that too. I say, = your self=20 look after him; for it is worth a father's while, whatever business he = has, to=20 bestow two or three days upon his son, to cure so great a mischief as = his=20 sauntring at his business.

Section 125. This is what I propose, if it be idleness, not from = his=20 general temper, but a peculiar or acquir'd aversion to learning, which = you=20 must be careful to examine and distinguish. But though you have your = eyes upon=20 him, to watch what he does with the time which he has at his own = disposal, yet=20 you must not let him perceive that you or any body else do so; for = that may=20 hinder him from following his own inclination, which he being full of, = and not=20 daring, for fear of you, to prosecute what his head and heart are set = upon, he=20 may neglect all other things, which then he relishes not, and so may = seem to=20 be idle and listless, when in truth it is nothing but being intent on = that,=20 which the fear of your eye or knowledge keeps him from executing. To = be clear=20 in this point, the observation must be made when you are out of the = way, and=20 he not so much as under the restraint of a suspicion that any body has = an eye=20 upon him. In those seasons of perfect freedom, let some body you can = trust=20 mark how he spends his time, whether he unactively loiters it away, = when=20 without any check he is left to his own inclination. Thus, by his = employing of=20 such times of liberty, you will easily discern, whether it be = listlessness in=20 his temper, or aversion to his book, that makes him saunter away his = time of=20 study.

Section 126. If some defect in his constitution has cast a damp on = his=20 mind, and he be naturally listless and dreaming, this unpromising = disposition=20 is none of the easiest to be dealt with, because, generally carrying = with it=20 an unconcernedness for the future, it wants the two great springs of = action,=20 foresight and desire; which how to plant and increase, where nature = has given=20 a cold and contrary temper, will be the question. As soon as you are = satisfied=20 that this is the case, you must carefully enquire whether there be = nothing he=20 delights in; Inform your self what it is he is most pleased with; and = if you=20 can find any particular tendency his mind hath, increase it all you = can, and=20 make use of that to set him on work, and to excite his industry. If he = loves=20 praise, or play, or fine clothes, &c. or, on the other side, = dreads pain,=20 disgrace, or your displeasure, &c., whatever it be that he loves = most,=20 except it be sloth (for that will never set him on work) let that be = made use=20 of to quicken him, and make him bestir himself. For in this listless = temper,=20 you are not to fear an excess of appetite (as in all other cases) by=20 cherishing it. 'Tis that which you want, and therefore must labour to = raise=20 and increase; for where there is no desire, there will be no = industry.

Section 127. If you have not hold enough upon him this way, to stir = up=20 vigour and activity in him, you must employ him in some constant = bodily=20 labour, whereby he may get an habit of doing something. The keeping = him hard=20 to some study were the better way to get him an habit of exercising = and=20 applying his mind. But because this is an invisible attention, and no = body can=20 tell when he is or is not idle at it, you must find bodily employments = for=20 him, which he must be constantly busied in, and kept to; and if they = have some=20 little hardship and shame in them, it may not be the worse, that they = may the=20 sooner weary him, and make him desire to return to his book. But be = sure, when=20 you exchange his book for his other labour, set him such a task, to be = done in=20 such a time as may allow him no opportunity to be idle. Only after you = have by=20 this way brought him to be attentive and industrious at his book, you = may,=20 upon his dispatching his study within the time set him, give him as a = reward=20 some respite from his other labour; which you may diminish as you find = him=20 grow more and more steady in his application, and at last wholly take = off when=20 his sauntring at his book is cured.

Section 128. We formerly observed, that variety and freedom was = that that=20 delighted children, and recommended their plays to them; and that = therefore=20 their book or any thing we would have them learn, should not be = enjoined them=20 as business. This their parents, tutors, and teachers are apt to = forget; and=20 their impatience to have them busied in what is fit for them to do, = suffers=20 them not to deceive them into it: but by the repeated injunctions they = meet=20 with, children quickly distinguish between what is required of them, = and what=20 not. When this mistake has once made his book uneasy to him, the cure = is to be=20 applied at the other end. And since it will be then too late to = endeavour to=20 make it a play to him, you must take the contrary course: observe what = play he=20 is most delighted with; enjoin that, and make him play so many hours = every=20 day, not as a punishment for playing, but as if it were the business = required=20 of him. This, if I mistake not, will in a few days make him so weary = of his=20 most beloved sport, that he will prefer his book, or any thing to it,=20 especially if it may redeem him from any part of the task of play is = set him,=20 and he may be suffered to employ some part of the time destined to his = task of=20 play in his book, or such other exercise as is really useful to him. = This I at=20 least think a better cure than that forbidding, (which usually = increases the=20 desire) or any other punishment should be made use of to remedy it: = for when=20 you have once glutted his appetite (which may safely be done in all = things but=20 eating and drinking) and made him surfeit of what you would have him = avoid,=20 you have put into him a principle of aversion, and you need not so = much fear=20 afterwards his longing for the same thing again.

Section 129. This I think is sufficiently evident, that children = generally=20 hate to be idle. All the care then is, that their busy humour should = be=20 constantly employ'd in something of use to them; which, if you will = attain,=20 you must make what you would have them do a recreation to them, and = not a=20 business. The way to do this, so that they may not perceive you have = any hand=20 in it, is this proposed here; viz. To make them weary of that which = you would=20 not have them do, by enjoining and making them under some pretence or = other do=20 it, till they are surfeited. For example: Does your son play at top = and=20 scourge too much? Enjoin him to play so many hours every day, and look = that he=20 do it; and you shall see he will quickly be sick of it, and willing to = leave=20 it. By this means making the recreations you dislike a business to = him, he=20 will of himself with delight betake himself to those things you would = have him=20 do, especially if they be proposed as rewards for having performed his = task in=20 that play which is commanded him. For if he be ordered every day to = whip his=20 top so long as to make him sufficiently weary, do you not think he = will apply=20 himself with eagerness to his book, and wish for it, if you promise it = him as=20 a reward of having whipped his top lustily, quite out all the time = that is set=20 him? Children, in the things they do, if they comport with their age, = find=20 little difference so they may be doing: the esteem they have for one = thing=20 above another they borrow from others; so that what those about them = make to=20 be a reward to them, will really be so. By this art it is in their = governor's=20 choice, whether scotchhoppers shall reward their dancing, or dancing = their=20 scotchhoppers; whether peg-top, or reading; playing at trap, or = studying the=20 globes, shall be more acceptable and pleasing to them; all that they = desire=20 being to be busy, and busy, as they imagine, in things of their own = choice,=20 and which they receive as favours from their parents or others for = whom they=20 have respect and with whom they would be in credit. A set of children = thus=20 ordered and kept from the ill example of others, would all of them, I = suppose,=20 with as much earnestness and delight, learn to read, write, and what = else one=20 would have them, as others do their ordinary plays: and the eldest = being thus=20 entered, and this made the fashion of the place, it would be as = impossible to=20 hinder them from learning the one, as it is ordinarily to keep them = from the=20 other.

Section 130. Play-things, I think, children should have, and of = divers=20 sorts; but still to be in the custody of their tutors or some body = else,=20 whereof the child should have in his power but one at once, and should = not be=20 suffered to have another but when he restored that. This teaches them = betimes=20 to be careful of not losing or spoiling the things they have; whereas = plenty=20 and variety in their own keeping, makes them wanton and careless, and = teaches=20 them from the beginning to be squanderers and wasters. These, I = confess, are=20 little things, and such as will seem beneath the care of a governor; = but=20 nothing that may form children's minds is to be overlooked and = neglected, and=20 whatsoever introduces habits, and settles customs in them, deserves = the care=20 and attention of their governors, and is not a small thing in its=20 consequences.

One thing more about children's play-things may be worth their = parents'=20 care. Though it be agreed they should have of several sorts, yet, I = think,=20 they should have none bought for them. This will hinder that great = variety=20 they are often overcharged with, which serves only to teach the mind = to wander=20 after change and superfluity, to be unquiet, and perpetually = stretching itself=20 after something more still, though it knows not what, and never to be=20 satisfied with what it hath. The court that is made to people of = condition in=20 such kind of presents to their children, does the little ones great = harm. By=20 it they are taught pride, vanity and covetousness, almost before they = can=20 speak: and I have known a young child so distracted with the number = and=20 variety of his play-games, that he tired his maid every day to look = them over;=20 and was so accustomed to abundance, that he never thought he had = enough, but=20 was always asking, What more? What more? What new thing shall I have? = A good=20 introduction to moderate desires, and the ready way to make a = contented happy=20 man!

"How then shall they have the play-games you allow them, if none = must be=20 bought for them?" I answer, they should make them themselves, or at = least=20 endeavour it, and set themselves about it; till then they should have = none,=20 and till then they will want none of any great artifice. A smooth = pebble, a=20 piece of paper, the mother's bunch of keys, or any thing they cannot = hurt=20 themselves with, serves as much to divert little children as those = more=20 chargeable and curious toys from the shops, which are presently put = out of=20 order and broken. Children are never dull, or out of humour, for want = of such=20 playthings, unless they have been used to them; when they are little, = whatever=20 occurs serves the turn; and as they grow bigger, if they are not = stored by the=20 expensive folly of others, they will make them themselves. Indeed, = when they=20 once begin to set themselves to work about any of their inventions, = they=20 should be taught and assisted; but should have nothing whilst they = lazily sit=20 still, expecting to be furnish'd from other hands, without employing = their=20 own. And if you help them where they are at a stand, it will more = endear you=20 to them than any chargeable toys you shall buy for them. Play-things = which are=20 above their skill to make, as tops, gigs, battledores, and the like, = which are=20 to be used with labour, should indeed be procured them. These 'tis = convenient=20 they should have, not for variety but exercise; but these too should = be given=20 them as bare as might be. If they had a top, the scourge-stick and=20 leather-strap should be left to their own making and fitting. If they = sit=20 gaping to have such things drop into their mouths, they should go = without=20 them. This will accustom them to seek for what they want, in = themselves and in=20 their own endeavours; whereby they will be taught moderation in their = desires,=20 application, industry, thought, contrivance, and good husbandry; = qualities=20 that will be useful to them when they are men, and therefore cannot be = learned=20 too soon, nor fixed too deep. All the plays and diversions of children = should=20 be directed towards good and useful habits, or else they will = introduce ill=20 ones. Whatever they do, leaves some impression on that tender age, and = from=20 thence they receive a tendency to good or evil: and whatever hath such = an=20 influence, ought not to be neglected.

Section 131. Lying is so ready and cheap a cover for any = miscarriage, and=20 so much in fashion among all sorts of people, that a child can hardly = avoid=20 observing the use is made of it on all occasions, and so can scarce be = kept=20 without great care from getting into it. But it is so ill a quality, = and the=20 mother of so many ill ones that spawn from it, and take shelter under = it, that=20 a child should be brought up in the greatest abhorrence of it = imaginable. It=20 should be always (when occasionally it comes to be mention'd) spoke of = before=20 him with the utmost detestation, as a quality so wholly inconsistent = with the=20 name and character of a gentleman, that no body of any credit can bear = the=20 imputation of a lie; a mark that is judg'd the utmost disgrace, which = debases=20 a man to the lowest degree of a shameful meanness, and ranks him with = the most=20 contemptible part of mankind and the abhorred rascality; and is not to = be=20 endured in any one who would converse with people of condition, or = have any=20 esteem or reputation in the world. The first time he is found in a = lie, it=20 should rather be wondered at as a monstrous thing in him, than = reproved as an=20 ordinary fault. If that keeps him not from relapsing, the next time he = must be=20 sharply rebuked, and fall into the state of great displeasure of his = father=20 and mother and all about him who take notice of it. And if this way = work not=20 the cure, you must come to blows; for after he has been thus warned, a = premeditated lie must always be looked upon as obstinacy, and never be = permitted to escape unpunished.

Section 132. Children, afraid to have their faults seen in their = naked=20 colours, will, like the rest of the sons of Adam, be apt to make = excuses. This=20 is a fault usually bordering upon, and leading to untruth, and is not = to be=20 indulged in them; but yet it ought to be cured rather with shame than=20 roughness. If therefore, when a child is questioned for any thing, his = first=20 answer be an excuse, warn him soberly to tell the truth; and then if = he=20 persists to shuffle it off with a falsehood, he must be chastised; but = if he=20 directly confess, you must commend his ingenuity, and pardon the = fault, be it=20 what it will; and pardon it so, that you never so much as reproach him = with=20 it, or mention it to him again: for if you would have him in love with = ingenuity, and by a constant practice make it habitual to him, you = must take=20 care that it never procure him the least inconvenience; but on the = contrary,=20 his own confession bringing always with it perfect impunity, should be = besides=20 encouraged by some marks of approbation. If his excuse be such at any = time=20 that you cannot prove it to have any falsehood in it, let it pass for = true,=20 and be sure not to shew any suspicion of it. Let him keep up his = reputation=20 with you as high as is possible; for when once he finds he has lost = that, you=20 have lost a great, and your best hold upon him. Therefore let him not = think he=20 has the character of a liar with you, as long as you can avoid it = without=20 flattering him in it. Thus some slips in truth may be overlooked. But = after he=20 has once been corrected for a lie, you must be sure never after to = pardon it=20 in him, whenever you find and take notice to him that he is guilty of = it: for=20 it being a fault which he has been forbid, and may, unless he be = wilful,=20 avoid, the repeating of it is perfect perverseness, and must have the=20 chastisement due to that offence.

Section 133. This is what I have thought concerning the general = method of=20 educating a young gentleman; which, though I am apt to suppose may = have some=20 influence on the whole course of his education, yet I am far from = imagining it=20 contains all those particulars which his growing years or peculiar = temper may=20 require. But this being premised in general, we shall in the next = place,=20 descend to a more particular consideration of the several parts of his = education.

Section 134. That which every gentleman (that takes any care of his = education) desires for his son, besides the estate he leaves him, is = contain'd=20 (I suppose) in these four things, virtue, wisdom, breeding and = learning. I=20 will not trouble my self whether these names do not some of them = sometimes=20 stand for the same thing, or really include one another. It serves my = turn=20 here to follow the popular use of these words, which, I presume, is = clear=20 enough to make me be understood, and I hope there will be no = difficulty to=20 comprehend my meaning.

Section 135. I place virtue as the first and most necessary of = those=20 endowments that belong to a man or a gentleman; as absolutely = requisite to=20 make him valued and beloved by others, acceptable or tolerable to = himself.=20 Without that, I think, he will be happy neither in this nor the other=20 world.

Section 136. As the foundation of this, there ought very early to = be=20 imprinted on his mind a true notion of God, as of the independent = Supreme=20 Being, Author and Maker of all things, from Whom we receive all our = good, Who=20 loves us, and gives us all things. And consequent to this, instil into = him a=20 love and reverence of this Supreme Being. This is enough to begin = with,=20 without going to explain this matter any farther; for fear lest by = talking too=20 early to him of spirits, and being unseasonably forward to make him = understand=20 the incomprehensible nature of that Infinite Being, his head be either = fill'd=20 with false, or perplex'd with unintelligible notions of Him. Let him = only be=20 told upon occasion, that God made and governs all things, hears and = sees every=20 thing, and does all manner of good to those that love and obey Him; = you will=20 find, that being told of such a God, other thoughts will be apt to = rise up=20 fast enough in his mind about Him; which, as you observe them to have = any=20 mistakes, you must set right. And I think it would be better if men = generally=20 rested in such an idea of God, without being too curious in their = notions=20 about a Being which all must acknowledge incomprehensible; whereby = many, who=20 have not strength and clearness of thought to distinguish between what = they=20 can, and what they cannot know, run themselves in superstitions or = atheism,=20 making God like themselves, or (because they cannot comprehend any = thing else)=20 none at all. And I am apt to think, the keeping children constantly = morning=20 and evening to acts of devotion to God, as to their Maker, Preserver = and=20 Benefactor, in some plain and short form of prayer, suitable to their = age and=20 capacity, will be of much more use to them in religion, knowledge, and = virtue,=20 than to distract their thoughts with curious enquiries into His = inscrutable=20 essence and being.

 

Part IX.

Section 137. Having by gentle degrees, as you find him capable of = it,=20 settled such an idea of God in his mind, and taught him to pray to = Him, and=20 praise Him as the Author of his being, and of all the good he does or = can=20 enjoy; forbear any discourse of other spirits, till the mention of = them coming=20 in his way, upon occasion hereafter to be set down, and his reading = the=20 scripture-history, put him upon that enquiry.

Section 138. But even then, and always whilst he is young, be sure = to=20 preserve his tender mind from all impressions and notions of spirits = and=20 goblins, or any fearful apprehensions in the dark. This he will be in = danger=20 of from the indiscretion of servants, whose usual method is to awe = children,=20 and keep them in subjection, by telling them of raw-head and = bloody-bones, and=20 such other names as carry with them the ideas of something terrible = and=20 hurtful, which they have reason to be afraid of when alone, especially = in the=20 dark. This must be carefully prevented: for though by this foolish = way, they=20 may keep them from little faults, yet the remedy is much worse than = the=20 disease; and there are stamped upon their imaginations ideas that = follow them=20 with terror and affrightment. Such bug-bear thoughts once got into the = tender=20 minds of children, and being set on with a strong impression from the = dread=20 that accompanies such apprehensions, sink deep, and fasten themselves = so as=20 not easily, if ever, to be got out again; and whilst they are there,=20 frequently haunt them with strange visions, making children dastards = when=20 alone, and afraid of their shadows and darkness all their lives after. = I have=20 had those complain to me, when men, who had been thus used when young; = that=20 though their reason corrected the wrong ideas they had taken in, and = they were=20 satisfied that there was no cause to fear invisible beings more in the = dark=20 than in the light, yet that these notions were apt still upon any = occasion to=20 start up first in their prepossessed fancies, and not to be removed = without=20 some pains. And to let you see how lasting and frightful images are, = that take=20 place in the mind early, I shall here tell you a pretty remarkable but = true=20 story. There was in a town in the west a man of a disturbed brain, = whom the=20 boys used to teaze when he came in their way: this fellow one day = seeing in=20 the street one of those lads, that used to vex him, stepped into a = cutler's=20 shop he was near, and there seizing on a naked sword, made after the = boy; who=20 seeing him coming so armed, betook himself to his feet, and ran for = his life,=20 and by good luck had strength and heels enough to reach his father's = house=20 before the mad-man could get up to him. The door was only latch'd; and = when he=20 had the latch in his hand, he turn'd about his head, to see how near = his=20 pursuer was, who was at the entrance of the porch, with his sword up = ready to=20 strike; and he had just time to get in, and clap to the door to avoid = the=20 blow, which, though his body escaped, his mind did not. This = frightening idea=20 made so deep an impression there, that it lasted many years, if not = all his=20 life after. For, telling this story when he was a man, he said, that = after=20 that time till then, he never went in at that door (that he could = remember) at=20 any time without looking back, whatever business he had in his head, = or how=20 little soever before he came thither he thought of this mad-man.

If children were let alone, they would be no more afraid in the = dark, than=20 in broad sun-shine; they would in their turns as much welcome the one = for=20 sleep as the other to play in. There should be no distinction made to = them by=20 any discourse of more danger or terrible things in the one than the = other: but=20 if the folly of any one about them should do them this harm, and make = them=20 think there is any difference between being in the dark and winking, = you must=20 get it out of their minds as soon as you can; and let them know, that = God, who=20 made all things good for them, made the night that they might sleep = the better=20 and the quieter; and that they being under his protection, there is = nothing in=20 the dark to hurt them. What is to be known more of God and good = spirits, is to=20 be deferr'd till the time we shall hereafter mention; and of evil = spirits,=20 'twill be well if you can keep him from wrong fancies about them till = he is=20 ripe for that sort of knowledge.

Section 139. Having laid the foundations of virtue in a true notion = of a=20 God, such as the creed wisely teaches, as far as his age is capable, = and by=20 accustoming him to pray to Him; the next thing to be taken care of is = to keep=20 him exactly to speaking of truth, and by all the ways imaginable = inclining him=20 to be good-natur'd. Let him know that twenty faults are sooner to be = forgiven=20 than the straining of truth to cover any one by an excuse. And to = teach him=20 betimes to love and be good-natur'd to others, is to lay early the = true=20 foundation of an honest man; all injustice generally springing from = too great=20 love of ourselves and too little of others.

This is all I shall say of this matter in general, and is enough = for laying=20 the first foundations of virtue in a child: as he grows up, the = tendency of=20 his natural inclination must be observed; which, as it inclines him = more than=20 is convenient on one or t'other side from the right path of virtue, = ought to=20 have proper remedies applied. For few of Adam's children are so happy, = as not=20 to be born with some byass in their natural temper, which it is the = business=20 of education either to take off, or counterbalance. But to enter into=20 particulars of this, would be beyond the design of this short treatise = of=20 education. I intend not a discourse of all the virtues and vices, how = each=20 virtue is to be attained, and every particular vice by its peculiar = remedies=20 cured: though I have mentioned some of the most ordinary faults, and = the ways=20 to be used in correcting them.

Section 140. Wisdom I take in the popular acceptation, for a man's = managing=20 his business ably and with foresight in this world. This is the = product of a=20 good natural temper, application of mind, and experience together, and = so=20 above the reach of children. The greatest thing that in them can be = done=20 towards it, is to hinder them, as much as may be, from being cunning; = which,=20 being the ape of wisdom, is the most distant from it that can be: and = as an=20 ape for the likeness it has to a man, wanting what really should make = him so,=20 is by so much the uglier; cunning is only the want of understanding, = which=20 because it cannot compass its ends by direct ways, would do it by a = trick and=20 circumvention; and the mischief of it is, a cunning trick helps but = once, but=20 hinders ever after. No cover was ever made so big or so fine as to = hide it=20 self: no body was ever so cunning as to conceal their being so: and = when they=20 are once discovered, every body is shy, every body distrustful of = crafty men;=20 and all the world forwardly join to oppose and defeat them; whilst the = open,=20 fair, wise man has every body to make way for him, and goes directly = to his=20 business. To accustom a child to have true notions of things, and not = to be=20 satisfied till he has them; to raise his mind to great and worthy = thoughts,=20 and to keep him at a distance from falsehood and cunning, which has = always a=20 broad mixture of falsehood in it; is the fittest preparation of a = child for=20 wisdom. The rest, which is to be learn'd from time, experience, and=20 observation, and an acquaintance with men, their tempers and designs, = is not=20 to be expected in the ignorance and inadvertency of childhood, or the=20 inconsiderate heat and unweariness of youth: all that can be done = towards it,=20 during this unripe age, is, as I have said, to accustom them to truth = and=20 sincerity; to a submission to reason; and as much as may be, to = reflection on=20 their own actions.

Section 141. The next good quality belonging to a gentleman, is = good=20 breeding. There are two sorts of ill-breeding: the one a sheepish = bashfulness,=20 and the other a mis-becoming negligence and disrespect in our = carriage; both=20 which are avoided by duly observing this one rule, not to think meanly = of=20 ourselves, and not to think meanly of others.

Section 142. The first part of this rule must not be understood in=20 opposition to humility, but to assurance. We ought not to think so = well of our=20 selves, as to stand upon our own value; and assume to our selves a = preference=20 before others, because of any advantage we may imagine we have over = them; but=20 modestly to take what is offered, when it is our due. But yet we ought = to=20 think so well of our selves, as to perform those actions which are = incumbent=20 on, and expected of us, without discomposure or disorder, in whose = presence=20 soever we are; keeping that respect and distance which is due to every = one's=20 rank and quality. There is often in people, especially children, a = clownish=20 shamefacedness before strangers or those above them: they are = confounded in=20 their thoughts, words, and looks; and so lose themselves in that = confusion as=20 not to be able to do any thing, or at least not to do it with that = freedom and=20 gracefulness which pleases, and makes them be acceptable. The only = cure for=20 this, as for any other miscarriage, is by use to introduce the = contrary habit.=20 But since we cannot accustom ourselves to converse with strangers and = persons=20 of quality without being in their company, nothing can cure this part = of=20 ill-breeding but change and variety of company, and that of persons = above=20 us.

Section 143. As the before-mentioned consists in too great a = concern how to=20 behave ourselves towards others; so the other part of ill-breeding = lies in the=20 appearance of too little care of pleasing or shewing respect to those = we have=20 to do with. To avoid this these two things are requisite: first, a = disposition=20 of the mind not to offend others; and secondly, the most acceptable = and=20 agreeable way of expressing that disposition. From the one men are = called=20 civil; from the other well-fashion'd. The latter of these is that = decency and=20 gracefulness of looks, voice, words, motions, gestures, and of all the = whole=20 outward demeanour, which takes in company, and makes those with whom = we may=20 converse, easy and well pleased. This is, as it were, the language = whereby=20 that internal civility of the mind is expressed; which, as other = languages=20 are, being very much governed by the fashion and custom of every = country,=20 must, in the rules and practice of it, be learn'd chiefly from = observation,=20 and the carriage of those who are allow'd to be exactly well-bred. The = other=20 part, which lies deeper than the outside, is that general good-will = and regard=20 for all people, which makes any one have a care not to shew in his = carriage=20 any contempt, disrespect, or neglect of them; but to express, = according to the=20 fashion and way of that country, a respect and value for them = according to=20 their rank and condition. It is a disposition of the mind that shews = it self=20 in the carriage, whereby a man avoids making any one uneasy in=20 conversation.

I shall take notice of four qualities, that are most directly = opposite to=20 this first and most taking of all the social virtues. And from some = one of=20 these four it is, that incivility commonly has its rise. I shall set = them=20 down, that children may be preserv'd or recover'd from their ill=20 influence.

1. The first is, a natural roughness, which makes a man = uncomplaisant to=20 others, so that he has no deference for their inclinations, tempers, = or=20 conditions. 'Tis the sure badge of a clown, not to mind what pleases = or=20 displeases those he is with; and yet one may often find a man in = fashionable=20 clothes give an unbounded swing to his own humour, and suffer it to = justle or=20 over-run any one that stands in its way, with a perfect indifferency = how they=20 take it. This is a brutality that every one sees and abhors, and = nobody can be=20 easy with: and therefore this finds no place in any one who would be = thought=20 to have the least tincture of good-breeding. For the very end and = business of=20 good-breeding is to supple the natural stiffness, and so soften men's = tempers,=20 that they may bend to a compliance, and accommodate themselves to = those they=20 have to do with.

2. Contempt, or want of due respect, discovered either in looks, = words, or=20 gesture: this, from whomsoever it comes, brings always uneasiness with = it. For=20 nobody can contentedly bear being slighted.

3. Censoriousness, and finding fault with others, has a direct = opposition=20 to civility. Men, whatever they are or are not guilty of, would not = have their=20 faults display'd and set in open view and broad day-light, before = their own or=20 other people's eyes. Blemishes affixed to any one always carry shame = with=20 them: and the discovery, or even bare imputation of any defect is not = borne=20 without some uneasiness. Raillery is the most refined way of exposing = the=20 faults of others: but, because it is usually done with wit and good = language,=20 and gives entertainment to the company, people are led into a mistake, = that=20 where it keeps within fair bounds there is no incivility in it. And so = the=20 pleasantry of this sort of conversation often introduces it amongst = people of=20 the better rank; and such talkers are favourably heard and generally = applauded=20 by the laughter of the bystanders on their side. But they ought to = consider,=20 that the entertainment of the rest of the company is at the cost of = that one=20 who is set out in their burlesque colours, who therefore is not = without=20 uneasiness, unless the subject for which he is rallied be really in = itself=20 matter of commendation. For then the pleasant images and = representations which=20 make the raillery carrying praise as well as sport with them, the = rallied=20 person also finds his account, and takes part in the diversion. But = because=20 the right management of so nice and ticklish a business, wherein a = little slip=20 may spoil all, is not every body's talent, I think those who would = secure=20 themselves from provoking others, especially all young people, should=20 carefully abstain from raillery, which by a small mistake or any wrong = turn,=20 may leave upon the mind of those who are made uneasy by it, the = lasting memory=20 of having been piquantly, tho' wittily, taunted for some thing = censurable in=20 them.

Besides raillery, contradiction is a sort of censoriousness wherein = ill-breeding often shews it self. Complaisance does not require that = we should=20 always admit all the reasonings or relations that the company is = entertain'd=20 with, no, nor silently to let pass all that is vented in our hearing. = The=20 opposing the opinions, and rectifying the mistakes of others, is what = truth=20 and charity sometimes require of us, and civility does not oppose, if = it be=20 done with due caution and care of circumstances. But there are some = people,=20 that one may observe, possessed as it were with the spirit of = contradiction,=20 that steadily, and without regard to right or wrong, oppose some one, = or,=20 perhaps, every one of the company, whatever they say. This is so = visible and=20 outrageous a way of censuring, that nobody can avoid thinking himself = injur'd=20 by it. All opposition to what another man has said, is so apt to be = suspected=20 of censoriousness, and is so seldom received without some sort of = humiliation,=20 that it ought to be made in the gentlest manner, and softest words can = be=20 found, and such as with the whole deportment may express no = forwardness to=20 contradict. All marks of respect and good will ought to accompany it, = that=20 whilst we gain the argument, we may not lose the esteem of those that = hear=20 us.

4. Captiousness is another fault opposite to civility; not only = because it=20 often produces misbecoming and provoking expressions and carriage; but = because=20 it is a tacit accusation and reproach of some incivility taken notice = of in=20 those whom we are angry with. Such a suspicion or intimation cannot be = borne=20 by any one without uneasiness. Besides, one angry body discomposes the = whole=20 company, and the harmony ceases upon any such jarring.

The happiness that all men so steadily pursue consisting in = pleasure, it is=20 easy to see why the civil are more acceptable than the useful. The = ability,=20 sincerity, and good intention of a man of weight and worth, or a real = friend,=20 seldom atones for the uneasiness that is produced by his grave and = solid=20 representations. Power and riches, nay virtue itself, are valued only = as=20 conducing to our happiness. And therefore he recommends himself ill to = another=20 as aiming at his happiness, who, in the services he does him, makes = him uneasy=20 in the manner of doing them. He that knows how to make those he = converses with=20 easy, without debasing himself to low and servile flattery, has found = the true=20 art of living in the world, and being both welcome and valued every = where.=20 Civility therefore is what in the first place should with great care = be made=20 habitual to children and young people.

Section 144. There is another fault in good manners, and that is = excess of=20 ceremony, and an obstinate persisting to force upon another what is = not his=20 due, and what he cannot take without folly or shame. This seems rather = a=20 design to expose than oblige: or at least looks like a contest for = mastery,=20 and at best is but troublesome, and so can be no part of = good-breeding, which=20 has no other use or end but to make people easy and satisfied in their = conversation with us. This is a fault few young people are apt to fall = into;=20 but yet if they are ever guilty of it, or are suspected to incline = that way,=20 they should be told of it, and warned of this mistaken civility. The = thing=20 they should endeavour and aim at in conversation, should be to shew = respect,=20 esteem, and good-will, by paying to every one that common ceremony and = regard=20 which is in civility due to them. To do this without a suspicion of = flattery,=20 dissimulation, or meanness, is a great skill, which good sense, = reason, and=20 good company can only teach; but is of so much use in civil life that = it is=20 well worth the studying.

Section 145. Though the managing ourselves well in this part of our = behaviour has the name of good-breeding, as if peculiarly the effect = of=20 education; yet, as I have said, young children should not be much = perplexed=20 about it; I mean, about putting off their hats, and making legs = modishly.=20 Teach them humility, and to be good-natur'd, if you can, and this sort = of=20 manners will not be wanting; civility being in truth nothing but a = care not to=20 shew any slighting or contempt of any one in conversation. What are = the most=20 allow'd and esteem'd ways of expressing this, we have above observ'd. = It is as=20 peculiar and different, in several countries of the world, as their = languages;=20 and therefore, if it be rightly considered, rules and discourses made = to=20 children about it, are as useless and impertinent, as it would be now = and then=20 to give a rule or two of the Spanish tongue to one that converses only = with=20 Englishmen. Be as busy as you please with discourses of civility to = your son,=20 such as is his company, such will be his manners. A plough-man of your = neighbourhood that has never been out of his parish, read what = lectures you=20 please to him, will be as soon in his language as his carriage a = courtier;=20 that is, in neither will be more polite than those he uses to converse = with:=20 and therefore, of this no other care can be taken till he be of an age = to have=20 a tutor put to him, who must not fail to be a well-bred man. And, in = good=20 earnest, if I were to speak my mind freely, so children do nothing out = of=20 obstinacy, pride, and ill-nature, 'tis no great matter how they put = off their=20 hats or make legs. If you can teach them to love and respect other = people,=20 they will, as their age requires it, find ways to express it = acceptably to=20 every one, according to the fashions they have been used to: and as to = their=20 motions and carriage of their bodies, a dancing-master, as has been = said, when=20 it is fit, will teach them what is most becoming. In the mean time, = when they=20 are young, people expect not that children should be over-mindful of = these=20 ceremonies; carelessness is allow'd to that age, and becomes them as = well as=20 compliments do grown people: or, at least, if some very nice people = will think=20 it a fault, I am sure it is a fault that should be over-look'd, and = left to=20 time, a tutor and conversation to cure. And therefore I think it not = worth=20 your while to have your son (as I often see children are) molested or = chid=20 about it: but where there is pride or ill-nature appearing in his = carriage,=20 there he must be persuaded or shamed out of it.

Though children, when little, should not be much perplexed with = rules and=20 ceremonious parts of breeding, yet there is a sort of unmannerliness = very apt=20 to grow up with young people, if not early restrained, and that is, a=20 forwardness to interrupt others that are speaking; and to stop them = with some=20 contradiction. Whether the custom of disputing, and the reputation of = parts=20 and learning usually given to it as if it were the only standard and = evidence=20 of knowledge, make young men so forward to watch occasions to correct = others=20 in their discourse, and not to slip any opportunity of shewing their = talents:=20 so it is, that I have found scholars most blamed in this point. There = cannot=20 be a greater rudeness, than to interrupt another in the current of his = discourse; for if there be not impertinent folly in answering a man = before we=20 know what he will say, yet it is a plain declaration, that we are = weary to=20 hear him talk any longer, and have a dis-esteem of what he says; which = we=20 judging not fit to entertain the company, desire them to give audience = to us,=20 who have something to produce worth their attention. This shews a very = great=20 disrespect, and cannot but be offensive: and yet this is what almost = all=20 interruption constantly carries with it. To which, if there be added, = as is=20 usual, a correcting of any mistake, or a contradiction of what has = been said,=20 it is a mark of yet greater pride and self-conceitedness, when we thus = intrude=20 our selves for teachers, and take upon us either to set another right = in his=20 story, or shew the mistakes of his judgment.

I do not say this, that I think there should be no difference of = opinions=20 in conversation, nor opposition in men's discourses: this would be to = take=20 away the greatest advantage of society, and the improvements are to be = made by=20 ingenious company; where the light is to be got from the opposite = arguings of=20 men of parts, shewing the different sides of things and their various = aspects=20 and probabilities, would be quite lost, if every one were obliged to = assent=20 to, and say after the first speaker. 'Tis not the owning one's dissent = from=20 another, that I speak against, but the manner of doing it. Young men = should be=20 taught not to be forward to interpose their opinions, unless asked, or = when=20 others have done, and are silent; and then only by way of enquiry, not = instruction. The positive asserting, and the magisterial air should be = avoided; and when a general pause of the whole company affords an = opportunity,=20 they may modestly put in their question as learners.

This becoming decency will not cloud their parts, nor weaken the = strength=20 of their reason; but bespeak the more favourable attention, and give = what they=20 say the greater advantage. An ill argument, or ordinary observation, = thus=20 introduc'd, with some civil preface of deference and respect to the = opinions=20 of others, will procure them more credit and esteem than the sharpest = wit, or=20 profoundest science, with a rough, insolent, or noisy management, = which always=20 shocks the hearers, leaves an ill opinion of the man, though he get = the better=20 of it in the argument.

This therefore should be carefully watched in young people, stopp'd = in the=20 beginning, and the contrary habit introduced in all their = conversation. And=20 the rather, because forwardness to talk, frequent interruptions in = arguing,=20 and loud wrangling, are too often observable amongst grown people, = even of=20 rank, amongst us. The Indians, whom we call barbarous, observe much = more=20 decency and civility in their discourses and conversation, giving one = another=20 a fair silent hearing till they have quite done; and then answering = them=20 calmly, and without noise or passion. And if it be not so in this = civiliz'd=20 part of the world, we must impute it to a neglect in education, which = has not=20 yet reform'd this antient piece of barbarity amongst us. Was it not, = think=20 you, an entertaining spectacle, to see two ladies of quality = accidentally=20 seated on the opposite sides of a room, set round with company, fall = into a=20 dispute, and grow so eager in it, that in the heat of the controversy, = edging=20 by degrees their chairs forwards, they were in a little time got up = close to=20 one another in the middle of the room; where they for a good while = managed the=20 dispute as fiercely as two game-cocks in the pit, without minding or = taking=20 any notice of the circle, which could not all the while forbear = smiling? This=20 I was told by a person of quality, who was present at the combat, and = did not=20 omit to reflect upon the indecencies that warmth in dispute often runs = people=20 into; which, since custom makes too frequent, education should take = the more=20 care of. There is no body but condemns this in others, though they = overlook it=20 in themselves; and many who are sensible of it in themselves, and = resolve=20 against it, cannot yet get rid of an ill custom, which neglect in = their=20 education has suffer'd to settle into an habit.

Section 146. What has been above said concerning company, would = perhaps, if=20 it were well reflected on, give us a larger prospect, and let us see = how much=20 farther its influence reaches. 'Tis not the modes of civility alone, = that are=20 imprinted by conversation: the tincture of company sinks deeper than = the=20 out-side; and possibly, if a true estimate were made of the morality = and=20 religions of the world, we should find that the far greater part of = mankind=20 received even those opinions, and ceremonies they would die for, = rather from=20 the fashions of their countries, and the constant practice of those = about=20 them, than from any conviction of their reasons. I mention this only = to let=20 you see of what moment I think company is to your son in all the parts = of his=20 life, and therefore how much that one part is to be weighed and = provided for;=20 it being of greater force to work upon him, than all you can do = besides.

Section 147. You will wonder, perhaps, that I put learning last, = especially=20 if I tell you I think it the least part. This may seem strange in the = mouth of=20 a bookish man; and this making usually the chief, if not only bustle = and stir=20 about children, this being almost that alone which is thought on, when = people=20 talk of education, makes it the greater paradox. When I consider, what = ado is=20 made about a little Latin and Greek, how many years are spent in it, = and what=20 a noise and business it makes to no purpose, I can hardly forbear = thinking=20 that the parents of children still live in fear of the school-master's = rod,=20 which they look on as the only instrument of education; as a language = or two=20 to be its whole business. How else is it possible that a child should = be=20 chain'd to the oar seven, eight, or ten of the best years of his life, = to get=20 a language or two, which, I think, might be had at a great deal = cheaper rate=20 of pains and time, and be learn'd almost in playing?

Forgive me therefore if I say, I cannot with patience think, that a = young=20 gentleman should be put into the herd, and be driven with a whip and = scourge,=20 as if he were to run the gantlet through the several classes, ad = capiendum=20 ingenii cultum. What then? say you, would you not have him write and = read?=20 Shall he be more ignorant than the clerk of our parish, who takes = Hopkins and=20 Sternhold for the best poets in the world, whom yet he makes worse = than they=20 are by his ill reading? Not so, not so fast, I beseech you. Reading = and=20 writing and learning I allow to be necessary, but yet not the chief = business.=20 I imagine you would think him a very foolish fellow, that should not = value a=20 virtuous or a wise man infinitely before a great scholar. Not but that = I think=20 learning a great help to both in well-dispos'd minds; but yet it must = be=20 confess'd also, that in others not so dispos'd, it helps them only to = be the=20 more foolish, or worse men. I say this, that when you consider the = breeding of=20 your son, and are looking out for a school-master or a tutor, you = would not=20 have (as is usual) Latin and logick only in your thoughts. Learning = must be=20 had, but in the second place, as subservient only to greater = qualities. Seek=20 out somebody that may know how discreetly to frame his manners: place = him in=20 hands where you may, as much as possible, secure his innocence, = cherish and=20 nurse up the good, and gently correct and weed out any bad = inclinations, and=20 settle in him good habits. This is the main point, and this being = provided=20 for, learning may be had into the bargain, and that, as I think, at a = very=20 easy rate, by methods that may be thought on.

Section 148. When he can talk, 'tis time he should begin to learn = to read.=20 But as to this, give me leave here to inculcate again, what is very = apt to be=20 forgotten, viz. That great care is to be taken, that it be never made = as a=20 business to him, nor he look on it as a task. We naturally, as I said, = even=20 from our cradles, love liberty, and have therefore an aversion to many = things=20 for no other reason but because they are enjoin'd us. I have always = had a=20 fancy that learning might be made a play and recreation to children: = and that=20 they might be brought to desire to be taught, if it were proposed to = them as a=20 thing of honour, credit, delight, and recreation, or as a reward for = doing=20 something else; and if they were never chid or corrected for the = neglect of=20 it. That which confirms me in this opinion is, that amongst the = Portuguese,=20 'tis so much a fashion and emulation amongst their children, to learn = to read=20 and write, that they cannot hinder them from it: they will learn it = one from=20 another, and are as intent on it, as if it were forbidden them. I = remember=20 that being at a friend's house, whose younger son, a child in coats, = was not=20 easily brought to his book (being taught to read at home by his = mother) I=20 advised to try another way, than requiring it of him as his duty; we=20 therefore, in a discourse on purpose amongst our selves, in his = hearing, but=20 without taking any notice of him, declared, that it was the privilege = and=20 advantage of heirs and elder brothers, to be scholars; that this made = them=20 fine gentlemen, and beloved by every body: and that for younger = brothers,=20 'twas a favour to admit them to breeding; to be taught to read and = write, was=20 more than came to their share; they might be ignorant bumpkins and = clowns, if=20 they pleased. This so wrought upon the child, that afterwards he = desired to be=20 taught; would come himself to his mother to learn, and would not let = his maid=20 be quiet till she heard him his lesson. I doubt not but some way like = this=20 might be taken with other children; and when their tempers are found, = some=20 thoughts be instill'd into them, that might set them upon desiring of=20 learning, themselves, and make them seek it as another sort of play or = recreation. But then, as I said before, it must never be imposed as a = task,=20 nor made a trouble to them. There may be dice and play-things, with = the=20 letters on them to teach children the alphabet by playing; and twenty = other=20 ways may be found, suitable to their particular tempers, to make this = kind of=20 learning a sport to them.

Section 149. Thus children may be cozen'd into a knowledge of the = letters;=20 be taught to read, without perceiving it to be any thing but a sport, = and play=20 themselves into that which others are whipp'd for. Children should not = have=20 any thing like work, or serious, laid on them; neither their minds, = nor bodies=20 will bear it. It injures their healths; and their being forced and = tied down=20 to their books in an age at enmity with all such restraint, has, I = doubt not,=20 been the reason, why a great many have hated books and learning all = their=20 lives after. 'Tis like a surfeit, that leaves an aversion behind not = to be=20 removed.

Section 150. I have therefore thought, that if play-things were = fitted to=20 this purpose, as they are usually to none, contrivances might be made = to teach=20 children to read, whilst they thought they were only playing. For = example,=20 what if an ivory-ball were made like that of the royal-oak lottery, = with=20 thirty two sides, or one rather of twenty four or twenty five sides; = and upon=20 several of those sides pasted on an A, upon several others B, on = others C, and=20 on others D? I would have you begin with but these four letters, or = perhaps=20 only two at first; and when he is perfect in them, then add another; = and so on=20 till each side having one letter, there be on it the whole alphabet. = This I=20 would have others play with before him, it being as good a sort of = play to lay=20 a stake who shall first throw an A or B, as who upon dice shall throw = six or=20 seven. This being a play amongst you, tempt him not to it, lest you = make it=20 business; for I would not have him understand 'tis any thing but a = play of=20 older people, and I doubt not but he will take to it of himself. And = that he=20 may have the more reason to think it is a play, that he is sometimes = in favour=20 admitted to, when the play is done the ball should be laid up safe out = of his=20 reach, that so it may not, by his having it in his keeping at any = time, grow=20 stale to him.

 

Part X.

Section 151. To keep up his eagerness to it, let him think it a = game=20 belonging to those above him: and when, by this means, he knows the = letters,=20 by changing them into syllables, he may learn to read, without knowing = how he=20 did so, and never have any chiding or trouble about it, nor fall out = with=20 books because of the hard usage and vexation they have caus'd him. = Children,=20 if you observe them, take abundance of pains to learn several games, = which, if=20 they should be enjoined them, they would abhor as a task and business. = I know=20 a person of great quality (more yet to be honoured for his learning = and virtue=20 than for his rank and high place) who by pasting on the six vowels = (for in our=20 language Y is one) on the six sides of a die, and the remaining = eighteen=20 consonants on the sides of three other dice, has made this a play for = his=20 children, that he shall win who, at one cast, throws most words on = these four=20 dice; whereby his eldest son, yet in coats, has play'd himself into = spelling,=20 with great eagerness, and without once having been chid for it or = forced to=20 it.

Section 152. I have seen little girls exercise whole hours together = and=20 take abundance of pains to be expert at dibstones as they call it. = Whilst I=20 have been looking on, I have thought it wanted only some good = contrivance to=20 make them employ all that industry about something that might be more = useful=20 to them; and methinks 'tis only the fault and negligence of elder = people that=20 it is not so. Children are much less apt to be idle than men; and men = are to=20 be blamed if some part of that busy humour be not turned to useful = things;=20 which might be made usually as delightful to them as those they are = employed=20 in, if men would be but half so forward to lead the way, as these = little apes=20 would be to follow. I imagine some wise Portuguese heretofore began = this=20 fashion amongst the children of his country, where I have been told, = as I=20 said, it is impossible to hinder the children from learning to read = and write:=20 and in some parts of France they teach one another to sing and dance = from the=20 cradle.

Section 153. The letters pasted upon the sides of the dice, or = polygon,=20 were best to be of the size of those of the folio Bible, to begin = with, and=20 none of them capital letters; when once he can read what is printed in = such=20 letters, he will not long be ignorant of the great ones: and in the = beginning=20 he should not be perplexed with variety. With this die also, you might = have a=20 play just like the royal oak, which would be another variety, and play = for=20 cherries or apples, &c.

Section 154. Besides these, twenty other plays might be invented = depending=20 on letters, which those who like this way, may easily contrive and get = made to=20 this use if they will. But the four dice above-mention'd I think so = easy and=20 useful, that it will be hard to find any better, and there will be = scarce need=20 of any other.

Section 155. Thus much for learning to read, which let him never be = driven=20 to, nor chid for; cheat him into it if you can, but make it not a = business for=20 him. 'Tis better it be a year later before he can read, than that he = should=20 this way get an aversion to learning. If you have any contest with = him, let it=20 be in matters of moment, of truth, and good nature; but lay no task on = him=20 about A B C. Use your skill to make his will supple and pliant to = reason:=20 teach him to love credit and commendation; to abhor being thought ill = or=20 meanly of, especially by you and his mother, and then the rest will = come all=20 easily. But I think if you will do that, you must not shackle and tie = him up=20 with rules about indifferent matters, nor rebuke him for every little = fault,=20 or perhaps some that to others would seem great ones; but of this I = have said=20 enough already.

Section 156. When by these gentle ways he begins to read, some easy = pleasant book, suited to his capacity, should be put into his hands, = wherein=20 the entertainment that he finds might draw him on, and reward his = pains in=20 reading, and yet not such as should fill his head with perfectly = useless=20 trumpery, or lay the principles of vice and folly. To this purpose, I = think=20 Aesop's Fables the best, which being stories apt to delight and = entertain a=20 child, may yet afford useful reflections to a grown man; and if his = memory=20 retain them all his life after, he will not repent to find them there, = amongst=20 his manly thoughts and serious business. If his Aesop has pictures in = it, it=20 will entertain him much the better, and encourage him to read, when it = carries=20 the increase of knowledge with it: for such visible objects children = hear=20 talked of in vain and without any satisfaction whilst they have no = ideas of=20 them; those ideas being not to be had from sounds, but from the things = themselves or their pictures. And therefore I think as soon as he = begins to=20 spell, as many pictures of animals should be got him as can be found, = with the=20 printed names to them, which at the same time will invite him to read, = and=20 afford him matter of enquiry and knowledge. Reynard the Fox is another = book I=20 think may be made use of to the same purpose. And if those about him = will talk=20 to him often about the stories he has read, and hear him tell them, it = will,=20 besides other advantages, add encouragement and delight to his = reading, when=20 he finds there is some use and pleasure in it. These baits seem wholly = neglected in the ordinary method; and 'tis usually long before = learners find=20 any use or pleasure in reading, which may tempt them to it, and so = take books=20 only for fashionable amusements, or impertinent troubles, good for=20 nothing.

Section 157. The Lord's Prayer, the Creeds, and Ten Commandments, = 'tis=20 necessary he should learn perfectly by heart; but, I think, not by = reading=20 them himself in his primer, but by somebody's repeating them to him, = even=20 before he can read. But learning by heart, and learning to read, = should not I=20 think be mix'd, and so one made to clog the other. But his learning to = read=20 should be made as little trouble or business to him as might be.

What other books there are in English of the kind of those = above-mentioned,=20 fit to engage the liking of children, and tempt them to read, I do not = know:=20 but am apt to think, that children being generally delivered over to = the=20 method of schools, where the fear of the rod is to inforce, and not = any=20 pleasure of the employment to invite them to learn, this sort of = useful books,=20 amongst the number of silly ones that are of all sorts, have yet had = the fate=20 to be neglected; and nothing that I know has been considered of this = kind out=20 of the ordinary road of the horn-book, primer, psalter, Testament, and = Bible.

Section 158. As for the Bible, which children are usually employ'd = in to=20 exercise and improve their talent in reading, I think the promiscuous = reading=20 of it through by chapters as they lie in order, is so far from being = of any=20 advantage to children, either for the perfecting their reading, or = principling=20 their religion, that perhaps a worse could not be found. For what = pleasure or=20 encouragement can it be to a child to exercise himself in reading = those parts=20 of a book where he understands nothing? And how little are the law of = Moses,=20 the song of Solomon, the prophecies in the Old, and the Epistles and=20 Apocalypse in the New Testament, suited to a child's capacity? And = though the=20 history of the Evangelists and the Acts have something easier, yet, = taken=20 altogether, it is very disproportional to the understanding of = childhood. I=20 grant that the principles of religion are to be drawn from thence, and = in the=20 words of the scripture; yet none should be propos'd to a child, but = such as=20 are suited to a child's capacity and notions. But 'tis far from this = to read=20 through the whole Bible, and that for reading's sake. And what an odd = jumble=20 of thoughts must a child have in his head, if he have any at all, such = as he=20 should have concerning religion, who in his tender age reads all the = parts of=20 the Bible indifferently as the word of God without any other = distinction! I am=20 apt to think, that this in some men has been the very reason why they = never=20 had clear and distinct thoughts of it all their lifetime.

Section 159. And now I am by chance fallen on this subject, give me = leave=20 to say, that there are some parts of the Scripture which may be proper = to be=20 put into the hands of a child to engage him to read; such as are the = story of=20 Joseph and his brethren, of David and Goliath, of David and Jonathan, = &c.=20 and others that he should be made to read for his instruction, as = that, What=20 you would have others do unto you, do you the same unto them; and such = other=20 easy and plain moral rules, which being fitly chosen, might often be = made use=20 of, both for reading and instruction together; and so often read till = they are=20 throughly fixed in the memory; and then afterwards, as he grows ripe = for them,=20 may in their turns on fit occasions be inculcated as the standing and = sacred=20 rules of his life and actions. But the reading of the whole Scripture=20 indifferently, is what I think very inconvenient for children, till = after=20 having been made acquainted with the plainest fundamental parts of it, = they=20 have got some kind of general view of what they ought principally to = believe=20 and practise; which yet, I think, they ought to receive in the very = words of=20 the scripture, and not in such as men prepossess'd by systems and = analogies=20 are apt in this case to make use of and force upon them. Dr. = Worthington, to=20 avoid this, has made a catechism, which has all its answers in the = precise=20 words of the Scripture; a thing of good example, and such a sound form = of=20 words as no Christian can except against as not fit for his child to = learn. Of=20 this, as soon as he can say the Lord's Prayer, Creed, the Ten = Commandments, by=20 heart, it may be fit for him to learn a question every day, or every = week, as=20 his understanding is able to receive and his memory to retain them. = And when=20 he has this catechism perfectly by heart, so as readily and roundly to = answer=20 to any question in the whole book, it may be convenient to lodge in = his mind=20 the remaining moral rules scatter'd up and down in the Bible, as the = best=20 exercise of his memory, and that which may be always a rule to him, = ready at=20 hand, in the whole conduct of his life.

Section 160. When he can read English well, it will be seasonable = to enter=20 him in writing: and here the first thing should be taught him is to = hold his=20 pen right; and this he should be perfect in before he should be = suffered to=20 put it to paper: For not only children but any body else that would do = any=20 thing well, should never be put upon too much of it at once, or be set = to=20 perfect themselves in two parts of an action at the same time, if they = can=20 possibly be separated. I think the Italian way of holding the pen = between the=20 thumb and the forefinger alone, may be best; but in this you may = consult some=20 good writing-master, or any other person who writes well and quick. = When he=20 has learn'd to hold his pen right, in the next place he should learn = how to=20 lay his paper, and place his arm and body to it. These practices being = got=20 over, the way to teach him to write without much trouble, is to get a = plate=20 graved with the characters of such a hand as you like best: but you = must=20 remember to have them a pretty deal bigger than he should ordinarily = write;=20 for every one naturally comes by degrees to write a less hand than he = at first=20 was taught, but never a bigger. Such a plate being graved, let several = sheets=20 of good writing-paper be printed off with red ink, which he has = nothing to do=20 but go over with a good pen fill'd with black ink, which will quickly = bring=20 his hand to the formation of those characters, being at first shewed = where to=20 begin, and how to form every letter. And when he can do that well, he = must=20 then exercise on fair paper; and so may easily be brought to write the = hand=20 you desire.

Section 161. When he can write well and quick, I think it may be = convenient=20 not only to continue the exercise of his hand in writing, but also to = improve=20 the use of it farther in drawing; a thing very useful to a gentleman = in=20 several occasions; but especially if he travel, as that which helps a = man=20 often to express, in a few lines well put together, what a whole sheet = of=20 paper in writing would not be able to represent and make intelligible. = How=20 many buildings may a man see, how many machines and habits meet with, = the=20 ideas whereof would be easily retain'd and communicated by a little = skill in=20 drawing; which being committed to words, are in danger to be lost, or = at best=20 but ill retained in the most exact descriptions? I do not mean that I = would=20 have your son a perfect painter; to be that to any tolerable degree, = will=20 require more time than a young gentleman can spare from his other = improvements=20 of greater moment. But so much insight into perspective and skill in = drawing,=20 as will enable him to represent tolerably on paper any thing he sees, = except=20 faces, may, I think, be got in a little time, especially if he have a = genius=20 to it; but where that is wanting, unless it be in the things = absolutely=20 necessary, it is better to let him pass them by quietly, than to vex = him about=20 them to no purpose: and therefore in this, as in all other things not=20 absolutely necessary, the rule holds, nil invita Minerva.

Paragraph 1. Short-hand, an art, as I have been told, known only in = England, may perhaps be thought worth the learning, both for dispatch = in what=20 men write for their own memory, and concealment of what they would not = have=20 lie open to every eye. For he that has once learn'd any sort of = character, may=20 easily vary it to his own private use or fancy, and with more = contraction suit=20 it to the business he would employ it in. Mr. Rich's, the best = contriv'd of=20 any I have seen, may, as I think, by one who knows and considers = grammar well,=20 be made much easier and shorter. But for the learning this compendious = way of=20 writing, there will be no need hastily to look out a master; it will = be early=20 enough when any convenient opportunity offers itself at any time, = after his=20 hand is well settled in fair and quick writing. For boys have but = little use=20 of short hand, and should by no means practise it till they write = perfectly=20 well, and have throughly fixed the habit of doing so.

Section 162. As soon as he can speak English, 'tis time for him to = learn=20 some other language. This no body doubts of, when French is propos'd. = And the=20 reason is, because people are accustomed to the right way of teaching = that=20 language, which is by talking it into children in constant = conversation, and=20 not by grammatical rules. The Latin tongue would easily be taught the = same=20 way, if his tutor, being constantly with him, would talk nothing else = to him,=20 and make him answer still in the same language. But because French is = a living=20 language, and to be used more in speaking, that should be first = learned, that=20 the yet pliant organs of speech might be accustomed to a due formation = of=20 those sounds, and he get the habit of pronouncing French well, which = is the=20 harder to be done the longer it is delay'd.

Section 163. When he can speak and read French well, which in this = method=20 is usually in a year or two, he should proceed to Latin, which 'tis a = wonder=20 parents, when they have had the experiment in French, should not think = ought=20 to be learned the same way, by talking and reading. Only care is to be = taken=20 whilst he is learning these foreign languages, by speaking and reading = nothing=20 else with his tutor, that he do not forget to read English, which may = be=20 preserved by his mother or some body else hearing him read some chosen = parts=20 of the scripture or other English book every day.

Section 164. Latin I look upon as absolutely necessary to a = gentleman; and=20 indeed custom, which prevails over every thing, has made it so much a = part of=20 education, that even those children are whipp'd to it, and made spend = many=20 hours of their precious time uneasily in Latin, who after they are = once gone=20 from school, are never to have more to do with it as long as they = live. Can=20 there be any thing more ridiculous, than that a father should waste = his own=20 money and his son's time in setting him to learn the Roman language, = when at=20 the same time he designs him for a trade, wherein he having no use of = Latin,=20 fails not to forget that little which he brought from school, and = which 'tis=20 ten to one he abhors for the ill usage it procured him? Could it be = believed,=20 unless we had every where amongst us examples of it, that a child = should be=20 forced to learn the rudiments of a language which he is never to use = in the=20 course of life that he is designed to, and neglect all the while the = writing a=20 good hand and casting accounts, which are of great advantage in all = conditions=20 of life, and to most trades indispensably necessary? But though these=20 qualifications, requisite to trade and commerce and the business of = the world,=20 are seldom or never to be had at grammar-schools, yet thither not only = gentlemen send their younger sons, intended for trades, but even = tradesmen and=20 farmers fail not to send their children, though they have neither = intention=20 nor ability to make them scholars. If you ask them why they do this, = they=20 think it as strange a question as if you should ask them, why they go = to=20 church. Custom serves for reason, and has, to those who take it for = reason, so=20 consecrated this method, that it is almost religiously observed by = them, and=20 they stick to it, as if their children had scarce an orthodox = education unless=20 they learned Lilly's grammar.

Section 165. But how necessary soever Latin be to some, and is = thought to=20 be to others to whom it is of no manner of use and service; yet the = ordinary=20 way of learning it in a grammar-school is that which having had = thoughts about=20 I cannot be forward to encourage. The reasons against it are so = evident and=20 cogent, that they have prevailed with some intelligent persons to quit = the=20 ordinary road, not without success, though the method made use of was = not=20 exactly what I imagine the easiest, and in short is this. To trouble = the child=20 with no grammar at all, but to have Latin, as English has been, = without the=20 perplexity of rules, talked into him; for if you will consider it, = Latin is no=20 more unknown to a child, when he comes into the world, than English: = and yet=20 he learns English without master, rule, or grammar; and so might he = Latin too,=20 as Tully did, if he had some body always to talk to him in this = language. And=20 when we so often see a French woman teach an English girl to speak and = read=20 French perfectly in a year or two, without any rule of grammar, or any = thing=20 else but prattling to her, I cannot but wonder how gentlemen have = overseen=20 this way for their sons, and thought them more dull or incapable than = their=20 daughters.

Section 166. If therefore a man could be got, who himself speaking = good=20 Latin, would always be about your son, talk constantly to him, and = suffer him=20 to speak or read nothing else, this would be the true and genuine way, = and=20 that which I would propose, not only as the easiest and best, wherein = a child=20 might, without pains or chiding, get a language, which others are wont = to be=20 whipt for at school six or seven years together: but also as that, = wherein at=20 the same time he might have his mind and manners formed, and he be = instructed=20 to boot in several sciences, such as are a good part of geography, = astronomy,=20 chronology, anatomy, besides some parts of history, and all other = parts of=20 knowledge of things that fall under the senses and require little more = than=20 memory. For there, if we would take the true way, our knowledge should = begin,=20 and in those things be laid the foundation; and not in the abstract = notions of=20 logick and metaphysicks, which are fitter to amuse than inform the=20 understanding in its first setting out towards knowledge. When young = men have=20 had their heads employ'd a while in those abstract speculations = without=20 finding the success and improvement, or that use of them, which they = expected,=20 they are apt to have mean thoughts either of learning or themselves; = they are=20 tempted to quit their studies, and throw away their books as = containing=20 nothing but hard words and empty sounds; or else, to conclude, that if = there=20 be any real knowledge in them, they themselves have not understandings = capable=20 of it. That this is so, perhaps I could assure you upon my own = experience.=20 Amongst other things to be learned by a young gentleman in this = method, whilst=20 others of his age are wholly taken up with Latin and languages, I may = also set=20 down geometry for one; having known a young gentleman, bred something = after=20 this way, able to demonstrate several propositions in Euclid before he = was=20 thirteen.

Section 167. But if such a man cannot be got, who speaks good = Latin, and=20 being able to instruct your son in all these parts of knowledge, will=20 undertake it by this method; the next best is to have him taught as = near this=20 way as may be, which is by taking some easy and pleasant book, such as = Aesop's=20 Fables, and writing the English translation (made as literal as it can = be) in=20 one line, and the Latin words which answer each of them, just over it = in=20 another. These let him read every day over and over again, till he = perfectly=20 understands the Latin; and then go on to another fable, till he be = also=20 perfect in that, not omitting what he is already perfect in, but = sometimes=20 reviewing that, to keep it in his memory. And when he comes to write, = let=20 these be set him for copies, which with the exercise of his hand will = also=20 advance him to Latin. This being a more imperfect way than by talking = Latin=20 unto him; the formation of the verbs first, and afterwards the = declensions of=20 the nouns and pronouns perfectly learned by heart, may facilitate his=20 acquaintance with the genius and manner of the Latin tongue, which = varies the=20 signification of verbs and nouns, not as the modern languages do by = particles=20 prefix'd, but by changing the last syllables. More than this of = grammar, It=20 think he need not have, till he can read himself Sanctii Minerva, with = Scioppius and Perizonius' notes.

In teaching of children, this too, I think, is to be observed, that = in most=20 cases where they stick, they are not to be farther puzzled by putting = them=20 upon finding it out themselves; as by asking such questions as these, = (viz.)=20 which is the nominative case, in the sentence they are to construe; or = demanding what aufero signifies, to lead them to the knowledge what = abstlere=20 signifies, &c., when they cannot readily tell. This wastes time = only in=20 disturbing them; for whilst they are learning, and apply themselves = with=20 attention, they are to be kept in good humour, and every thing made = easy to=20 them, and as pleasant as possible. Therefore, wherever they are at a = stand,=20 and are willing to go forwards, help them presently over the = difficulty,=20 without any rebuke or chiding, remembering, that where harsher ways = are taken,=20 they are the effect only of pride and peevishness in the teacher, who = expects=20 children should instantly be masters of as much as he knows; whereas = he should=20 rather consider, that his business is to settle in them habits, not = angrily to=20 inculcate rules, which serve for little in the conduct of our lives; = at least=20 are of no use to children, who forget them as soon as given. In = sciences where=20 their reason is to be exercised, I will not deny but this method may = sometimes=20 be varied, and difficulties proposed on purpose to excite industry, = and=20 accustom the mind to employ its own strength and sagacity in = reasoning. But=20 yet, I guess, this is not to be done to children, whilst very young, = nor at=20 their entrance upon any sort of knowledge: then every thing of itself = is=20 difficult, and the great use and skill of a teacher is to make all as = easy as=20 he can: but particularly in learning of languages there is least = occasion for=20 posing of children. For languages being to be learned by rote, custom = and=20 memory, are then spoken in greatest perfection, when all rules of = grammar are=20 utterly forgotten. I grant the grammar of a language is sometimes very = carefully to be studied, but it is not to be studied but by a grown = man, when=20 he applies himself to the understanding of any language critically, = which is=20 seldom the business of any but professed scholars. This I think will = be agreed=20 to, that if a gentleman be to study any language, it ought to be that = of his=20 own country, that he may understand the language which he has constant = use of,=20 with the utmost accuracy.

There is yet a further reason, why masters and teachers should = raise no=20 difficulties to their scholars; but on the contrary should smooth = their way,=20 and readily help them forwards, where they find them stop. Children's = minds=20 are narrow and weak, and usually susceptible but of one thought at = once.=20 Whatever is in a child's head, fills it for the time, especially if = set on=20 with any passion. It should therefore be the skill and art of the = teacher to=20 clear their heads of all other thoughts whilst they are learning of = any thing,=20 the better to make room for what he would instill into them, that it = may be=20 received with attention and application, without which it leaves no=20 impression. The natural temper of children disposes their minds to = wander.=20 Novelty alone takes them; whatever that presents, they are presently = eager to=20 have a taste of, and are as soon satiated with it. They quickly grow = weary of=20 the same thing, and so have almost their whole delight in change and = variety.=20 It is a contradiction to the natural state of childhood for them to = fix their=20 fleeting thoughts. Whether this be owing to the temper of their = brains, or the=20 quickness or instability of their animal spirits, over which the mind = has not=20 yet got a full command; this is visible, that it is a pain to children = to keep=20 their thoughts steady to any thing. A lasting continued attention is = one of=20 the hardest tasks can be imposed on them; and therefore, he that = requires=20 their application, should endeavour to make what he proposes as = grateful and=20 agreeable as possible; at least he ought to take care not to join any=20 displeasing or frightful idea with it. If they come not to their books = with=20 some kind of liking and relish, 'tis no wonder their thoughts should = be=20 perpetually shifting from what disgusts them; and seek better = entertainment in=20 more pleasing objects, after which they will unavoidably be = gadding.

'Tis, I know, the usual method of tutors, to endeavour to procure = attention=20 in their scholars, and to fix their minds to the business in hand, by = rebukes=20 and corrections, if they find them ever so little wandering. But such=20 treatment is sure to produce the quite contrary effect. Passionate = words or=20 blows from the tutor fill the child's mind with terror and = affrightment, which=20 immediately takes it wholly up, and leaves no room for other = impressions. I=20 believe there is nobody that reads this, but may recollect what = disorder hasty=20 or imperious words from his parents or teachers have caused in his = thoughts;=20 how for the time it has turned his brains, so that he scarce knew what = was=20 said by or to him. He presently lost the sight of what he was upon, = his mind=20 was filled with disorder and confusion, and in that state was no = longer=20 capable of attention to any thing else.

'Tis true, parents and governors ought to settle and establish = their=20 authority by an awe over the minds of those under their tuition; and = to rule=20 them by that: but when they have got an ascendant over them, they = should use=20 it with great moderation, and not make themselves such scare-crows = that their=20 scholars should always tremble in their sight. Such an austerity may = make=20 their government easy to themselves, but of very little use to their = pupils.=20 'Tis impossible children should learn any thing whilst their thoughts = are=20 possessed and disturbed with any passion, especially fear, which makes = the=20 strongest impression on their yet tender and weak spirits. Keep the = mind in an=20 easy calm temper, when you would have it receive your instructions or = any=20 increase of knowledge. 'Tis as impossible to draw fair and regular = characters=20 on a trembling mind as on a shaking paper.

The great skill of a teacher is to get and keep the attention of = his=20 scholar; whilst he has that, he is sure to advance as fast as the = learner's=20 abilities will carry him; and without that, all his bustle and pother = will be=20 to little or no purpose. To attain this, he should make the child = comprehend=20 (as much as may be) the usefulness of what he teaches him, and let him = see, by=20 what he has learnt, that he can do something which he could not do = before;=20 something, which gives him some power and real advantage above others = who are=20 ignorant of it. To this he should add sweetness in all his = instructions, and=20 by a certain tenderness in his whole carriage, make the child sensible = that he=20 loves him and designs nothing but his good, the only way to beget love = in the=20 child, which will make him hearken to his lessons, and relish what he = teaches=20 him.

Nothing but obstinacy should meet with any imperiousness or rough = usage.=20 All other faults should be corrected with a gentle hand; and kind = engaging=20 words will work better and more effectually upon a willing mind, and = even=20 prevent a good deal of that perverseness which rough and imperious = usage often=20 produces in well disposed and generous minds. 'Tis true, obstinacy and = wilful=20 neglects must be mastered, even though it cost blows to do it: but I = am apt to=20 think perverseness in the pupils is often the effect of frowardness in = the=20 tutor; and that most children would seldom have deserved blows, if = needless=20 and misapplied roughness had not taught them ill-nature, and given = them an=20 aversion for their teacher and all that comes from him.

Inadvertency, forgetfulness, unsteadiness, and wandering of = thought, are=20 the natural faults of childhood; and therefore, where they are not = observed to=20 be wilful, are to be mention'd softly, and gain'd upon by time. If = every slip=20 of this kind produces anger and rating, the occasions of rebuke and=20 corrections will return so often, that the tutor will be a constant = terror and=20 uneasiness to his pupils. Which one thing is enough to hinder their = profiting=20 by his lessons, and to defeat all his methods of instruction.

Let the awe he has got upon their minds be so tempered with the = constant=20 marks of tenderness and good will, that affection may spur them to = their duty,=20 and make them find a pleasure in complying with his dictates. This = will bring=20 them with satisfaction to their tutor; make them hearken to him, as to = one who=20 is their friend, that cherishes them, and takes pains for their good: = this=20 will keep their thoughts easy and free whilst they are with him, the = only=20 temper wherein the mind is capable of receiving new informations, and = of=20 admitting into itself those impressions, which, if not taken and = retain'd, all=20 that they and their teachers do together is lost labour; there is much = uneasiness and little learning.

Section 168. When by this way of interlining Latin and English one = with=20 another, he has got a moderate knowledge of the Latin tongue, he may = then be=20 advanced a little farther to the reading of some other easy = Latin-book, such=20 as Justin or Eutropius; and to make the reading and understanding of = it the=20 less tedious and difficult to him, let him help himself if he pleases = with the=20 English translation. Nor let the objection that he will then know it = only by=20 rote, fright any one. This, when well consider'd, is not of any moment = against, but plainly for this way of learning a language. For = languages are=20 only to be learned by rote; and a man who does not speak English or = Latin=20 perfectly by rote, so that having thought of the thing he would speak = of, his=20 tongue of course, without thought of rule or grammar, falls into the = proper=20 expression and idiom of that language, does not speak it well, nor is = master=20 of it. And I would fain have any one name to me that tongue, that any = one can=20 learn, or speak as he should do, by the rules of grammar. Languages = were made=20 not by rules or art, but by accident, and the common use of the = people. And he=20 that will speak them well, has no other rule but that; nor any thing = to trust=20 to,but his memory, and the habit of speaking after the fashion learned = from=20 those, that are allowed to speak properly, which in other words is = only to=20 speak by rote.

It will possibly be asked here, is grammar then of no use? and have = those=20 who have taken so much pains in reducing several languages to rules = and=20 observations; who have writ so much about declensions and = conjugations, about=20 concords and syntaxis, lost their labour, and been learned to no = purpose? I=20 say not so; grammar has its place too. But this I think I may say, = there is=20 more stir a great deal made with it than there needs, and those are = tormented=20 about it, to whom it does not at all belong; I mean children, at the = age=20 wherein they are usually perplexed with it in grammar-schools.

There is nothing more evident, than that languages learnt by rote = serve=20 well enough for the common affairs of life and ordinary commerce. Nay, = persons=20 of quality of the softer sex, and such of them as have spent their = time in=20 well-bred company, shew us, that this plain natural way, without the = least=20 study or knowledge of grammar, can carry them to a great degree of = elegancy=20 and politeness in their language: and there are ladies who, without = knowing=20 what tenses and participles, adverbs and prepositions are, speak as = properly=20 and as correctly (they might take it for an ill compliment if I said = as any=20 country school-master) as most gentlemen who have been bred up in the = ordinary=20 methods of grammar-schools. Grammar therefore we see may be spared in = some=20 cases. The question then will be, to whom should it be taught, and = when? To=20 this I answer:

1. Men learn languages for the ordinary intercourse of society and=20 communication of thoughts in common life, without any farther design = in the=20 use of them. And for this purpose, the original way of learning a = language by=20 conversation not only serves well enough, but is to be preferred as = the most=20 expedite, proper and natural. Therefore, to this use of language one = may=20 answer, that grammar is not necessary. This so many of my readers must = be=20 forced to allow, as understand what I here say, and who conversing = with=20 others, understand them without having ever been taughl the grammar of = the=20 English tongue. Which I suppose is the case of incomparably the = greatest part=20 of English men, of whom I have never yet known any one who learned his = mother-tongue by rules.

2. Others there are, the greatest part of whose business in this = world is=20 to be done with their tongues and with their pens; and to these it is=20 convenient, if not necessary, that they should speak properly and = correctly,=20 whereby they may let their thoughts into other men's minds the more = easily,=20 and with the greater impression. Upon this account it is, that any = sort of=20 speaking, so as will make him be understood, is not thought enough for = a=20 gentleman. He ought to study grammar amongst the other helps of = speaking well,=20 but it must be the grammar of his own tongue, of the language he uses, = that he=20 may understand his own country speech nicely, and speak it properly, = without=20 shocking the ears of those it is addressed to, with solecisms and = offensive=20 irregularities. And to this purpose grammar is necessary; but it is = the=20 grammar only of their own proper tongues, and to those only who would = take=20 pains in cultivating their language, and in perfecting their stiles. = Whether=20 all gentlemen should not do this, I leave to be considered, since the = want of=20 propriety and grammatical exactness is thought very misbecoming one of = that=20 rank, and usually draws on one guilty of such faults the censure of = having had=20 a lower breeding and worse company than suits with his quality. If = this be so,=20 (as I suppose it is) it will be matter of wonder why young gentlemen = are=20 forced to learn the grammars of foreign and dead languages, and are = never once=20 told of the grammar of their own tongues, they do not so much as know = there is=20 any such thing, much less is it made their business to be instructed = in it.=20 Nor is their own language ever proposed to them as worthy their care = and=20 cultivating, though they have daily use of it, and are not seldom, in = the=20 future course of their lives, judg'd of by their handsome or awkward = way of=20 expressing themselves in it. Whereas the languages whose grammars they = have=20 been so much employed in, are such as probably they shall scarce ever = speak or=20 write; or if, upon occasion, this should happen, they should be = excused for=20 the mistakes and faults they make in it. Would not a Chinese who took = notice=20 of this way of breeding, be apt to imagine that all our young = gentlemen were=20 designed to be teachers and professors of the dead languages of = foreign=20 countries, and not to be men of business in their own?

3. There is a third sort of men, who apply themselves to two or = three=20 foreign, dead, and (which amongst us are called the) learned = languages, make=20 them their study, and pique themselves upon their skill in them. No = doubt,=20 those who propose to themselves the learning of any language with this = view,=20 and would be critically exact in it, ought carefully to study the = grammar of=20 it. I would not be mistaken here, as if this were to undervalue Greek = and=20 Latin. I grant these are languages of great use and excellency, and a = man can=20 have no place among the learned in this part of the world, who is a = stranger=20 to them. But the knowledge a gentleman would ordinarily draw for his = use out=20 of the Roman and Greek writers, I think he may attain without studying = the=20 grammars of those tongues, and by bare reading, may come to understand = them=20 sufficiently for all his purposes. How much farther he shall at any = time be=20 concerned to look into the grammar and critical niceties of either of = these=20 tongues, he himself will be able to determine when he comes to propose = to=20 himself the study of any thing that shall require it. Which brings me = to the=20 other part of the enquiry, viz.

 

---

When = Grammar=20 should be taught?

Part I.

To which, upon the premised grounds, the answer is obvious, = viz.

That if grammar ought to be taught at any time, it must be to one = that can=20 speak the language already; how else can he be taught the grammar of = it? This=20 at least is evident from the practice of the wise and learned nations = amongst=20 the antients. They made it a part of education to cultivate their own, = not=20 foreign tongues. The Greeks counted all other nations barbarous, and = had a=20 contempt for their languages. And tho' the Greek learning grew in = credit=20 amongst the Romans, towards the end of their commonwealth, yet it was = the=20 Roman tongue that was made the study of their youth: their own = language they=20 were to make use of, and therefore it was their own language they were = instructed and exercised in.

But, more particularly to determine the proper season for grammar, = I do not=20 see how it can reasonably be made any one's study, but as an = introduction to=20 rhetorick; when it is thought time to put any one upon the care of = polishing=20 his tongue, and of speaking better than the illiterate, then is the = time for=20 him to be instructed in the rules of grammar, and not before. For = grammar=20 being to teach men not to speak, but to speak correctly and according = to the=20 exact rules of the tongue, which is one part of elegancy, there is = little use=20 of the one to him that has no need of the other; where rhetorick is = not=20 necessary, grammar may be spared. I know not why any one should waste = his=20 time, and beat his head about the Latin grammar, who does not intend = to be a=20 critick, or make speeches and write dispatches in it. When any one = finds in=20 himself a necessity or disposition to study any foreign language to = the=20 bottom, and to be nicely exact in the knowledge of it, it will be time = enough=20 to take a grammatical survey of it. If his use of it be only to = understand=20 some books writ in it, without a critical knowledge of the tongue = itself,=20 reading alone, as I have said, will attain this end, without charging = the mind=20 with the multiplied rules and intricacies of grammar.

Section 169. For the exercise of his writing, let him sometimes = translate=20 Latin into English: but the learning of Latin being nothing but the = learning=20 of words, a very unpleasant business both to young and old, join as = much other=20 real knowledge with it as you can, beginning still with that which = lies most=20 obvious to the senses; such as is the knowledge of minerals, plants = and=20 animals, and particularly timber and fruit-trees, their parts, and = ways of=20 propagation, wherein a great deal may be taught a child which will not = be=20 useless to the man: but more especially geography, astronomy, and = anatomy. But=20 whatever you are teaching him, have a care still that you do not clog = him with=20 too much at once; or make anything his business but downright virtue, = or=20 reprove him for any thing but vice, or some apparent tendency to = it.

Section 170. But if after all his fate be to go to school to get = the Latin=20 tongue, 'twill be in vain to talk to you concerning the method I think = best to=20 be observ'd in schools; you must submit to that you find there, not = expect to=20 have it changed for your son; but yet by all means obtain, if you can, = that he=20 be not employed in making Latin themes and declamations, and least of = all,=20 verses of any kind. You may insist on it, if it will do any good, that = you=20 have no design to make him either a Latin orator or poet, but barely = would=20 have him understand perfectly a Latin author; and that you observe, = those who=20 teach any of the modern languages, and that with success, never amuse = their=20 scholars to make speeches or verses either in French or Italian, their = business being language barely, and not invention.

Section 171. But to tell you a little more fully why I would not = have him=20 exercised in making of themes and verses. I. As to themes, they have, = I=20 confess, the pretence of something useful, which is to teach people to = speak=20 handsomely and well on any subject; which, if it could be attained = this way, I=20 own would be a great advantage, there being nothing more becoming a = gentleman,=20 nor more useful in all the occurrences of life, than to be able, on = any=20 occasion, to speak well and to the purpose. But this I say, that the = making of=20 themes, as is usual at schools, helps not one jot towards it: for do = but=20 consider what it is, in making a theme, that a young lad is employed = about; it=20 is to make a speech on some Latin saying; as Omnia vincit amor; or Non = licet=20 in Bello bis peccare, &c. And here the poor lad, who wants = knowledge of=20 those things he is to speak of, which is to be had only from time and=20 observation, must set his invention on the rack, to say something = where he=20 knows nothing; which is a sort of Egyptian tyranny, to bid them make = bricks=20 who have not yet any of the materials. And therefore it is usual in = such cases=20 for the poor children to go to those of higher forms with this = petition, Pray=20 give me a little sense; which, whether it be more reasonable or more=20 ridiculous, it is not easy to determine. Before a man can be in any = capacity=20 to speak on any subject, 'tis necessary he be acquainted with it; or = else it=20 is as foolish to set him to discourse of it, as to set a blind man to = talk of=20 colours, or a deaf man of musick. And would you not think him a little = crack'd, who would require another to make an argument on a moot = point, who=20 understands nothing of our laws? And what, I pray, do school-boys = understand=20 concerning those matters which are used to be proposed to them in = their themes=20 as subjects to discourse on, to whet and exercise their fancies?

Section 172. In the next place, consider the language that their = themes are=20 made in: 'tis Latin, a language foreign in their country, and long = since dead=20 every where: a language which your son, 'tis a thousand to one, shall = never=20 have an occasion once to make a speech in as long as he lives after he = comes=20 to be a man; and a language wherein the manner of expressing one's = self is so=20 far different from ours, that to be perfect in that would very little = improve=20 the purity and facility of his English stile. Besides that, there is = now so=20 little room or use for set speeches in our own language in any part of = our=20 English business, that I can see no pretence for this sort of exercise = in our=20 schools, unless it can be supposed, that the making of set Latin = speeches=20 should be the way to teach men to speak well in English extempore. The = way to=20 that, I should think rather to be this: that there should be propos'd = to young=20 gentlemen rational and useful questions, suited to their age and = capacities,=20 and on subjects not wholly unknown to them nor out of their way: such = as=20 these, when they are ripe for exercises of this nature, they should = extempore,=20 or after a little meditation upon the spot, speak to, without penning = of any=20 thing: for I ask, if we will examine the effects of this way of = learning to=20 speak well, who speak best in any business, when occasion calls them = to it=20 upon any debate, either those who have accustomed themselves to = compose and=20 write down beforehand what they would say; or those, who thinking only = of the=20 matter, to understand that as well as they can, use themselves only to = speak=20 extempore? And he that shall judge by this, will be little apt to = think, that=20 the accustoming him to studied speeches and set compositions, is the = way to=20 fit a young gentleman for business.

Section 173. But perhaps we shall be told, 'tis to improve and = perfect them=20 in the Latin tongue. "Tis true, that is their proper business at = school; but=20 the making of themes is not the way to it: that perplexes their brains = about=20 invention of things to be said, not about the signification of words = to be=20 learn'd; and when they are making a theme, tis thoughts they search = and sweat=20 for, and not language. But the learning and mastery of a tongue being = uneasy=20 and unpleasant enough in itself, should not be cumbred with any other=20 difficulties, as is done in this way of proceeding. In fine, if boys'=20 invention be to be quicken'd by such exercise, let them make themes in = English, where they have facility and a command of words, and will = better see=20 what kind of thoughts they have, when put into their own language. And = if the=20 Latin tongue be to be learned, let it be done the easiest way, without = toiling=20 and disgusting the mind by so uneasy an employment as that of making = speeches=20 joined to it.

Section 174. If these may be any reasons against children's making = Latin=20 themes at school, I have much more to say, and of more weight, against = their=20 making verses; verses of any sort: for if he has no genius to poetry, = 'tis the=20 most unreasonable thing in the world to torment a child and waste his = time=20 about that which can never succeed; and if he have a poetick vein, = 'tis to me=20 the strangest thing in the world that the father should desire or = suffer it to=20 be cherished or improved. Methinks the parents should labour to have = it=20 stifled and suppressed as much as may be; and I know not what reason a = father=20 can have to wish his son a poet, who does not desire to have him bid = defiance=20 to all other callings and business; which is not yet the worst of the = case;=20 for if he proves a successful rhymer, and gets once the reputation of = a wit, I=20 desire it may be considered what company and places he is like to = spend his=20 time in, nay, and estate too: for it is very seldom seen, that any one = discovers mines of gold or silver in Parnassus. 'Tis a pleasant air, = but a=20 barren soil; and there are very few instances of those who have added = to their=20 patrimony by any thing they have reaped from thence. Poetry and = gaming, which=20 usually go together, are alike in this too, that they seldom bring any = advantage but to those who have nothing else to live on. Men of = estates almost=20 constantly go away losers; and 'tis well if they escape at a cheaper = rate than=20 their whole estates, or the greatest part of them. If therefore you = would not=20 have your son the fiddle to every jovial company, without whom the = sparks=20 could not relish their wine nor know how to pass an afternoon idly; if = you=20 would not have him to waste his time and estate to divert others, and = contemn=20 the dirty acres left him by his ancestors, I do not think you will = much care=20 he should be a poet, or that his school-master should enter him in = versifying.=20 But yet, if any one will think poetry a desirable quality in his son, = and that=20 the study of it would raise his fancy and parts, he must needs yet = confess,=20 that to that end reading the excellent Greek and Roman poets is of = more use=20 than making bad verses of his own, in a language that is not his own. = And he=20 whose design it is to excel in English poetry, would not, I guess, = think the=20 way to it were to make his first essays in Latin verses.

Section 175. Another thing very ordinary in the vulgar method of=20 grammar-schools there is, of which I see no use at all, unless it be = to baulk=20 young lads in the way to learning languages, which, in my opinion, = should be=20 made as easy and pleasant as may be; and that which was painful in it, = as much=20 as possible quite removed. That which I mean, and here complain of, = is, their=20 being to learn by heart, great parcels of the authors which are taught = them;=20 wherein I can discover no advantage at all, especially to the business = they=20 are upon. Languages are to be learned only by reading and talking, and = not by=20 scraps of authors got by heart; which when a man's head is stuffed = with, he=20 has got the just furniture of a pedant, and 'tis the ready way to make = him=20 one; than which there is nothing less becoming a gentleman. For what = can be=20 more ridiculous, than to mix the rich and handsome thoughts and = sayings of=20 others with a deal of poor stuff of his own; which is thereby the more = exposed, and has no other grace in it, nor will otherwise recommend = the=20 speaker, than a thread-bare russet coat would, that was set off with = large=20 patches of scarlet and glittering brocade. Indeed, where a passage = comes in=20 the way, whose matter is worth remembrance, and the expression of it = very=20 close and excellent, (as there are many such in the antient authors) = it may=20 not be amiss to lodge it in the mind of young scholars, and with such=20 admirable strokes of those great masters sometimes exercise the = memories of=20 school-boys. But their learning of their lessons by heart, as they = happen to=20 fall out in their books, without choice or distinction, I know not = what it=20 serves for, but no misspend their time and pains, and give them a = disgust and=20 aversion to their books, wherein they find nothing but useless = trouble.

Section 176. I hear it is said, that children should be employ'd in = getting=20 things by heart, to exercise and improve their memories. I could wish = this=20 were said with as much authority of reason, as it is with forwardness = of=20 assurance, and that this practice were established upon good = observation more=20 than old custom; for it is evident, that strength of memory is owing = to an=20 happy constitution, and not to any habitual improvement got by = exercise. 'Tis=20 true, what the mind is intent upon, and, for fear of letting it slip, = often=20 imprints afresh on itself by frequent reflection, that it is apt to = retain,=20 but still according to its own natural strength of retention. An = impression=20 made on bees-wax or lead, will not last so long as on brass or steel. = Indeed,=20 if it be renew'd often, it may last the longer; but every new = reflecting on it=20 is a new impression; and 'tis from thence one is to reckon, if one = would know=20 how long the mind retains it. But the learning pages of Latin by = heart, no=20 more fits the memory for retention of any thing else, than the graving = of one=20 sentence in lead makes it the more capable of retaining firmly any = other=20 characters. If such a sort of exercise of the memory were able to give = it=20 strength, and improve our parts, players of all other people must = needs have=20 the best memories and be the best company. But whether the scraps they = have=20 got into their heads this way, make them remember other things the = better; and=20 whether their parts be improved proportionably to the pains they have = taken in=20 getting by heart others' sayings, experience will shew. Memory is so = necessary=20 to all parts and conditions of life, and so little is to be done = without it,=20 that we are not to fear it should grow dull and useless for want of = exercise,=20 if exercise would make it grow stronger. But I fear this faculty of = the mind=20 is not capable of much help and amendment in general by any exercise = or=20 endeavour of ours, at least not by that used upon this pretence in=20 grammar-schools. And if Xerxes was able to call every common soldier = by name=20 in his army that consisted of no less than an hundred thousand men, I = think it=20 may be guessed, he got not this wonderful ability by learning his = lessons by=20 heart when he was a boy. This method of exercising and improving the = memory by=20 toilsome repetitions without book of what they read, is, I think, = little used=20 in the education of princes, which if it had that advantage is talked = of,=20 should be as little neglected in them as in the meanest school-boys: = princes=20 having as much need of good memories as any men living, and have = generally an=20 equal share in this faculty with other men; though it has never been = taken=20 care of this way. What the mind is intent upon and careful of, that it = remembers best, and for the reason above-mentioned: to which, if = method and=20 order be joined, all is done, I think, that can be, for the help of a = weak=20 memory; and he that will take any other way to do it, especially that = of=20 charging it with a train of other peoples' words, which he that learns = cares=20 not for, will, I guess, scarce find the profit answer half the time = and pains=20 employ'd in it.

I do not mean hereby, that there should be no exercise given to = children's=20 memories. I think their memories should be employ'd, but not in = learning by=20 rote whole pages out of books, which, the lesson being once said, and = that=20 task over, are delivered up again to oblivion and neglected for ever. = This=20 mends neither the memory nor the mind. What they should learn by heart = out of=20 authors, I have above mentioned: and such wise and useful sentences = being once=20 being once given in charge to their memories, they should never be = suffer'd to=20 forget again, but be often called to account for them: whereby, = besides the=20 use those sayings may be to them in their future life, as so many good = rules=20 and observations, they will be taught to reflect often, and bethink = themselves=20 what they have to remember, which is the only way to make the memory = quick and=20 useful. The custom of frequent reflection will keep their minds from = running=20 adrift, and call their thoughts home from useless unattentive roving: = and=20 therefore I think it may do well, to give them something every day to=20 remember, but something still, that is in itself worth the = remembering, and=20 what you would never have out of mind, whenever you call, or they = themselves=20 search for it. This will oblige them often to turn their thoughts = inwards,=20 than which you cannot wish them a better intellectual habit.

Section 177. But under whose care soever a child is put to be = taught during=20 the tender and flexible years of his life, this is certain, it should = be one=20 who thinks Latin and language the least part of education; one who = knowing how=20 much virtue and a well-temper'd soul is to be preferred to any sort of = learning or language, makes it his chief business to form the mind of = his=20 scholars, and give that a right disposition; which if once got, though = all the=20 rest should be neglected, would in due time produce all the rest; and = which,=20 if it be not got and settled so as to keep out ill and vicious habits, = languages and sciences and all the other accomplishments of education, = will be=20 to no purpose but to make the worse or more dangerous man. And indeed = whatever=20 stir there is made about getting of Latin as the great and difficult = business,=20 his mother may teach it him herself, if she will but spend two or = three hours=20 in a day with him, and make him read the Evangelists in Latin to her: = for she=20 need but buy a Latin Testament, and having got some body to mark the = last=20 syllable but one where it is long in words above two syllables, (which = is=20 enough to regulate her pronunciation, and accenting the words) read = daily in=20 the Gospels, and then let her avoid understanding them in Latin if she = can.=20 And when she understands the Evangelists in Latin, let her, in the = same=20 manner, read Aesop's Fables, and so proceed on to Eutropius, Justin, = and other=20 such books. I do not mention this, as an imagination of what I fancy = may do,=20 but as of a thing I have known done, and the Latin tongue with ease = got this=20 way.

But, to return to what I was saying: he that takes on him the = charge of=20 bringing up young men, especially young gentlemen, should have = something more=20 in him than Latin, more than even a knowledge in the liberal sciences: = he=20 should be a person of eminent virtue and prudence, and with good = sense, have=20 good humour, and the skill to carry himself with gravity, ease and = kindness,=20 in a constant conversation with his pupils. But of this I have spoken = at large=20 in another place.

Section 178. At the same time that he is learning French and Latin, = a=20 child, as has been said, may also be enter'd in Arithmetick, = Geography,=20 Chronology, History and Geometry too. For if these be taught him in = French or=20 Latin, when he begins once to understand either of these tongues, he = will get=20 a knowledge in these sciences, and the language to boot.

Geography I think should be begun with: for the learning of the = figure of=20 the globe, the situation and boundaries of the four parts of the = world, and=20 that of particular kingdoms and countries, being only an exercise of = the eyes=20 and memory, a child with pleasure will learn and retain them. And this = is so=20 certain, that I now live in the house with a child whom his mother has = so well=20 instructed this way in geography, that he knew the limits of the four = parts of=20 the world, could readily point, being ask'd, to any country upon the = globe, or=20 any county in the map of England; knew all the great rivers, = promontories,=20 straits and bays in the world, and could find the longitude and = latitude of=20 any place, before he was six years old. These things, that he will = thus learn=20 by sight, and have by rote in his memory, are not all, I confess, that = he is=20 to learn upon the globes. But yet it is a good step and preparation to = it, and=20 will make the remainder much easier, when his judgment is grown ripe = enough=20 for it: besides that, it gets so much time now; and by the pleasure of = knowing=20 things, leads him on insensibly to the gaining of languages.

Section 179. When he has the natural parts of the globe well fix'd = in his=20 memory, it may then be time to begin arithmetick. By the natural parts = of the=20 globe, I mean the several positions of the parts of the earth and sea, = under=20 different names and distinctions of countries, not coming yet to those = artificial and imaginary lines which have been invented, and are only = suppos'd=20 for the better improvement of that science.

Section 180. Arithmetick is the easiest, and consequently the first = sort of=20 abstract reasoning, which the mind commonly bears or accustoms itself = to: and=20 is of so general use in all parts of life and business, that scarce = any thing=20 is to be done without it. This is certain, a man cinnot have too much = of it,=20 nor too perfectly: he should therefore begin to be exercis'd in = counting, as=20 soon, and as far, as he is capable of it; and do something in it every = day,=20 till he is master of the art of numbers. When he understands addition = and=20 subtraction, he then may be advanced farther in geography, after he is = acquainted with the poles, zones, parallel circles, and meridians, be = taught=20 longitude and latitude, and by them be made to understand the use of = maps, and=20 by the numbers placed on their sides, to know the respective situation = of=20 countries, and how to find them out on the terrestrial globe. Which = when he=20 can readily do, he may then be entered in the celestial; and there = going over=20 all the circles again, with a more particular observation of the = Ecliptick, or=20 Zodiack, to fix them all very clearly and distinctly in his mind, he = may be=20 taught the figure and position of the several constellations, which = may be=20 shewed him first upon the globe, and then in the heavens.

When that is done, and he knows pretty well the constellations of = this our=20 hemisphere, it may be time to give him some notions of this our = planetary=20 world; and to that purpose, it may not be amiss to make him a draught = of the=20 Copernican system, and therein explain to him the situation of the = planets,=20 their respective distances from the sun, the centre of their = revolutions. This=20 will prepare him to understand the motion and theory of the planets, = the most=20 easy and natural way. For since astronomers no longer doubt of the = motion of=20 the planets about the sun, it is fit he should proceed upon that = hypothesis,=20 which is not only the simplest and least perplexed for a learner, but = also the=20 likeliest to be true in itself. But in this, as in all other parts of=20 instruction, great care must be taken with children, to begin with = that which=20 is plain and simple, and to teach them as little as can be at once, = and settle=20 that well in their heads before you proceed to the next, or any thing = new in=20 that science. Give them first one simple idea, and see that they take = it=20 right, and perfectly comprehend it before you go any farther, and then = add=20 some other simple idea which lies next in your way to what you aim at; = and so=20 proceeding by gentle and insensible steps, children without confusion = and=20 amazement will have their understandings opened and their thoughts = extended=20 farther than could have been expected. And when any one has learn'd = any thing=20 himself, there is no such way to fix it in his memory, and to = encourage him to=20 go on, as to set him to teach it others.

Section 181. When he has once got such an acquaintance with the = globes, as=20 is above mentioned, he may be fit to be tried in a little geometry; = wherein I=20 think the first six books of Euclid enough for him to be taught. For I = am in=20 some doubt, whether more to a man of business be necessary or useful. = At=20 least, if he have a genius and inclination to it, being enter'd so far = by his=20 tutor, he will be able to go on of himself without a teacher.

The globes therefore must be studied, and that diligently; and I = think may=20 be begun betimes, if the tutor will be but careful to distinguish what = the=20 child is capable of knowing, and what not; for which this may be a = rule that=20 perhaps will go a pretty way, viz. that children may be taught = anything that=20 falls under their senses, especially their sight, as far as their = memories=20 only are exercised: and thus a child very young may learn, which is = the=20 Aequator, which the Meridian, &c. which Europe, and which England, = upon=20 the globes, as soon almost as he knows the rooms of the house he lives = in, if=20 care be taken not to teach him too much at once, nor to set him upon a = new=20 part, till that which he is upon be perfectly learned and fixed in his = memory.

Section 182. With geography, chronology ought to go hand in hand. I = mean=20 the general part of it, so that he may have in his mind a view of the = whole=20 current of time, and the several considerable epochs that are made use = of in=20 history. Without these two, history, which is the great mistress of = prudence=20 and civil knowlelge, and ought to be the proper study of a gentleman, = or man=20 of business in the world; without geography and chronology, I say, = history=20 will be very ill retain'd, and very little useful; but be only a = jumble of=20 matters of fact, confusedly heaped together without order or = instruction. 'Tis=20 by these two that the actions of mankind are ranked into their proper = places=20 of time and countries, under which circumstances they are not only = muih easier=20 kept in the memory, but in that natural order, are only capable to = afford=20 those observations which make a man the better and the abler for = reading=20 them.

Section 183. When I speak of chronology as a science he should be = perfect=20 in, I do not mean the little controversies that are in it. These are = endless,=20 and most of them of so little importance to a gentleman, as not to = deserve to=20 be enquir'd into, were they capable of an easy decision. And therefore = all=20 that learned noise and dust of the chronologist is wholly to be = avoided. The=20 most useful book I have seen in that part of learning, is a small = treatise of=20 Strauchius, which is printed in twelves, under the title of Breviarium = Chronologicum, out of which may be selected all that is necessary to = be taught=20 a young gentleman concerning chronology; for all that is in that = treatise a=20 learner need not be cumbred with. He has in him the most remarkable or = useful=20 epochs reduced all to that of the Julian Period, which is the easiest = and=20 plainest and surest method that can be made use of in chronology. To = this=20 treatise of Strauchius, Helvicus' tables may be added, as a book to be = turned=20 to on all occasions.

Section 184. As nothing teaches, so nothing delights more than = history. The=20 first of these recommends it to the study of grown men, the latter = makes me=20 think it the fittest for a young lad, who as soon as he is instructed = in=20 chronology, and acquainted with the several epochs in use in this part = of the=20 world, and can reduce them to the Julian Period, should then have some = Latin=20 history put into his hand. The choice should be directed by the = easiness of=20 the stile; for wherever he begins, chronology will keep it from = confusion; and=20 the pleasantness of the subject inviting him to read, the language = will=20 insensibly be got without that terrible vexation and uneasiness which = children=20 suffer where they are put into books beyond their capacity; such as = are the=20 Roman orators and poets, only to learn the Roman language. When he has = by=20 reading master'd the easier, such perhaps as Justin, Eutropius, = Quintius=20 Curtius, etc. the next degree to these will give him no great trouble: = and=20 thus by a gradual progress from the plaintest and easiest historians, = he may=20 at last come to read the most difficult and sublime of the Latin = authors, such=20 as are Tully, Virgil, and Horace.

Section 185. The knowledge of virtue, all along from the beginning, = in all=20 the instances he is capable of, being taught him more by practice than = rules;=20 and the love of reputation, instead of satisfying his appetite, being = made=20 habitual in him, I know not whether he should read any other = discourses of=20 morality but what he finds in the Bible; or have any system of ethicks = put=20 into his hand till he can read Tully's Offices not as a school-boy to = learn=20 Latin, but as one that would be informed in the principles and = precepts of=20 virtue for the conduct of his life.

Section 186. When he has pretty well digested Tully's Offices, and = added to=20 it, Puffendorf de Officio Hominis & Civis, it may be seasonable to = set him=20 upon Grotius de Jure Belli & Pacis, or, which perhaps is the = better of the=20 two, Puffendorf de Jure naturali & Gentium; wherein he will be = instructed=20 in the natural rights of men, and the original and foundations of = society, and=20 the duties resulting from thence. This general part of civil-law and = history,=20 are studies which a gentleman should not barely touch at, but = constantly dwell=20 upon, and never have done with. A virtuous and well-behaved young man, = that is=20 well-versed in the general part of the civil-law (which concerns not = the=20 chicane of private cases, but the affairs and intercourse of civilized = nations=20 in general, grounded upon principles of reason) understands Latin = well, and=20 can write a good hand, one may turn loose into the world with great = assurance=20 that he will find employment and esteem every where.

Section 187. It would be strange to suppose an English gentleman = should be=20 ignorant of the law of his country. This, whatever station he is in, = is so=20 requisite, that from a Justice of the Peace to a Minister of State I = know no=20 place he can well fill without it. I do not mean the chicane or = wrangling and=20 captious part of the law: a gentleman, whose business is to seek the = true=20 measures of right and wrong, and not the arts how to avoid doing the = one, and=20 secure himself in doing the other, ought to be as far from such a = study of the=20 law, as he is concerned diligently to apply himself to that wherein he = may be=20 serviceable to his country. And to that purpose, I think the right way = for a=20 gentleman to study our law, which he does not design for his calling, = is to=20 take a view of our English constitution and government in the antient = books of=20 the common-law, and some more modern writers, who out of them have = given an=20 account of this government. And having got a true idea of that, then = to read=20 our history, and with it join in every king's reign the laws then = made. This=20 will give an insight into the reason of our statutes, and shew the = true ground=20 upon which they came to be made, and what weight they ought to = have.

Section 188. Rhetorick and logick being the arts that in the = ordinary=20 method usually follow immediately after grammar, it may perhaps be = wondered=20 that I have said to little of them. The reason is, because of the = little=20 advantage young people receive by them: for I have seldom or never = observed=20 any one to get the skill of reasoning well, or speaking handsomely, by = studying those rules which pretend to reach it: and therefore I would = have a=20 young gentleman take a view of them in the shortest systems could be = found,=20 without dwelling long on the contemplation and study of those = formalities.=20 Right reasoning is founded on something else than the predicaments and = predicables, and does not consist in talking in mode and figure it = self. But=20 'tis beside my present business to enlarge upon this speculation. To = come=20 therefore to what we have in hand; if you would have your son reason = well, let=20 him read Chillingworth; and if you would have him speak well, let him = be=20 conversant in Tully, to give him the true idea of eloquence; and let = him read=20 those things that are well writ in English, to perfect his style in = the purity=20 of our language.

Section 189. If the use and end of right reasoning be to have right = notions=20 and a right judgment of things, to distinguish betwixt truth and = falsehood,=20 right and wrong, and to act accordingly; be sure not to let your son = be bred=20 up in the art and formality of disputing, either practising it = himself, or=20 admiring it in others; unless instead of an able man, you desire to = have him=20 an insignificant wrangler, opiniator in discourse, and priding himself = in=20 contradicting others; or, which is worse, questioning every thing, and = thinking there is no such thing as truth to be sought, but only = victory, in=20 disputing. There cannot be any thing so disingenuous, so misbecoming a = gentleman or any one who pretends to be a rational creature, as not to = yield=20 to plain reason and the conviction of clear arguments. Is there any = thing more=20 consistent with civil conversation, and the end of all debate, than = not to=20 take an answer, though never so full and satisfactory, but still to go = on with=20 the dispute as long as equivocal sounds can furnish (a medius = terminus) a term=20 to wrangle with on the one side, or a distinction on the other; = whether=20 pertinent or impertinent, sense or nonsense, agreeing with or contrary = to what=20 he had said before, it matters not. For this, in short, is the way and = perfection of logical disputes, that the opponent never takes any = answer, nor=20 the respondent ever yields to any argument. This neither of them must = do,=20 whatever becomes of truth or knowledge, unless he will pass for a poor = baffled=20 wretch, and lie under the disgrace of not being able to maintain = whatever he=20 has once affirm'd, which is the great aim and glory in disputing. = Truth is to=20 be found and supported by a mature and due consideration of things = themselves,=20 and not by artificial terms and ways of arguing: these lead not men so = much=20 into the discovery of truth, as into a captious and fallacious use of = doubtful=20 words, which is the most useless and most offensive way of talking, = and such=20 as least suits a gentleman or a lover of truth of any thing in the = world.

There can scarce be a greater defect in a gentleman than not to = express=20 himself well either in writing or speaking. But yet I think I may ask = my=20 reader, whether he doth not know a great many, who live upon their = estates,=20 and so with the name should have the qualities of gentlemen, who = cannot so=20 much as tell a story as they should, much less speak clearly and = persuasively=20 in any business. This I think not to be so much their fault, as the = fault of=20 their education; for I must, without partiality, do my countrymen this = right,=20 that where they apply themselves, I see none of their neighbours outgo = them.=20 They have been taught rhetorick, but yet never taught how to express=20 themselves handsomely with their tongues or pens in the language they = are=20 always to use; as if the names of the figures that embellish'd the = discourses=20 of those who understood the art of speaking, were the very art and = skill of=20 speaking well. This, as all other things of practice, is to be learn'd = not by=20 a few or a great many rules given, but by exercise and application = according=20 to good rules, or rather patterns, till habits are got, and a facility = of=20 doing it well.

Agreeable hereunto, perhaps it might not be amiss to make children, = as soon=20 as they are capable of it, often to tell a story of any thing they = know; and=20 to correct at first the most remarkable fault they are guilty of in = their way=20 putting it together. When that fault is cured, then to shew them the = next, and=20 so on, till one after another, all, at least the gross ones, are = mended. When=20 they can tell tales pretty well, then it may be the time to make them = write=20 them. The Fables of Aesop, the only book almost that I know fit for = children,=20 may afford them matter for this exercise of writing English, as well = as for=20 reading and translating, to enter them in the Latin tongue. When they = have got=20 past the faults of grammar, and can join in a continued coherent = discourse the=20 several parts of a story, without bald and unhandsome forms of = transition (as=20 is usual) often repeated, he that desires to perfect them yet farther = in this,=20 which is the first step to speaking well and needs no invention, may = have=20 recourse to Tully, and by putting in practice those rules which that = master of=20 eloquence gives in his first book de inventione, section 20, make them = know=20 wherein the skill and graces of an handsome narrative, according to = the=20 several subjects and designs of it, lie. Of each of which rules fit = examples=20 may be found out, and therein they may be shewn how others have = practised=20 them. The antient classick authors afford plenty of such examples, = which they=20 should be made not only to translate, but have set before them as = patterns for=20 their daily imitation.

When they understand how to write English with due connexion, = propriety and=20 order, and are pretty well masters of a tolerable narrative style, = they may be=20 advanced to writing of letters; wherein they should not be put upon = any=20 strains of wit or compliment, but taught to express their own plain = easy=20 sense, without any incoherence, confusion or roughness. And when they = are=20 perfect in this, they may, to raise their thoughts, have set before = them the=20 examples of Voitures, for the entertainment of their friends at a = distance,=20 with letters of compliment, mirth, raillery or diversion; and Tully's=20 Epistles, as the best pattern whether for business or conversation. = The=20 writing of letters has so much to do in all the occurrences of human = life,=20 that no gentleman can avoid shewing himself in this kind of writing. = Occasions=20 will daily force him to make this use of his pen, which, besides the=20 consequences that, in his affairs, his well or ill managing of it = often draws=20 after it, always lays him open to a severer examination of his = breeding,=20 sense, and abilities, than oral discourses; whose transient faults = dying for=20 the most part with the sound that gives them life, and so not subject = to a=20 strict review, more easily escape observation and censure.

Had the methods of education been directed to their right end, one = would=20 have thought this so necessary a part could not have been neglected = whilst=20 themes and verses in Latin, of no use at all, were so constantly every = where=20 pressed, to the racking of children's inventions beyond their strength = and=20 hindering their chearful progress in learning the tongues by unnatural = difficulties. But custom has so ordain'd it, and who dares disobey? = And would=20 it not be very unreasonable to require of a learned country = shcool-master (who=20 has all the tropes and figures in Farnaby's Rhetorick at his fingers' = ends) to=20 teach his scholar to express himself handsomely in English, when it = appears to=20 be so little his business or thought, that the boy's mother (despised, = 'tis=20 like, as illiterate for not having read a system of logick and = rhetorick)=20 outdoes him in it?

To write and speak correctly gives a grace and gains a favourable = attention=20 to what one has to say: and since 'tis English that an English = gentleman will=20 have constant use of, that is the language he should chiefly = cultivate, and=20 wherein most care should be taken to polish and perfect his style. To = speak or=20 write better Latin than English, may make a man be talk'd of, but he = would=20 find it more to his purpose to express himself well in his own tongue, = that he=20 uses every moment, than to have the vain commendation of others for a = very=20 insignificant quality. This I find universally neglected, and no care = taken=20 any where to improve young men in their own language, that they may = thoroughly=20 understand and be masters of it. If any one among us have a facility = or purity=20 more than ordinary in his mother tongue, it is owing to chance, or his = genius,=20 or any thing rather than to his education or any care of his teacher. = To mind=20 what English his pupil speaks or writes, is below the dignity of one = bred up=20 amongst Greek and Latin, though he have but little of them himself. = These are=20 the learned languages fit only for learned men to meddle with and = teach;=20 English is the language of the illiterate vulgar: tho' yet we see the = polity=20 of some of our neighbours hath not thought it beneath the publick care = to=20 promote and reward the improvement of their own language. Polishing = and=20 enriching their tongue is no small business amongst them; it hath = colleges and=20 stipends appointed it, and there is raised amongst them a great = ambition and=20 emulation of writing correctly: and we see what they are come to by = it, and=20 how far they have spread one of the worst languages possibly in this = part of=20 the world, if we look upon it as it was in some few reigns backwards, = whatever=20 it be now. The great men among the Romans were daily exercising = themselves in=20 their own language; and we find yet upon record the names of orators, = who=20 taught some of their emperors Latin, though it were their mother = tongue.

 

Part II.

'Tis plain the Greeks were yet more nice in theirs. All other = speech was=20 barbarous to them but their own, and no foreign language appears to = have been=20 studied or valued amongst that learned and acute people; tho' it be = past doubt=20 that they borrowed their learning and philosophy from abroad.

I am not here speaking against Greek and Latin; I think they ought = to be=20 studied, and the Latin at least understood well by every gentleman. = But=20 whatever foreign languages a young man meddles with (and the more he = knows the=20 better) that which he should critically study, and labour to get a = facility,=20 clearness and elegancy to express himself in, should be his own; and = to this=20 purpose he should daily be exercised in it.

Section 190. Natural philosophy, as a speculative science, I = imagine we=20 have none, and perhaps I may think I have reason to say we never shall = be able=20 to make a science of it. The works of nature are contrived by a = wisdom, and=20 operate by ways too far surpassing our faculties to discover or = capacities to=20 conceive, for us ever to be able to reduce them into a science. = Natural=20 philosophy being the knowledge of the principles, properties and = operations of=20 things as they are in themselves, I imagine there are two parts of it, = one=20 comprehending spirits, with their nature and qualities, and the other = bodies.=20 The first of these is usually referred to metaphysicks: but under what = title=20 soever the consideration of spirits comes, I think it ought to go = before the=20 study of matter and body, not as a science that can be methodized into = a=20 system, and treated of upon principles of knowledge; but as an = enlargement of=20 our minds towards a truer and fuller comprehension of the intellectual = world=20 to which we are led both by reason and revelation. And since the = clearest and=20 largest discoveries we have of other spirits, besides God and our own = souls,=20 is imparted to us from heaven by revelation, I think the information = that at=20 least young people should have of them, should be taken from that = revelation.=20 To this purpose, I conclude, it would be well, if there were made a = good=20 history of the Bible, for young people to read; wherein if every thing = that is=20 fit to be put into it, were laid down in its due order of time, and = several=20 things omitted which are suited only to riper age, that confusion = which is=20 usually produced by promiscuous reading of the Scripture, as it lies = now bound=20 up in our Bibles, would be avoided. And also this other good obtained, = that by=20 reading of it constantly, there would be instilled into the minds of = children=20 a notion and belief of spirits, they having so much to do in all the=20 transactions of that history, which will be a good preparation to the = study of=20 bodies. For without the notion and allowance of spirit, our philosophy = will be=20 lame and defective in one main part of it, when it leaves out the=20 contemplation of the most excellent and powerful part of the = creation.

Section 191. Of this History of the Bible, I think too it would be = well if=20 there were a short and plain epitome made, containing the chief and = most=20 material heads, for children to be conversant in as soon as they can = read.=20 This, though it will lead them early into some notion of spirits, yet = it is=20 not contrary to what I said above, that I would not have children = troubled,=20 whilst young, with notions of spirits; whereby my meaning was, that I = think it=20 inconvenient that their yet tender minds should receive early = impressions of=20 goblins, spectres, and apparitions, wherewith their maids and those = about them=20 are apt to fright them into a compliance with their orders, which = often proves=20 a great inconvenience to them all their lives after, by subjecting = their minds=20 to frights, fearful apprehensions, weakness and superstition; which = when=20 coming abroad into the world and conversation they grow weary and = ashamed of,=20 it not seldom happens, that to make, as they think, a thorough cure, = and ease=20 themselves of a load which has sat so heavy on them, they throw away = the=20 thoughts of all spirits together, and so run into the other, but = worse,=20 extream.

Section 192. The reason why I would have this premised to the study = of=20 bodies, and the Doctrine of the Scriptures well imbibed before young = men be=20 entered in natural philosophy, is, because matter, being a thing that = all our=20 senses are constantly conversant with, it is so apt to possess the = mind, and=20 exclude all other beings but matter, that prejudice, grounded on such=20 principles, often leaves no room for the admittance of spirits, or the = allowing any such things as immaterial beings in rerum natura; when = yet it is=20 evident that by mere matter and motion none of the great phaenomena of = nature=20 can be resolved, to instance but in that common one of gravity, which = I think=20 impossible to be explained by any natural operation of matter, or any = other=20 law of motion, but the positive will of a superior being so ordering = it. And=20 therefore since the deluge cannot be well explained without admitting=20 something out of the ordinary course of nature, I propose it to be = considered=20 whether God's altering the centre of gravity in the earth for a time = (a thing=20 as intelligible as gravity it self, which perhaps a little variation = of causes=20 unknown to us would produce) will not more easily account for Noah's = flood=20 than any hypothesis yet made use of to solve it. I hear the great = objection to=20 this, is, that it would produce but a partial deluge. But the = alteration of=20 the centre of gravity once allowed, 'tis no hard matter to conceive = that the=20 divine power might make the centre of gravity, plac'd at a due = distance from=20 the centre of the earth, move round it in a convenient space of time, = whereby=20 the flood would become universal, and, as I think, answer all the = phaenomena=20 of the deluge as delivered by Moses, at an easier rate than those many = hard=20 suppositions that are made use of to explain it. But this is not a = place for=20 that argument, which is here only mentioned by the bye, to shew the = necessity=20 of having recourse to something beyond bare matter and its motion in = the=20 explication of nature; to which the notions of spirits and their = power, as=20 delivered in the Bible, where so much is attributed to their = operation, may be=20 a fit preparative, reserving to a fitter opportunity a fuller = explication of=20 this hypothesis, and the application of it to all the parts of the = deluge, and=20 any difficulties can be supposed in the history of the flood, as = recorded in=20 the scripture.

Section 193. But to return to the study of natural philosophy. Tho' = the=20 world be full of systems of it, yet I cannot say, I know any one which = can be=20 taught a young man as a science wherein he may be sure to find truth = and=20 certainty, which is what all sciences give an expectation of. I do not = hence=20 conclude, that none of them are to be read. It is necessary for a = gentleman in=20 this learned age to look into some of them to fit himself for = conversation:=20 but whether that of Des Cartes be put into his hands, as that which is = most in=20 fashion, or it be thought fit to give him a short view of that and = several=20 others also, I think the systems of natural philosophy that have = obtained in=20 this part of the world, are to be read more to know the hypotheses, = and to=20 understand the terms and ways of talking of the several sects, than = with hopes=20 to gain thereby a comprehensive, scientifical and satisfactory = knowledge of=20 the works of nature. Only this may be said, that the modern = Corpuscularians=20 talk in most things more intelligibly than the Peripateticks, who = possessed=20 the schools immediately before them. He that would look further back, = and=20 acquaint himself with the several opinions of the antients, may = consult Dr.=20 Cudworth's Intellectual System, wherein that very learned author hath = with=20 such accurateness and judgment collected and explained the opinions of = the=20 Greek philosophers, that what principles they built on, and what were = the=20 chief hypotheses that divided them, is better to be seen in him than = any where=20 else that I know. But I would not deter any one from the study of = nature=20 because all the knowledge we have or possibly can have of it cannot be = brought=20 into a science. There are very many things in it that are convenient = and=20 necessary to be known to a gentleman; and a great many other that will = abundantly reward the pains of the curious with delight and advantage. = But=20 these, I think, are rather to be found amongst such writers as have = employed=20 themselves in making rational experiments and observations than in = starting=20 barely speculative systems. Such writings therefore, as many of Mr. = Boyle's=20 are, with others that have writ of husbandry, planting, gardening, and = the=20 like, may be fit for a gentleman, when he has a little acquainted = himself with=20 some of the systems of the natural philosophy in fashion.

Section 194. Though the systems of physicks that I have met with, = afford=20 little encouragement to look for certainty or science in any treatise = which=20 shall pretend to give us a body of natural philosophy from the first=20 principles of bodies in general, yet the incomparable Mr. Newton has = shewn,=20 how far mathematicks applied to some parts of nature may, upon = principles that=20 matter of fact justify, carry us in the knowledge of some, as I may so = call=20 them, particular provinces of the incomprehensible universe. And if = others=20 could give us so good and clear an account of other parts of nature, = as he has=20 of this our planetary world, and the most considerable phaenomena = observable=20 in it, in his admirable book, Philosophiae naturalis Principia = Mathematica, we=20 might in time hope to be furnished with more true and certain = knowledge in=20 several parts of this stupendous machine, than hitherto we could have=20 expected. And though there are very few that have mathematicks enough = to=20 understand his demonstrations, yet the most accurate mathematicians = who have=20 examin'd them allowing them to be such, his book will deserve to be = read, and=20 give no small light and pleasure to those, who, willing to understand = the=20 motions, properties, and operations of the great masses of matter, in = this our=20 solar system, will but carefully mind his conclusions, which may be = depended=20 on as propositions well proved.

Section 195. This is, in short, what I have thought concerning a = young=20 gentleman's studies; wherein it will possibly be wonder'd that I = should omit=20 Greek, since amongst the Grecians is to be found the original as it = were, and=20 foundation of all that learning which we have in this part of the = world. I=20 grant it so; and will add, that no man can pass for a scholar that is = ignorant=20 of the Greek tongue. But I am not here considering the education of a=20 profess'd scholar, but of a gentleman, to whom Latin and French, as = the world=20 now goes, is by every one acknowledg'd to be necessary. When he comes = to be a=20 man, if he has a mind to carry his studies farther, and look into the = Greek=20 learning, he will then easily get that tongue himself: and if he has = not that=20 inclination, his learning of it under a tutor will be but lost labour, = and=20 much of his time and pains spent in that which will be neglected and = thrown=20 away as soon as he is at liberty. For how many are there of an = hundred, ever=20 amongst scholars themselves, who retain the Greek they carried from = school; or=20 ever improve it to a familiar reading and perfect understanding of = Greek=20 authors?

To conclude this part, which concerns a young gentleman's studies, = his=20 tutor should remember, that his business is not so much to teach him = all that=20 is knowable, as to raise in him a love and esteem of knowledge; and to = put him=20 in the right way of knowing and improving himself when he has a mind = to=20 it.

The thoughts of a judicious author on the subject of languages, I = shall=20 here give the reader, as near as I can, in his own way of expressing = them: he=20 says, "One can scarce burden children too much with the knowledge of=20 languages. They are useful to men of all conditions, and they equally = open=20 them the entrance, either to the most profound, or the more easy and=20 entertaining parts of learning. If this irksome study be put off to a = little=20 more advanced age, young men either have not resolution enough to = apply it out=20 of choice or steadiness to carry it on. And if any one has the gift of = perseverance, it is not without the inconvenience of spending that = time upon=20 languages, which is destined to other uses: and he confines to the = study of=20 words that age of his life that is above it, and requires things; at = least it=20 is the losing the best and beautifullest season of one's life. This = large=20 foundation of languages cannot be well laid but when every thing makes = an easy=20 and deep impression on the mind; when the memory is fresh, ready, and=20 tenacious; when the head and heart are as yet free from cares, = passions, and=20 designs; and those on whom the child depends have authority enough to = keep him=20 close to a long continued application. I am persuaded that the small = number of=20 truly learned, and the multitude of superficial pretenders, is owing = to the=20 neglect of this."

I think every body will agree with this observing gentleman, that = languages=20 are the proper study of our first years. But 'tis to be consider'd by = the=20 parents and tutors, what tongues 'tis fit the child should learn. For = it must=20 be confessed, that it is fruitless pains and loss of time, to learn a = language=20 which in the course of life that he is designed to, he is never like = to make=20 use of, or which one may guess by his temper he will wholly neglect = and lose=20 again, as soon as an approach to manhood, setting him free from a = governor,=20 shall put him into the hands of his own inclination, which is not = likely to=20 allot any of his time to the cultivating the learned tongues, or = dispose him=20 to mind any other language but what daily use or some particular = necessity=20 shall force upon him.

But yet for the sake of those who are designed to be scholars, I = will add=20 what the same author subjoins to make good his foregoing remark. It = will=20 deserve to be considered by all who desire to be truly learned, and = therefore=20 may be a fit rule for tutors to inculcate and leave with their pupils = to guide=20 their future studies.

"The study, says he, of the original text can never be sufficiently = recommended. 'Tis the shortest, surest, and most agreeable way to all = sorts of=20 learning. Draw from the spring-head, and take not things at second = hand. Let=20 the writings of the great masters be never laid aside, dwell upon = them, settle=20 them in your mind, and cite them upon occasion; make it your business=20 throughly to understand them in their full extent and all their = circumstances:=20 acquaint yourself fully with the principles of original authors; bring = them to=20 a consistency, and then do you yourself make your deductions. In this = state=20 were the first commentators, and do not you rest till you bring = yourself to=20 the same. Content not yourself with those borrowed lights, nor guide = yourself=20 by their views but where your own fails you and leaves you in the = dark. Their=20 explications are not your's, and will give you the slip. On the = contrary, your=20 own observations are the product of your own mind, where they will = abide and=20 be ready at hand upon all occasions in converse, consultation, and = dispute.=20 Lose not the pleasure it is to see that you are not stopp'd in your = reading=20 but by difficulties that are invincible; where the commentators and = scholiasts=20 themselves are at a stand and have nothing to say. Those copious = expositors of=20 other places, who with a vain and pompous overflow of learning poured = out on=20 passages plain and easy in themselves, are very free of their words = and pains,=20 where there is no need. Convince yourself full by this ordering your = studies,=20 that 'tis nothing but men's laziness which hath encouraged pedantry to = cram=20 rather than enrich libraries, and to bury good authors under heaps of = notes=20 and commentaries, and you will perceive that sloth herein hath acted = against=20 itself and its own interest by multiplying reading and enquiries, and=20 encreasing the pains it endeavoured to avoid."

This, tho' it may seem to concern none but direct scholars, is of = so great=20 moment for the right ordering of their education and studies, that I = hope I=20 shall not be blamed for inserting of it here; especially if it be = considered,=20 that it may be of use to gentlemen too, when at any time they have a = mind to=20 go deeper than the surface, and get to themselves a solid, = satisfactory, and=20 masterly insight in any part of learning.

Order and constancy are said to make the great difference between = one man=20 and another: this I am sure, nothing so much clears a learner's way, = helps him=20 so much on in it, and makes him go so easy and so far in any enquiry, = as a=20 good method. His governor should take pains to make him sensible of = this,=20 accustom him to order, and teach him method in all the applications of = his=20 thoughts; shew him wherein it lies, and the advantages of it; acquaint = him=20 with the several sorts of it, either from general to particulars, or = from=20 particulars to what is more general; exercise him in both of them, and = make=20 him see in what cases each different method is most proper, and to = what ends=20 it best serves.

In history the order of time should govern, in philosophical = enquiries that=20 of nature, which in all progression is to go from the place one is = then in, to=20 that which joins and lies next to it; and so it is in the mind, from = the=20 knowledge it stands possessed of already, to that which lies next, and = is=20 coherent to it, and so on to what it aims at, by the simplest and most = uncompounded parts it can divide the matter into. To this purpose, it = will be=20 of great use to his pupil to accustom him to distinguish well, that = is, to=20 have distinct notions, whereever the mind can find any real = difference; but as=20 carefully to avoid distinctions in terms, where he has not distinct = and=20 different clear ideas.

Section 196. Besides what is to be had from study and books, there = are=20 other accomplishments necessary for a gentleman, to be got by = exercise, and to=20 which time is to be allowed, and for which masters must be had.

Dancing being that which gives graceful motions all the life, and = above all=20 things manliness, and a becoming confidence to young children, I think = it=20 cannot be learned too early, after they are once of an age and = strength=20 capable of it. But you must be sure to have a good master, that knows, = and can=20 teach, what is graceful and becoming, and what gives a freedom and = easiness to=20 all the motions of the body. One that teaches not this, is worse than = none at=20 all: natural unfashionableness being much better than apish affected = postures;=20 and I think it much more passable, to put off the hat and make a leg = like an=20 honest country gentleman than like an ill-fashioned dancing-master. = For as for=20 the jigging part, and the figures of dances, I count that little or = nothing,=20 farther than as it tends to perfect graceful carriage.

Section 197. Musick is thought to have some affinity with dancing, = and a=20 good hand upon some instruments is by many people mightily valued. But = it=20 wastes so much of a young man's time to gain but a moderate skill in = it; and=20 engages often in such odd company, that many think it much better = spared: and=20 I have amongst men of parts and business so seldom heard any one = commended or=20 esteemed for having an excellency in musick, that amongst all those = things=20 that ever came into the list of accomplishments, I think I may give it = the=20 last place. Our short lives will not serve us for the attainment of = all=20 things; nor can our minds be always intent on something to be learned. = The=20 weakness of our constitutions both of mind and body, requires that we = should=20 be often unbent: and he that will make a good use of any part of his = life,=20 must allow a large portion of it to recreation. At least, this must = not be=20 denied to young people; unless whilst you with too much haste make = them old,=20 you have the displeasure to set them in their graves or a second = childhood=20 sooner than you could wish. And therefore, I think, that the time and = pains=20 allotted to serious improvements, should be employed about things of = most use=20 and consequence, and that too in the methods the most easy and short = that=20 could be at any rate obtained: and perhaps, as I have above said, it = would be=20 none of the least secrets of education, to make the exercises of the = body and=20 the mind the recreation one to another. I doubt not but that something = might=20 be done in it, by a prudent man, that would well consider the temper = and=20 inclination of his pupil. For he that is wearied either with study or = dancing=20 does not desire presently to go to sleep, but to do something else = which may=20 divert and delight him. But this must be always remembered, that = nothing can=20 come into the account of recreation, that is not done with = delight.

Section 198. Fencing and riding the great horse, are looked upon so = necessary parts of breeding, that it would be thought a great omission = to=20 neglect them; the latter of the two being for the most part to be = learned only=20 in great towns, is one of the best exercises for health, which is to = be had in=20 those places of ease and luxury: and upon that account makes a fit = part of a=20 young gentleman's employment during his abode there. And as far as it = conduces=20 to give a man a firm and graceful seat on horseback, and to make him = able to=20 teach his horse to stop and turn quick, and to rest on his hanches, is = of use=20 to a gentleman both in peace and war. But whether it be of moment = enough to be=20 made a business of, and deserve to take up more of his time than = should barely=20 for his health be employed at due intervals in some such vigorous = exercise, I=20 shall leave to the discretion of parents and tutors; who will do well = to=20 remember, in all the parts of education, that most time and = application is to=20 be bestowed on that which is like to be of greatest consequence and=20 frequentest use in the ordinary course and occurrences of that life = the young=20 man is designed for.

Section 199. As for fencing, it seems to me a good exercise for = health, but=20 dangerous to the life; the confidence of their skill being apt to = engage in=20 quarrels those that think they have learned to use their swords. This=20 presumption makes them often more touchy than needs on point of honour = and=20 slight or no provocations. Young men, in their warm blood, are forward = to=20 think they have in vain learned to fence, if they never shew their = skill and=20 courage in a duel; and they seem to have reason. But how many sad = tragedies=20 that reason has been the occasion of, the tears of many a mother can = witness.=20 A man that cannot fence, will be more careful to keep out of bullies' = and=20 gamesters' company, and will not be half so apt to stand upon = punctilios, nor=20 to give affronts, or fiercely justify them when given, which is that = which=20 usually makes the quarrel. And when a man is in the field, a moderate = skill in=20 fencing rather exposes him to the sword of his enemy than secures him = from it.=20 And certainly a man of courage who cannot fence at all and therefore = will put=20 all upon one thrust and not stand parrying, has the odds against a = moderate=20 fencer, especially if he has skill in wrestling. And therefore, if any = provision be to be made against such accidents, and a man be to = prepare his=20 son for duels, I had much rather mine should be a good wrestler than = an=20 ordinary fencer, which is the most a gentleman can attain to in it, = unless he=20 will be constantly in the fencing-school and every day exercising. But = since=20 fencing and riding the great horse are so generally looked upon as = necessary=20 qualifications in the breeding of a gentleman, it will be hard wholly = to deny=20 any one of that rank these marks of distinction. I shall leave it = therefore to=20 the father to consider, how far the temper of his son and the station = he is=20 like to be in, will allow or encourage him to comply with fashions = which,=20 having very little to do with civil life, were yet formerly unknown to = the=20 most warlike nations, and seem to have added little of force or = courage to=20 those who have received them; unless we will think martial skill or = prowess=20 have been improved by duelling, with which fencing came into, anh with = which I=20 presume it will go out of the world.

Section 200. These are my present thoughts concerning learning and=20 accomplishments. The great business of all is virtue and wisdom:

Nullum numen abest si sit Prudentia.

Teach him to get a mastery over his inclinations, and submit his = appetite=20 to reason. This being obtained, and by constant practice settled into = habit,=20 the hardest part of the task is over. To bring a young man to this, I = know=20 nothing which so much contributes as the love of praise and = commendation,=20 which should therefore be instilled into him by all arts imaginable. = Make his=20 mind as sensible of credit and shame as may be; and when you have done = that,=20 you have put a principle into him, which will influence his actions = when you=20 are not by, to which the fear of a little smart of a rod is not = comparable,=20 and which will be the proper stock whereon afterwards to graff the = true=20 principles of morality and religion.

Section 201. I have one thing more to add, which as soon as I = mention I=20 shall run the danger of being suspected to have forgot what I am = about, and=20 what I have above written concerning education all tending towards a=20 gentleman's calling, with which a trade seems wholly inconsistent. And = yet I=20 cannot forbear to say, I would have him learn a trade, a manual trade; = nay two=20 or three, but one more particularly.

 

Part III.

Section 202. The busy inclination of children being always to be = directed=20 to something that may be useful to them, the advantages proposed from = what=20 they are set about may be considered of two kinds: 1. Where the skill = itself=20 that is got by exercise is worth the having. Thus skill not only in = languages=20 and learned sciences, but in painting, turning, gardening, tempering = and=20 working in iron, and all other useful arts is worth the having. 2. = Where the=20 exercise itself, without any consideration, is necessary or useful for = health.=20 Knowledge in some things is so necessary to be got by children whilst = they are=20 young, that some part of their time is to be allotted to their = improvement in=20 them, though those employments contribute nothing at all to their = health. Such=20 are reading and writing and all other sedentary studies for the = cultivating of=20 the mind, which unavoidably take up a great part of a gentleman's = time, quite=20 from their cradles. Other manual arts, which are both got and = exercised by=20 labour, do many of them by that exercise not only increase our = dexterity and=20 skill, but contribute to our health too, especially such as employ us = in the=20 open air. In these, then, health and improvement may be join'd = together; and=20 of these should some fit ones be chosen, to be made the recreations of = one=20 whose chief business is with books and study. In this choice the age = and=20 inclination of the person is to be considered, and constraint always = to be=20 avoided in bringing him to it. For command and force may often create, = but can=20 never cure, an aversion: and whatever any one is brought to by = compulsion, he=20 will leave as soon as he can, and be little profited and less = recreated by,=20 whilst he is at it.

Section 203. That which of all others would please me best, would = be a=20 painter, were there not an argument or two against it not easy to be = answered.=20 First, ill painting is one of the worst things in the world; and to = attain a=20 tolerable degree of skill in it, requires too much of a man's time. If = he has=20 a natural inclination to it, it will endanger the neglect of all other = more=20 useful studies to give way to that; and if he have no inclination to = it, all=20 the time, pains and money shall be employed in it, will be thrown away = to no=20 purpose. Another reason why I am not for painting in a gentleman, is, = because=20 it is a sedentary recreation, which more employs the mind than the = body. A=20 gentleman's more serious employment I look on to be study; and when = that=20 demands relaxation and refreshment, it should be in some exercise of = the body,=20 which unbends the thought, and confirms the health and strength. For = these two=20 reasons I am not for painting.

Section 204. In the next place, for a country gentleman I should = propose=20 one, or rather both these, viz. Gardening or husbandry in general, and = working=20 in wood, as a carpenter, joiner, or turner, these being fit and = healthy=20 recreations for a man of study or business. For since the mind endures = not to=20 be constantly employed in the same thing or way, and sedentary or = studious men=20 should have some exercise, that at the same time might divert their = minds and=20 employ their bodies, I know none that could do it better for a country = gentleman than these two; the one of them affording him exercise when = the=20 weather or season keeps him from the other. Besides that, by being = skill'd in=20 the one of them, he will be able to govern and teach his gardener; by = the=20 other, contrive and make a great many things both of delight and use: = though=20 these I propose not as the chief end of his labour, but as temptations = to it;=20 diversion from his other more serious thoughts and employments by = useful and=20 healthy manual exercise being what I chiefly aim at in it.

Section 205. The great men among the antients understood very well = how to=20 reconcile manual labour with affairs of state, and thought it no = lessening to=20 their dignity to make the one the recreation to the other. That indeed = which=20 seems most generally to have employed and diverted their spare hours, = was=20 agriculture. Gideon among the Jews was taken from threshing, as well = as=20 Cincinnatus amongst the Romans from the plough, to command the armies = of their=20 countries against their enemies; and 'tis plain their dexterous = handling of=20 the flayl or the plough, and being good workmen with these tools, did = not=20 hinder their skill in arms, nor make them less able in the arts of war = or=20 government. They were great captains and statesmen as well as = husbandmen. Cato=20 Major, who had with great reputation born all the great offices of the = commonwealth, has left us an evidence under his own hand, how much he = was=20 versed in country affairs; and, as I remember, Cyrus thought gardening = so=20 little beneath the dignity and grandeur of a throne, that he shew'd = Xenophon a=20 large field of fruit-trees all of his own planting. The records of = antiquity,=20 both among Jews and Gentiles, are full of instances of this kind, if = it were=20 necessary to recommend useful recreations by examples.

Section 206. Nor let it be thought that I mistake, when I call = these or the=20 like exercises of manual arts, diversions or recreations: for = recreation is=20 not being idle (as every one may observe) but easing the wearied part = by=20 change of business: and he that thinks diversion may not lie in hard = and=20 painful labour, forgets the early rising, hard riding, heat, cold and = hunger=20 of huntsmen, which is yet known to be the constant recreation of men = of the=20 greatest condition. Delving, planting, inoculating, or any the like = profitable=20 employments, would be no less a diversion than any of the idle sports = in=20 fashion, if men could but be brought to delight in them, which custom = and=20 skill in a trade will quickly bring any one to do. And I doubt not but = there=20 are to be found those, who being frequently called to cards or any = other play=20 by those they could not refuse, have been more tired with these = recreations=20 than with any the most serious employment of life, though the play has = been=20 such as they have naturally had no aversion to, and with which they = could=20 willingly sometimes divert themselves.

Section 207. Play, wherein persons of condition, especially ladies, = waste=20 so much of their time, is a plain instance to me that men cannot be = perfectly=20 idle; they must be doing something; for how else could they sit so = many hours=20 toiling at that which generally gives more vexation than delight to = people=20 whilst they are actually engag'd in it? 'Tis certain, gaming leaves no = satisfaction behind it to those who reflect when it is over, and it no = way=20 profits either body or mind: as to their estates, if it strike so deep = as to=20 concern them, it is a trade then, and not a recreation, wherein few = that have=20 any thing else to live on thrive: and at best, a thriving gamester has = but a=20 poor trade on't, who fills his pockets at the price of his = reputation.

Recreation belongs not to people who are strangers to business, and = are not=20 wasted and wearied with the employment of their calling. The skill = should be,=20 so to order their time of recreation, that it may relax and refresh = the part=20 that has been exercised and is tired, and yet do something which = besides the=20 present delight and ease, may produce what will afterwards be = profitable. It=20 has been nothing but the vanity and pride of greatness and riches, = that has=20 brought unprofitable and dangerous pastimes (as they are called) into = fashion,=20 and persuaded people into a belief, that the learning or putting their = hands=20 to any thing that was useful, could not be a diversion fit for a = gentleman.=20 This has been that which has given cards, dice and drinking so much = credit in=20 the world: and a great many throw away their spare hours in them, = through the=20 prevalency of custom, and want of some better employment to fill up = the=20 vacancy of leisure, more than from any real delight is to be found in = them.=20 They cannot bear the dead weight of unemployed time lying upon their = hands,=20 nor the uneasiness it is to do nothing at all: and having never = learned any=20 laudable manual art wherewith to divert themselves, they have recourse = to=20 those foolish or ill ways in use, to help off their time, which a = rational=20 man, till corrupted by custom, could find very little pleasure in.

Section 208. I say not this, that I would never have a young = gentleman=20 accommodate himself to the innocent diversions in fashion amongst = those of his=20 age and condition. I am so far from having him austere and morose to = that=20 degree, that I would persuade him to more than ordinary complaisance = for all=20 the gaieties and diversions of those he converses with, and be averse = or testy=20 in nothing they should desire of him, that might become a gentleman = and an=20 honest man. Though as to cards and dice, I think the safest and best = way is=20 never to learn any play upon them, and so to be incapacitated for = those=20 dangerous temptations and incroaching wasters of useful time. But = allowance=20 being made for idle and jovial conversation and all fashionable = becoming=20 recreations; I say, a young man will have time enough from his serious = and=20 main business, to learn almost any trade. 'Tis want of application, = and not of=20 leisure, that men are not skilful in more arts than one; and an hour = in a day,=20 constantly employed in such a way of diversion, will carry a man in a = short=20 time a great deal farther than he can imagine: which, if it were of no = other=20 use but to drive the common, vicious, useless, and dangerous pastimes = out of=20 fashion, and to shew there was no need of them, would deserve to be=20 encouraged. If men from their youth were weaned from that sauntring = humour=20 wherein some out of custom let a good part of their lives run = uselessly away,=20 without either business or recreation, they would find time enough to = acquire=20 dexterity and skill in hundreds of things, which, though remote from = their=20 proper callings, would not at all interfere with them. And therefore, = I think,=20 for this, as well as other reasons before-mentioned, a lazy, listless = humour=20 that idly dreams away the days, is of all others the least to be = indulged or=20 permitted in young people. It is the proper state of one sick and out = of order=20 in his health, and is tolerable in nobody else of what age or = condition=20 soever.

Section 209. To the arts above-mentioned may be added perfuming,=20 varnishing, graving, and several sorts of working in iron, brass, and = silver;=20 and if, as it happens to most young gentlemen, that a considerable = part of his=20 time be spent in a great town, he may learn to cut, polish, and set = precious=20 stones, or employ himself in grinding and polishing optical glasses. = Amongst=20 the great variety there is of ingenious manual arts, 'twill be = impossible that=20 no one should be found to please and delight him, unless he be either = idle or=20 debauched, which is not to be supposed in a right way of education. = And since=20 he cannot be always employ'd in study, reading, and conversation, = there will=20 be many an hour, besides what his exercises will take up, which, if = not spent=20 this way, will be spent worse. For I conclude, a young man will seldom = desire=20 to sit perfectly still and idle; or, if he does, 'tis a fault that = ought to be=20 mended.

Section 210. But if his mistaken parents, frighted with the = disgraceful=20 names of mechanick and trade, shall have an aversion to any thing of = this kind=20 in their children; yet there is one thing relating to trade, which, = when they=20 consider, they will think absolutely necessary for their sons to = learn.

Merchants' accompts, tho' a science not likely to help a gentleman = to get=20 an estate, yet possibly there is not any thing of more use and = efficacy, to=20 make him preserve the estate he has. 'Tis seldom observed, that he = keeps an=20 accompt of his income and expenses, and thereby has constantly under = view the=20 course of his domestick affairs, lets them run to ruin: and I doubt = not but=20 many a man gets behind-hand before he is aware, or runs farther on = when he is=20 once in, for want of this care, or the skill to do it. I would = therefore=20 advise all gentlemen to learn perfectly merchants' accompts, and not = to think=20 it is a skill that belongs not to them, because it has received its = name from,=20 and has been chiefly practised by men of traffick.

Section 211. When my young master has once got the skill of keeping = accounts (which is a business of reason more than arithmetick) perhaps = it will=20 not be amiss that his father from thenceforth require him to do it in = all his=20 concernments. Not that I would have him set down every pint of wine or = play=20 that costs him money; the general name of expenses will serve for such = things=20 well enough: nor would I have his father look so narrowly into these = accompts,=20 as to take occasion from thence to criticise on his expences; he must = remember=20 that he himself was once a young man, and not forget the thoughts he = had then,=20 nor the right his son has to have the same, and to have allowance made = for=20 them. If therefore I would have the young gentleman oblig'd to keep an = account, it is not at all to have that way a check upon his expenses = (for what=20 the father allows him, he ought to let him be fully master of) but = only, that=20 he might be brought early into the custom of doing it, and that it = might be=20 made familiar and habitual to him betimes, which will be so useful and = necessary to be constantly practised the whole course of his life. A = noble=20 Venetian, whose son wallowed in the plenty of his father's riches, = finding his=20 son's expenses grow very high and extravagant, ordered his cashier to = let him=20 have for the future no more money than what he should count when he = received=20 it. This one would think no great restraint to a young gentleman's = expenses;=20 who could freely have as much money as he would tell. But yet this, to = one=20 that was used to nothing but the pursuit of his pleasures, prov'd a = very great=20 trouble, which at last ended in this sober and advantageous = reflection: if it=20 be so much pains to me barely to count the money I would spend, what = labour=20 and pains did it cost my ancestors, not only to count, but get it? = This=20 rational thought, suggested by this little pains impos'd upon him, = wrought so=20 effectually upon his mind, that it made him take up, and from that = time=20 forwards prove a good husband. This, at least, every body must allow, = that=20 nothing is likelier to keep a man within compass than the having = constantly=20 before his eyes the state of his affairs in a regular course of = accompt.

Section 212. The last part usually in education is travel, which is = commonly thought to finish the work, and complete the gentleman. I = confess=20 travel into foreign countries has great advantages, but the time = usually=20 chosen to send young men abroad, is, I think, of all other, that which = renders=20 their least capable of reaping those advantages. Those which are = propos'd, as=20 to the main of them, may be reduced to these two: first, language, = secondly,=20 an improvement in wisdom and prudence, by seeing men, and conversing = with=20 people of tempers, customs and ways of living, different from one = another, and=20 especially from those of his parish and neighbourhood. But from = sixteen to one=20 and twenty, which is the ordinary time of travel, men are, of all = their lives,=20 the least suited to these improvements. The first season to get = foreign=20 languages, and form the tongue to their true accents, I should think, = should=20 be from seven to fourteen or sixteen, and then too a tutor with them = is useful=20 and necessary, who may with those languages teach them other things. = But to=20 put them out of their parents' view at a great distance under a = governor, when=20 they think themselves to be too much men to be governed by others, and = yet=20 have not prudence and experience enough to govern themselves, what is = it, but=20 to expose them to all the greatest dangers of their whole life, when = they have=20 the least fence and guard against them? 'Till that boiling boisterous = part of=20 life comes in, it may be hoped the tutor may have some authority: = neither the=20 stubbornness of age, nor the temptation or examples of others, can = take him=20 from his tutor's conduct till fifteen or sixteen; but then, when he = begins to=20 comfort himself with men, and thinks himself one; when he comes to = relish and=20 pride himself in manly vices, and thinks it a shame to be any longer = under the=20 controul and conduct of another, what can be hoped from even the most = careful=20 and discreet governor, when neither he has power to compel, nor his = pupil a=20 disposition to be persuaded; but on the contrary, has the advice of = warm blood=20 and prevailing fashion, to hearken to the temptations of his = companions, just=20 as wise as himself, rather than to the persuasions of his tutor, who = is now=20 looked on as an enemy to his freedom? And when is a man so like to = miscarry,=20 as when at the same time he is both raw and unruly? This is the season = of all=20 his life that most requires the eye and authority of his parents and = friends=20 to govern it. The flexibleness of the former part of a man's age, not = yet=20 grown up to be headstrong, makes it more governable and safe; and in = the=20 afterpart, reason and foresight begin a little to take place, and mind = a man=20 of his safety and improvement. The time therefore I should think the = fittest=20 for a young gentleman to be sent abroad, would be, either when he is = younger,=20 under a tutor, whom he might be the better for; or when he is some = years=20 older, without a governor; when he is of age to govern himself, and = make=20 observations of what he finds in other countries worthy his notice, = and that=20 might be of use to him after his return; and when too, being throughly = acquainted with the laws and fashions, the natural and moral = advantages and=20 defects of his own country, he has something to exchange with those = abroad,=20 from whose conversation he hoped to reap any knowledge.

Section 213. [Wanting].

Section 214. The ordering of travel otherwise, is that, I imagine, = which=20 makes so many young gentlemen come back so little improved by it. And = if they=20 do bring home with them any knowledge of the places and people they = have seen,=20 it is often an admiration of the worst and vainest practices they met = with=20 abroad; retaining a relish and memory of those things wherein their = liberty=20 took its first swing, rather than of what should make them better and = wiser=20 after their return. And indeed how can it be otherwise, going abroad = at the=20 age they do under the care of another, who is to provide their = necessaries,=20 and make their observations for them? Thus under the shelter and = pretence of a=20 governor, thinking themselves excused from standing upon their own = legs or=20 being accountable for their own conduct, they very seldom trouble = themselves=20 with enquiries or making useful observations of their own. Their = thoughts run=20 after play and pleasure, wherein they take it as a lessening to be = controll'd;=20 but seldom trouble themselves to examine the designs, observe the = address, and=20 consider the arts, tempers, and inclinations of men they meet with; = that so=20 they may know how to comport themselves towards them. Here he that = travels=20 with them is to screen them; get them out when they have run = themselves into=20 the briars; and in all their miscarriages be answerable for them.

Section 215. I confess, the knowledge of men is so great a skill, = that it=20 is not to be expected a young man should presently be perfect in it. = But yet=20 his going abroad is to little purpose, if travel does not sometimes = open his=20 eyes, make him cautious and wary, and accustom him to look beyond the = outside,=20 and, under the inoffensive guard of a civil and obliging carriage, = keep=20 himself free and safe in his conversation with strangers and all sorts = of=20 people without forfeiting their good opinion. He that is sent out to = travel at=20 the age, and with the thoughts of a man designing to improve himself, = may get=20 into the conversation and acquaintance of persons of condition where = he comes;=20 which, tho' a thing of most advantage to a gentleman that travels, yet = I ask,=20 amongst our young men that go abroad under tutors, what one is there = of an=20 hundred, that ever visits any person of quality? Much less makes an=20 acquaintance with such, from whose conversation he may learn what is = good=20 breeding in that country, and what is worth observation in it; tho' = from such=20 persons it is, one may learn more in one day, than in a year's = rambling from=20 one inn to another. Nor indeed, is it to be wondered; for men of worth = and=20 parts will not easily admit the familiarity of boys who yet need the = care of a=20 tutor; tho' a young gentleman and stranger, appearing like a man, and = shewing=20 a desire to inform himself in the customs, manners, laws, and = government of=20 the country he is in, will find welcome assistance and entertainment = amongst=20 the best and most knowing persons every where, who will be ready to = receive,=20 encourage and countenance, an ingenuous and inquisitive foreigner.

Section 216. This, how true soever it be, will not I fear alter the = custom,=20 which has cast the time of travel upon the worst part of a man's life; = but for=20 reasons not taken from their improvement. The young lad must not be = ventured=20 abroad at eight or ten, for fear of what may happen to the tender = child, tho'=20 he then runs ten times less risque than at sixteen or eighteen. Nor = must he=20 stay at home till that dangerous, heady age be over, because he must = be back=20 again by one and twenty, to marry and propagate. The father cannot = stay any=20 longer for the portion, nor the mother for a new set of babies to play = with;=20 and so my young master, whatever comes on it, must have a wife look'd = out for=20 him by that time he is of age; tho' it would be no prejudice to his = strength,=20 his parts, or his issue, if it were respited for some time, and he had = leave=20 to get, in years and knowledge, the start a little of his children, = who are=20 often found to tread too near upon the heels of their fathers, to the = no great=20 satisfaction either of son or father. But the young gentleman being = got within=20 view of matrimony, 'tis time to leave him to his mistress.

Section 217. Tho' I am now come to a conclusion of what obvious = remarks=20 have suggested to me concerning education, I would not have it thought = that I=20 look on it as a just treatise on this subject. There are a thousand = other=20 things that may need consideration; especially if one should take in = the=20 various tempers, different inclinations, and particular defaults, that = are to=20 be found in children, and prescribe proper remedies. The variety is so = great=20 that it would require a volume; nor would that reach it. Each man's = mind has=20 some peculiarity, as well as his face, that distinguishes him from all = others;=20 and there are possibly scarce two children who can be conducted by = exactly the=20 same method. Besides that, I think a prince, a nobleman, and an = ordinary=20 gentleman's son, should have different ways of breeding. But having = had here=20 only some general views in reference to the main end and aims in = education,=20 and those designed for a gentleman's son, whom, being then very = little, I=20 considered only as white paper, or wax, to be moulded and fashioned as = one=20 pleases; I have touched little more than those heads which I judged = necessary=20 for the breeding of a young gentleman of his condition in general; and = have=20 now published these my occasional thoughts with this hope, that tho' = this be=20 far from being a complete treatise on this subject, or such as that = every one=20 may find what will just fit his child in it, yet it may give some = small light=20 to those, whose concern for their dear little ones makes them so = irregularly=20 bold, that they dare venture to consult their own reason in the = education of=20 their children, rather than wholly to rely upon old = custom.

Source:

English philosophers of the seventeenth and eighteenth = centuries.=20 New York, P. F. Collier & son [c1910] Harvard classics ;=20 no.XXXVII.

This text is part of the Internet = Modern=20 History Sourcebook. The Sourcebook is a collection of public = domain and=20 copy-permitted texts for introductory level classes in modern European = and=20 World history.

Unless otherwise indicated the specific electronic form of the = document is=20 copyright. Permission is granted for electronic copying, distribution = in print=20 form for educational purposes and personal use. If you do reduplicate = the=20 document, indicate the source. No permission is granted for commercial = use of=20 the Sourcebook.

=A9 Paul Halsall, August 1998
halsall@murray.fordham.edu= =20