'■■'■'■':; 
 
 
 -
 
 THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 LOS ANGELES 
 
 -i
 
 LOOSE HINTS 
 
 UPON 
 
 EDUCATION, 
 
 CHIEFLY CONCERNING THE 
 
 CULTURE 
 
 OF THE 
 
 HEART. 
 
 SECOND EDITION, 
 
 ENLARGED. 
 
 Train up a Child in the ivaj he JbouLl go ; and, -when he is oil, hi 
 will not depart fro>n it. Pro v. xxii. 6. 
 
 EDINBURGH: 
 
 Printed for JOHN BELL, Part.iamevt-Sittare ; 
 
 GEO. ROBINSON, Pater.vostkr-Roav, 
 
 and JOHN MURRAY, London, 
 
 M,DCC,LXXXII.
 
 TO THE 
 
 (I U E E N 
 
 DURING childhood, every ob- 
 ject, ftrikes the mind with the 
 force of novelty ; and the mind, 
 loft like wax, yields to every im- 
 preilion, good or bad. To cherifh 
 the former and to prevent the lat- 
 ter, is the province of the mother ; 
 for as fhe is entrufted by Provi- 
 dence with the government of her 
 children during their tender years, 
 
 the 
 
 A _ - • < i w , ■
 
 [ i v ] 
 
 the mind ought to be no lefs her 
 care than the body. 
 
 The children of Princes are in a 
 critical ftate with refpect to edu- 
 cation : they have none but their 
 mother to preferve them from the 
 corruption of flattery and fawning. 
 If they have loft her early, they 
 are undone. 
 
 It has fallen to your Majesty's 
 lot, to take the lead in the educa- 
 tion of a numerous and hopeful 
 Royal Family ; and if fame fpeak 
 true, Providence has not in referve 
 a perfon more worthy of that im- 
 portant office : it is laborious in- 
 deed, but pleafing to a mother. 
 
 May
 
 t v J 
 
 May Heaven, profpering your ma- 
 ternal tendernefs and perfevcrance, 
 make your children what you wifh 
 them to be, affectionate to their 
 parents, kindly to their dependents, 
 and in time illuftrious examples oi 
 o;ood conduct to the Britifh nation, 
 
 A Royal Family fo educated may 
 be relied on as a firm fupport to 
 the Throne. 
 
 The purpofe of this Effay is to 
 evince, that the culture oi: the 
 heart during childhood, is the chief 
 branch of education. I have little 
 doubt ot convincing thofe who are 
 difpofed to give attention ; but dry 
 fubjects feem at prefent not to be in 
 
 requeft.
 
 [ vi ] 
 
 requeft. One fure way there is to 
 procure attention ; and I know no 
 other. If your Majesty will gra- 
 ciouily condefcend to patronife this 
 little Work, it will become famion- 
 able : every one will read : a num- 
 ber will approve ; and perhaps a 
 few v/ill ferioufly think of a re- 
 formation. 
 
 But imitation is more perfuafive 
 than exhortation. Though in this 
 degenerate age, our women of fa- 
 fhion, neglecting domeftic concerns, 
 feem to think every hour loft that 
 docs not pafs in a crowd ; yet your 
 Majesty's exemplary condu 61 can- 
 not fail to have great influence. 
 Many it will reclaim to a more fe- 
 
 date
 
 t vii ] 
 
 date and more rational tenor of 
 life ; and your profelytes, happy in 
 the change, will chearfully teftify 
 to the world a facred truth, That a 
 mother's fweeteft pleafure, arifes 
 from preparing her children, by 
 virtuous education, to be happy in 
 this life, as well as in the life to 
 come. 
 
 May your Majesty's life be long 
 and profperous, not only for your 
 own fake, but for that of our Sove- 
 reign, of your Royal Iffue, and of 
 the Nation. 
 
 Your devoted Subject, 
 
 Henry H o m e. 
 
 March 1 781 .
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 Page. 
 Introduction - I 
 
 Epifode upon the Duty of Women to nurfe 
 their own Children - - 30 
 
 SECT. I. 
 
 Authority of Parents - - 47 
 
 SECT. II. 
 
 Management of Children in the Firji 
 Stage of Life - - 58 
 
 SECT. III. 
 
 Management of Children in their Second 
 Stage - - - 75 
 
 SECT. IV. 
 
 Management of Children in their Third 
 
 StO(Tt ■• - - 102 
 
 S E C T.
 
 x CONTENTS. 
 
 SECT. V. 
 
 Injlruclions that occafionally may be ap- 
 plied in every Stage - - 141 
 
 SECT. VI. 
 
 Peculiarities refpecling the Education of 
 
 Females - - - 160 
 
 Appendix to Seel ion VI. ~ - 168 
 
 SECT. VII. 
 
 Education with rejpeel to Religion 188 
 
 Appendix to Seel ion VII - - 208 
 
 SECT. VIII. 
 
 Injlruclions preparatory to the married 
 State *■ 249 
 
 SECT. IX. 
 
 Injlruclions concerning the Culture of the 
 Head or Under/landing - 260 
 
 SECT. X. 
 
 Short EJfays on particular Subjccls re- 
 lative to the Culture of the Heart 281 
 
 Article
 
 CONTENTS. xi 
 
 Article I. Selfjhnefs and Betievoknce 
 compared - - - 281 
 
 Article II. Opinion and Belief lefs 
 influenced by Reafon than by Temper 
 and Education - - 289 
 
 Article III. Differences in Opinion 
 make the Cement of Society - 301 
 
 Article IV. Partiality - - 313 
 
 Article V. Affociation of Ideas - 327 
 
 APPENDIX L 
 
 Things to be got by Heart for improving 
 the Memory - - - 339 
 
 APPENDIX II. 
 
 Excerpts from a young Gentleman s Com- 
 mon-place-book ; being the Hi/lory of 
 his Firf Excurfion after completing 
 his College Education - - 387 
 
 LOOSE
 
 LO OSE HINTS 
 
 O N 
 
 ED U C A T I ON, 
 
 CHIEFLY CONCERNING THE 
 
 CULTURE of the HEART* 
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 THE mind of man is a rich foil, 
 productive equally of lovely flowers 
 and noifome weeds. Good parnons and 
 imprefTions are flowers which ought care- 
 fully to be cultivated : bad pailions and 
 A imprefTions 
 
 * The Head is the feat of thinking, deliberating, 
 realoning, willing, and of all other internal actions. 
 The Heart is the feat of emotions and pailions; and 
 ( f moral perceptions, fnch as right and wrong, good 
 and bad, praife and blame, <?c. See Elements of Cri- 
 v.cifm, edit. 5. vol. II. page 507.
 
 2 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 imprefiions are weeds which ought to be 
 difcouraged at leaft, if they cannot be to- 
 tally rooted out* Such moral culture is 
 no flight art: it requires a complete know- 
 ledge of the human heart, of all its mazes, 
 and of all its bialTes* 
 
 As imprefiions made in childhood are 
 the deepefl and the moft permanent, the 
 plan of our Creator for giving accefs to 
 the heart, even in that early period, can- 
 not be too much admired. The firfl 
 thing obfervable is, an innate fenfe that 
 enables us to difcover internal paflions 
 from their external figns*. As that fenfe 
 is of prime ufe in every period of life, 
 it is early difplayed ; indeed as early as 
 the fenfes of feeing and hearing. An in- 
 fant on the breafl difcerns good or bad 
 humour in its nurfe, from their external 
 figns on her countenance, and from the 
 different tones of her voice. Next, thefe 
 
 figns 
 
 * Elements of Criticifm, edit. 5. vol. I- p. 44 1 «
 
 INTRODUCTION. 3 
 
 iigns and tones affect the infant different- 
 ly : a fong or a fmile, chears it : a harfh 
 look or tone, makes it afraid, or keeps it 
 in awe. 
 
 By thefe means, the human heart lies 
 open to early inflruclion ; and is fufcep- 
 tible of having proper notions (lamped 
 on it, fuch as thofe of right and wrong, 
 of praife and blame, of benevolence and 
 felnfhnefs, of yours and mine. The great 
 utility of fuch notions, will appear from 
 oppofing them to various abfurd notions 
 and opinions, which never could have 
 prevailed in the world, had they not been 
 inculcated during infancy. Take the fol- 
 lowing inftances. Stories of ghofts and 
 hobgoblins heard for the firfl time by 
 one grown up, make no imprefhon un- 
 lefs it be of laughter ; but ftamped on 
 the mind of a child, they harafs it incef- 
 fantly, and are never wholly obliterated. 
 JVlany Popifli doctrines are contradictory 
 
 to
 
 4 INTRODUCTIO N. 
 
 to common fenfe; and yet held to be felf- 
 evident, becaufe they were inftilled du- 
 ring childhood. What is it that can 
 rivet in the mind of any one the ftrange 
 doctrine of tranfubftantiation, but the 
 taking advantage of early youth, which 
 is fufceptible equally of every impreflion, 
 right or wrong .?, Were that doctrine re- 
 ferved for adult perfons, it would be re- 
 jected by all for its eminent abfurdity. 
 The low people in Spain have little other 
 notion of a Chriftian, but of one who 
 iigns himfelf with the crofs ; and yet are 
 prone to blood and flaughter againft eve- 
 ry perfon who forbears that trifling cere- 
 mony. When notions that have no foun- 
 dation in nature take fuch hold of the 
 mind, it cannot be doubted but that no- 
 tions grafted on fome natural principle 
 or affection will be equally permanent. 
 Therefore, let it be the firlt care of pa- 
 rents, to inftil into their children right 
 notions, which can be done by looks and 
 
 creflures,
 
 INTRODUCTION. 5 
 
 geftures, even before a child is capable of 
 underftanding what is faid to it. With 
 regard to families of diftincTion in parti- 
 cular, this branch of education is of the 
 higher! importance. Even before the age 
 of feven, notions of rank, of opulence, 
 of fuperiority in the children of iiich 
 families, begin to break out, and to ren- 
 der them lefs obfequious to difcipline 
 than iri their more tender years : if ad- 
 mitted to take peaceable poiTeilion, adieu 
 to education of any fort, 
 
 Rousseau advances a ftrange opinion, 
 that children are incapable of inftrucTion 
 before the age of twelve. This opinion, 
 confined to the underftanding, is per- 
 haps not far from truth. But was it his 
 opinion, that children before twelve are 
 incapable of being inftructed in matters 
 of right and wrong, of love and hatred, 
 or of other feelings that have an original 
 teat in the heart ? If it was, grofs muff 
 
 h 
 
 ave
 
 6 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 have been his ignorance of human na- 
 ture. And yet that this was really his 
 opinion, appears from his infifting that 
 a child ought not to be punifhed for tel- 
 ling a lie ; which can have no founda- 
 tion, other than that a child is not con- 
 fcious of doing wrong when it tells a lie, 
 more than when it tells truth. If the 
 moral difference between truth and falfe- 
 hood be innate, which it furely is, why 
 ought not a child to be punifhed for tel- 
 ling a lie, if the vice cannot he reflrained 
 by gentler means ? 
 
 Infancy is a bufy fcene, and yet little 
 attended to, except for the fake of health. 
 As this period is fhort, every opportunity 
 ought to be taken, for inftilling right 
 notions and making proper imprefhons. 
 The infant, at the fame time, is bufy in 
 gathering for itfelf a flock of ideas from 
 the various objects of the external fenfes, 
 ready to be uttered as foon as it can fpeak, 
 which it can do commonly before the age 
 
 of
 
 INTRODUCTION. 7 
 
 of two : the difficulty it has to ftruggle 
 with, is not want of ideas, but want of 
 words. It is wonderful to what degree 
 of underftanding fome children arrive 
 very early. A child named Martha, three 
 years old, had been told jocularly, that 
 Martha or Mattie was an ugly name, and 
 that Hie ought to have been called Matil- 
 da. The child was overheard faying to 
 a younger fifler, who had not yet got the 
 ufe of her tongue, " When you can fpeak, 
 " you muft not call me Mattie, but Ma- 
 " tilda." There are inftances without 
 number of the fame kind ; and in tra- 
 cing the progrefs of the mind, they de- 
 ferve well to be recorded. 
 
 The education of girls is by nature 
 entrufled to the mother ; and of boys, 
 till they are fit for regular difcipline at 
 fchool. The father occafionally may give 
 a helping hand, but it can only be occa- 
 sional! v. 
 
 Thus
 
 3 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 Thus the culture of the heart during 
 childhood, the moft precious time for fuch 
 culture, is a tafk with which females only- 
 are charged by Providence ; a vocation 
 that ought to employ their utmoft faga- 
 city and perfeverance ; a vocation not in- 
 ferior in dignity, as will appear afterward, 
 to any that belongs to the other fex. Yet 
 children, during that precious time, are 
 commonly abandoned to nurfes and fer- 
 vants. The mother is indeed attentive 
 to the health of her child ; and flatters 
 herfelf that nothing further is required 
 from her. But it cannot be expected, 
 that early education will be regarded by 
 a mother who is ignorant of its advan- 
 tages. 
 
 This is deplorable, efpecialiy as there 
 are feveral obflacles to a remedy. One 
 is, that there is no fchool, public or pri- 
 vate, for teaching the art of cultivating 
 the heart. Nor is it an art of a flight 
 
 kind :
 
 INTRODUCTION. 9 
 
 kind : few arts are more complicated or 
 more profound. Another is, that this 
 art, as the world goes, appears to be little 
 in requeft ; and, I believe, is feldom 
 thought of in chufing a wife. A young 
 man, inclined to avarice, difcovers no 
 virtue in a young woman but a plenti- 
 ful fortune. Another, addicted to the 
 pleafures of fenfe, regards beauty only. 
 A prudent man, having nothing in view 
 but an agreeable companion, is fatisfied 
 with a fweet temper and affable manners. 
 The art of training up children is never 
 thought of, though of all the moft effen- 
 tial in a mother. 
 
 Zeal to have fuch obltacles removed, 
 fuggefted to me the following EfTay. Sen- 
 fible I am, that in its prefent loofe attire, 
 it is fcarce fit to appear in public ; but 
 may not the uncertainty of life in an ad- 
 vanced age, plead my excufe ? I fhould 
 have died with regret, had any thing 
 B been
 
 io INTRODUCTION. 
 
 been left undone by me, that could be- 
 nefit my fellow creatures. Were it ge- 
 nerally underftood, that the education of 
 children is the mother's peculiar province, 
 an important truft committed to her by 
 her Maker, education during that early 
 period, would, I am perfuaded, be carried 
 on more carefully than it is at prefent* 
 With refpecl: to the education of female 
 children in particular, genteel accomplifh- 
 ments, fuch as muhc and dancing, need 
 not be rejected ; but in order to accom- 
 plifh them as mothers, the knowledge of 
 human nature and the art of improving 
 the heart, ought chiefly to be infifled on. 
 This art would have a beneficial influence 
 on the conduct of married women. In- 
 ftead of roaming abroad for want of oc- 
 cupation at home, the dignified occupa- 
 tion of educating their children, would 
 be their mofl charming amufement. The 
 hufband, happy in his wife and in his 
 children, would in no other place find the 
 
 comfort
 
 INTRODUCTION. n 
 
 comfort of his own houfe. The children, 
 early infpired with morality and religion, 
 would be prepared to perform with ala- 
 crity every duty, and to (land firm a- 
 gainft every temptation. 
 
 How diftant from fuch a date are per- 
 fons in high life, who, in great cities, are 
 engaged in a perpetual round of pleafure ! 
 Take for inftance routs and card-afTem- 
 blies. Excepting thofe at the card-tables, 
 who make but a fmall part of the com>- 
 pany, the reft faunter about, looking at 
 one another, wiiliing in vain to have 
 fomething to fay. Whether frequency 
 does not render fuch meetings wofully 
 infipid, I appeal to thofe who pafs much 
 of their time in them. And yet, for fuch 
 paftime, married women not only neglect 
 domeftic ceconomy, but even the educa- 
 tion of their children.- Unhappy mor- 
 tals to be thus deluded by a mere fha- 
 dow ! Their only refource for their chil- 
 dren.
 
 12 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 dren, is a boarding fchool ; which is not 
 a little hazardous for girls, who by their 
 number efcape ftrict attention ; and who, 
 in the mofl ticklifh period of life, are 
 more apt to follow bad example than 
 good. Young ladies of rank, carried 
 from the boarding fchool to the diffipa- 
 tion of high life, are not likely to behave 
 better than their mothers did before them. 
 The fruits of fuch education are but too 
 apparent. Formerly, neither divorce nor 
 feparation were much heard of : they 
 have now become fo frequent, as fcarce 
 to make a figure in a news-paper. A 
 young woman engaged in affection to a 
 lover, is forced by her parents into what 
 is termed a more advantageous match. 
 Nature prevailing over confcience, fhe 
 yields to her lover againft her duty. That 
 miferable woman is furely entitled to fome 
 fhare of pity ; but a lady who lives al- 
 ways in public, feldom has that excule 
 for deferting her hufband. Genuine love 
 
 is
 
 INTRODUCTION. 13 
 
 is a tender plant that cannot even take 
 root in a crowd ; for an impreilion, if 
 made, is banilhed by the next new face. 
 Young women in high life are married 
 at the will of their parents, without any 
 perfonal attachment ; and if one of them 
 go affray, fhe has not love for an excufe, 
 but downright appetite for variety. It 
 is not difficult, I fufpect, to find fuch a 
 woman, who would prefer her hufband 
 before her gallant, were they equally 
 new to her. Oh ! Babylon, Babylon, the 
 terror of nations, but the fink of ini- 
 quity. 
 
 Bidding adieu to fuch perfons as irre- 
 claimable, I cannot defpair of a reforma- 
 tion in the more fober part of the female 
 fex, if the importance of cultivating the 
 heart of their children be fet in a clear 
 view. My expectations are the more 
 fanguine, from my acquaintance with fe- 
 veral women of diflinclion, who confider 
 
 the
 
 j 4 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 the education of their children as their 
 indifpenfable duty, and who take great 
 delight in it. One lady there is of high 
 rank, whom I forbear to name, being 
 afraid of difplealing her. I fhould o- 
 therways propofe her as a pattern, not 
 merely for imitation, but for emula- 
 tion : to excel her, inftead of pain, would 
 give her fatisfaction. I cannot readily 
 form a wifh more beneficial to my fel- 
 low citizens, than that her talent for 
 educating children fhould become ge- 
 neral ; and be exercifed by every mo- 
 ther with that lady's fkill and perfeve- 
 ranee. 
 
 It appears unaccountable, that our 
 teachers generally have directed their in- 
 ftructions to the head, with very little 
 attention to the heart. From Ariflotle 
 down to Locke, books without number 
 iiave been compofed for cultivating and 
 improving the understanding : few in 
 
 proportion
 
 INTRODUCTION. 15 
 
 proportion for cultivating and improving 
 the affections. Yet furely, as man is in- 
 tended to be more an active than a con- 
 templative being, the educating of a 
 young man to behave properly in fbciety, 
 is of (till greater importance than the 
 making him even a Solomon for know- 
 ledge. Locke has broached the fubjecl, 
 and RoufTeau has furnifhed many ingeni- 
 ous hints. The following Loofe Thoughts 
 on the fame fubjecl, are what have oc- 
 curred to me occafionally. 
 
 Good education may be illuflratcd 
 by comparing it with its oppofite. The 
 following account is given by Le Brim 
 of thofe kings of Perfia who have inhe- 
 rited by blood. " This king is abfolutc 
 u in the ftriclefl fenfe ; for he difpofes 
 " of the lives and properties of his fub- 
 " jects without control. He is born in 
 1 the feraglio, and kept there in prifon, 
 1 ignorant of what paries in the world. 
 
 " When
 
 i6 INTRODUCTION 
 
 When arrived at a certain age, he is 
 taught to read and write by a black 
 eunuch, is inflructed in the Maho- 
 metan faith, and to bear an impla- 
 cable hatred to the Mahometans of 
 Turkey and of Indoflan ; but not a 
 fyllable of hiitory, of politics, nor even 
 of morality. Far from being teafed 
 with things that require application, 
 he is fet loofe to fenfual pleafure the 
 moment the impulfe takes him. Opium 
 is procured for him, and other drugs 
 that excite voluptuoufnefs. At the 
 death of his predeceffor, he is led 
 from his prifon to the throne, where 
 all proftrate themfelves before him, 
 with expremons of the mod abject fer*. 
 vility. Surprifed, nay ftupified, with 
 a fcene fo new and extraordinary, he 
 conceives all to be a dream ; and it re- 
 quires time to render the fcene fami- 
 liar. As he is incapable of infpiring 
 affection or even good will, his com*- 
 
 " tiers
 
 INTRODUCTION. 17 
 
 " tiers have no view but to make a pro- 
 " perty of him. Far from offering him 
 " good advice, they keep him ignorant 
 " in order to miflead him. Thus the Per- 
 " fian kings pafs their vigour in luxury 
 " and voluptuoufnefs, without the leait 
 " regard to their people or to their own 
 " reputation." Carneades the philofo- 
 pher obferved, " that the fons of princes 
 " learn nothing to purpofe but to ride 
 " the great horfe ; that in other exercifes 
 ** every one bends to them ; but that a 
 " horfe will throw the fon of a king with 
 " no more remorfe than of a cobler." 
 Muft I be obliged to think, that the fore- 
 going defcription, with a few flight va- 
 riations, may fuit the greateft parr of 
 thofe who, in France and England, were 
 born with the certainty of inheriting a 
 great eftate ? " If there is any characle- 
 " riftic peculiar to the young people of 
 " falhion of the prefent age, it is their 
 ' lazinef<, or an extreme unwillingnefs 
 C " to
 
 i8 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 u to attend to any thing that can give 
 " them trouble or difquietude ; with- 
 " out any degree of which they would 
 " fain enjoy all the luxuries of life, in 
 " contradiction to the difpolitions of 
 " Providence, and the nature of things. 
 " They would have great eftates without 
 " any management, great expences with- 
 " out any accounts, and great families 
 " without any difcipline or ceconomy : 
 " in ihort, they are fit only to be inhabi- 
 " tants of Lubberlandy where, as the chilcf s 
 " geography informs us, men lie upon 
 " their backs with their mouths open, and 
 " it rains fat pigs, ready roafted." Tke 
 World, No. 157. Lord Chefterfield, the 
 mod agreeable of writers, exprefles him- 
 felf with peculiar fpirit upon a different 
 branch of this character. " As for the mo- 
 " dern fpecies of human bucks, I impute 
 " their brutality to the negligence or to 
 " the fondnefs of their parents. It is 
 " obferved in parks among their betters, 
 
 " the
 
 INTRODUCTION. 19 
 
 " the real bucks, that the moft trouble- 
 " fome and mifchievous are thofe who 
 <c were bred up tame, fondled, and led 
 " out of the hand, when fawns. They 
 " abufe, when grown up, the indulgence 
 " they met with in their youth ; and 
 " their familiarity grows troublefome and 
 " dangerous with their horns *." 
 
 Few 
 
 * A young man born with the certainty of Suc- 
 ceeding to an opulent fortune, is commonly too much 
 indulged during infancy, for fubmitting to the autho- 
 rity of a governor. Prone to pleafure, he cannot 
 bend to the fatigues of ftudy : his mind i6 filled with 
 nothing but plans of imagined happmefs, when he 
 fhall have the command of that great fortune. No 
 fooner is he in poflelfion, than he fets loofe all his 
 appetites in purfuit of pleafure. After a few years 
 of gratification, his enjoyments by familiarity and ea- 
 finefs of attainment become languid, and at length 
 perfectly infipid. In the mean time, a total neglect 
 of oeconomy reduces him to ftraits, his debts multiply 
 and become urgent ; and he is in the higheft flow of 
 diffipation, when his enjoyments are at the loweffc 
 ebb. D;flimulation now fupplants the native candour 
 of his temper. He mufr promife when he knows he 
 cannot perform, and muft carefs a dun who is his nver- 
 fion. Defpairing to retrieve his affairs, he abandons 
 himfelf to profligacy : his peace of mind is gone • and
 
 2o INTRODUCTION, 
 
 Few articles concerning government 
 are of greater importance, than good edu- 
 cation. 
 
 kc is now more wretched than formerly happy. Op- 
 pofe to this meteor, a young man without fortune, 
 who muft labour for his bread. He is educated to a 
 calling which he profecutes with induftry, but for fome 
 time with little profit. By perfeverance his circum- 
 ftances becoming eafy, he thinks of marriage. He de- 
 lights in his wife and children ; and his grand object is 
 to make a fortune for each of them. They are all put 
 into a good way of living. One of his fons is aflumed 
 as his partner in bufinefs ; upon whom by degrees is 
 devolved the laborious part. And now, our merchant 
 finds ample leifure to indulge in the comforts of fociety. 
 He ends his days with a grateful fenfe of the goodnefs 
 of Providence, in beftowing bleflings on him with a 
 liberal hand. Let us compare. — But there is no com- 
 parifon. No man of fenfe would chufe to be the per. 
 fon firft defcribed. A man on the contrary rauit be 
 ambitious beyond mcafurc, who would not be fatislied 
 with the lot of the other. I can figure no ftate more 
 happy, if it be not that of a man who for years has 
 applied himfelf to bufinefs, fweetened by a tafte for 
 letters. Fortune throws into his lap a large cftatc, of 
 which he had no expectation. Having been taught by 
 experience that his own wants are eafily fupplied, he 
 exerts his ufual induftry to make his friends happy, 
 and to remedy the wants and diftreffes of his fellow 
 creatures. Can any ftate be figured more oppofite 
 than this to that firft mentioned; with refpeft to every 
 comfort of life ?
 
 INTRODUCTION. 21 
 
 cation. Our moral duties are circum- 
 fcribed within precife bounds; and there- 
 fore, may be objects of law. But man- 
 ners, depending on an endlefs variety of 
 circumftances, are too complex for law ; 
 and yet upon manners chiefly depends 
 the well-being of fociety. This matter 
 was well underflood among the ancient 
 Romans. Out of the moil refpectable 
 citizens were elected cenfors, whofe pro- 
 vince it was to watch over the manners 
 of the people, to diftinguifh the defer ving 
 by fuitable rewards, and to brand with 
 difgrace every grofs tranfgreiTion. But 
 in an opulent nation, it is vain to think 
 of Hemming the tide of corruption. To 
 give vigour to the cenforian office, it in- 
 difpenfably muit be exercifed by men of 
 dignity, eminent for patriotifm, and of a 
 character above exception. But as fuch 
 men were not to be found among the 
 degenerate Romans, the office vanifhed, 
 and has not been revived in any mo- 
 dern
 
 22 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 dern government : nor, indeed, does there 
 exifl any government fo pure, as to ad- 
 mit that delicate inftitution. Our only 
 refource for exerciiing that important of- 
 fice, are fathers and mothers. May it link 
 into their hearts, that we have no reliance 
 but upon them for preventing univerfal 
 corruption, and of courfe diffolution of 
 the ftate. It might indeed have been ex- 
 pected, that the parental cenforian ofhce 
 fhould be countenanced and encouraged 
 by people in power. Though the legifla- 
 ture can do little, the Sovereign and his 
 minifters may do much, both by example 
 and precept. It is in their power to bring 
 domeftic difcipline into reputation, which 
 would excite parents to redouble their di- 
 ligence. Much need, alas ! is there for 
 fome fuch exertion, conlidering the defec- 
 tive ftate of education in this illand. So 
 little notion have the generality of its im- 
 portance, that if a young heir get but a 
 fmatte.ring of Latin or of French, he is 
 
 held
 
 INTRODUCTION. 23 
 
 held to be an accomplifhed gentleman, 
 qualified for making a figure. What if 
 a perfon who hath carefully b; cd up a fa- 
 mily, and added to the fociety a number 
 of virtuous citizens, male and female, 
 mould be diftinguiihed by fome mark of 
 honour, which, at the fame time, would 
 add luflre to every individual of the fa- 
 mily ? What if men of genius were en- 
 couraged by fuitable rewards to give us 
 good fyflems of education ? When a 
 man has taught a public fchool for 1 2 or 
 15 years with fuccefs and applaufe, why 
 not relieve him from his fatigue by a 
 handfbme pennon, enabling him to con- 
 fine his attention to a few felecl fcholars ? 
 I offer thefe as hints only. It will not be 
 difficult to multiply them. 
 
 It is of the utmoft importance to the 
 nation, and to the King and his minihxrs, 
 that young men, to whom it may befall 
 to ierve their country in parliament, 
 
 mould
 
 24 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 fliould be carefully educated, and in par- 
 ticular be fairly initiated in the fcience 
 of politics. Were the members, in ge- 
 neral, of the two houfes expert in that 
 fcience, there would be no fuch woful di- 
 vifion among them as at prefent. A clear 
 fight of the public good, would at leaft 
 damp the vile appetite for the loaves and 
 fifhes that governs many of them. If 
 they could not entirely approve the con- 
 duct of the minifler, for what minifler is 
 always right in the popular opinion, they 
 would admonifh him in an amicable 
 manner ; and if they could not prevail, 
 would wait patiently for a more favour- 
 able opportunity. This, indeed, would 
 be patriotifm, of which the difcontented 
 party endeavour in vain to put on the 
 mafk. It is believed, that the late Sir 
 Robert Walpole beftowed great fums up- 
 on writers, for juftifying his meafures. 
 It would be a more folid plan, to engage 
 tutors of colleges and other teachers, to 
 
 inftil
 
 INTRODUCTION. i$ 
 
 inftil into their pupils a due fubmiflion to 
 government, and to teach them this ufe- 
 t'ul leflbn, That the public never fufFers fo 
 much from an unikilful minifler, as from 
 a factious opposition. Why not fchools 
 for teaching the fcience of politics, erect- 
 ed at the expence of the public, as fchools 
 are for teaching the art of war ? Such 
 an inititution, inconfiltent indeed with 
 abfolute monarchy, would fuit admirably 
 the conftitution of Britain. Sure I am, 
 that never in this ifland was there more 
 occafion for fuch fchools, than in the 
 prefent time, — men venting doctrines 
 even in parliament, fubveriive of order 
 and good government, tending to cor- 
 rupt the whole mafs of the people, and 
 to authorife every degree of licentiouf- 
 nci>. 
 
 A:n anecdote concerning Lycurgus, 
 
 made a figure in ancient Greece. He 
 
 brought into an aiTemby of Spartans two 
 
 D doers <
 
 26 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 one tame and gentle, the other wild and 
 fierce. " Know, faid he, that thefe dogs 
 " are not only of the fame mother, but 
 " of the fame litter. The difference of 
 " their temper proceeds entirely from 
 " their education, and from the different 
 " manner of their being trained." 
 
 Parents ! your children are not your 
 property. They are entrufled to you by 
 Providence, to be trained up in the prin- 
 ciples of religion and virtue ; and you 
 are bound to fulfil the facred truft. You 
 owe to your Maker, obedience : you owe 
 to your children, the making of them 
 virtuous : you owe to your country, good 
 citizens ; and you owe to ourfelves, affec- 
 tionate children, who, during your gray 
 hairs, will be your fweeteft comfort and 
 
 nrmefl fupport *. 
 
 In 
 
 * Crates the philofopher, wiflied to be on the pi- 
 nacle of the highelt Iteeple of Athens, that he might 
 cry aloud to the citizens, " Oh ienfelefs generation ; 
 " how foolilh are ye to heap up wealth, and yet to 
 " negleJt the education of your children, for whom 
 " ye amafs it !"
 
 INTRODUCTION. 27 
 
 In gathering materials for this work, 
 I have adhered flriclly to the fyflem of 
 nature ; and have given no place to any 
 obfervation or conjecture, bur what ap- 
 peared clearly founded upon that fyflem, 
 upon fome noted principle, feeling, or fa- 
 culty. RoufTeau has unhappily too much 
 imagination to be confined within fo nar- 
 row bounds : he builds caflles in the air, 
 and in vain endeavours to give them a 
 foundation. His Emile, however, with 
 all its imperfections, is a work of great 
 genius ; and he has given many hints 
 that deferve to be profecuted. Compare 
 his performance with others on the fame 
 fubjec'l, and its fuperiority will appear in 
 a finking light. Compare it with a book 
 intitled, Injlrucllons for educating a Daugh- 
 ter, attributed, I mud believe unjuftly, to 
 an excellent writer, the mod virtuous of 
 men, Fenelon Archbifhop of Cambray. 
 The following pafTage will by contrail, 
 do honour to my favourite author. " The 
 
 " fubftance
 
 28 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 " fubftance of the brain is in children 
 " foft and tender ; but it hardens every 
 " day. By this foftnefs, every thing is 
 " eaiily imprinted on it. It is not only 
 " foft but moift, which being joined with 
 " a great heat, give the child a continual 
 " inclination to move, whence proceeds 
 " the agitation of children, who are no 
 " more able to fix their mind on any one 
 " obj eel, than their body in any one 
 " place. The firft images, engraven while 
 " the brain is foft, are the deepeft, arid 
 " harden as age dries the brain, and con- 
 " fequently become indefaceable by time. 
 u Hence it is, that when old, we remem- 
 " ber many things done in youth, and not 
 " what were done in riper age ; Becaufe 
 " the brain at that age is dried and filled 
 •' with other images. But if in child- 
 " hood, the brain be adapted for recei- 
 " ving images, it is not altogether fo for 
 " the regular difpofal of them, or for rea- 
 ' foning. For though the moiflure of 
 
 " the
 
 INTRODUCTION. 29 
 
 " the brain renders the impreflions eafv, 
 " yet, by being joined with too great a 
 u heat, it makes a fort of agitation which 
 " breaks the feries of rational deducli- 
 " ons." What a rant is this ; words with- 
 out any meaning ! Here, man is reduced 
 to be a mere machine, every thing explain- 
 ed from foft and hard, moift and dry, hot 
 and cold ; caufes that have no imaginable 
 connection with the effects endeavoured 
 to be explained. Books of this kind may 
 be pored on without end, and the reader 
 be not a jot the wifer. Why from the 
 fame principles, does not this mod pro- 
 found philofopher deduce the light of the 
 fun, the circulation of the blood ; or, 
 what is no lefs difficult, the mathemati- 
 cal regularity of an egg ? 
 
 Episode
 
 Z5 
 
 Episode upon the Duty of Women 
 to Nurfe their own Children. 
 
 NAture has divided the human race 
 into two fexes, male and female, 
 which in a curfory view appear much 
 alike ; but upon a clofer infpection, there 
 are perceived many differences. The male 
 in particular is better fitted for labour and 
 for field-exercifes : the female is better 
 fitted for fedentary occupation and for 
 domeftic concerns. But remarkable it is, 
 that thefe differences, far from breeding 
 difcord, prove to be the very cement that 
 joins a male and a female in the clofeft 
 union. In a word, the pureft and mod 
 lading happinefs that human beings can 
 attain in this life, is derived from the u- 
 nion of a concordant pair in the matrimo- 
 nial (late. Behold here the benevolence of 
 the Deity. — He compels them in a man- 
 ner
 
 The Duty of Mothers, &c. 3 2 
 
 ner to accept of this bleffing, by directing 
 in every country an equal number of 
 male and female births, and by over- 
 ruling with a fleady hand an infinity of 
 repugnant chances. 
 
 The beauty of this providential fyftem 
 and its conformity to human nature, will 
 bell appear by oppofing it to polygamy. 
 In it the hufband and wife, equal in dig^ 
 nity, are fitted by their nature for diffe- 
 rent parts in domeflic government ; but 
 with no greater authority in the male, 
 than what is necefTary in every fociety 
 compofed of two perfons, fuppofing them 
 to be of the fame fex. Their mutual re- 
 gard and their views being the fame, their 
 union is complete. Polygamy on the con- 
 trary is contradictory to human nature, 
 by banifhmg equality between the fexes. 
 It raifes the man above his rank, to have 
 abfolute authority over his wives as over 
 his flaves j and it degrades them below 
 
 their
 
 32 c Ihe Duty of Mothers 
 
 their rank to be mere inflruments of fen- 
 fual pleafure. 
 
 Supposing now pairing in the matri- 
 monial ftate to be a deftination of Provi- 
 dence and a law of nature, the different vo- 
 cations of hufband and wife may be clear- 
 ly afcertained from the difference of their 
 character. The man, vigorous and active, 
 provides for the family. The woman, 
 more delicate and fedentary, takes care of 
 matters within doors, nurfes their off- 
 fpring, and educates them during their 
 childhood. Thefe are primary duties 
 founded on human nature, and by the 
 moral fenfe declared indifpenfable. Nor 
 are the fanctions of rewards and punifh- 
 ments omitted here, more than in other 
 primary duties. Their performance is 
 attended with felf-approbation and with 
 efteem from every one. And as for pu- 
 nimment, no man ever neglected his fa- 
 mily, nor a woman her children, whofe 
 
 confcicnce
 
 to Nurfe their Children. 33 
 
 Conference was not wrung with remorfe, 
 beiide being contemned by all the world. 
 Nor is any thing omitted that belongs to 
 the character of a primary duty. As our 
 Maker never requires from us as a duty 
 any particular but what antecedently is 
 agreeable, he has made the performance 
 of thefe family-duties the fweeteft plea- 
 fures of life. 
 
 More particularly upon the duty of 
 the mother to nurfe her own children. 
 This is a duty of too great importance 
 to reft upon the conviction of reafon 
 merely. By a fignal deftination of Pro- 
 vidence, milk is made to flow into the 
 breads of the mother immediately after 
 delivery, evidently to feed her infant. A 
 wonderful fact ! which would be held by 
 all as miraculous, did not its frequency 
 render it familiar. As this fa<5t is inex- 
 plicable from natural caufes, it mud be 
 refolved into the immediate operation of 
 E the
 
 34 The Duty of Mothers 
 
 the Deity ; and confequently it is a de- 
 claration no lefs clear of our Maker's 
 will, than if by an angel from heaven 
 he had declared that the mother's 
 
 MILK BELONGS TO HER INFANT. Nor 
 
 does Providence flop there. The ne- 
 glect of this facred duty, betide re- 
 morfe, feldom efcapes bodily punifhment. 
 The fuppremon of milk occafions a fe- 
 ver, which is always dangerous, and 
 fometimes fatal. On the other hand, a 
 woman at no time enjoys more health, 
 than when obeying the dictates of na- 
 ture in feeding her infant with her own 
 milk. 
 
 From this the following confequence 
 necefTarily follows, that as milk is bellow- 
 ed without diftinclion upon every mother, 
 Providence affuredly, with refpect to the 
 duty of nurfing, makes no diitinclion be- 
 tween high and low, rich and poor. 
 
 In
 
 to Nurfe their Children. 35 
 
 In the firfl ftage of fociety when men li- 
 ved chiefly on what was caught in hunt- 
 ing, the family-duties above delineated 
 were unavoidable. As all men were equal, 
 and laboured only for themfelves, there 
 was no perfon to undertake any duty for 
 another. Commerce indeed and riches ha- 
 ving introduced diiferent modes of living, 
 the fanclions mentioned have become 
 more necefTary than they were originally. 
 But as human nature continues the fame, 
 and thefe fandlions continue in force, the 
 family-duties of hufband and wife mufl 
 equally continue to be binding. 
 
 The duty of a woman to nurfe her 
 own infant is made fo agreeable by na- 
 ture, that even the mod delicate court 
 lady would take delight in it, were not 
 her manners corrupted by idlenefs and 
 diflipation. It is true, that the fatigue of 
 living conftantly in public, ought to be 
 avoided during the time of nurhng ; nor 
 
 would
 
 36 The Duty of Mothers 
 
 would it be proper that the mother fhould 
 precipitate herfelf into deep gaming, 
 which might inflame her blood, and ren- 
 der her milk an unwholefome nourifh- 
 ment. She need not however fequeflrate 
 herfelf from the public during nurfmg. 
 Moderate amufement is not only conn ft- 
 ent with that kindly occupation, but in 
 reality is favourable to it, by keeping her 
 chearful and in good humour, the very 
 beft tone of mind for nurfing. Nor upon 
 the whole would me fufFer, by relaxing 
 a little during that period from the high 
 career of diverfions. On the contrary, 
 fhe would return to the public with more 
 enjoyment than any perfon feels who is 
 conftantly engaged. 
 
 Relative to this fubjecl:, there is a 
 beautiful paffage in RoufTeau's Emile, 
 which in Englifh may run thus. " Of 
 " all the branches of education, that 
 " which is bellowed on infants is the 
 
 " mod
 
 to Nurfe their Children, 37 
 
 moft important ; and that branch in- 
 conteflibly is the province of the fe- 
 male fex. Had the Author of nature 
 intended it for the male fex, he would 
 have given milk to fathers for nou- 
 riflring their infants. Let treatifes 
 therefore upon education, be addref- 
 fed always to the women, as a mark 
 of preference ; for not only does 
 that branch of education fall more 
 naturally to them, but they are allb 
 more interefled in it, as widows gene- 
 rally depend more or lei's on their chil- 
 dren. Laws, which have peace more 
 in view than virtue, give not fumcicnt 
 authority to mothers. And yet their 
 duties are more toilfome, their cares 
 more important to good order, and their 
 attachment to their children greater. 
 There are circumftances that in fome 
 meafure may excufe the want of refpecl 
 to a father ; but if in any circumftance 
 whatever a child is io unnatural as to 
 
 " be
 
 (C 
 
 it 
 
 38 The Duty of Mothers 
 
 *' be deficient in refpect to the mother 
 * fc who bore him, who nourifhed him with 
 her milk, who, for years, neglecting 
 herfelf, was occupied entirely about 
 him, he ought to be extirpated from 
 the earth as a monfter unworthy to 
 " live." 
 
 The natural affection a woman has to 
 her child begins before birth ; and grows 
 more and more vigorous in the courfe of 
 nurfing. Now, when a woman gives her 
 child to be nurfed by another, has it no 
 influence upon her, that the natural affec- 
 tion of her child may be transferred from 
 her to the nurfe ? And has it no influence 
 on her, that the natural affection (lie 
 bears her child, may decay and vanifh 
 when it is nurfed at a diftance and is 
 feldom in her fight ? 
 
 Luxury, which in manifold inflances 
 has occafioned a depravation of manners, 
 
 prevails
 
 to Nurfe their Children. 39 
 
 prevails upon women of condition, to lay 
 die burden of nurfing their children upon 
 mercenaries. A poor woman has fome 
 excufe for undertaking the charge of an- 
 other woman's child, at the rifle of her 
 own. The offer of a great bribe and the 
 favour of a great family, are to her irre- 
 fiftible temptations. But what has the 
 tempter to plead who furrenders her in- 
 fant to a mercenary, and fufFers luxury 
 and avidity of pleafure to prevail over 
 natural affection ? Few women would 
 have the effrontery to fhew their face in 
 public after fo grofs a neglect of their 
 offspring, were they not kept in counte- 
 nance by example and fafhion. 
 
 Nor is this all. The guilt of a wo- 
 man who behaves in that manner, is ag- 
 gravated by tempting another woman to 
 commit the fame crime. The woman 
 who is tempted, is undoubtedly guilty ; 
 and the tempter partakes of her guilt. 
 
 However
 
 40 'fhe Duty of Mothers 
 
 However evident this truth may be, yet 
 I fufpect that it will make little imprefc 
 fion upon thofe who, fonder of pleafure 
 than of their children, can without re- 
 luctance abandon their new born in-* 
 fant to a mercenary. Nor will a woman 
 of fuch a character be much affected 
 with the riik of loling the affection of 
 her child. 
 
 But after all, is there no danger that 
 a low creature who has facrificed her own 
 infant for money, will not venture next 
 to facrifice the infant trufled to her, in 
 hopes of a fecond bribe from another fa- 
 mily ? I have heard of fuch infernal 
 practice in the great city of London. 
 Nor ought this to be furprinng. What 
 better is to be expected of a woman who 
 has fhown herfelf fo unkindly, or rather 
 unnatural, to her own child ? An infant 
 of a noble family was thus reduced to 
 extremity by wilful bad treatment ; and 
 
 was
 
 to Nurfe their Children. 41 
 
 was at the brink of the grave, when the 
 horrid fcene was laid open by an inter- 
 cepted letter from the nurfe to her huf- 
 band, acquainting him of the approach- 
 ing death of die child, and defiring him 
 to get her employed as a nurfe in fome 
 rich family. She was turned out of doors 
 with infamy ; and the infant with diffi- 
 culty was reftored to health by another 
 nurfe. The London ladies were alarmed ; 
 and for a time thought of nuriing their 
 own children. But the alarm vanifhed 
 like a dream ; and the practice goes on 
 as formerly. 
 
 Supposing the perfons of condition 
 who can hire nurfes, to amount but to a 
 hundredth part of the people, which in 
 Britain may be 10,000, what becomes of 
 the infants of the mercenaries ? Their bell 
 refource is in perfons fliil more needy 
 than themfelves, willing to undertake the 
 fuckling of thefe infants along with their 
 F own ;
 
 42 ihe Duty of Mothers 
 
 own ; and to fupply with fpoon meat the 
 deficiency of milk. Children fo nurfed 
 have but a flender chance for life. Were 
 an account taken, I mould not be fur- 
 prifed to hear that more than the half of 
 them die in infancy. Here is another 
 aggravation of the guilt incurred by a 
 woman who deviates from the law of 
 nature, and refufes to nurfe her own 
 child. 
 
 To one ignorant of the world it mult, 
 be aftonifhing, that fo grofs a breach of 
 a fundamental law of nature fhould have 
 become fo general. It commenced pro- 
 bably in opulent cities where luxury and 
 love of pleafure are predominant. It has 
 defcended gradually to the lower ranks ; 
 and at prefent few women are afhamed 
 of it who have money to bellow on a 
 nurfe. The practice goes on fmoothly ; 
 becaufe no perfon is hurt but the infant, 
 unconfcious of its bad treatment. But 
 
 were
 
 to Nurfe their Children. 43 
 
 were the veil of example and fafliion with- 
 drawn, this horrid abufe would appear in 
 its genuine colours, even to the guilty. 
 Let us reflect but a moment upon the 
 confequences. What can be expected 
 from fuppreffing the deareit„ ties of na- 
 tural affection, other than relaxation of 
 manners, and a total neglect of family- 
 concerns. As the internal management 
 of a family is the province of the wife, 
 a woman muft lay afide every regard to 
 reputation, who can dedicate her whole 
 time to routs, affemblies, balls, and other 
 fuch giddy pleafures. She muft be hard- 
 ened indeed in bad habits, if the fpectre 
 of a neglected family never haunt her in 
 her dreams, nor give her remorfe when 
 awake. Let us next turn to the hufband. 
 As no comfort is afforded to him at 
 home, he feeks for it abroad ; falls into 
 drinking, gaming, or cohabiting with 
 loofe women ; and, inftead of being a 
 ufeful member of fociety, becomes a pert 
 
 in
 
 44 ¥be Duty of Mothers 
 
 in it. I cannot fet this picture in a 
 ftronger light, than by oppofing it to 
 that of a regular family. A woman who 
 fuckles her child, finds not only her chief 
 occupation at home, but her chief amufe- 
 ment. She relifhes the comforts of do- 
 meflic life, and communicates her fatis- 
 faction to her hufband, to her children, 
 and to all around her. Her family con- 
 cerns are kept in order, ceconomy Itudied, 
 peace and concord eftabliihed. The hui- 
 band has no comfort any where equal 
 to what he feels at home. Inftead of 
 walling his means in riot and intempe- 
 rance, he fludies with ardour to fecure a 
 competency for his beloved wife and chil- 
 dren. His benevolence is extended to 
 his friends and neighbours, and to his 
 countrymen in general. As on the one 
 hand, nothing tends more than loofenefs 
 of manners to enervate a ftate ; fo on the 
 other, a ftate is always found in vigour 
 when good order and proper manage- 
 ment
 
 to Nurfe their Children . 45 
 
 ment are preferved in families. When 
 fuch are the manners of a people, difii- 
 pation is excluded : luxury indeed may 
 creep in, but its progrefs will be exceed- 
 ingly How. 
 
 Upon the whole, I am acquainted with 
 no law more anxiouily enforced by na- 
 tural rewards and puniihments, than that 
 which binds women of all ranks to nurfe 
 their own children : nor am I acquainted 
 with many laws that tend more to pre- 
 vent depravation of manners. The ne- 
 glect of this important duty, cannot be 
 juftified nor even excufed, but from want 
 of milk or want of health. 
 
 If rational conviction need any fupport 
 from authority, I have a moil refpeclable 
 authority at hand, namely Archbiihop 
 Tillotfon, who in one of his fermons de- 
 livers the following opinion: " The duty 
 M of nurfing their young ones is implant- 
 
 *' ed
 
 46 The Duty of Mothers^ &c. 
 
 eel by nature in all living creatures ; 
 and there cannot be a greater reproach 
 to creatures endued with reafon, than 
 to neglect a duty to which nature di- 
 rects even the brute creation. This 
 natural duty is of a more necefTary and 
 indifpenfable obligation than any po- 
 fitive precept of revealed religion ; the 
 neglect of which, as much as any fin 
 whatf bever, is evidently a punifhment 
 to itfelf in the palpable ill effects and 
 confequences of it." 
 
 L OOSE
 
 LOOSE HINTS, &c. 
 
 SECT. I. 
 
 Authority of Parents. 
 
 TH E faculty of reafon is bcftowed 
 on man for controlling his appetites 
 and pailions, and for giving them a pro- 
 per direction. This faculty is indeed born 
 with us ; but as it is feeble like thofe of the 
 body during the firfl ftage of life, paren- 
 tal authority governs in its ftead during 
 that period. And, as no work of God is 
 left imperfect, children are directed by in- 
 llinct to obey their parents ; and if chil- 
 dren be not unkindly treated, their obe- 
 dience is not only voluntary, but affec- 
 tionate. This is not a picture of imagi- 
 nation : every one who has given atten- 
 tion to the infant Hate, will bear witnefs, 
 
 that
 
 48 Authority of Parents, 
 
 that a child clings to its mother, and is 
 fonder of her than of all the world befide. 
 By this admirable fyftem, children, who 
 have no reafon, are commonly better go- 
 verned, than adult perfons who pofTefs a 
 considerable fhare of it : the former are 
 entirely obfequious to the reafon of an- 
 other ; the latter not always to their 
 own. 
 
 That the authority of parents mufl 
 be abfolute, is evident ; becaufe in the 
 nature of things, it cannot be fubjedl to 
 any control. And it is equally evident, 
 that the fame authority mud be transfer- 
 red to the keeper, where the parents are 
 dead or at a diftance. But much art and 
 delicacy are requifite in the manner of 
 exercifing it. I abfolutely prohibit feve- 
 rity ; which will render the child timid, 
 and introduce a habit of difhmulation, 
 the worft of habits. If fuch feverity be 
 cxercifed as to alienate the child's affec- 
 tion.
 
 Authority of Parents. 40, 
 
 lion, there is an end to education ; the 
 parent or keeper is transformed into a 
 cruel tyrant over a trembling flave. Be- 
 ware, on the other hand, of bewraying 
 any uneafinefs in refilling what a child 
 calls for unreafonably : perceiving your 
 uneafinefs, it will renew its attempt, hop- 
 ing to find you in better humour. Even 
 infants, fome at leaft, are capable of this 
 artifice. Therefore, if an infant explain 
 by iigns what it ought to have, let it be 
 gratified inftantly with a cheerful coun- 
 tenance. If it defire what it ought not 
 to have, let the refufal be fedate, but firm. 
 Regard not its crying : it will foon give 
 over, if not liftened to. The tafk is cafier 
 with a child who underflands what is faid 
 to it : fay only with a firm tone, that it 
 cannot have what it defires ; but without 
 ihewing any heat on the one hand, or 
 concern on the other. 1 he child, be- 
 lieving that the thing is impofnble, will 
 ceafe to fret. Some children begin early 
 G to
 
 ^o Authority of Parents. 
 
 to fhow a keennefs for what touches their 
 fancy. Lofe not a moment to reprefs 
 that keenncfs, not by bluntnefs or rough- 
 nefs, but by informing the child that it 
 is improper. If from infancy it have 
 been trained to obedience, it will fubmit 
 pleafantly. The advantage of this difcip- 
 line is not confined to childhood : it is an 
 excellent preparation for bearing croffes 
 and difappointments in every ftage of life. 
 How differently do the low people ma- 
 nage their children ? If a child cry with- 
 out reafon, it is whipt by the angry mo- 
 ther ; and it has now reafon to cry, which 
 it does till its little heart is like to break. 
 The mother, flill through the influence 
 of paflion, though of a different kind, 
 melts into pity, cajoles, flatters, cardies, 
 all to pacify the poor infant. Can any 
 thing be more prepoflerous ? The child 
 foon difcovers that fretting and crying 
 will procure what it wants. As few oi 
 the lower fort ever think of difciplining 
 
 their
 
 Authority of Pa?' cuts. 5 1 
 
 their children to obedience, it is no won- 
 der that there is found among them fo 
 much obftinacy and perverfeneis. 
 
 The abfblute dependence on parents 
 that nature puts children under, has, 
 when rightly exercifed, two effects ex- 
 tremely falutary. One is, that it produ- 
 ces a habit of fubmiilion to authority, a 
 fine preparation for the focial ftate. The 
 authority of the magiitrate fucceeds to 
 that of the parent ; and the fubmiilion 
 paid to the latter is readily transferred to 
 the former. The great empire of China 
 affords a confpicuous inftance : reverence 
 to parents is the corner-f tone of that vafl 
 edifice : it is encouraged as the higheft 
 virtue ; and every neglect meets difgrace 
 and puniihment. Another effect is, that 
 the habit of fubmiilion to parental autho- 
 rity, introduces naturally a habit of fub- 
 miilion to felf-authority ; or, in other 
 words, a habit of fubmiilion to the au- 
 thority
 
 5 2 Authority of Parents. 
 
 thority of confeience. Youth is liable to 
 the fedudtion of paflion, and a dangerous 
 period it is to thofe who have been ne- 
 glected in childhood. But a young man, 
 obedient from infancy to his parents, fub- 
 mits with as little hefitation to the dic- 
 tates of his own confeience ; and if hap^ 
 pily, at his entrance into public life, he 
 efcape temptations that are difficult to be 
 refilled, he becomes fortified by habit to 
 rend every temptation. 
 
 Though parental authority well tem- 
 pered fits us thus for fociety and happi- 
 nefs, yet that eminent writer RoufTeau, 
 rejecting the fyftem of nature, declares 
 for emancipating children from all fub- 
 iection, indulging them in- every fancy, 
 provided only they do no mifchief to 
 others. I cannot really conjecture, upon 
 what imagined principle in human na- 
 ture this doctrine is founded. A child 
 is incapable to judge for itfelf ; and yet 
 
 it
 
 Authority of Parents. 53 
 
 it mud not be directed by its parents. 
 " Pray Sir, hold off', there ought to be 
 " no authority, the child mull be left to 
 " itfelf." This is a ftranee notion. Can 
 it be improper to tell a child, that what it 
 defires is wrong ; or that the doing what it 
 defires would make it defpifed or hated ? 
 If the child be not fo far advanced as to 
 under Hand that language, nothing re- 
 mains but plain authority, which the 
 child fubmits to readily and pleafantly. 
 RoufTeau maintains, that you mnfl not 
 pretend to have any authority over your 
 pupil, but only that you are the ftronger, 
 and can fubject him by force *. Is nor 
 this to teach him, that right depends on 
 force ; and that he may lawfully fubject 
 every one who is weaker than himfelf ? 
 Was it Roufleau's intention to bre^d hi<> 
 pupil a tyrant and oppreflbr ? he could 
 not take a more effectual method. 
 
 An 
 
 iLmA., »o*. 1. p. 9,,
 
 54 Authority of Parents, 
 
 An infallible way of rendering a child 
 unhappy, is to indulge it in all its de- 
 mands. Its defires multiply by gratifica- 
 tion, without ever refting fatisfied : it is 
 lucky for the indulging parents, if it de- 
 mand not the moon for a play-thing. 
 You cannot give every thing ; and your 
 refufal diftrefTes the creature more, than 
 if you had flopt fhort at flrft. A child 
 in pain is entitled to great indulgence : 
 but beware of yielding to fancy ; the 
 more the child is indulged, the more 
 headflrong it grows, and the more impa- 
 tient of a difappointment. 
 
 I am acquainted with a very refpec- 
 table couple, difciples of RoufTeau ; more 
 however, I conjecture, from inclination 
 than from conviction. They feldom hi- 
 therto have employed any means for re- 
 flraining their children, but promifes and 
 intreaties. As the father was playing at 
 chefs with a friend, one of his children, 
 
 a
 
 Authority of Parents. 55 
 
 a boy of about four years, took a piece 
 from the board and away to play with it. 
 Harry, fays the father, let us have back 
 the man, and there's an apple for you. 
 The apple was foon devoured, and an- 
 other chefs-man laid hold of. In.ihort, 
 they were obliged to fufpend the game, 
 till the boy, turning hungry, was led a- 
 way to fupper. I would have fuch pa- 
 rents confider, whether they are not here 
 milled by felf-deceit. Their motive they 
 imagine is tendernefs for their poor 
 babes. But the real motive is their own 
 weaknefs, which they indulge at the cx- 
 pence of their babes ; for muft it not even 
 to them be evident, that to indulge irregu- 
 lar fancies in creatures deftitute of reafon, 
 is to inveft fancy with abfolute authority, 
 and to dethrone virtue. It perhaps will 
 be obferved, that this cafe falls not under 
 the general rule, being an inftance of a 
 child by its petulance hurting others. If 
 fo, what is laid down as a general rule, 
 
 muft
 
 56 Authority of Parents, 
 
 mull be contracted within narrower li- 
 mits. But, letting that pafs, what would 
 our author have faid upon the follow- 
 ing cafe. A gentleman, upon a vifit 
 at a friend's houfe, heard little mailer 
 crying below Hairs. The mother alarm- 
 ed was told, that he wanted to ride up to 
 table upon the roafl beef, and that the 
 cook did not relilh the project. The mo- 
 ther was for letting Dickie have his will. 
 But the father luckily reflected, that the 
 firloin would probably be too hot a feat 
 for Dickie. RoufTeau would have made 
 this alio an exception, as he could not 
 mean, that parents mould Hand by and 
 iliffer their children to hurt themfelves. 
 His doctrine thus reformed, refolves in 
 giving children full liberty in matters in- 
 different, fuch as can neither hurt them- 
 felves nor others ; to which reftriction J 
 willingly fubfcribe. And thus a doctrine 
 ufhered in with folemnity as a leading- 
 principle in the education of children, 
 
 and
 
 Authority of Parents. 57 
 
 and feeming at firft view of great impor- 
 tance, does, upon a more narrow infpec- 
 tion, vanifh into fmoke. 
 
 Having difcufTed authority, the cor- 
 ner-flone as it were of the building, my 
 aim was to have ftated the following hints 
 in Uriel: order ; but in vain. And after 
 all, what order can be expected in loofe 
 hints ? All I can undertake is to arrange 
 them fo as to correfpond to the different 
 ftages of nonage, the iimpleft firft, the 
 more complex after ; to be put in prac- 
 tice when the mind is ready for them. 
 
 H SEC T.
 
 58 Management of Children 
 
 SECT. II. 
 
 Management of Children in the 
 Firf Stage of Life. 
 
 IN a complete treatife upon education 
 ■* of children, every principle, every in- 
 flincl, every paffion, and every appetite 
 ought to be carefully difjected. But this 
 is far beyond my purpofe, and I fufpect 
 beyond my reach. I venture only to give 
 infructions upon fuch of the particu- 
 lars above mentioned, as difplay them- 
 felves early, and make fome figure even 
 in childhood. A fair commencement of 
 a fubjecl:, moftly new, is all I pretend to. 
 May I not indulge the plealing hope, that 
 a fubjecl: of fo great importance will be 
 ripened by others, and perhaps brought 
 to perfection by the ableft bauds. ■ The 
 folk : inflruclions belong to the pre- 
 fent 'I'Clion. 
 
 *A A
 
 in the Fuji Stage of Life, 59 
 
 y?, A power to rccal at will plcafmg 
 objects, would be a greater blefling chan 
 ever was bellowed in a fairy tale. The 
 pleafure of health is little felt, except in 
 its.abfence: it is however a real bieiTmg; 
 not only as it is a fecurity againil pain, 
 but as it naturally fuggefts pleating ob- 
 jects. In the latter refpect, however, it 
 is inferior to cheerfulnefs and fweetntfs 
 of temper ; which are not only m them- 
 felves pleafant, but Hill more by direc- 
 ting the mind to none but agreeable ob- 
 jects. A fullen and morofe temper, 011 
 the contrary, is not only in itfelf un- 
 pleafant, but (till more by calling to 
 mind no objects but what are difagree- 
 ablc. 
 
 This obfervation may be turned to 
 good account in education. Do we wifh 
 to make our children happy ? Let them 
 be accuitomed to agreeable objects, and 
 a veil drawn over thofe that are dil- 
 
 agreeable
 
 6o Management of Children 
 
 agreeable. Cheerfulnefs and agreeable 
 objects, have a mutual influence : the 
 former attracts the latter ; and the latter 
 by reaction invigorate the former. Can 
 any one doubt, that fettering infants 
 new born in folds of linen, which they 
 ftruggle againft in vain, muft have ari 
 effect upon their temper ? Were that 
 treatment long continued, it would pro- 
 duce a lafling habit of fretfulnefs. This, 
 among other objections to the practice, 
 is of great weight. Why mould not the 
 children of people in eafy circumftances, 
 be roufed from fleep every morning with 
 mufic ? Why not be entertained fre- 
 quently with agreeable pictures ; and 
 why not be amufed with ludicrous flo^ 
 ries to make them laugh ? I would how- 
 ever be far from excluding fubjects that 
 excite pity and tender concern. Pity is 
 indeed painful ; but far from difagree- 
 able, even in the actual feeling. I am 
 pleafed with myfelf for having fympa- 
 
 thized
 
 in the Firf Stage of Life. 6 1 
 
 thized with another ; and that pleafing 
 reflection adds to my happinefs. 
 
 Agreeable imprefftons may be made 
 upon an infant even in its mother's 
 womb; The mother during pregnancy 
 ought to banifh all difmal thoughts, and 
 preferve lierfelf as much as poflible calm 
 and cheerful. There is little doubt but 
 that this will benefit her infant. The 
 fame reafon holds for chufing a nurfe or 
 keeper of an even and cheerful temper. 
 
 A habit of cheerfulnefs acquired in 
 infancy, contributes not a little to health. 
 The Druids of old were eminently lkilled 
 in phyfic. Their chief recipe for prefer- 
 ring health was expreffed in three words, 
 cheerfilnefs, temperance^ cxerci/e. This ha- 
 bit contributes not lefs to alleviate mif- 
 fortunes. It makes us fee every object 
 in its bed light, and fits -s to fubmit to 
 accidents without repining. " Almofl 
 
 " every
 
 i Management of Children 
 
 every object that attracts our notice, 
 lias its bright and its dark fide : he 
 that habituates himfelf to look at the 
 dark fide, will four his difpofition, and 
 confequently impair his happinefs ; 
 while he who conftantly beholds the 
 bright fide, infenfibly meliorates his 
 temper, and, in confequence of it, im- 
 proves his own happinefs, and the hap- 
 pinefs of all about him *." 
 
 2d \ Will I be thought to refine too 
 much when I maintain, that a habit of 
 cheerfulnefs acquired during infancy, will 
 contribute to make a face beautiful ? A 
 favage mind produces favage manners ; 
 and thefe in conjunction produce a harfh 
 and rugged countenance. Hence it is 
 that a national face improves gradually, 
 with the manners of the people. Liften 
 to this ye mothers, with refpecl efpecially 
 to your female children : you will find 
 
 that 
 * The World, IVo. 126,
 
 in the Firft Stage of Life, 63 
 
 that cheerfulnefs is a greater beautifier 
 than the fined pearl powder. 
 
 Some children are by nature rafh and 
 impetuous : a much greater number are 
 my and timid. The difpofition of a child 
 appears early ; and both extremes ought 
 to be corrected, whenever an opportunity 
 occurs. Fear is a paflion implanted in 
 our nature, to warn us of danger, in 
 order to guard againd it. When mode- 
 rate, fo as to raife our activity only, with- 
 out overwhelming the mind, it is a mod 
 falutary paflion : but when it fwells to 
 excefs, which it is apt to do in a timid 
 difpofition, far from contributing to fafe- 
 ty, it ftupifies the man, and renders him 
 incapable of action. If your pupil there- 
 fore be of a fearful temper, you cannot 
 begin too early to fortify him againft 
 that weaknefs. Mod children are afraid 
 of a new object that is formidable in 
 its appearance, a large dog for example. 
 
 Handle
 
 64 Management of Children 
 
 Handle it familiarly, and mow it to be 
 harmlefs : the child will be perfuaded to 
 do the fame. A child, as RoufTeau ob- 
 ferves, is afraid of a malk. Begin with 
 fhowing it an agreeable mafk : put it on 
 laughing ; others laugh, and the child 
 laughs. Accuitom the child to mafks 
 lefs and lefs agreeable : it will in time be 
 afraid of no mafk, however ugly. Thun- 
 der has an awful found, and is apt to 
 raife fear. Lead your pupil to the fields 
 when it thunders : it will in time ceafe 
 to fear. Guard your children with un~ 
 remitting care againft tales of ghofts and 
 hobgoblins, which in childhood make a 
 deep impremon. As fuch tales are al- 
 ways connected with darknefs, accuflom 
 your children to grope their way in the 
 dark. RoufTeau's method of teaching 
 children to a6l in the dark, deferves to 
 be imitated. I was told by a lady of 
 rank, that by engaging her fervants to 
 follow her example, iuch tales were un- 
 known
 
 J> 
 
 in the Fitjl Stage of Life. 6 
 
 known in her family. Her children were 
 trained to fay their prayers in a dark 
 room, after receiving the following in- 
 ftruclion, " Thy Father which feeth in 
 " fecret will reward thee openly." They 
 were difciplined to lay up their play- 
 things in fuch order, as to find them 
 readily in the dark. 
 
 With refpect to the oppofite extreme 
 of rafhnefs and impetuofity, lay hold of 
 every proper opportunity for moderating 
 it ; and there is little doubt of fiiccefs, if 
 proper means be ufed. Sometimes even 
 an accident will aflift : a child happening 
 to fall down a few fteps of a flair, it for 
 fome time would neither go up nor down 
 without its maid. There is no occafion 
 to warn children againft feen danger : no 
 child is ever difpofed to throw itfelf down 
 from a window, nor to jump into a fierce 
 running ftream. But there are things that 
 attract the eve by their luftre, which an 
 T infanr
 
 66 Management of Children 
 
 infant will endeavour to grafp, becaufe 
 it fees no danger ; a burning candle for 
 example, or a mining knife. Teach your 
 infant to guard againfl fuch things : put 
 your hand once or twice on a filver 
 boiler full of hot water, and draw it away 
 with figns of pain. After putting the in- 
 fant's hand on it till it feels pain, let it 
 underftand by figns that the thing ought 
 not to be touched. This will have its 
 proper effect, even before the infant can 
 fpeak. An infant endeavours to grafp 
 the blade of a knife, being the mining 
 part. Cut its finger cunningly till the 
 blood appear. Let it underftand by figns 
 that this is done by the knife : it will 
 avoid a knife till it learn to handle it 
 without danger. A lady made the expe- 
 riment on an infant of a year ; and it 
 not only avoided the knife, but looked 
 concerned when others handled it. At 
 the age of fix or feven, boys, in imitation 
 of men, will attempt things above their 
 
 flrength.
 
 in the Firji Stage of Life. 67 
 
 ftrength. In that cafe, it is proper to re- 
 ftrain them by pointing out the danger. 
 
 3^, Children are prone to complain, 
 becaufe they have no power to right 
 themfelves. Complaints too readily li- 
 flened to, will fet children of a family at 
 variance with one another. Difregard a 
 flight complaint, and admonifh the corn- 
 plainer, that it ought to love its brother 
 or fifter, inftead of bringing it to punifh- 
 ment by complaining. If the complaint 
 deferve a hearing, receive it coolly, and 
 fay that enquiry mall be made. Admo- 
 nifh the offender privately to give fatis- 
 faction, particularly by inftant reftitu- 
 tion, if it have taken any thing from the 
 complainer. This way of redrefling 
 wrongs, inftead of raifing enmity, may 
 contribute to cordiality among the chil- 
 dren of a family. 
 
 4//?, If proper authority be maintained 
 from the beginning, ftubbornnefs in a 
 
 child
 
 68 Management of Children 
 
 child will be a vice unknown ; but if laid 
 afide or relaxed, fhibbornnefs foon ap- 
 pears in fome children. Mr Locke men- 
 tions a lady whofe daughter was nurfed 
 in the country. She found the child fo 
 ftubborn, as to be forced to whip it eight 
 times before it was fubdued. This was 
 the nrft and the laft time of laving a 
 hand upon it. Ever after, it was all com- 
 pliance and obedience. This ought to 
 be a leflbn to parents never to relax the 
 reins of government. Doubtlefs the mo- 
 ther here fufFered more pain than the 
 child. Confult RoufTeau's method of 
 fubduing an obflinate boy*. 
 
 ,, 5/^, Man is an imitative being ; and 
 his pronenefs to imitation may be made 
 fubfervient to good culture. A child 
 under three, ihrinks from every grown 
 perfon, except thofe of its acquain- 
 tance. But it is fond of children. Let 
 
 * Emile, vol. I. p. 149.
 
 in the Firjl Stage of Life. 69 
 
 a child of fix or feven, carefully educated, 
 alfociate with younger children, they will 
 learn more by imitation than by much 
 verbal inftruclion. Even before infants 
 can ipeak, they underftand by figns your 
 difapprobation of a fretful perfon, or of 
 one who is dirty and ilovenly. But imi- 
 tation is a two-edged weapon : though 
 nature dictates to boys and girls different 
 amufements, yet nature may be warped 
 by circumflances. A boy educated with 
 girls of his own age, will imitate their 
 manners, and become eiFeminate. In this 
 part of the world, it is more common to 
 fee a girl imitate the manners of the boys 
 with whom me is educated. Such wrong 
 biaifes ought to be guarded againfl. There 
 are inftances of perfons having contract- 
 ed a bad manner of fpeaking, from hear- 
 ing daily the inarticulate founds of the 
 younger part of the family. Nature, in- 
 deed, directs us to imitate thofe above 
 us ; but a child of fix or feven, living 
 
 with
 
 70 Management of Children 
 
 with feveral younger, will defcend to par- 
 take of their amufements, rather than be 
 left alone. 
 
 6th, A favourite child, indulged by its 
 parents to afliime authority over others, 
 will become a tyrant when grown up. 
 Some children are difpofed to treat fer- 
 vants with haughtinefs and contempt. 
 If this temper in children be not repref- 
 fed, they will become like negro-drivers 
 in our colonies, or our carters at home. 
 Give authority to your fervants to let 
 fuch children know, that they are not 
 their fervants, nor owe them obedience. 
 From this treatment they will difcover, 
 that civility and intreaty, are the only 
 means for procuring what they want. 
 
 jth, That in the nature of fome in- 
 dividuals, there is a difpofition to cruelty, 
 cannot be difguifed, being evident from 
 various facts, Strong fymptoms of it ap- 
 pear
 
 in the Firjl Stage of Life. 7 1 
 
 pear in childhood, during which period 
 there is nothing hid. It is not uncom- 
 mon in a child, after careffmg its favou- 
 rite puppy, to kick and beat it ; or, after 
 ftroking its fparrow, to pull off its head. 
 I have feen a little girl, after {pending 
 hours in dremng its doll, throw it over 
 the window in a fudden fit. This difeafe 
 is not eaiily cured, becaufe, like the King's 
 evil, it is kept fecret. I know of no cure 
 fo effectual, as to enure a child of this 
 temper to objects of pity and concern. 
 Such objecls frequently prefented, and at 
 proper times, may give a turn to the di- 
 {temper, and make it yield to humanity. 
 Such fits of cruelty however, are far from 
 being general. There are many children, 
 who, having no malice in their compoii- 
 tion, are invariably kind to th ir favou- 
 rites, and charitable to perfons in want. 
 
 8/Z>, It is a capital point to enure young 
 perfons to fuffer accidental evils with 
 
 firmnefs.
 
 j 2 Management of Children 
 
 firmnefs. Children at play, bear ftrokes, 
 fatigue, and hunger, without repining ; 
 and cuftom will render fuch evils fami- 
 liar and eafy. This was held an impor- 
 tant branch of education among the 
 Spartans ; witnefs the young man who 
 fuffered a fox he had ftolen to eat into 
 his bowels, rather than difclofe the theft. 
 The feat of pain is in the mind ; and ac- 
 cordingly bodily diftrefs is felt much the 
 lighter when the mind is prepared for 
 it. If a child cut its finger or get a bump 
 on its head by a fall, it foftens the pain 
 to make a joke of it, to laugh, and to 
 make the child laugh. If it fall a crying, 
 fay " that it is below a perfon of fafhion 
 " to mind a fall, that no children cry 
 " but beggars brats, and that fuch a one 
 " fuffered more without complaining." 
 Nurfes and fervants increafe the child's 
 diftrefs, by an appearance of pity and 
 concern. Death commonly is very little 
 painful : the pain lies in the imagination 
 
 of
 
 in the Firjl Stage of Life. 73 
 
 of the dying perfon, raifed by the tears 
 and melancholy looks of the attendants. 
 Teach a boy to fuffer flight pain without 
 concern, and he will become a hero. If 
 too careful to prevent pain, you render 
 vour child a coward. 
 
 This branch of education is for the 
 mod part ill conducted, efpecially among 
 the lower ranks. A child, flipping a foot 
 and falling, cries from fear more than 
 from pain. It is whipped for crying, 
 though no antecedent care had been taken 
 to correct that weaknefs. It cries bitter- 
 ly ; and now every thing muft be done 
 to appeafe the poor child. The floor is 
 beat for hurting babie : it gets a fugar- 
 plum to give over crying. Such treat- 
 ment inculcates more than one bad leffon. 
 The beating of the floor fofters revenge in 
 the child. The fugar-plum teaches it to 
 cry when it wants any thing ; and hence 
 ■artifice and flmulation. 
 
 K qt/j,
 
 74 Management of Children 
 
 gtb, That cleanlinefs proceeds from 
 an internal fenfe, is made evident in 
 Sketches of the Hiftory of Man *. This 
 fenfe, originally weak like many others, 
 is capable of being fortified by education. 
 Let every thing be clean about your chil- 
 dren : give figns of difguft at a dirty 
 hand or a dirty frock, of which even an 
 infant before it can fpeak, will compre- 
 hend the meaning. I was informed by 
 a lady, not a little fludious of human na- 
 ture, that a child of hers, not two years 
 old, feeing a dirty fpot on her frock, cut 
 it out, knowing no better way of remo- 
 ving the eye-fore. 
 
 * Edit. 2. vol. I. p. 320. 
 
 SECT.
 
 in their Second Stage. 75 
 
 SECT. III. 
 
 Management of Children in their 
 Second Stage. 
 
 \Jl y TTEsiod, a Greek Poet, than whom 
 JL JL we know none more ancient, 
 makes the following inftructive obferva- 
 tion, that the gods invented induftry in 
 order to make us virtuous. Nothing in- 
 deed equals induftry for preventing vice. 
 Parents and tutors ! apply this obferva- 
 tion to the children under your care. 
 Keep them employed, keep them bufy, 
 and they will never have a wrong thought. 
 Let them indulge themfelves in play as 
 long as they incline ; but draw them off 
 when they begin to tire. Train them to 
 do every thing for themfelves as much as 
 poilible ; which will not only promote 
 their activity, but excite their invention. 
 Children who have every thing furniih- 
 
 cd
 
 •j 6 Management of Children 
 
 ed to them without labour or thought on 
 their part, will become indolent and in- 
 capable of any vigorotis exertion, — help- 
 lefs beings who muft employ another 
 hand even to buckle a fhoe. In order to 
 exercife invention, children fhould have 
 no play-things but what they make them- 
 felves, or help to make. A play-thing 
 that gratifies the fight only, is not long 
 relifhed ; but a child never tires of one 
 that gives.it exercife. A girl continues 
 fond of her doll, being conftantly em- 
 ployed in drefling and undremng it. She 
 makes it act the vifitor in the drawing- 
 room : flie makes it do the honours of the 
 table : fhe gives it correction and inftruc- 
 tion. Such things you will fee imitated 
 by a girl even in her fourth year. I know 
 not that there has been invented any fuch 
 play-thing for a boy of the fame age. A 
 bow and arrows require more years ; and 
 fo does the art of walking blindfold in a 
 flraight line, or of fearcliing for any thing 
 
 in
 
 in their S ceo fid Stage. 77 
 
 in the dark. Running for a prize is an 
 exercife roo violent for boys of twice that 
 age. Riding on a (lick is fo faint an 
 imitation of riding on horfe-back, as not 
 to be long relifhed. For want of fuitable 
 play-things, employ them in matters that 
 require fome thought. Send your fon 
 to bring you the ripeft apple in the gar- 
 den, or the number of fruit-trees that 
 cover the wall, or of horfes in a certain 
 inclofure. Send him to borrow for you 
 fuch a book ; or to make your apology 
 for breaking an appointment. Hide a 
 pen-knife in a fcritore : fend him to 
 bring it. If unfuccefsful, fend him a- 
 gain, and he finds it at lad. This will 
 exercife both his induitry and inventi- 
 on. Set things before him for a choice, 
 a piclure-book, a pair of gloves, filvcr 
 buckles, a child's bow and arrows. De- 
 mand a reafon for his choice, which will 
 give you occafion to inftruct him about a 
 right choice. Employ your daughter the 
 
 fame
 
 j 8 Management of Children 
 
 fame way, efpecially in matters that be- 
 long more properly to her fex. I am told, 
 that there is an Englifh boarding fchool, 
 in which the girls have gardening for an 
 amufement. A certain fpot is allotted to 
 each, which fhe fills with flowers, and 
 weeds with a hoe accommodated to her 
 fize. 
 
 There are other exercifes fitted for 
 boys as well as girls, which I introduce 
 here for the fake of connection, though 
 perhaps the next fedlion may be thought 
 a more proper place for them. To ini- 
 tiate children in the knowledge of trees, 
 of fruit, and of their names, take a leaf 
 from each of the common kinds, an oak, 
 a beech, an elm, &c. Spread them on a 
 table, and point out to your pupils the 
 particulars that difference each of them 
 from the reft. Add from time to time 
 leaves of trees lefs common. Your pupils 
 
 will
 
 in their Second Stage. yg 
 
 will learn to know every tree at firft fight 
 by its leaf. This is a fine introduction 
 to botany, and a promoter of it. An 
 apricot, a peach, a nectarine, are readily 
 diftinguiihable ; but to diftinguifh the 
 different kinds of apples and of pears, 
 and to give names to each, requires more 
 labour than is commonly given. And 
 this may be made an amufement even for 
 children of four or five. Show them the 
 different kinds, and point out the peculi- 
 arities of fhape and colour. The young 
 creatures will be fond of this exercife, 
 and will foon be expert in it. Such ex- 
 ercifes have the double advantage of fer- 
 ving for inftruction as well as for paf- 
 time. Another amufement will ferve as 
 an early introduction to hillory. Collect 
 prints of eminent perfons, ancient and 
 modern. After examining a print with 
 attention, give a fliort account of the 
 perfon it reprefents, Epaminondas for 
 example, who delivered his country from 
 
 Spartan
 
 So Management of Children 
 
 Spartan opprefTion, or Julius Csefar, who 
 enflaved his country. Proceed at inter- 
 vals to other prints, with proper obferva- 
 tions for improving your pupils in vir- 
 tuous principles, and for giving them a 
 diftafte to vice. When fufficiently ripe, let 
 them take the lead, and one after another, 
 name the perfons and their hiftory who 
 are reprefented in the prints. Entering 
 into a courfe of hiftory in more advanced 
 years, they will have double pleafure in 
 renewing their acquaintance with the 
 perfons who make the chief figure. 
 
 Industry produces many other good 
 effects. In the Jirjl place, an induftrious 
 perfon is always in good humour. La- 
 bouring people never tire, becaufe they 
 have always fomething to do. To lan- 
 guifh for want of occupation, is the en- 
 vied lot of the opulent ; their amufe- 
 ments by familiarity foon turning infi- 
 pid. Women of fortune having nothing 
 
 to
 
 in their Second Stage. 81 
 
 to animate them after the vanities of 
 youth are over, become vapouriih and 
 unhappy. In the next place, a habit 
 of application fmooths the road to fchools 
 and colleges ; and makes it eafy to ac- 
 quire every fort of knowledge. Nothing 
 on the other hand is more baneful, than 
 a habit of fauntering. This is eafily 
 prevented in children, becaufe they are 
 naturally active ; but with difficulty after 
 the habit is begun. The neglect of this 
 material article, has proved the ruin of 
 many a hopeful genius : it is little lefs 
 faulty, than the indulging of young per- 
 ions in vicious habits ; for idlenefs is an 
 inlet to many vices. 
 
 Rousseau declares againft impofing 
 tafks on children. I cannot help differ- 
 ing. Children are fond to be employed. 
 Let their tafks at firft be agreeable, and 
 much within their ability ; time and ha- 
 bit will enable them to overcome the 
 L molt
 
 82 Management of Children 
 
 moft difficult.. This fort of culture, is at 
 any rate neceffary for preparing a young 
 man to learn a trade. How indocile in 
 the hand of a mafter muft the apprentice 
 be, who has always been permitted to acl 
 without reftraint ! 
 
 id, What comes next in order, is to 
 promote every virtue in your children, 
 of which benevolence is the capital. The 
 man who is fond of his own fweet per- 
 fon, and of his own little pleafures, has 
 no relifli of benevolence, nor money to 
 fpare upon others. On the other hand, 
 he who fpares upon himfelf, is common- 
 ly liberal to thofe he is connected with. 
 Pliny the younger was famous for doing 
 good. He paid the debts of one, portion- 
 ed the daughter of another, gave his nurfe 
 a bit of land for her fuftenance, made an 
 eftablifhment for orphans and poor chil- 
 dren, — all upon a very moderate income. 
 To one curious to know the fund that 
 
 fupported
 
 in their Second Stage. 83 
 
 fupported fo much expence, he anfvvered 
 fimply, " What is wanting of yearly rent 
 " is fupplied by frugality." The late 
 Earl of Elgin, permitted his two fens in 
 their hours of play, to affociate with boys 
 in the neighbourhood ; which he thought 
 better, than to expofe them to be corrupt- 
 ed at home by his fervants, filling them 
 with notions of their rank and quality. 
 One day, the two boys being called to 
 dinner, a young lad, their companion, 
 faid, " I'll wait till you return, as there 
 ' is no dinner for me at home. Have 
 1 you no money to buy it ? No. Come 
 " then and dine with us. No." " Papa," 
 fays the eldeft, " what was the price of 
 " the filver buckles you gave me ? Five 
 " millings. Let me have them, and Til 
 1 give you the buckles." It was done 
 accordingly. The Earl, enquiring pri- 
 vately, found that the money was given 
 to the lad. The buckles were returned, 
 and the boy was highly commended for 
 
 being
 
 84 Management of Children 
 
 being kind to his companion. A crowd 
 of boys, difmiffed from the grammar 
 fchool on a Saturday, attacked a beggar 
 who was in liquor, pelting him with dirt 
 and ftones for their diverfion. One only 
 there was, who did every thing to make 
 his companions defift. He applied to a 
 woman who kept a ftall hard by, offer- 
 ing all the money he had, if fhe would 
 refcue the poor creature. The woman, 
 admiring the boy's humanity, told the 
 ftory to his mother's cook, from whom 
 it afcended to the parlour. The mother 
 was delighted : but the boy, afraid that 
 his companions would hold him in deri- 
 lion for fuch weaknefs, threatned revenge 
 againfl the woman. The mother laid 
 hold of the opportunity to convince her 
 fon, that it was inameful to abufe a poor 
 creature who could not defend himfelf ; 
 and that the lads would be chaftifed by 
 their parents, for doing a thing fo un- 
 worthy of gentlemen ; exhorting him to 
 
 perfevere
 
 in their Second Stage. 85 
 
 perfevere in what was right, without re- 
 garding his companions. A boy about 
 the age of ten, lays to his father, " Papa, 
 " give me fome money. There is a ihil- 
 " ling, will that do ? No." " There's a 
 " guinea. Thank you papa." The gen- 
 tleman difcovered, that it was given to a 
 woman who had been delivered of twins, 
 and was obliged to hire a nurfe for one 
 of them. A boy of five years, obferving 
 that a gentleman playing at cards did not 
 pay what he loft, and concluding that he 
 had no money, begged fome from his fa- 
 ther to give to the gentleman. A boy 
 between {exen and eight, of a noble fami- 
 ly, forayed accidentally into a hut, where 
 he faw a poor woman with a fick child on 
 her knee. Struck with companion, he 
 inftantly gave her all the money he had ; 
 carried to her from the herb market, 
 turnips and potatoes, with bread and 
 fcraps from his father's kitchen. The 
 parents enchanted with their fon, took 
 
 the
 
 86 Management of Children 
 
 the poor family off his hand. Two or 
 three years after, he faved the whole of 
 his weekly allowance, till it amounted to 
 eleven or twelve millings, and purchafed 
 a Latin dictionary, which he fent to a 
 comrade of his at the grammar fchool. 
 Many other acts of goodnefs are record- 
 ed of this boy in the family. Can there 
 be conceived a misfortune that will fink 
 deeper into the heart of affectionate pa- 
 rents, than the death of fuch a child ? It 
 wrings my heart to think of it. 
 
 Ofterxlen't terris hunc tamum fata, neque ultra 
 EiTe fin en t. 
 . Heu, miferande puer ! fi qua fata afpera rumpas, 
 Tu Marcellus eris. 
 
 There is no branch of education more 
 neglected than the training of young per- 
 fons to be charitable. And yet were this 
 virtue inflilled into children, fufceptible 
 of deep impreffions, a legal provifion for 
 the poor would be rendered unneceffary: 
 it would relieve England from the poor 
 
 rates.
 
 in their Second Stage. 87 
 
 rates, a grievous burden that undermines 
 both induftry and morals. Give to each 
 of your children a fmall mm for charity. 
 Let them account to you for the difpolal ; 
 and to the child who has made the moft 
 judicious diftribution, give double the 
 fum, to be laid out in the fame way. 
 It is not my opinion, that a child's libe- 
 rality ihould be repaid with intereft, 
 winch Mr Locke advifes, feci. 110; for 
 this would encourage covetoufnefs, not 
 benevolence. 
 
 The practice of doing good, cannot 
 fail to improve a benevolent difpohtion. 
 Occupy your pupil in relieving the indi- 
 gent, not only by his purfe, but by kind- 
 ly offices. Convince him that he cannot 
 be more honourably employed. 
 
 Compassion may be envigorated in 
 a young mind, by a fight of objects in 
 diftrefs. But beware of making fuch 
 
 objects
 
 88 Management of Children 
 
 objects too familiar, which would blunt 
 companion, inftead of envigorating it. 
 Priefts and phyficians, being employed 
 much about dying perfons, have com- 
 monly little concern but to do their 
 duty. 
 
 Instruct your pupils that they owe 
 civility to all, and that civility to the poor 
 will procure them more good-will, than 
 civility to the rich. Civility to the lat- 
 ter may be underftood flattery : civility 
 to the former can have no caufe but hu- 
 manity. 
 
 3^/, Gratitude is one of the laws of 
 nature, to which we are ftrietly bound j 
 and children mould be trained to be grate- 
 ful, as much as to be juft. Benevolence 
 and gratitude are hnely connected : a 
 kindly office excites gratitude ; and the 
 expectation of a grateful return, is a fpur 
 to kindnefs and benevolence. Two elder-
 
 in their Second Stage, 89 
 
 ly ladies in the neighbourhood of Edin- 
 burgh, who were in eafy circumftances 
 though not in affluence, took a liking to 
 a poor boy in the village, and gave him 
 an invitation to their kitchen when hun- 
 gry. They put him to a country fchool, 
 and defrayed the expence of his educa- 
 tion. He left the fchool to go abroad ; 
 and the fir ft account they heard of him, 
 after an interval of many years, was a 
 fettlement upon them of an annuity of 
 L. 50 to each for life. By this time one 
 of the ladies was dead, and the furvivor 
 enjoys to this day the whole L. 100. This 
 is a pregnant inftance of the principle of 
 gratitude planted by nature in the hu- 
 man heart, a mofl mining virtue, if not 
 the molt important in fociety. Let pa- 
 rents and tutors advert to this benign 
 influence of nature. And if they apply 
 to its cultivation, they feldom will be uij- 
 fuccefsful, 
 
 M AJb s Cu-
 
 go Management of Children 
 
 qtb, Curiosity is an appetite implant- 
 ed in man for acquiring knowledge* 
 Children have it in perfection ; for to 
 them every thing is new and unknown. 
 They are conftantly afking questions ; 
 which ought to be anfwered according 
 to their capacity : to neglect their que- 
 flions, or to laugh at them, fhows great 
 ignorance of the principles of education;, 
 for to give fatisfaction to children by an- 
 fwering their queftions, has a direct ten- 
 dency to enlighten their minds. The 
 anfwer to one queftion fuggefts common- 
 ly a fecond ; and the ingenuity that fome 
 children fhow in fuch queftions, is truly 
 furprifing. Such correfpondence between 
 parent and child, tends alfo to increafe 
 their mutual affection : the parent is plea- 
 fed with the child's appetite for know- 
 ledge ; and the child is fond of its pa- 
 rent for liflening to it. " Knowledge,' ' 
 fays Locke, " is grateful to the underftand* 
 " ing, as light is to the eyes. Children 
 
 41 are
 
 in thelf Second Stage J 91 
 
 " are delighted when their enquiries are 
 " regarded, and their defire of knowledge 
 " encouraged and commended." 
 
 Stronger evidence there can be none 
 of man's difpofition for fociety, than the 
 curiofity all have about the character and 
 conduct of their fellow-creatures. The 
 fondnefs of children for (lories ought to 
 be laid hold of, as a mean no lefs pleafing 
 than effectual, for making virtuous im- 
 prefhons that never wear out. A collec- 
 tion of proper (lories feparated into clafTes 
 that are adapted to different ages, would 
 be a valuable acquifition to the public. 
 The firft clafs, fitted for children of four 
 or five, mould contain fhort (lories, exhi- 
 biting fimple pictures of virtue and vice, 
 expreffed in the plained terms. The fe- 
 cond clafs, adapted to the age of fix or 
 feven, ihould contain (lories of the fame 
 kind, a little more complicated. Let the 
 third contain regular (lories, difplaying 
 
 the
 
 92 Management of Children 
 
 the good confequences of virtue, and the 
 bad confequences of vice, flill in a fimple 
 {file. Here is room for the tutor, to in- 
 culcate more fully thefe different confe^ 
 quences. This clafs is proper to children 
 from nine to eleven. In the fourth clafs, 
 the ftile may be raifed and refined ; and 
 {lories felected that afford a linking mo- 
 ral ; or in other words, that fhow not 
 only the beauty, but the advantage of vir- 
 tue ; not only the deformity, but the mif- 
 chief of vice. The lafl clafs, fit for the 
 finifhing ftage of education, may be of 
 complicated {lories in various ftiles, pre- 
 ferring what have the mo{l obvious mo- 
 ral. This clafs may be eafily filled with 
 a feledlion from the numberlefs {lories of 
 that kind already in print. Such inflruc^ 
 tions, if made a daily work, would be a 
 great improvement, by {lamping on the 
 mind virtuous impreflions, at a time when 
 it is the moll fufceptible of imprefhons. 
 They would alfo ripen the judgment, by 
 
 enurine
 
 in their Second Stage. 93 
 
 enuring the youth of both fexes, to think 
 and reafon upon caufes and confequen- 
 ces. When abfurd ftories of ghofts and 
 apparitions make fo deep impremons, 
 without having any foundation in nature, 
 have we not reafon to believe, that im- 
 premons equally deep, may be made by 
 ftories of benevolence, gratitude, friend- 
 Ihip, parental and filial affection, and of 
 other virtues which have a folid founda- 
 tion in nature ? I think it is Mr Addifon 
 who obferves, that the benevolence of 
 the Englifli peafants, is partly owing to 
 the fimple, but celebrated ballad, The 
 Babes of the Wood. The Archbifhop of 
 Cambray, had a high opinion of this fort 
 of culture. He compofed the Adventures 
 of TelcmachuSy for the inftruclion of his 
 pupil the Duke of Burgundy ; and other 
 fweet fables, which every young perfon 
 is delighted with. 
 
 To
 
 94 Management of Children 
 
 To fortify the impreffions made in the 
 courfe of this culture, a fet of hiftorical 
 prints well chofen would greatly contri- 
 bute ; and as this is a pleafing ftudy, it 
 may be ufed as one of many rewards for 
 behaving well. I give for an example, 
 the hiftory of the Prodigal Son, carried 
 on through feveral prints. Prepare your 
 pupils, by relating the (lory in an inte- 
 refling manner : then exhibit the prints 
 one by one. They will be fond to exa- 
 mine each picture with every figure in 
 it ; and with your help, will foon be able 
 to explain the meaning. The moft im- 
 portant part remains, which is, to incul- 
 cate the moral, " That children behaving 
 " properly, will always find their parents 
 u to be their beft friends ; and that even 
 " when they go aflray, fincere repentance 
 " will reftore them to favour." The 
 ftory of Jofeph and his brethern in dif- 
 ferent prints, is another good example, 
 not only highly interefting, but affording 
 
 much
 
 in their Second Stage. 95 
 
 much inflruction. Hogarth's Good Ap- 
 prentice , exhibits an excellent moral for 
 children ; but is too complex for begin- 
 ners. 
 
 5//?, An important object that belong9 
 to every flage of education, is the difci- 
 plining young people to reflrain their de- 
 fires and appetites ; which is not difficulty 
 if parents begin early to exert their abfo- 
 lute authority. There is great virtue in 
 reflraining an appetite when the temp- 
 tation is ftrong ; and fuch virtue in a 
 young perfon, cannot be fufficiently ap- 
 plauded. If a child infill, fay dryly, but 
 firmly, that it is not to be done. In 
 more advanced years, when reafon be- 
 gins to peep out, explain the folly of it. 
 Children by fuch difcipline, acquire gra- 
 dually the power of felf-denial, highly 
 ufeful in the conduct of life. " If the 
 " child," fays Mr Locke, " mud have 
 
 grapes or iiigar-plums, when he has a 
 
 ' mind
 
 g6 Management of Children 
 
 u mind to them ; why, when grown up, 
 " mufl he not be fatisfied too, if his de- 
 ** fires carry him to wine or women ? 
 " He who is not ufed to fubmit his will 
 " to the reafon of others while he is 
 " young, will fcarce hearken or fubmit 
 " to his own reafon when he is of an age 
 " to make ufe of it." A pafTion directed 
 to a particular object ; a beautiful fe- 
 male for example, foon exhaufts itfelf by 
 its violence. An appetite that can be gra- 
 tified different ways, fuch as ambition or 
 avarice, may laft for ever. In the courfe 
 of education, appetites of that fort ought 
 to be checked with folicitude : if they 
 once get a feat in the mind, it is vain to 
 think of expelling them. Children are 
 fond of things that touch the palate. Af* 
 ter dining in their nurfery, introduce your 
 children to the guefls when the defert is 
 on the table. If a child afk any thing, 
 fay dryly, "You have dined, let us dine; 
 " we demanded none of your victuals, 
 
 " whv
 
 in their Second Stage 97 
 
 " why fhould you have any of ours ?" 
 Renew this frequently, and your children 
 will acquire a habit of feeing without de- 
 firing. A noble Lord, now in heaven, 
 favoured by Providence w r ith a family of 
 fine children, permitted no play-thing to 
 be given them, leaving them to invent a- 
 mufements for themfelves. He obferved, 
 " That children are fond of toys, efpeci- 
 " ally of toys that pleafe by their novel- 
 " ty ; and that frequent prefents to them 
 " of fuch things, bring on a habit of in- 
 " temperate longing for trifles." Chil- 
 dren tire the fooneft of what they are the 
 fondeft, but without leffening their avi- 
 dity for new things ; and if thefe be fup- 
 plied in plenty, the appetite is flrength- 
 ened by habit, requiring variety in play- 
 things, as well as beauty. This habit 
 continues for life, with no alteration but 
 what proceeds from age : the objects only 
 are varied from childifh toys to thofe of 
 idle men. And hence the endlcfs circle 
 N of
 
 98 Management of Children 
 
 of minute pleafures, which to men of for- 
 tune become neceffaries of life. You 
 cannot begin too early, to check the de- 
 fire that children have for toys and gew- 
 gaws. Take opportunity in prefence of 
 your children, to difplay your ornaments 
 and fine things. Carry them fometimes 
 to a toyfhop. Make prefents to perfons 
 about you : let not your children hope to 
 get any ; and they will learn in time to 
 fee fuch things with indifference. People 
 do not fufficiently confider the mifchie- 
 vous effects of indulging children in their 
 fancies : many men, who in their tender 
 years had been perverted by fuch indul- 
 gence, have diffipated great eftates upon 
 mere trifles. 
 
 6tb, There is no incitement for beha- 
 ving well of greater efficacy, than to let 
 your child know, that you think it worthy 
 of being employed and trufted. A lady 
 of high rank gave the charge of her con- 
 fections
 
 in their Second Stage. 99 
 
 fections to her daughter, a child of four 
 years. The child, accompanied with her 
 maid, was punctual in executing the com- 
 miflion ; and no lefs faithful than punc- 
 tual, never having once offered to pur- 
 loin the flighted thing. This experiment 
 requires, indeed, a faithful attendant : if 
 a child, committing a breach of truft, 
 find that the fecret can be kept, it will 
 proceed in the fame track, and the con- 
 fequence will be deplorable. A regula- 
 tion in fome boarding fchools, of giving 
 to an elder girl the care of two younger, 
 for dreiTmg them and giving them lef- 
 fons, is excellent. Truft your young foil 
 with papers, with money, with a book, 
 requiring him to preferve thefe things 
 carefully till called for, 
 
 jtb, An article of the greatefl nicety, 
 is to enure children to keep a fecret. Tell 
 your child any thing in the way of fe- 
 crefy, not to be revealed on any account. 
 
 Have
 
 ioo Management of Children 
 
 Have a faithful fervant on the watch. If 
 you find that your child has blabbed, 
 mention not your informer, but fay, 
 " that the fecret has taken air, and that 
 " it mud have come from you. I do 
 " not blame you much, becaufe you are 
 " a child ; but be more on your guard 
 " hereafter." If the fecret be kept, em- 
 ploy a perfon to talk to the child, and to 
 endeavour to draw the fecret from it. If 
 the child Hand firm, fay to it after an in- 
 terval, " I find you have kept my fecret. 
 " You are a good child, and you fhall be 
 " my confident." 
 
 Stb, The notion of property arifes from 
 an innate fenfe, which teaches even infants 
 to diftinguifh between yours and mine. It 
 is however during infancy i'o faint, as in 
 mofl children to yield to any vivid appe- 
 tite. As fociety depends in a great mea- 
 fure on the fenfe of property, neglect no 
 opportunity to fortify that fenfe in your 
 
 children.
 
 ;'// their Second Stage. loj 
 
 children. Make them fenfible, that it is 
 a great wrong to take what belongs to 
 another. " How would you like to have 
 " your little dog taken from you by 
 " force ? The knife you have taken is 
 " not yours, what right have you to it ? 
 " You ought to be fatisfied with your 
 " own play-things, and not covet what 
 " belongs to another." Let not the 
 flighteft tranfgreflion efcape : it ought 
 to be punifhed with fhame and dif- 
 grace. 
 
 SECT,
 
 102 Management of Children 
 
 SECT. IV. 
 
 Management of Children in their 
 Third Stage. 
 
 THE in{truc"tions hitherto given, re- 
 quire in children no degree of un- 
 derftanding, but what is derived from na- 
 ture, before the faculty of reafon begins 
 to be unfolded. What are contained in 
 the prefent fection require fome fhare of 
 that faculty ; and upon that account, I 
 term it the third ftage of childhood. 
 Education during this ftage may be car- 
 ried on, not only by facts and incidents 
 as in the foregoing flages, but by advice, 
 by exhortation, by moral leilbns, which 
 require reafon on the child's part. But 
 let thofe who prefide over education at- 
 tend to the proper time for carrying on 
 this branch. Moral leffons abftracted 
 from facts, never make any impreffion on 
 
 children,
 
 in their 'Third Stage. 103 
 
 children, unlefs to breed difguft. When 
 your pupil is agitated with fome incident 
 that gives him concern, take that oppor- 
 tunity to lecture upon it, to mow its 
 good or bad tendency ; and you will be 
 heard with avidity. Except upon fuch 
 an occaiion, pure reafoning will have no 
 good effect. Dry inftruclion is for men 
 only : the wife Solomon did not intend 
 his Proverbs for children. 
 
 The great variety of matter that comes 
 under this fection, requires it to be di- 
 vided into parts, beginning with the im- 
 provement of active virtues; next, the im- 
 provement of restraining virtues ; third, 
 relative matters that fall not directly un- 
 der either head, but are nearly connected 
 with both. 
 
 iy?, With regard to active virtues, 
 there is a beauty in candour and plain 
 dealing, which procures good will and 
 
 affection,
 
 164 Management of Children 
 
 affection, even above many virtues that 
 make a more fplendid figure. Nature 
 prompts to this virtue ; for no perfon 
 ever recurred to diffimulation but to hide 
 fbme wrong. Candour is indeed a great 
 fweetner in fociety, for without it there 
 can be no friendfhip nor mutual confi- 
 dence. Marifchal de Turenne, when he 
 commanded, in Germany, was offered a 
 confiderable fum by a neutral city to 
 march another way* " I cannot accept, 
 " faid the Marifchal, becaufe I do not 
 " intend to take the road to your city." 
 This fingle flroke of character, was fuffi- 
 cient to endear that great man, even to 
 the enemies of his country : fuch can- 
 dour is fcarce confident with any vice. 
 As children are naturally candid, it is an 
 eafy and pleafant tafk to keep them fo. 
 If their confidence be gained by kindly 
 treatment, they will never think of dif- 
 fembling. 
 
 2^, In
 
 in their Third Stage. 105 
 
 2*/, In the foregoing fecticn it was ob- 
 ferved, that the way to invigorate com- 
 panion in a child, is to fhow it objects in 
 diflrefs. You may now add inftruction 
 to nght. Make your children fenfible 
 that none are fecure againil misfortunes, 
 and that neither birth, health, nor riches 
 afford protection. Give them inflancen 
 of the viciffitudes of fortune, of men in 
 high life reduced like Hainan to bitter 
 mifery. Cicero, talking of Cxfar in one 
 of his pleadings, paints in lively colours 
 his martial achievements, overcoming 
 feafons as well as enemies ; but. mentions 
 with more fatisfaclion, the generous pro- 
 tection he gave to an old friend, who, by 
 an unforefeen event, had fallen not only 
 into mifery but into difgrace. " Con- 
 ; queft, fays he, makes a man immortal ; 
 " and who would not exert every power 
 to become immortal ! Acts of private 
 1 friendihip can have no motive but 
 ' goodnefs of heart. And considering 
 O " Csfar
 
 io6 Management of Children 
 
 " Csefar at the top of human grandeur* 
 
 " continuing attentive, like a private per- 
 
 " fon, to the neceflities of the unhappy, 
 
 " I efteem him a greater man than in 
 
 " the midft of his victories." 
 
 3</, There cannot be a more inflruc- 
 tive lefTon to young perfons, than that 
 happinefs depends not on pomp and 
 grandeur, nor on other external circum- 
 flances. The feat of happinefs is in the 
 heart : one contented with his lot cannot 
 be unhappy. Auguflus, after prevailing 
 over his rivals, governed during 40 years 
 a mighty empire. His immenfe power, 
 however, could not protect him from af- 
 fliction. It did not prevent him from 
 exclaiming againfl Varus, for the lofs of 
 his German legions ; nor from beating 
 his head againfl the wall, and filling his 
 palace with lamentations. What availed 
 his conquefls, when his intimate friends 
 plotted againfl his life ? his grandeur did 
 
 not
 
 in their Third Stage. 107 
 
 not prevent the mifconducl: of fome of 
 his relations, nor the death of all. He 
 himfelf, the laft of his family, was mifled 
 by his wife, to name a monfter for his 
 fucceifor. Such was the miferable fate of 
 that mafter of the world ; though pro- 
 nounced the happieft of men, by thofe 
 who can pierce no deeper than the fuiv 
 face. 
 
 4//?, Taste is one of our faculties that 
 is the floweft in its progrefs toward ma- 
 turity ; and yet may receive fome im- 
 provement, during the courfe of domeflic 
 education. Compare with your pupils 
 two poems on the fame fubject, or two 
 paffages. Take the lead in pointing out 
 beauties and blemifhes, in the fimpleft 
 manner. After fome time, let them take 
 the lead under your correction. You can- 
 not have a better book for that exercife 
 than the Speclator. A pleafing vein of 
 genteel humour runs through every one 
 
 of
 
 10 8 Management of Children 
 
 of Addifon's papers, which, like the fweet 
 flavour of a hyacinth, conftantly cheers, 
 and never overpowers. Steele's papers, 
 on the contrary, are little better than 
 trafh : there is fcarce a thought or fenti- 
 ment that is worthy to be transferred into 
 a common-place book. My pupil reads 
 a few papers daily, without a (ingle ob- 
 fervation on my part. After fome time, 
 I remark to him the difference of com- 
 petition ; which, in the courfe of reading 
 becomes more and more apparent. The 
 laft ftep is to put him on diftinguifhing 
 the two authors. He at firfl makes an 
 aukward figure ; but I know from trial, 
 that he may be brought to diftinguifh fo 
 readily as fometimes to name the author 
 from the very firfl period. '* Foh ! fays 
 " he, that is Steele, we'll have no more 
 " of him." 
 
 $tb, During infancy, authority fhould 
 be abfblute without relaxation. But let the 
 
 parent?
 
 in their 'third Stage. 109 
 
 parents or governor watch the nrfh dawn 
 of reafon, which ought to be laid hold of 
 for giving exercife to the judgment of 
 their pupil. They may begin with pre- 
 fenting two fimple things, and bidding 
 him chufe for himfelf. Let them proceed 
 (lowly to things lefs fimple. After fome 
 exercife of this kind, it is time to demand 
 a reafon for his choice. If he be at a lofs, 
 a reafon may be fuggefted fo flyly, as to 
 make him think it his own, which will 
 raife a defire to find out reafons. Exer- 
 cife is not more falutary to the body 
 than to the mind. When he wants to 
 have any thing done, let him fir ft: try 
 what he can do himfelf. A favage, ha- 
 ving none to apply to for advice or di- 
 rection, is reduced to judge for himfelf 
 at every turn : he makes not a fingle ftep 
 without thinking before hand what is to 
 follow ; by which means, a young lavage 
 is commonly endued with more penetra- 
 tion, than an Oxford or Cambridge fcho- 
 
 lar.
 
 no Management of Children 
 
 lar. In point of education, I hold it bet- 
 ter for a young man to err fometimes on 
 his own judgment, than to follow im- 
 plicitly the more mature judgment of 
 his preceptor. A boy who is never per- 
 mitted to think for himfelf till he is fif- 
 teen, will probably continue a boy for 
 life. 
 
 Hitherto of improving our active 
 virtues. We proceed to the improvement 
 of our reftraining virtues. When chil- 
 dren are very young, the parent has no 
 way for checking an irregular appetite, 
 but authority alone, and this is handled 
 in the faction immediately foregoing. 
 When the faculty of reafon begins to ap- 
 pear, then is the time for reafbning with 
 your children, and for difplaying to them 
 the bad confequences of indulging any 
 irregular appetite. Let them be indulged 
 freely in every thing that tends to their 
 good ; but give no quarter to what may 
 
 harm
 
 in their 'Third Stage. 1 1 1 
 
 harm them. A young man, accuftomed 
 from childhood to weigh his inclinations, 
 and to reftrain fuch as may prove hurt- 
 ful, is fitted for making an amiable figure. 
 A young man, on the contrary, who has 
 been gratified in every defire without re- 
 ftraint, can never make a good figure* 
 Every fplendid object ftrikes his fancy, 
 and raifes a defire of making it his own. 
 If admitted to a palace, he is mortified 
 that his father's houfe is lb mean ; and 
 flill more, that he himfelf makes no fi- 
 gure compared with the landlord* If he 
 meet with a youth more gaily drelTed 
 than himfelf, he murmurs at the avarice 
 of his parents. Nor can fuch mortifica-' 
 lion have an end ; for among the num- 
 berlefs objects of his willies, there are per- 
 haps very few within his reach. And 
 now to particulars. 
 
 i/ 2 , When any irregular appetite breaks 
 out, endeavour immediately to reprefs it. 
 
 Vanity
 
 i I -2 Management of Children 
 
 Vanity, like feveral other paffions, difap- 
 points its aim. Its aim is to make a fi- 
 gure ; and yet it renders the perfon an 
 object of ridicule, never of refpect : not 
 to mention, that it lays open an unguard- 
 ed heart to the machinations of perfons 
 ill inclined. Cimon the Athenian amafTed 
 a great fortune ; but bellowed it liberally 
 on the poor, and on keeping an open 
 table for every perfon who wanted a din- 
 ner. " What comparifon, fays Plutarch, 
 " between the table of Cimon, fimple, 
 " frugal, popular, and that of Lucullus, 
 " contrived for orientation, and to fofter 
 " luxury." Nothing fofters vanity in a 
 young creature fo much as dr effing it out 
 gorgeoufly ; and yet a fond parent in- 
 fbead of endeavouring to correct that vice, 
 is prone to give it encouragement. When 
 little mifs is drefled in her new gown, one 
 would imagine the mother wants to fwell 
 its vanity. Her darling, her little angel, are 
 appellations liberally bellowed, A child, 
 
 perceiving
 
 iff their Third Stage. 1 1 3 
 
 perceiving this bias in its mother, values 
 drefs highly, and defpifes every one who 
 goes more plain. Is there no hazard that 
 perfons thus educated, may come to re- 
 gard drefs as the chief qualification of 
 people of fafhion ? To correct or reflrain 
 an appetite for fine cloaths, the following 
 method among others promifes fuccefs. 
 Load your girl with ornaments. Say to 
 thofe in company, that me never look- 
 ed worfe. One adds, is fhe not pretty 
 enough to become a more fimple drefs ? 
 Take away every fuperfluous ornament, 
 and then commend her appearance : 
 ' How genteel and how fweet fhe now 
 ' looks." The girl will acquire a taffe 
 for fimplicitv. Get your ion a coat daub- 
 ed over with gold or (liver, but fo ill 
 made as to pain him. Befpeak perfons 
 to ridicule him for his finery. He will 
 be glad to change this nafty coat for owe 
 more eafy and more agreeable. Were it. 
 the falhion among people of rank to d r cis 
 V their
 
 1 14 Management of Children 
 
 their children plain, it would have a won- 
 derful good effect, not only on themfelves, 
 but on their inferiors. Young people 
 would learn to defpife fine cloaths, and 
 to value themfelves on good behaviour : 
 neatndfs and elegance would be the fole 
 aim in drefs. As foon as children are 
 fufceptible of verbal inftruction, let them 
 know that the chief ufe of cloaths is to 
 keep them warm ; and that to be diilin- 
 guifhed by their finery, will make them 
 either be envied or ridiculed. 
 
 Pharnabasus, lord lieutenant to the 
 king of Perha, had invited Agefilaus, king 
 of Lacedemon, to treat of peace ; and the 
 interview was in the open field. The firfl 
 appeared in all the pomp and luxury of 
 the Perfian court. He was dreffed in a 
 purple robe embroidered with gold and 
 filver : the ground was fpread with rich 
 carpets, and fine cufhions were laid down 
 to fit on. Agefilaus, in a plain drefs, 
 
 fat
 
 in their Third Stage. 115 
 
 fat down on the grafs without any cere- 
 mony. The pride of the Perfian was con- 
 founded ; and he appeared little in the 
 eyes of the beholders compared with the 
 Lacedemonian. 
 
 A tutor to wean his pupil from a 
 fondnefs for fine cloaths, told him the 
 following ftory. There was once upon 
 a time, a very good and a very clever boy 
 named Hercules. Befide his prayers and 
 his book, he was taught to run and leap, 
 to ride, wreftle, and cudgel. And though 
 he was able to beat any boy in the pa- 
 rim, he never harmed any of them. He 
 did not matter cold, nor hunger, nor how 
 or where he lay. He went always dref- 
 fed in a loofe coat of the coarfeft kind, 
 which he could put on or off at pleafure. 
 For he knew that his drefs was no part 
 of himfelf, and could neither make him 
 better nor worfe. When this brave boy 
 came to man's eftate, he went about the 
 
 world
 
 1 1 6 Management of Children 
 
 world doing good ; helping the weakj 
 feeding the hungry, cloathing the naked, 
 and chaflifing thofe who did wrong to 
 others. AU good people loved him, and 
 all naughty people feared him. But oh 
 fad and difmal ! a lady made him a pre- 
 fent of a new coat laced and ruffled in a 
 moft gorgeous manner ; fo that poor 
 Hercules looked as fine as you do now. 
 He turned to this fide, and to that fide ; 
 and began to think more and better of 
 himfelf, becaufe he had got this fool's 
 coat upon him. He grow fo fond of it, 
 that he could not bear to have it put off. 
 Neither would he venture out in the rain 
 any more ; nor box nor wreftle with any 
 one, for fear of fpoiling his fine coat. So 
 that he loft the love and the praifes of 
 every body ; and all people fcorned him, 
 and pointed at him for a fool and a cox- 
 comb. 
 
 The
 
 in their Third Stage. 1 1 j 
 
 The fable fays, that it was the folly of 
 the cock to fpurn the diamond, and to 
 wiih for a barley-corn. A more fenfible 
 lelfon may be drawn from this fable, 
 namely, that we Ihould imitate the cock 
 in diftinguiihing things of uie from things 
 merely of ihow. The diamond, however 
 fparkling in a fine lady's hair, is of no 
 ufe to a cock. 
 
 A young man difpofed to felf-conceit, 
 meets with frequent caufes of humilia- 
 tion : the firfl affront flings him to the 
 heart. Compare this young man with 
 one who puts no value on himfelf above 
 his merit. The latter is efteemed by all, 
 careffed by many, and gains fome real 
 friends. Modefty is indeed one of the 
 moil attractive virtues that belongs to 
 man. The Prince of Conde and the 
 Marifchal de Turenne, the greatefl gene- 
 rals of their time, polfefTed each of them 
 that virtue in perfection. It is obferved, 
 
 that
 
 1 1 8 Management of Children 
 
 that thofe who heard them talk of their 
 wars, were furprifed at their referve, — 
 not a word that had the leaft appearance 
 of vanity : they fcarce ever mentioned 
 themfelves. How different the vanity 
 of Cicero, eternally founding his own 
 praifes. Vanity is one of the unlucky 
 paffions that labours againfl itfelf : in- 
 ftead of railing the man, it lefTens him 
 in the efleem of others. 
 
 2d, Moderate felf-efteem ought to be 
 cherilhed even in children ; and it fprings 
 early, making them afhamed when told 
 that what they have done is below them. 
 Pride is felf-efleem in excefs ; which is 
 hateful, and ought to be reprefTed by 
 every poffible mortification. Inculcate in- 
 to your pupil as foon as he is capable of 
 underftanding you, that however diftin- 
 guifhed the high may be from the low, 
 the rich from the poor, yet that every 
 one ought to be treated with civility, not 
 
 excepting
 
 in their 'Third Stage. 1 1 9 
 
 excepting even your fervants who depend 
 on you for bread. Paint to him in lively 
 colours the averfion that all have againfl 
 proud perfons ; that they can have no 
 friends nor even wellwifhers ; and there- 
 fore, that if he be infected with that difeafe, 
 he ought carefully to conceal it. Obferve 
 to him, that the moderate man is happy, 
 becaufe he is contented with his lot ; but 
 that the proud man muft be unhappy, 
 becaufe he never thinks himfelf fuffici- 
 ently refpected. 
 
 3</, Obstinacy is a difagreeable qua- 
 lity in fociety. As in a ftate, authority 
 and command are confined to a few in- 
 dividuals among multitudes who are tied 
 to obedience, your children ought to be 
 fo difciplined, as to yield readily even to 
 thofe of their own age. Make them fen- 
 fible, that they will be more praifed in 
 yielding, even when they are in the right, 
 than to be ftifF and obftinate. Introduce 
 
 your
 
 j 20 Management of Children 
 
 your children after their own dinner, to 
 your guefts when the defert is on the 
 table. " You fhall have, fays the mo- 
 " ther, what fmgle thing you chufe, but 
 " nothing unlefs you all agree." Each 
 will readily renounce what pleafes their 
 own palate, rather than get nothing. But 
 to whatever praife a yielding temper may 
 be entitled, iiiflruct your pupil, that it is 
 (till more praife- worthy to be obflinate 
 againlt what is faulty. Too great faci- 
 lity, fuch as is apt to lead a young per- 
 fon aftray, is a weaknefs that ought to be 
 carefully guarded againft. Young men 
 are milled, by the vicious inclinations of 
 others, more frequently than by their 
 own : they are afhamed of fcrupling to 
 do what their companions do without 
 fcruple. Rouifeau mentions a young of- 
 ficer, who was averfe to the debauche- 
 ries of his fellows; but was carried along 
 from the dread of ridicule. " I am, fays 
 he, like a man who begins to ufe tc- 
 
 " bacco :
 
 in their 'Third Stage, 121 
 
 u bacco : the relifh will come by prac- 
 u tice f and I mufl not always be a 
 " child." 
 
 4th y Curiosity about future events is 
 a weaknefs no lefs common than hurtful. 
 As human nature is more fufceptible of 
 pain than of pleafure, joy from the fore- 
 light of good, would be greatly overba- 
 lanced by affliction from the forefight of 
 bad. Why then impatiently feek to croft 
 the will of the Deity, who, with watch- 
 ful benevolence, has hid futurity from 
 us in utter darknefs ? Baniih from the 
 mind of your pupil, prognoftics, omens, 
 and fuch trafh, generated by fuperftition, 
 which harafs men more than war or pc- 
 ftilence. Do you wifh to know what will 
 bcfal you ? Confult your own principles 
 of action, your condition of life, and the 
 circumftances you are in : thefe, with 
 experience, will give you all the forefight 
 of futurity that nature intends, or that 
 
 0. «■»'
 
 122 Management of Children 
 
 will be for your good. At any rate, ex* 
 pofe not yourfelf to be laughed at for 
 giving faith to an impoftor, who, grofsly 
 ignorant of the prefent, pretends to fee 
 into futurity ; and who knows as little 
 of your deftiny as you do of his *. 
 
 $tb, It 
 
 * A miferable victim of this delufion was Henry 
 IV. of France, one of the ableft men that ever 
 drew breath. A prediction of fome foolifh aftrolo- 
 jrer that he would be murdered, fo particular as to 
 name the day, funk deep into his heart. As the day 
 approached, his mind was in a manner unhinged : 
 he could not eat, deep, nor reft in a place. The 
 Due de Sully, who feems to have been no lefs af- 
 fected than his mafter, mentions one circumilance 
 not a little fingular, that upon the fatal day he uled 
 no precaution for his fafety ; that, on the contrary, 
 having called for his coach, he forbade the guards 
 to follow him. This famous prediction, which at 
 the time aflonifhed all Europe, would not at prefent 
 be regarded. Of a hundred fuch predictions, the 
 ninety-nine that mifcarry are inftantly forgotten ; 
 whereas the fmgle one that happens accidentally to 
 be verified, makes a figure in the imagination, and Is 
 recorded as a wonder.
 
 in their Third Stage. 123 
 
 5/Z?, It is a conceit of Ariflotle, that 
 every virtue is placed between two oppo- 
 fite vices ; which indeed holds in fome 
 virtues. (Economy (lands in the middle 
 between avarice and prodigality. Avarice 
 feldom appears in youth : there are how- 
 ever inflances of it even in childhood. 
 To check that low appetite, exercife 
 your child in giving away what he is 
 fond of; and carefs him if he do it with 
 a good grace. Obferve to him, when 
 he can underfland you, that avarice is a 
 fneaking vice, below a gentleman ; and 
 that it makes a man unhappy, becaufe it 
 makes him grudge to lay out money even 
 on necefTaries. Add, that riches are fub- 
 jecl to the accidents of fortune ; and that 
 an avaricious man, after hoarding up 
 money by ftarving, may in an inftant be 
 deprived of all *. On the other hand, 
 as examples make a deeper impreflion 
 than dry precepts, the belt way of extin- 
 
 guifhing 
 
 * See the Art of Thinking, No. 27.
 
 1 24 Management of Children 
 
 guifhing any feeds of dimpation in your 
 pupil, is to point out to him men re- 
 duced by extravagance from opulence to 
 beggary. If you find him inclined to 
 loofe women, carry him to an hoipital 
 infected with the mod loathfome of all 
 difeafes. 
 
 6tb, The pamon that is the moll diffi- 
 cult to be reftrained, and yet of all the 
 mod necefTary to be reftrained, is anger ; 
 which alone has occahoned more mifchief 
 than all the other paffions together. Ex- 
 perience of its fad confequences may, in 
 a thinking perfon, do much ; and the tu- 
 tor's lectures, with proper inf lances, may 
 produce fome effect But there is a fimple 
 leifon more ealily underftood by a young 
 perfon, and more effectual, which is, to 
 be obflinately iilent while he is angry. 
 Let it be kept in memory what Socrates 
 faid to a Have who had mifbehaved, " I 
 
 would treat thee as thou defervefl, 
 
 " were
 
 i7t their Third Stage. 125 
 
 " were I not in a paffion." This reflraint 
 may be at firft difficult ; but by due at- 
 tention in the tutor it will become eafy, 
 and prevent every bad effect of the pac- 
 tion. If it be thought too difficult to 
 infill upon fo perfect a cure at once, be- 
 gin with inftructing your pupil to copy 
 a Roman Emperor, who made it a rule, 
 that before opening his mouth in wrath, 
 he mould repeat leifiirely all the letters of 
 the alphabet. I predict fuch an effect to 
 this fimple rule, as in time to lead the 
 pupil to keep filence while any degree of 
 the paffion remains. Above all, he mould 
 be doubly on his guard when injured or 
 affronted. A fiery temper breaking out 
 upon every infult, is ill qualified for fo- 
 ciety ; if not early retrained, it will oc- 
 cafion manifold diflreffes. The very belt 
 way to avoid great injuries, is to overlook 
 or diffemble what are fmall. This holds 
 in an efpecial manner with relpect to the 
 female fex. Women, who are not framed 
 
 fur
 
 126 Management of Children 
 
 for fingle combat, ought above all things 
 to dread the making a noife in the world. 
 For fubduing the impatience of your pu- 
 pil under an injury, one good method is, 
 to give him examples of diftreffes occa- 
 sioned by fuch impatience. In the hifto- 
 ry of ancient Greece, there is a glorious 
 inftance of the good effects of reftraint. 
 Euribiades, admiral of the Grecian fleet 
 collected againft the Perfians, angry to be 
 oppofed in the council of war by Themi- 
 ftocles a young officer, brandifhed his 
 flaff in a threatening manner. " Strike, 
 " faid Themiflocles, but hear me firft." 
 Subdued by this fignal inftance of felf- 
 command, F.uribiades liftened, followed 
 the advice of the young officer, and ob- 
 tained a complete victory. The cool be- 
 haviour of Themiflocles faved Greece, 
 which probably would have been ruined 
 by the old general. Pericles the Athe- 
 nian general, was attacked one day in 
 the public forum, before the people, by a 
 
 brutifh
 
 in their Third Stage. 127 
 
 brutiili fellow, with much opprobrious 
 language. And in his return home, he 
 was followed by the fame perfon, venting 
 his wrath in the fame ftile. It being now 
 dark, he ordered his fervant to light the 
 man home, for fear he fhould lofe his 
 way. Arcadius an Argive, who had been 
 in a courfe of reviling Philip king of Ma- 
 cedon, was apprehended and brought be- 
 fore him ; but was courteoufly treated, 
 and fent away with prefents. The king 
 being informed that the Argive had chan- 
 ged his note, and was full of his praifes, 
 " Look you now, fays he, am not I a 
 " better phyfician than any of you ? I 
 " have cured a foul mouth' d fellow by 
 " prefents, which would not have been 
 " done had I followed your advice of 
 " puniihing him." 
 
 The third head contains a few relative 
 matters, to which we proceed. 
 
 ijt, For
 
 1 28 Management of Children 
 
 ifi y For training young people to beat 
 difappointments, facts may contribute as 
 well as precepts. Give your children 
 hopes of what will be agreeable, a ball 
 for example, a race, the return of a bro- 
 ther after a long abfence ; and upon the 
 difappointment, exhort them to bear ic 
 with a good grace : this will have a much 
 finer effect than exhortations in general. 
 But let the difappointment appear to pro- 
 ceed from chance ; for if they perceive 
 your intention, they will conclude that 
 it was done to vex them, not to improve 
 their temper* A gentleman, though o- 
 therways of good underltanding, erred 
 in this branch of education. He had 
 three comely girls between twelve and 
 lixteen ; and to enure them to bear dif- 
 appointments, he would propofe to make 
 a vifit, which he knew would delight 
 them. The coach was ordered ; and the 
 young ladies, completely armed for con- 
 cmelt, were ready to take their feats. But 
 
 behold !
 
 in their Third Stage. ' 129 
 
 behold ! their father had changed his* 
 mind. This indeed was a difappoint- 
 ment ; but as it appeared to proceed 
 from whim or caprice, it might four their 
 temper inflead of improving it. Chil- 
 dren are early fenfible of ill . treatment ; 
 and when the parental authority is too 
 far ftretched, a child obeys from fear, not 
 from affection. 
 
 id, It is a capital duty in parents, to 
 teach their children to bear with and ex- 
 cufe the faults of their companions. There 
 are even adult perfons who perceive no 
 blemifh in one- they love, nor any virtue 
 in one they hate. To correct that wrong 
 bias in young perfons, is not an eafy un- 
 dertaking, nor to be attempted till they 
 have acquired fome fhare of underftand- 
 ing. Talk to your pupils of their com- 
 panions. Point out faults, which how- 
 ever are fo flight, compared with their 
 good qualities, as to make them not the 
 
 R lefs
 
 j 30 Management of Children 
 
 lefs deferving of affection. Inftruct your 
 pupils, that perfection is not to be found 
 in any human being : bid them reflect 
 whether they themfelves are entirely ex- 
 empt from failings. And conclude with 
 obferving, that among friends and com- 
 panions, it is a fweet commerce to for- 
 give one another. If proper opportuni- 
 ties be taken, fuch lefTons will produce 
 two good effects, namely, to excufe the 
 faults of a friend, and to refpect virtue 
 in an enemy : the latter will foften en-, 
 mity ; and the former will cement friend-, 
 fhip. 
 
 3^/, In the third fection, at the begin- 
 ning, are contained inflructions for keep- 
 ing children always employed. I here 
 add feveral particulars on the fame fub- 
 ject, fitted for children farther advanced 
 in years. A girl of eight or nine, may be 
 trained to afftfl her mother in ferving the 
 guefts at table, Let her be feated with- 
 in
 
 in their Third Stage. 131 
 
 in reach of a pudding, or of any thing 
 that requires little carving, ready to help 
 thofe who call for it. In a fhort time, 
 (lie may be employed in difiecting a 
 chicken, or even a pullet. The notion 
 of being ufeful, and behaving like her 
 mamma, infpires her with a certain dig- 
 nity of behaviour, and fets her above 
 childifh amufements. It has pained me 
 to fee a young woman of feventeen or 
 eighteen, applying a knife fo aukwardly, 
 as with difficulty to aiilect what is on 
 her own plate. How mean muft be her 
 appearance at the head of her own table ! 
 I am acquainted with the mifirefs of a 
 great family, who gives itill more em- 
 ployment to her daughter, not above the 
 age of feven. The child is directed to 
 infpecl the bed-rooms, that every thing 
 may be in order for the guefls. A com- 
 pany were to depart about eight in the 
 morning. " Child," fays the lady, " I 
 ' perhaps may not be up fo early. Be 
 
 " ready
 
 iyi Management of Children 
 
 ■ " ready .; to attend the, company : fee that 
 
 " every thing be prepared for breakfaft ; 
 
 " and be fure to attend them to their 
 
 " coach." 
 
 4/i;,NEXT of an article that ought not 
 to be neglected, and yet is not a little dif- 
 ficult, which is to accuftom children to 
 acknowledge their faults. It is not fuf- 
 ficient that parents, by gentle treatment, 
 have acquired the affection of their chil- 
 dren : education will go on but imper- 
 fectly, if children be not alfo trained to 
 place confidence in their parents, and to 
 apply to them freely in every difficulty. 
 The nicelt point of all, is to enure them 
 to an ingenuous confeflion of faults, the 
 only cafe, in which I approve auricular 
 confefFion. This practice, early com- 
 menced, will foon become habitual. A 
 child cuts a finger, or breaks a china cup. 
 It is unhappy till it acquaint its father 
 or mother how it happened. Let a can- 
 did
 
 in their Third Stage, 133 
 
 did acknowledgment be an abfolute par- 
 don : let it be the part of the parent to 
 mitigate the fault ; and to obferve, that 
 the child deferves more praife for its 
 frank confeflion, than blame for the fault 
 it has committed ; that the fear of difco- 
 very when a fault is concealed, makes a 
 heavy heart ; but that the heart is re- 
 lieved by a fair confeflion. Affection to 
 parents leads children to put confidence 
 in them. What is there to obftruct that 
 confidence, but harfhnefs and feverity t 
 A child will never confefs a fault, if afraid 
 to be ill treated : it will dilTemble, it will 
 lie, it will do any thing to avoid difco- 
 very. When a child withdraws from its 
 parents and makes any other perfon its 
 confident, farewel to education. But 
 when children are treated kindly, they 
 never think of any confident but the per- 
 fon who takes care of them. By kindly 
 treatment, the heart is laid open, and eve- 
 ry wrong bias is difcovered, which afford
 
 X34 Management of Children 
 
 a fair opportunity for good culture. Let 
 us look forward to a child's riper years, 
 and reflect on a habit of candour and 
 ingenuity thus acquired : what anxious 
 thoughts, what dimmulation, muft this 
 charming habit have prevented ! 
 
 Among the various ways of training 
 children to confefs their faults, the fol- 
 lowing can fcarce fail of being fuccefsful. 
 Returning home after a vifit of a week or 
 two, put each of your children to fay> 
 what good has been done by the reft ; 
 and what ill itfelf has done. The former 
 endears them to one another, the latter 
 reftrains them from committing faults. 
 Make thefe articles the fubjec~t of conver- 
 fation : endeavour to ripen the under- 
 ftanding of the young creatures, by mow- 
 ing them what is right and what is wrong. 
 But be careful to provide a trufty perfon 
 to inform you of any fault that has been 
 concealed. Sav to the child nightly, 
 
 " Surelv
 
 in their Third Stage. 135 
 
 ** Surely, my dear, you have a bad me- 
 " mory, did you not do fo and fo." It 
 Xvill think it vain to hide, as " Papa or 
 " Mamma knows every thing." 
 
 It is a pregnant fign of a good difpofi- 
 tion, that a child of itfelf corrects a fault. 
 A girl between three and four, having 
 got a prefent of fruit, was defired by its 
 mother to give part of it to her compa- 
 nions. Having referved a large fhare to 
 herfelf, fhe diftributed the reft, giving 
 fome to an elder filter, now a woman. 
 After devouring what fhe had retained, 
 fhe defired back her filter's fhare, and got 
 it. The mother expoftulated, but in vain ; 
 and having left the room, the filter faid, 
 '" My dear, I make you welcome to the 
 ; fruit, but you behave ill in difobeying 
 your mamma."' This gentle reproof, 
 having touched the child in the tender 
 part, that of obedience, had its efFecl. 
 After a day or two, fhe requefted more 
 
 fruit
 
 136 Management of Children 
 
 fruit from her mother, which, with an 
 air of fatisfaction me carried to the filler, 
 Correction may be neceflary fometimes ; 
 but for a child to correct: a fault of its 
 own accord, is extremely pleafant. A 
 child about three years of age, took fome 
 cotton thread which Mifs B — was fow- 
 ing upon muflin. " Pray child give me 
 " the cotton, you will dirty it." The 
 child refilling, Mifs B — , laying afide her 
 work, faid gravely, " Would you have 
 " been pleafed had I dirtied your doll ?" 
 Some weeks after, the child obferving 
 cotton thread in the hands of another 
 young lady, begged earneftly for it to 
 give to Mifs B — . Such inflances fuggell 
 the following rule. When a child from 
 pctulence or perverfenefs mifbehaves 
 grofsly, Hern authority ought to be in- 
 terpofed. In other faults, expoftulation 
 and advice are far better. 
 
 A
 
 in their 'Third Stage, 137 
 
 A voluntary confeflion is a (till more 
 pregnant fign of a good difpofition. A 
 young lady aged eleven, of a rank higher 
 than which there are none, having hurt 
 a finger accidentally, mowed fome degree 
 of impatience. The governefs, having 
 in vain endeavoured to ihame her out of 
 it, left the room with a reproachful look, 
 ikying, that me could not bear to fee fuch 
 concern for a mere trifle. In lefs than 
 an hour, fhe received a billet from her 
 pupil, acknowledging her mifbehaviour, 
 and intreating to be forgiven. Happy 
 temper ! the richefl gift that nature has 
 to bellow, and of which nature is far 
 from being prodigal. Few there are of 
 any rank who are bleffed with a temper 
 io pliant ; fewer Hill of high rank. But 
 the praife mufl not be attributed entirely 
 to temper : feldom is pure nature fo re- 
 fined. The young lady owes much to 
 an affectionate mother, whofe high ifa- 
 tion has not made her relax from the c- 
 S ducation
 
 1^8 Management of Children 
 
 ducation of her children, with a degree 
 of prudence and fagacity, that would 
 give luftre to perfons much inferior in 
 rank. 
 
 $tb, Children are far from being all 
 of them equally flexible. It required a 
 week to make a boy of two years dip his 
 fingers in water after dinner. Example 
 had no efFecT:, nor exhortation. The mo- 
 ther put into the glafs fruit he was fond 
 of: neither did that prevail. She thought 
 at laft of the gardener's fon, a child of 
 the fame age, who readily dipt his fingers 
 and laid hold of the fruit. Emulation 
 prevailed : young mailer dipped his fin- 
 gers inilantly. I am pleafed with the in- 
 genuity of the mother ; but relifli not the 
 ftruggling againft accidental averfions, 
 which time will correct without trouble. 
 Authority, inftead of fubduing, tends to 
 rivet fuch an averfion. It is not always 
 eafy to diftinguifli an acquired averfion 
 
 from
 
 in their Third Stage. 139 
 
 from what is natural ; and when autho- 
 rity is interpofed, may not there be a ha- 
 zard of ftruggling againft nature ? Many 
 furely will remember certain eatables ab- 
 horred by them when children, which at 
 prefent they are fond of without having 
 fuffered perfecution. In health, nature 
 is the fureft guide in the choice of food. 
 The fame food may be falutary at one 
 period of life, and not at another. Will 
 parents pretend to be wifer than nature ? 
 I am far, however, from wifhing to have 
 children indulged in whim or fancy. If 
 a child refufe what is fet before it, hun- 
 ger will foon bring it to order. If it 
 conflantly refufe after repeated trials, the 
 averfion mud have a deeper root than 
 whim or fancy. 
 
 Many perfons fpeak weli and with 
 propriety, but how few are there who li- 
 sten patiently and properly to what is ur- 
 ged againft their opinion ? It has ac- 
 cordingly
 
 140 Management of Children , &c. 
 
 cordingly been obferved, that it is no lei's 
 difficult to produce a habit of hearing 
 with attention, than of expreffing well 
 what deferves to be heard. Yet, early 
 example and good inftrudlion, will do 
 much to train young perfons to a more 
 agreeable manner of converfation. 
 
 S E C T,
 
 SECT. V. 
 
 Instructions that occafionally may be ap- 
 plied in every Stage of Education. 
 
 \Jl, XTEglect no favourable opportu- 
 -*- ^1 nity of inftilling into your pu- 
 pils, that a man ought to be regarded in 
 proportion to the good he does ; and 
 that compared with the being ufeful, the 
 diflinclion between rich and poor, high 
 and low, ought to be of little eftimation ; 
 that an induflrious peafant who edu- 
 cates his children to be ufeful members 
 of fociety, is entitled to more refpecl 
 than the great lord, who, in the midft 
 of indigent neighbours, lavifhes immenfe 
 funis upon himfelf, without ever think- 
 ing of others. 
 
 2//, Make your pupil fenfible, that in 
 order to fave for charity or benevolence, 
 oeconomy is an eftimable virtue. Au- 
 guftus Casfar, Emperor of Rome, never 
 
 wore
 
 142 InJlruBiom in 
 
 wore a garment but what was fpun by 
 his wife Livia or his filter Octavia. Sci- 
 pio, the glory of Rome and terror of 
 Carthage, drelTed his garden with his 
 own hands. The venerable old fenator 
 Fabricius, illuftrious by many triumphs, 
 flipped commonly on the herbs that he 
 himfelf had raifed. A ftranger who 
 wifhes to be well received, ought to be 
 handfomely drefTed ; but a plain coat 
 fits better on a man of known eminence, 
 who will be copied by others, without 
 derogating from his rank. 
 
 3^, Self-love makes us labour for 
 ourfelves ; benevolence makes us labour 
 for others : emulation is added to en- 
 force thefe motives to action. Emula- 
 tion, inherent in the nature of man, ap- 
 pears even in children : they itrive for 
 victory without knowing what makes 
 them drive. Emulation kept within 
 proper bounds is an ufeful principle, 
 
 and
 
 every Stage of Education. 143 
 
 and far from being unfociable : it be* 
 comes only fo, when by excefs it dege- 
 nerates into envy. Why then is it ba- 
 niflied by Rouffeau, from his fyflem of 
 education ? Was it his purpofe to diftin^ 
 guifh his Eleve from the reft of man- 
 kind, by a peculiar nature ? Approba- 
 tion is beftowed on thofe who behave 
 well ; but in ftruggling for victory, the 
 hope of being approved is a very faint mo- 
 tive compared with emulation. Through 
 the force of that incitement, a young 
 man will perfevere in acquiring know- 
 ledge, who without it, would have made 
 no progrefs. It ought, therefore, to be 
 the ftudy of every teacher, to give fuch a 
 direction to emulation in his pupil, as to 
 produce the greateft effect. A crowd of 
 competitors damps it : a very finall num- 
 ber is not fufficient to roufe it. The pro- 
 per ftage for emulation, is a private fchool, 
 admitting not above twelve or fifteen dif- 
 
 ciples.
 
 144 JnJlru6llons in 
 
 ciples. A family of fix or feven children, 
 may give exercife to it. 
 
 ^ih y With refpect to the improvement 
 of memory, it is fevcre to make children 
 get by heart prayers, pfalms, or other 
 .dry compofitions, which they neither re- 
 lifh, nor can well underftand. Put into 
 their hands fhort hiflorical ballads that 
 make virtuous impremons, or give lively 
 defcriptions of objects they are acquaint- 
 ed with, efpecially of the gay and ludi- 
 crous kind. Thefe they will get by 
 heart of their own accord, and be fond 
 to repeat them to their parents or their 
 companions. This exercife ought to be 
 entirely voluntary. Were the getting a 
 thing by heart impofed as a talk, it 
 would be eafy to fome and a heavy bur- 
 den upon others. Emulation ought to 
 be here excluded, except, perhaps, among 
 boys who are found to be equal in point 
 of memory. 
 
 $tb y Fraud
 
 every Stage of Education. 145 
 
 5/>6, Fraud or deceit ought to be care- 
 fully watched ; and even the flighted ap- 
 pearances ought to be condignly punifh- 
 ed. I had the following ftory from a lady 
 who was an eye-witnefs. Tom and Will 
 were two fine boys ; the eldefl about 
 eight, fenfible, infinuating, and fo acute 
 as to comprehend even the moral of many 
 fables of iEfop. Will, a year younger, 
 was a mild, tractable boy. One day ha- 
 ving got fome halfpence, Tom purchafed 
 a peacock of gingerbread, Will a horfe 
 of the fame fluff, both fhining with 
 gold. The moiflure of Tom's little hand 
 grafping his treafure eagerly, and a little 
 nibbling to tafte its fweets, had, by the 
 time they got home, entirely defaced the 
 peacock, while the horfe, delighting 
 Will's eye more than his palate, was per- 
 fectly entire. Tom coveting now his 
 brother's horfe, propofed an exchange, 
 and by deceit and artifice prevailed. This 
 tranfadion reached the mother. She 
 T called
 
 146 bijlrufiions iri 
 
 called the boys before her, heard evi- 
 dence, and pronounced the following fen- 
 tence. " Will, feeing you have made 
 " the exchange willingly, you have no 
 " remedy though you have been decei- 
 " ved. Take care only that you be not 
 " deceived a fecond time. As for you 
 " Thomas, you are not to profit by 
 " cheating your brother — throw the 
 " horfe into the fire." Tom, whom con- 
 fidence had made a coward, was hedging 
 away, lucky to efcape fo eafily ; but was 
 flopped by the judge. " Come back young 
 " man, bring your iEfop's fables, and 
 " point out to me the fable that re- 
 " fembles your cafe." The Spectators 
 muttered, " better whip him at once than 
 " engage him in an attempt above his 
 " comprehension." But the mother was 
 not miftaken in her fon. He turned 
 every leaf over, and with affected igno- 
 rance, afked if it was the afs and the lap 
 dog. No. Will it be the cock on the 
 
 dunghill ?
 
 every Stage of Education, 147 
 
 dunghill ? No. May be it is the fox in 
 the carver's fhop. " No fir, you know 
 " well it is none of thefe ; but don't put 
 " off your time and mine, the longer you 
 " trifle, the more fevere will be your pu- 
 " nifhment." The boy feeing it vain to 
 parry, prefented with a burfl of tears, 
 the picture of the thief biting off his mo- 
 ther's ear. " You fee, faid the judge, 
 " what a bad mother I mould be, if I 
 " left your crime unpunifhed." She re- 
 tired with the criminal, and did not fpare 
 the rod. This probably was the firil 
 tranfgremon of the kind ; and who knows 
 what might have followed, had it been 
 indulged or pafTed as a joke. Thomas is 
 now in the fervice of the public ; and his 
 Majefly has not a more fenfible, upright 
 fervant. 
 
 6/Z>, There is no branch of difcipline 
 that ought to be exercifed with more 
 caution, than the diftribution of rewards 
 
 and
 
 148 TnJlriiElions in 
 
 and punifhments. If money, a fine coat, 
 or what pleafes the palate, be the reward 
 promifed ; is it not the ready way to fo- 
 ment avarice, vanity, or luxury ? Praife 
 is an efficacious reward, of which even 
 children are fond ; and when properly 
 applied, it never fails to produce good 
 behaviour. Punifhment requires flill 
 more caution ; as it ought to be propor- 
 tioned to the temper of the pupil, as well 
 as to the nature of the fault. Obflinacy 
 which is inherent in fome perfons, may 
 fometimes require corporal puniihment. 
 Lying I think may be corrected, or rather 
 prevented, by proper management : my 
 reafon is, that it is not inherent in our 
 nature, but forced upon a child by harm 
 treatment. Mofl faults that a child can 
 be guilty of, may be rcpreffed by fhame 
 and difgrace, which fink deep into the 
 heart of children, as well as of adult per- 
 fons. To keep children in awe by the 
 fear of corporal punifhment, will put them 
 
 upon
 
 every Stage of Education. 1 49 
 
 upon hiding their faults, inftead of cor- 
 recting them '•'". 
 
 I gladly lay hold of this opportunity 
 to make a general obfervation, of no 
 flight importance with refpect to educa- 
 tion. Among favages, whofe ruling paf- 
 fions are anger and refentment, authority 
 is fupported by no other means but force 
 and fear. That rude practice prevails 
 even among polifhed nations. Schools 
 for education were erected upon the prin- 
 ciple of puniihment ; very unhappily in- 
 deed, as puniihment, inftead of foftening 
 or improving manners, tends to harden 
 thofe who fuffer by it. Humanity in 
 time prevailed over vicious education ; 
 and a facred truth was difcovered, that 
 man is a creature from whom every thing 
 may be obtained by love, nothing by 
 fear. The feverity of fchool-punithments 
 
 has 
 
 * Si cui tarn eft mens iiliberalis, ut objurgationc non 
 cumgatur : is etiam ad plagas, ut pefiima qiuccjuc rnan- 
 cinia, duraliitur. Q<:k:H. \:b. 1. c. 3.
 
 I jo injlruclions in 
 
 lias gradually yielded to the conviction 
 of this important truth ; and yet f'uch is 
 the force of cuftom, that inflances re- 
 main, not a few, of the old ftile of edu- 
 cation. To dwell upon thefe inflances, 
 would be irkfome : I confine myfelf to 
 one, illuflrious indeed, as it relates to E- 
 ton, a fchool in high vogue. In that 
 fchool there flands, expofed to open view, 
 the terrible block that the boys mufl 
 kneel upon to receive a flogging, perhaps 
 as often from the bad humour of the 
 mafter, as from the demerit of the furTer- 
 er. And that the boys may never lofe 
 fight of punilhment, matters arc fo con- 
 trived, as to furniih examples once a 
 week at leafl, chiefly on Monday, which 
 in the language of the fchool, has obtain- 
 ed the illuflrious appellation of the day 
 of doom. Would one imagine, that a 
 difcipline fo brutal, fhould Hand firm, 
 even againfl the humanity of our pre- 
 fent manners ? Clad am I to be able to 
 
 erive
 
 every Stage of Education. 151 
 
 give teftimony in favour of my native 
 country, that in our fchools, few traces 
 remain of that inhuman practice. I dare 
 not fay none, were I even to keep within 
 the capital. 
 
 7//?, The difference between the being 
 ferious and jocular is taught by nature, 
 and it is comprehended even by infants. 
 But the telling dories in jeft ought not 
 to be early practifed on children. Truth 
 and fincerity cannot be too early incul- 
 cated; nor, till thefe are firmly eftablifh- 
 ed, ought fuch jefls to be attempted. Let 
 the nrft effays be plain and obvious, lb 
 as to prevent the poflibility of a miftake 
 in the pupil. More difguife may in time 
 be ufed, according to his capacity ; but 
 always 10 as to afford no room for a mil- 
 take. It is indeed a ufeful branch of 
 education, that perfons intended for fo- 
 ciety lhould underiland a joke ; but let 
 the practice be never fo far indulged as 
 
 to
 
 152 inJlruBlons in 
 
 to impinge, in any degree, on the facred 
 authority of truth. When young per- 
 fons come to underftand the difference 
 between jeft and earned in thofe they 
 converfe with, the next ftep in point of 
 difcipline, is to inure them to bear a joke 
 with temper. Practice is neceflary ; and 
 the only way is to begin with flight jokes, 
 and to go on at intervals till they can 
 bear what are more cutting. The firft 
 trials mould always be when your pupil 
 is in good humour ; nor mould a fevcre 
 joke ever be attempted, but when he is 
 in very good humour. 
 
 8//6, Of all that children can be taught, 
 \ am acquainted with no leflbn of greater 
 importance, than to be fatisfied with the 
 ftation we are placed in by Providence. 
 This leffon comes in properly here ; be- 
 caufe, by various ways, it may be incul- 
 cated in every ftage of education. The 
 following fable may make an impreflion, 
 
 even
 
 every Stage of Education. 153 
 
 even in the firft or fecond ftage. In a 
 beautiful river there lived three filver 
 trouts. Though they wanted for no- 
 thing, two of them grew fad and difeon- 
 tented ; taking no pleafure in what they 
 enjoyed, but always longing for fome- 
 thing better. To punilli their discontent 
 it was intimated to them by their maker, 
 that they fliould have whatever they wiih- 
 ed for. Give me, fays the eldeft, wings 
 like the birds of the air; and then I fhall 
 be happy. At firft he had great pleafure 
 in flying. He mounted high, and looked 
 down with fcorn on all the fillies in the 
 world. He flew over rivers and noun- 
 tains, till, growing faint with hunger, he 
 came to the ground for fome refrefhment. 
 He happened to alight among dry lands 
 and rocks, where there was nothing ei- 
 ther to eat or drink. And thus he ended 
 his days in great mifery. 
 
 U The
 
 I £4 Injlrutiions in 
 
 The fecond trout faid, I do not wilh 
 for wings to ramble into ftrange places, 
 where I do not know what may become 
 of me. I fhould be contented and hap- 
 py, were I inftrudted to avoid the fnares 
 of men and other dangers. His mind 
 being enlightened, he faid to himfelf, I 
 ihall now be the happieft of fifties. He 
 took great care to keep out of harm's 
 way. When he faw a fly fkimming on 
 the water, or a worm carried down the 
 ftream, he durft not bite for fear of a 
 hook. Thus he kept himfelf in a con- 
 tinual alarm, and durft neither eat nor 
 fleep for fear of mifchief. He pined 
 away ; and at laft died for fear of dying, 
 the moft miferable of all deaths. 
 
 The youngeft trout faid, that he was 
 fatisfied with his lot ; and that he had no 
 wifh but to be always content, and to be 
 refigned to the will of his maker. Thus, 
 this little trout flept always in peace, and 
 
 wakened
 
 every Stage of Education. 155 
 
 wakened in gladnefs : whatever happen- 
 ed, he was Hill pleafed and thankful. In 
 a word, he was the happieft of all fifhes ; 
 becaufe content and refignation to the 
 will of our maker are the chief ingredi- 
 ents of happinefs. 
 
 What follows is more proper for the 
 lad ftage. Direct the attention of your 
 pupil to chearful objects, and train him 
 to look on their contraries as fhades in a 
 piclure, which add force to the luminous 
 parts, and beauty to the whole. Accu- 
 (torn him to fee every thing in the moft 
 favourable light ; to behold the luxury 
 of the times as giving food to the hungry 
 and cioathing to the naked ; to look upon 
 the horrors of war as productive of the 
 blciTings of peace ; and upon the miferies 
 of many with a thankful heart, that hi. c 
 own lot has been more favourable. 
 
 o//\ Tirr
 
 156 InJlruBions in 
 
 gtb, The lafl recommendation Lfliall 
 give on the prefent head, is, that young 
 perfons, male and female, fhould have 
 always at hand a common-place book, 
 for keeping in remembrance obfervations 
 made in reading, reflecting, converfing, 
 travelling. The advantages are mani- 
 fold. Firjl, It keeps the attention awake, 
 in order that nothing of importance may 
 efcape. Confider this practice as to read- 
 ing. A perfon who reads merely for 
 amufement, gives little attention : ideas 
 glide through the mind, and vanifh in- 
 ftantly. But let a common-place book 
 be in view : attention is on the ftretch 
 to find matter, and impremons are made 
 that the memory retains. Next, The judg- 
 ment is in conilant exercife, in order to 
 difiinguiih what particulars deferve re- 
 membrance. Third, Perfevcrance in this 
 practice, brings on a habit of expref- 
 fmg oar thoughts readily and dillinclly. 
 Fourth, A facility of writing currently i,s 
 
 acquired.
 
 every Stage of Education. ljj 
 
 acquired. And, in the lajl place, it fills 
 up time plcafantly, and makes activity 
 habitual. 
 
 io//?,The following hints refpecl more 
 immediately the conduct of parents and 
 tutors. The bad habits that children are 
 apt to acquire from fervants, are an ob- 
 ftruction to education. I know of no re- 
 medy, but to keep children as much as 
 polTible under the eye of their parents. 
 This will be no reftraint, if they be fond 
 of their parents ; which they always are, 
 when kindly treated and indulged in in- 
 nocent freedom. It fhould be held as a 
 punimment for a fault, to be ordered 
 down Hairs among the fervants. But 
 this requires circumfpcct conduct on the 
 part of the parents ; for they mull care- 
 fully avoid the doing or faying of any 
 thing but what they wilh their children 
 to imitate. It is amazing, how e;irlv 
 children adopt the manners of thofe they 
 
 arc
 
 1^8 Injlrudllons in 
 
 are among. This circumfpection ought 
 to be extended even to the perfons who 
 are hired to attend them. 
 
 Let truth prevail in all your inftruc- 
 tions : in reafoning with your children, 
 never ufe any artifice. Some children 
 are quick of difcernment : the difcovery 
 of an artifice will tempt them to pay their 
 guides in the fame coin. 
 
 The keeper ought to be well acquaint- 
 ed with the mute language of the infant 
 under her care. An infant cries from 
 bodily pain. It cries when it is hungry; 
 and gives over when it fees things pre- 
 pared for feeding it. It is not uncom- 
 mon in a child at play, to fall a-crying ; 
 not from anger, but from inability to 
 exprefs what it wants. If the keeper be 
 ignorant of what troubles the child, fhc 
 wil) be at a lofs about a remedy. 
 
 u
 
 every Stage of "Education. i$g 
 
 If a child have any defect in its fhape 
 that cannot eafily be hid, let the defect 
 be frankly acknowledged, and even made 
 a joke of at times. This will prevent 
 whifpering, which always makes a de- 
 fect appear worfe than it really is. Phi- 
 lopemen, the greateft General of his age, 
 was of a mean appearance. He went to 
 an invited dinner in his camp-drefs, with- 
 out a fingle attendant. Being taken for 
 one of the General's fervants, he was or- 
 dered to the kitchen to cut logs for the 
 fire. His friend the landlord, feeing him 
 in his waidcoat at that work, " Blcfs me 
 " General," fays he, " what are you do- 
 " ing here \ I am," anfwers the General, 
 " paying for my bad looks," 
 
 SECT
 
 160 Peculiarities refpechng 
 
 SECT. VI. 
 
 Peculiarities re/peeling the Educa- 
 tion of Females. 
 
 i/HTHE different inflincts of the two 
 J- fexes appear very early. A boy 
 is continually in action, loves a drum, a 
 top, or riding on a flick. A girl, wiiliing 
 to be agreeable, is fond of ornaments 
 that plcafe the eye. She begins with a 
 doll, which fhe dreffes and undreffes, to 
 try what ornaments will fuit beft. In 
 due time, the doll is laid afide ; and the 
 young woman's own perfon becomes the 
 object: of her attention. This inftinct 
 rightly directed, advances from propriety 
 of drefs to that of behaviour, flill in or- 
 der to pleafc. Employ therefore a young 
 girl upon what will adorn her : fhe wili 
 apply to the needle more willingly than 
 to reading or writing. As fhe advances.. 
 
 let
 
 the Education of Females. 1 6 1 
 
 let her be taught the art of drawing, not 
 human figures, which cannot be made 
 ornamental, but leaves, flowers, and fuch 
 things as tend to enliven her drefs. Chil- 
 dren are fond of lively colours ; and hence 
 their tafte for fhowy drefs and ornaments 
 of gold and filver. Here the prudent 
 mother interpofes with a leffon, " that 
 " drefs ought to be fuited to the age and 
 " rank of the wearer ; that fimplicity is 
 " becoming in drefs as well as in man- 
 " ners ; that the fafhion mould not be 
 " totally difregarded, but that it ought to 
 " yield to propriety." A fond mother 
 never thinks of fuch a leffon ; beauty is 
 exalted above every qualification : and if 
 a girl have any fhare of it, drefs alone is 
 fludied. If to her looks can be added a 
 genteel air and elegant motion in dancing 
 or walking, fhe becomes a perfect angel. 
 Thus, external appearance is highly cul- 
 tivated, and little attention given either 
 *o the head or heart. Ls ir wonderful, 
 
 X that
 
 1 62 Peculiarities refpe fling 
 
 that a young woman fo educated, mould 
 make but an aukward figure in educa- 
 ting her own children ? 
 
 Females have a flexible tongue, and 
 acquire more early than males the ufe of 
 fpeech : their voice is fweeter ; and they 
 talk more. A man fays what he knows ; 
 a woman, what is agreeable : knowledge 
 is necefTary to the former ; tafte is fuffi- 
 cient to the latter. The politenefs of 
 men confifts in offering fervice ; of wo- 
 men, in making themfelves agreeable. 
 In the politenefs of men, there is more 
 or lefs of dimmulation ; none in that of 
 women, for they love to be agreeable. 
 Hence it is, that politenefs has a more 
 pleafing air in young women, than in 
 young men. 
 
 2^/, A man's conduct depends moflly on 
 the approbation of his own conference ; 
 chat of a woman, greatly on the opinion 
 
 of
 
 the Education of Females, 1 6^ 
 
 of others. A man who does his duty, 
 can brave cenfure : a woman's conduct 
 ought to be exemplary, in order to be 
 efleemed by all. The leafl doubt of her 
 chaftity, deprives her of every comfort in 
 the matrimonial flate. In the education 
 of females accordingly, no motive has a 
 greater influence, than the thought of 
 what people will fay of them. Boys are 
 not fo tractable : it requires much dis- 
 cipline to make them bend to the opi- 
 nion of others. Hence, to be efleemed 
 by all, modefly and referve are effential 
 in young women ; to acquire which, 
 they ought to be taught early to fup- 
 prefs their defires, and to have a flricl 
 attention to decency and decorum. But 
 under fuch reftraint, let the occupations 
 of young women be made as agreeable 
 as poflible. A girl who loves her mother 
 or her governefs, will work the whole day 
 at her fide without wearying, provided 
 fhe be allowed to prattle, which is her 
 
 favourite
 
 164 Peculiarities refpecling 
 
 favourite amufement. A girl who loves 
 not her mother above all the world, fel- 
 dom turns to good. Even confinement 
 properly managed, rivets her attachment; 
 becaufe children are made fenfible by na- 
 ture, that obedience is their duty, and 
 that it is good for them to be governed. 
 Indulge gaiety, indulge laughter, indulge 
 play, but Hill within moderate bounds. 
 Draw them frequently from play to work, 
 but in fo foft a way as to prevent mur- 
 muring : cuflom will make the change 
 eafy, and produce in time entire fubmif- 
 fion to the mother's will. This is eiTen- 
 tial to the female fex, for ever fubjected 
 to the authority of a fingle perfon, or to 
 the opinion of all. 
 
 3^/, Female children ought to be har- 
 dily bred, not only for their own health, 
 but to have a healthy offspring. Chiefly 
 with a view to the latter, it was fafhiou- 
 able for the Spartan young ladies to mix 
 
 with
 
 the Education of Females 1 6 j 
 
 with the men in military games, not ex- 
 cepting wreftling and other violent exer- 
 cifes. This furely was not prompted by 
 nature, which does not intend women to 
 be fo robuft. For the fake of health, all 
 that is neceiYary, is plain food, with fre-» 
 quent walking or riding. 
 
 4//?, At Athens, the young women ap- 
 peared frequently in public, but feparate 
 from the young men. In every feaft, in 
 every facrifice, in every public folemnity, 
 the daughters of the principal citizens 
 were introduced, crowned with flowers, 
 dancing in parties, ringing hymns, and 
 prefenting offerings to their deities. Such 
 exercifes, befide contributing to health, 
 formed the tafte of the young women to 
 what is proper and agreeable ; and made 
 them objects of deiire without hazarding 
 their morals. In France, the education 
 of young women is very different. They 
 «Lic ihut up in a convent, and never taite 
 
 freedom
 
 1 66 Peculiarities refpe cling 
 
 freedom till they are married. A fyflem 
 of education more fubverfive of morals, 
 is fcarce within the reach of invention. 
 Unnatural confinement in a convent, 
 makes a young woman embrace with a- 
 vidity every pleafure, when fhe is fet free. 
 To relifh domeflic life, one lnufl be ac- 
 quainted with it ; for it is in the houfe 
 of her parents that a young woman ac- 
 quires the relifh. A difcreet matron will 
 attend her daughters to an afTembly, to 
 an opera, to the play-houfe ; but fhe will 
 inftrudt them, that the pleafure they find 
 there, ought to be confidered as an a- 
 mufement merely, unfit to employ much 
 of the time of young women, who are 
 deflined by nature to govern a family. 
 What can be more prepoflerous than the 
 behaviour of an idle woman, leading her 
 daughters from riot to riot, without gi- 
 ving admimon to a fedate thought ? A 
 lady carried to Bath her two daughters, 
 ^gcd between twelve and fourteen, in or- 
 der
 
 the Education of Females. 1 67 
 
 der to give them fome notion of living in 
 public. Their natural gaiety, ihe thought, 
 would be improved by the gaiety of the 
 place ; that the company at Bath would 
 contribute to form their manners ; and 
 that they were too young to fuffer from 
 their male companions. It was her opi- 
 nion, that her daughters were of a pro- 
 per age for relifhing public meetings, 
 without lofing the tafte of domeftic tran- 
 quillity. 
 
 5/Z>, In training young women, ex- 
 hibit every thing to them in an agree- 
 able light ; and in particular, fuffer them 
 not to imagine that there can be any pain 
 in doing what is right. Is it painful for 
 a young woman to make herfelf ami- 
 able in order to be loved, to make her- 
 felf eftimable in order to be elteemed, 
 to behave honourably in order to be ho- 
 noured ? The influence of a young wo- 
 man, commences with her virtues. What 
 
 man
 
 t6S Peculiarities refpeciing y 8cc, 
 
 man is there, however rough in temper, 
 who foftens not his behaviour to a young 
 Woman of fixteen, interefting even by her 
 bafhfulnefs, and commanding that re- 
 flect from all which me beftows on all ? 
 Virtue is elTential to genuine love. To 
 fupport that fweet pamon in any refined 
 degree, there muft be mutual efteem, 
 which cannot fubfift without virtue. How 
 defpicable in my eyes muft that creature 
 be, with whom I have no connection but 
 for the fake merely of animal defire ? 
 
 APPENDIX to SECTION VI. 
 
 AFTER fo much dry matter, fome 
 relaxation will probably be made 
 welcome ; and in that view the following 
 female characters are prcf ented. The firfU 
 by Marivaux, is a character of which be- 
 nignity of heart is the ruling principle. 
 
 Madam i"
 
 appendix to SeElion VI. 169 
 
 Madame de Miran had confiderable 
 remains of beauty j but there appeared in 
 her countenance, fomething fo good and 
 fo rational as to obfeure thefe remains. 
 Franknefs and good nature are not friend- 
 ly to love. We admire the woman, but 
 her graces make little imprerTion : we en-, 
 joy her company, without thinking that 
 ihe is pretty,. -but only that lhe is the beft 
 creature in the world. I have according- 
 ly heard little of Madame de Miran's lo- 
 vers, but much of her friends. It is re- 
 ported, that lhe had friends even of her 
 own fex ; which I can believe, confider- 
 ing her plain and innocent mien, which 
 gave .ho jealoufy to her female compa- 
 nions, and made her appear more like a 
 confident than a. rival. 
 
 To a phyhognomy more plealing than 
 bewitching, to eyes demanding amity 
 more than love, was added a genteel fi- 
 gure, which might have given defire had 
 Y ihe
 
 170 Appendix to SeBlon VL 
 
 flie fo inclined ; but fhe never ftudieu 
 any motion but what was neceffary. 
 
 With refpect to her underftanding, I 
 know not that any one ever thought of 
 praifing it ; nor do I know that any one 
 ever faid it was deficient. It was of a 
 fort that is liftened to attentively ; but 
 without being cenfured or applauded. 
 
 Even in matters of indifference, Ma- 
 dame de Miran faid nothing, thought 
 nothing, but what verified that abound- 
 ing goodnefs which was the foundation 
 of her character. But do not imagine it 
 to be a filly or blind goodnefs, ridiculed 
 even by thofe whom it ferves. Her's was 
 a virtue, an emanation from an excellent 
 heart, which never exerted itfelf at the ex- 
 pence of reafon, nor of juflice. She had 
 not indeed any of that quality termed 
 noblenefs of foul : her goodnefs was 
 more fimple, more amiable, though lefs 
 
 fplendid.
 
 Appendix to SeElioJi VI. 171 
 
 fplendid. I have known perfons with 
 that fame noblenefs of foul, who had not 
 the bell hearts in the world. They were 
 fo occupied with the pleafure of being 
 generous, as to be negligent of being juft. 
 Such perfons loved to be praifed : Madame 
 de Miran never once thought of defer- 
 ving praife : fhe never exerted an act. of 
 benevolence in order to gratify herfelf, 
 but in order to relieve you. If you ex- 
 preflfed much gratitude to her, what flat- 
 tered her the moft was to find you fatis- 
 fied. 
 
 I had almofl forgot one thing, not a 
 little fingular. Though this lady never 
 vaunted of her own good deeds, you 
 might vaunt to her of yours with all fc- 
 curity. The pleafure of hearing you lay 
 that you was good, made your vanity 
 pals unobferved, or made her think it 
 excufable. 
 
 As
 
 1 72 Appendix .to Seel ion VI. 
 
 As to thofe tirefome creatures Who va- 
 lue themf elves upon trifles, who are vain 
 of their rank or their riches, they gave no 
 vexation to Madame tie : Mir an : fhe had 
 no affection for them, and that was all. 
 Babblers who flander others, though with- 
 out intention, gave offence to the good- 
 nefs of her nature ; whereas the vain of- 
 fended her reafon only. She bore the 
 loquacious with temper ; fmiling only at 
 the fatigue they gave 'her, without ever 
 fufpeeting it. In company with the 
 whimfical or headftrong, who liften not 
 to reafon, fhe had patience, and was ne- 
 verthelefs their friend. " They are ho- 
 " neft people," fhe obferved, " they have 
 " their little failings, and who is without 
 " them?" A coquet who infills upon 
 being admired, was lower in her efteem 
 than a woman who once in her life had 
 been more in love than a woman ought 
 to be ; it being lefs faulty in her opinion 
 
 to
 
 Appendix to Seflion VI. 173 
 
 to mifbehave ortce, than ; perpetually to 
 be tempting others to mifbehave. 
 
 This lady confidered religion as chiefly 
 intended to enforce moral duties. She 
 refpecled thofe who beftow their whole 
 time on exercifes of devotion, but with- 
 out ever thinking of joining them. Never 
 had any perfon better reafon to be con- 
 vinced of the benignity of the Deity : 
 her conviction proceeded from her heart; 
 and no perfon had a better heart. She 
 accordingly loved God fincerely, without 
 being difhirbed with any iiiperflitious 
 terrors. 
 
 The next portrait is of a lady every way 
 accomplifhed, done by the lame hand. 
 
 Madame Dorfm was beautiful ; and 
 yet it was not her beauty that even at hrit 
 made the ftrongeft impremon. It yield- 
 ed to another impreflion. This wants 
 
 explanation.
 
 174 Appendix to Se&ion VL 
 
 explanation. Perfonify beauty ; and fup- 
 pofe her uneafy for being fo flrikingly 
 beautiful ; that fhe wifhes to be agreeable 
 only ; and that fhe endeavours to lefTen 
 her beauty, but without hiding it altoge- 
 ther. Such would be the countenance of 
 Madame Dorfin. 
 
 But here I talk only of her looks, 
 what may be exprefTed in a portrait. Add 
 a foul that animated her looks, that ren- 
 dered them as delicate, as lively, as ele- 
 vated, as ferious, as jocular, as fhe herfelf 
 was by turns ; and then you will be able 
 to imagine in her looks, an infinity of 
 expremons beyond the reach of painting. 
 Let us now examine that foul, fince we 
 are on the fubject. When one has little 
 fpirit, it is commonly attributed to de- 
 fective organs. An acquaintance, talking 
 on this fubject, faid gravely and in learn- 
 ed terms, " that the foul is more or lefs 
 6 confined, more or lefs embarrafled, ac- 
 
 " cording-
 
 appendix to ScEilon VI. 1 7 j 
 
 " cording to the organs to which it is 
 " united." If fo, nature muft have con- 
 ferred on Madame Dorfin organs in high 
 perfection ; for never was a foul more 
 agile than hers, nor lefs confined in its 
 operations. 
 
 The fpirit that moft women exert, is 
 acquired, not natural. One expreffes her- 
 feif carelefsly and with feeming indiffer- 
 ence, to make people believe that fhe can- 
 not take the trouble of thinking. One 
 talks with a ferious and decifive air. One 
 deals in refined thoughts, and pronounces 
 them in a tone that calls for attention. 
 One affects to be lively and loud. Ma- 
 dame Dorfin affected none of thefe pecu- 
 liarities. It was the fubject that gave a 
 tone to her thoughts ; and it was her 
 thoughts that gave a tone to her cxprel- 
 fion. I hope to be underilood when I 
 fay, that her fpirit had no lex ; and that 
 it was enchanting when ihc was in hu- 
 mour
 
 1^6 Appendix to Seclion VI. 
 
 mour to difplay it. Few pretty women 
 but are over fond to pleafe ; and hence 
 thofe little affectations which virtually 
 fay, behold me. • Such apeiih tricks were 
 not relifhed by Madame Dorfin : her 
 pride would not admit her to defcend fo 
 low. If upon any occafion fhe relaxed a 
 little, no one was feniible of it but her- 
 felf. In general, fhe valued her under- 
 flanding more than her beauty : it was 
 her you honoured in praifing the former : 
 it was her figure only, in praifing the lat- 
 ter. To appear agreeable was not her 
 fludy : it would have made her blulh if 
 you could fay, " That lady has endea- 
 " voured to make me fond of her." In 
 a word, the only coquetry fhe could be 
 fufpecled of, was her willingnefs that 
 you mould be feniible, how much ihe de- 
 fpifed all the little arts of pleaiing. 
 
 From her under Handing we proceed to 
 die qualities of her heart. Her goodnefs 
 
 equalled
 
 Appendix to Sedlion VI. iyj 
 
 equalled that of Mad -.me de Miran, but; 
 was of a different cart. Goodnefs in the 
 latter was connected with plain fenfe : in 
 the former, it was connected with fupe- 
 rior underftanding, which makes it al- 
 ways mow in the moil advantageous light. 
 When one confers a favour on mc, and 
 feems ignorant of its importance, my 
 pride is not alarmed, a flight return of 
 gratitude is in my opinion fuilicient. But 
 a favour done me with a thorough fenfe 
 pf its importance, humbles my pride, 
 and lays on me a heavy burden of gra- 
 titude. This was not the only refpect in 
 which the goodnefs of Madame Doriin 
 differed from that of her friend. People 
 feldom have the courage to difplay all 
 their wants. Madame de Miran i'erved 
 you chearfully, but literally, feeing no 
 farther. Madame Dorfin, difcovering 
 your wants from your imperfect hints, 
 ferved you to the utmoft o{ yo.ir wishes. 
 It was not her you fatigued with your 
 Z concern? •
 
 17S Appendix to SeElion VI. 
 
 concerns : flie fatigued yon. It was you 
 fhe advifed, prefTed, chid for being ne- 
 gligent. She in a word made your af- 
 fair her own : the interefl fhe took in 
 you appeared fo much her own concern, 
 as to lofe entirely the character of gene- 
 rofity. Inftead of thinking as mofl people 
 do, u I have ferved this man, and he 
 " owes me much gratitude," Madame 
 Dorfin's notion was, " I have ferved this 
 ■' man frequently, I have accuftomed 
 " him to depend on me, I mufl not dif- 
 " appoint him." Your boldnefs in de- 
 manding a favour charmed her, and 
 was all the gratitude fhe wifhed. It 
 was treating her according to her own 
 heart. 
 
 It is not eafy for people of fpirit to 
 bring themfelves down to a level with 
 thofe who have none — they cannot find 
 a fubjecl low enough. Madame Dorlln, 
 i hough fhe had a greater fhare of ipirk 
 
 than
 
 Appendix to Sctlioji VI. 179 
 
 than thofe who have much, yet never 
 afTumed more fpirit than others had. She 
 thought that no human being is entitled 
 to laugh at the imperfections of others. 
 Thofe who had fpirit were fond to dif- 
 play it in her prefence ; not as neceifary 
 to pleafe her, but to honour themfelves. 
 She indulged her female companions to 
 talk at their eafe, feldom interrupting 
 but to approve, to praife, and to allow 
 them to draw breath. 
 
 Men differing in rank and condition, 
 feldom make good company together. 
 Each difplays what diftinguifh.es him a- 
 bove the reft. In Madame Dorfin's 
 houfe, there was no thought of rank, nor 
 of any other diftinction. They were 
 men who converfed with men ; and the 
 ftrongeft reafon always prevailed. The 
 fuperiority of her genius infpired every 
 one. 
 
 To
 
 180 Appendix to SeBion VI. 
 
 To an excellent heart, to a diflinguifh- 
 ed under Handing, was j dined a foul fupe- 
 rior to events ; which could be afflicted 
 but not dejected, and which in diftrefs 
 one never thinks of pitying, but of prai- 
 fmg. I have feen her more than once in 
 affliction ; but could never obferve, that 
 it had any effect on the' fweetnefs of her 
 manners, nor on her tranquillity in con- 
 verging with her friends : fhe gave her 
 attention wholly to them, though ihe had 
 caufe to give it wholly to herfelf. 
 
 She was adored -by her domeftics j 
 who held themfelves rich becaufe ihe was 
 fo, and considered every misfortune hap- 
 pening to her as happening to themfelves. 
 So little notion had they of a feparate in- 
 terell, that in every particular they join- 
 ed themfelves with her, " We have gain- 
 " ed a caufe, we have purchafed a farm, 
 " we have loft a friend. 1 ' She was high- 
 ly generous j but the ceconomy of her 
 
 domefticfc
 
 Appendix to SeB'wn VI. 1 8 X 
 
 domeflics made all up. Judge how ami- 
 able the miftrefs muft have been, to tame, 
 to enchant, a fpecies of beings, the very 
 beft of whom can fcarce pardon us for 
 their fervitude, or for our fuperiority. 
 
 The next portrait is drawn by the ce- 
 lebrated RoufTeau, exhibiting the charac- 
 ter of a young woman virtuoufly educa- 
 ted. 
 
 Sophia is not a beauty, but in her 
 prefence beaxities are difcontented with 
 themfelves. At nrft, fhe feared y appears 
 pretty ; but the more fhe is beheld, the 
 more agreeable fhe appears. She gains 
 when others lofe, and what fhe gains flie 
 never lofes. She is equalled by none in 
 a fweet expreflion of countenance ; and 
 without dazzling beholders, fhe iiiterefts 
 them. She loves drefs, and is a good. 
 judge Of it ; defpifes finery, but drelTes 
 with peculiar grace, mixing limplicity 
 
 with
 
 1 82 Appendix to Sctllon VI. 
 
 with elegance. Ignorant fhe is of what 
 colours are in fafliion ; but knows well 
 what fuits her complexion. She covers 
 her beauties, but fo flightly or rather art- 
 fully, as to give play to the imagination. 
 She prepares herfelf for managing a fa- 
 mily of her own, by managing that of 
 her father. Cookery is familiar to hei% 
 with the price and quality of provifions ; 
 and fhe is a ready accountant. Her chief 
 view however is to ferve" her mother and 
 lighten her cares. She holds cleannefs 
 and neatnefs to be indifpenfable in a wo- 
 man; and that a flattern is difguiting, 
 efpecially if beautiful. 
 
 The attention given to externals, does 
 not make her overlook her more material 
 duties. Sophia's underflanding is folid, 
 without being profound. Her fenfibility 
 is too great for a perfect equality of tem- 
 per ; but her fweetnefs renders that ine- 
 quality harmlefs, A harlh word does 
 
 not
 
 Appendix to SeBlon VI. 183 
 
 not make her angry ; but her heart 
 fwells, and ilie retires to difbtirden it by 
 weeping. Recalled by her father or mo- 
 ther, fhe comes at the inftant, wiping 
 her eyes and appearing chearful. She fuf- 
 fers with patience any wrong done her ; 
 but is impatient to repair any wrong fhe 
 has done, and does it fo cordially as to 
 make it appear meritorious. If fhe hap- 
 pen to difoblige a companion, her joy 
 and her carefTes, when reftored to favour, 
 {how the burden that lay upon her good 
 heart, 
 
 The love of virtue is Sophia's ruling 
 paflion. She loves it, becaufe no other 
 thing is fo lovely : flic loves it, becaufe 
 it is the glory of the female fex : me loves 
 it as the only road to happinefs, mifery 
 being the fure attendant of a woman 
 without virtue ; flic loves it, as dear to 
 her refpectable father and tender mother. 
 Thefe fentiments infpire her with a de- 
 gree
 
 184 Appendix to SeStion VL 
 
 gree of enthufiafm, that elevates her foul 
 and fubdues every irregular appetite. 
 
 Of the abfent fhe never talks but with 
 circumfpection, her female acquaintance 
 especially. She has remarked, that what 
 renders women prone to detraction, is 
 talking of their own fex ; and that they 
 are more equitable with rcipect to ours. 
 Sophia therefore never talks of women, 
 but to exprefs the good fhe knows of 
 them : of others fhe fays nothing, 
 
 Without much knowledge of the 
 world, (he is attentive, obliging and grace- 
 ful in all fhe does. A good difpofition 
 does more for her, than much art does 
 for others. She poffeffes a degree of po- 
 litenefs, which, void of ceremony, pro- 
 ceeds from a defire to pleafe, and which 
 confequcntly never fails to pleafe. 
 
 The next portrait is of a fine woman 
 
 drawn by the celebrated Earl of Chefler- 
 
 field. 
 
 Let
 
 Appendix to SeftionVL 185 
 
 Let. Flavia be their model, who, 
 though me could fupport any character, 
 affumes none ; is never mifled by fancy 
 or vanity, but guided fingly by reafon. 
 Whatever Ihe fays or does, is the mani- 
 fefl remit of a happy nature, and a good 
 underftanding ; though fhe knows what- 
 ever women ought, and it may be more 
 than they are required to know. She 
 conceals the fuperiority fhe has, with as 
 much care as others take to difplay the 
 fuperiority they have not : Ihe conforms 
 herfelf to the turn of the company Ihe is 
 in, but in a way of rather avoiding to be 
 diftanced, than defiring to take the lead. 
 Are they merry, fhe is chearful ; are they 
 grave, ihe is ferious ; are they abfurd, fhe 
 is filent. Though ihe thinks and fpcaks 
 as a man would do, Ihe effeminates, if I 
 may life the cxprciuon, whatever fhe fays, 
 and adds all the graces of her own fex to 
 the ftrength of ours. She is well bred 
 without the troublefome ceremonies and 
 A a frivolous
 
 1 86 Appendix to Section VI. 
 
 frivolous forms of thofe who only affect 
 to be fo. As her good breeding proceeds 
 jointly from good nature and good fenfe, 
 the former inclines her to oblige, and the 
 latter fhows her the eafiefl and beft way 
 of doing it. Women's beauty like men's 
 wit, is generally fatal to the owners, un- 
 lefs directed by a judgment that feldom 
 accompanies a great degree of either. Her 
 beauty feems but a proper and decent 
 lodging for fuch a mind. She knows the 
 true value of it ; and far from thinking 
 that it authorifes impertinence and co-« 
 quetry, it redoubles her care to avoid 
 thofe errors that are its ufual attendants. 
 Thus, fhe not only unites in herfelf all the 
 advantages of body and mind, but even 
 reconciles contradictions in others ; for 
 fhe is loved and efteemed, though envied 
 by all. 
 
 I shall add but one character more, 
 which is that of the Duchels of Guife, 
 
 penned
 
 Appendix to Sefiion VI. 1S7 
 
 penned by the Due de Sully, a mod com- 
 plete female character in my opinion. 
 
 In any age that has not loft every di- 
 (linclion between virtue and vice, the Du- 
 chefs of Guife would univerfally have been 
 held the chief of her fex, for the qualities 
 of her heart and mind. Every branch of 
 her conduct 'was regulated by a native 
 rectitude of foul : fhe had not even the 
 idea of evil, either in advifing or acting. 
 Her difpofition was at the fame time fo 
 fweet, as never to feel the flightefl emo- 
 tion of hatred, malignity, envy, nor even 
 of ill humour. No other woman ever 
 pofTefTed fo many graces of converfation; 
 nor, to a wit fo fubtile and refined, add- 
 ed a more perfect fimplicity of manners. 
 The pleating as well as more elevated qua- 
 lities, were fo happily blended in her com- 
 pofition, that me was at once tender and 
 lively, tranquil and gay. 
 
 SECT.
 
 1 88 Education with refpeci to Religion : . 
 
 SECT. VII. 
 
 Education with refpeci to Religion. 
 
 THE moft delicate branch of educa- 
 tion, is that which concerns reli- 
 gion. All human beings have an innate 
 fenfe of right and wrong, by means of 
 which children are fufceptible of moral 
 inilruction. They liflen to an intereft- 
 ing ftory, take an affection to thofe who 
 behave well, and an averfion to thofe who 
 behave ill. Such exercife, which moulds 
 the heart to virtue, has one peculiar ad- 
 vantage, that it is highly agreeable : chil- 
 dren never tire of it *. Children are 
 
 equally 
 
 * The following little ftory is lo fweet and inte- 
 refting, that I am fond of any pretext to introduce 
 it ; and my pretext is, that it is an additional proof 
 of the fenfe of right and wrong being innate ; though 
 that fact is lb firmly eftablilhed in the opinion of 
 every rational perfon, as to render any new evidence 
 very little necefTarv. A female child was born deaf 
 and dumb. At four years cf age, when her parents 
 
 \ve- - e
 
 Education with refpecl to Religion. 189 
 
 equally fufceptible of inftruction with 
 regard to natural religion. The being 
 
 of 
 
 were clearly fenfible of her defect, they fent her to 
 a boarding fchool at Briftol ; and left her there for 
 years, without providing either for board or cloaths. 
 The father, who died a few years ago, left his wife 
 and fon in good circumftances, with L. 1000 to each 
 of his younger children, the fame funi to his dumb 
 daughter in cafe fhe fhould come to the ufe of 
 fpeech ; otherways an annuity only of L. 30, to com- 
 mence when fhe fhould be of age. Since the fa- 
 ther's death, ilie was vifited by her brothers and 
 fitters, but without any mark of affection, not a fingle 
 woF-d about the board either from mother or children. 
 So much upon the dark fide of the profpea. Now 
 to the bright fide. Sophia, which is the young wo- 
 man's name, is of fo mild and amiable a difpofition, 
 that the boarding miltrefles have adopted her for their 
 daughter. Their claim is considerable for board, 
 cloaths, and education ; but they forbear filing for ir ? 
 left the young woman ihould be taken from them. 
 In needle-work, drawing, dancing, and mimicry, fhe 
 excels. But what only is to the prefent point, her 
 mifrrefles vouch upon every occafion, that her ideas of 
 jultice and moral rectitude are extremely correct, and 
 that her practice is entirely conformable to them, 
 Ideas of right and wrong may be improved by educa- 
 tion ; but without a foundation in nature, an attempt 
 to inculcate them would be no Iefs uufuccefsful, than 
 an attempt to give an idea of colour to one born- 
 blind,
 
 190 Education with refpecl to Religion, 
 
 of a God and the worlhip due to him^ 
 being engraved on the mind, make a 
 branch of our nature. As nature thus 
 takes the lead, it is the duty of parents 
 to fecond nature. They ought to incul- 
 cate into their children, that God is their 
 friend and heavenly Father ; and that 
 they ought to perform his will, which is 
 to do all the good they can. Convince 
 them that God is always prefent, and 
 that not a thought can be concealed from 
 him. Accompany every one of your lef- 
 fons with defcribing the Deity as bene- 
 volent and humane, wifhing the good of 
 his creatures, and rewarding the virtuous, 
 if not in this life, affuredly in a life to 
 come *. 
 
 As this is a capital branch of educa- 
 tion, indeed the mod capital, it merits 
 great attention. It is eafy to fortify in 
 
 children 
 
 * See Sketches of the Hiftory of Mar.. Second 
 Edit. vol. 4. page 350.
 
 Education with rejpetl to Religion. 191 
 
 children the belief of a Deity, becaufe his 
 exiflence is- engraved on the human heart ; 
 but it is not eafy to fortify that belief, fo 
 as to become a ruling principle of action. 
 And yet this is indifpenfable ; for belief 
 without producing that effect, is of little 
 fignificancy with refpect to the duties of 
 religion, which are the great and ulti- 
 mate end of inftruction. In order that 
 a firm belief of the Deity may warm 
 the mind to perfevere in what is right, 
 the following hints may be of ufe to pa- 
 rents and tutors. Take proper opportu- 
 nities of talking pleafantly to your chil- 
 dren of their heavenly Father, who loves 
 them, and who, though unfeen, is always 
 doing them good ; that he created the 
 fan to warm them, and made the earth 
 to produce every thing neceffary for their 
 nourifhment and for their cloathing. In 
 fine weather, lead them to the fields, and 
 point out to them the various beauties of 
 nature. " How beautiful that fmooth 
 
 " plain
 
 i(j2 Education ivitb refpcB to Religion. 
 
 " plain interfered with a ftream perpe- 
 " tually flowing ; how comfortable to the 
 " eye its verdure, and how beneficial by 
 " giving food to many innocent and ufe- 
 " ful animals ! Behold that gay parterre, 
 " variegated with a thoufand fweet co- 
 " lours. See that noble oak fpreading its 
 " branches all around, affording a made 
 " in fummer, and fhelter in winter. Li- 
 " ften to the birds which chear us with 
 " their muiic, and are bufily employed 
 " in bringing forth their young. ,? Im- 
 prefs it upon the minds of your children, 
 that all thefe things are contrived by our 
 heavenly Father to make us happy ; and 
 that it ought to be our chief delight to 
 teftify upon all occafions our gratitude 
 to him. 
 
 When a child has behaved well, fail 
 not to let it know, that it has given plea- 
 lure to its heavenly Father, and that he 
 will reward it when he fees proper. In 
 
 fjeknefs,
 
 Education with re/pecl to Religion. 193 
 
 licknefs, exhort it to furfer patiently ; bc- 
 caufe it is in the hands of God, who will 
 do what is bed for it. If this chearful 
 doctrine be carefully inflilled into the 
 hearts of children, they will acquire a 
 habit of confidering the Deity in the a- 
 miable light of a friend and benefactor, 
 who never will forfake them. 
 
 But though it is necefTary to defcribe 
 the Deity, not only as a friend to the 
 good, but as an enemy to the wicked ; 
 be in no hurry with the latter, nor let it 
 be mentioned till the benevolence of the 
 Deity be deeply rooted in the mind of 
 your children. When they are duly pre- 
 pared, defcribe him as loath to punilh, 
 ready to forgive thofe who repent, an 
 enemy to hardened linners only ; that he 
 is angry indeed at children who miibe- 
 havc, but that fo are their parents ; that 
 good children are not afraid of their pa- 
 B b rents ;
 
 194 Education with refpcB to Religion, 
 
 rents ; and as little reafon have they to 
 be afraid of their heavenly Parent. 
 
 Religious education thus carried on, 
 inflead of infpiring gloominefs and de- 
 lpondence, will contribute more than any 
 other means to ferenity of mind and chear- 
 fulnefs of temper. I zealoufly recommend 
 this fort of difcipline to parents, know- 
 ing that it is not fumciently attended to. 
 Surely, any frightful notion of the Deity, 
 muft have a difmal effect on a tender 
 mind, fufceptible of every imprefhon, that 
 of fear above all. Man formerly was 
 thought to be of a nature fo perverfe, as 
 to be governed by fear only, never by af- 
 fection ; and our Maker accordingly was 
 reprefented as fevere and unforgiving. 
 The dread thus infpired into young per- 
 fons, produces naturally abject fuperfti- 
 tion in a weak mind ; and in the bold and 
 thoughtlefs, a total neglect of religion, 
 As the latter character is the more com- 
 mon.
 
 Education unth refpecl to Religion. 195 
 
 mon, it cannot be furpriflng to find among 
 us a neglect of religious duties prevailing 
 fo generally. 
 
 Stories contrived to fortify rational 
 notions of the Deity, would have a good 
 effect on children of nine or ten ; the hi- 
 ftory, for example, of a young woman 
 who never did a thing of moment, with- 
 out firft confidering whether it would be 
 agreeable to her Maker ; who by that 
 means led a chearful and innocent life, 
 and was beloved by all ; or the hiltory 
 of a young man, who, feduced by a train 
 of temptations, loft fight of his Maker, 
 and plunged headlong into vice. After 
 a debauch, he dreamed that God, appear- 
 ing with an angry countenance, threatned 
 a fevere punilhment. He itarted from 
 fleep in extreme agony: his*vvicked courfes 
 flared him in the face : he prayed ardent- 
 ly for pardon, and made a vow never 
 again to lofe fight of his Maker. The 
 
 remainder
 
 1 96 Education with rejpttl to Religion, 
 
 remainder of his life was no lefs exenv 
 plary for goodnefs, than the former part 
 for vice. The lively impremon. of God's 
 prefence and fuperintendence, promoted 
 by fuch hiftories, will guard againft vied 
 more effectually, than the actual prefence 
 of the moft awful perfon on earth. A 
 man fo educated, will as little think of 
 hiding his intentions from his Maker, as 
 of hiding them from liimfelf. 
 
 Considering how liable children are 
 to the abfurd impremons of ghofts and 
 apparitions, can it be thought that they 
 will be lefs open to the impremon of the 
 Deity, which has a folid foundation in 
 nature ? Examples are many of a con- 
 nection fo intimate between two friends, 
 as that the image of the prcdcceafecl was 
 always prefent to the fnrvivor, rejoicing 
 with him in profperity, and comforting 
 him in adverfity. Surely, we are fuf- 
 ceptiblc of a connection with our Maker, 
 
 equally
 
 Education with refpetl to Religion. 1 9^ 
 
 equally intimate. I have often experi- 
 enced the force of early impremons in 
 trivial matters, far lefs apt than the pre- 
 fence of the Deity to occupy the mind. 
 In the morning between fleeping and 
 waking, I frequently imagine myfelf to 
 be in the bed-chamber I occupied during 
 childhood, the door here, the window 
 there, very different from the form of 
 my prefent bed-chamber : nor am I un- 
 deceived, till perfectly awake. From the 
 window of my ftudy looking to the fields 
 in a reverie, the fight of a tree, refem- 
 bling one in my original habitation, has 
 frequently made me think myfelf to be 
 there ; fo as even to contradict my eye- 
 fight, by fubftituting, inftcad of the pre- 
 fent profpecl:, the one I had been accus- 
 tomed to' during my tender years. As- 
 more than half a century has elapfed 
 f>nce my infancy, thefe facts mow clear- 
 hat early impremons never are obli- 
 It is true, that I have nothing 
 
 for
 
 xgS Education with refpefl to Religion. 
 
 for thefe facts but my own evidence ; 
 but, as nature is the fame in all, I take 
 it for granted that fimilar inftances have 
 occurred to many. 
 
 Young perfons duly initiated in the 
 comforts of religion, hold their Maker 
 to be their firmeft friend, and their mod 
 powerful protector. They retire to pri- 
 vate devotion, with the alacrity of one 
 who goes to vifit a bofom friend ; and 
 the hours that pafs in that exercife, are 
 remembered with entire fatisfaction. In 
 every difficulty they apply to their Maker: 
 they pray to him in affliction ; and in 
 profperity they pour out their grateful 
 heart to him. Parents ! attend above all 
 other concerns to the education of your 
 children : riches and honours are as no- 
 thing in comparifon. It is in your power 
 to (lamp on their ductile mind, fo deep 
 an impreflion of a benevolent Deity, as 
 to become their ruling principle of ac- 
 tion.
 
 Education with rcfpeEl to Religion. i 99 
 
 tion. What praife do you not merit, if 
 fuccefsful : what reproach, if negligent ? 
 I have a firm conviction, that if a due 
 impreffion of the Deity be not fufficient 
 to flem the tide of corruption in an opu- 
 lent and luxurious nation, it is vain to 
 attempt a remedy *• 
 
 When 
 
 * I can have no doubt but that the following let- 
 ter upon this fubject, will be as agreeable to the pu- 
 blic, as it was to me. 
 
 " I am very glad to hear, that you again have taken 
 tl up your pen for the public fervice j efpecially as 
 " you begin at that feafon on which the whole har- 
 " vert of life depends. We, who are farmers, know 
 li the ground muft be tilled, cleaned, and good i^eed 
 iC carefully fown, if we mean to reap a rich crop. I 
 " am proud to find, I have always followed your plan 
 " of religion, with the infants that have been under 
 l< my care. Whenever they have admired the fun's 
 :c refulgent beams, the lovely orb of the moon, or 
 " any of the frriking beauties of nature, I have en- 
 <l deavoured to raife their thoughts to the great Crea- 
 " tor, and to fet before them his Majefty, without 
 ''• the terrors that might drive them from the con- 
 " templation. In their feafons of recreation and 
 " innocent delights, I have reprefented him as the 
 " indulgent parent, from whofe bounty they enjoyed 
 
 •< inch
 
 -oo Education with refpetl to "Religion* 
 
 W h e N your children, by regular 
 training, come to have a warm fenfe of 
 devotion, then is the time for entering 
 them into the exercife of prayer. Teach 
 them to pray for their parents, for their 
 relations, and above all, that God will 
 preferve them from doing ill. Say your 
 prayers before them fhortly and pathe- 
 tically : they will imitate you without 
 compultion. But prefcribe not at firfl 
 regular hours ; which to very young 
 
 creatures 
 
 n fuch bieffings, and who at all times can bellow 
 ec every good, and guard from pain and evil. The 
 " fear of God is the beginning of wifdom ; but the 
 " lave of God is the parent of devotion. When, a? 
 " men, they go forth into the world, and ternpta- 
 " tions thrunp- around them, thev ono-ht then to con- 
 " fider God in the awful character of a Winator, 
 " carefully to obev his laws, and to dread the difplea- 
 " fure that tnuil be the confequence of difobedience 
 " to laws on which the general welfare depends; no 
 " lefs in facr, though not fo apparently, than on the 
 " regular courfe of the tides, or fncceflioo of the fea- 
 " fons. Nor will this any way impair the early print 
 " ciple of the love of God ; for the more benevolent 
 " the lawgiver is, the more ftrictly will he require 
 f obedience to laws noon which, our happinefs de- 
 pends '■'
 
 Education with refpcci to Religion. 201 
 
 creatures prove irkfome and fatiguing. 
 Encourage them, however^ to acquaint 
 you when they have performed that du- 
 ty. After being thus fairly initiated in 
 an agreeable practice, it will not be diifi- 
 cult to introduce gradually more regula- 
 rity. Let them know that regularity will 
 prevent neglect and remiimefs, which 
 Cannot fail to be a burden on their fpi- 
 rits ; that the morning and the evening 
 are the mod proper times ; the former 
 to thank their Maker for the light of a 
 new day, and to befeech him not to leave 
 them to themfelves ; the latter to attri- 
 bute it to him if they have behaved well, 
 and to beg pardon if they have done any 
 thing amiis. 
 
 But I reft here, purposing at the e id 
 of this lection, to prefent the reader 
 with an illuftration of chis fubject by 
 another hand. I reckon upon fufFering 
 by the companion ; but I renounce feltiik 
 views for the fake of my fellow citize is. 
 C c What
 
 202 Education with refpecl to Religion 4 
 
 What remains with refpedl to religi- 
 ous education, is to add a few hints upon 
 revealed religion. This may be thought 
 an extreme delicate point ; becaufe in en- 
 deavouring to inftruct young people in 
 the revelation that ought to be embraced, 
 there may be danger of leading them a- 
 ftray. As revealed religion is not ftamp- 
 ed on the heart, but requires profound 
 reafoning, and the knowledge of many 
 obfcure facts, we are apt to conclude 
 that it ought to be delayed till the facul- 
 ty of reafon be ripe ; which refolves in 
 leaving every perfon to judge for them- 
 felves. But this opinion ought not to be 
 adopted ; for as the generality of men are 
 incapable to judge of a matter fo intri- 
 cate, they mufl be led. Now, I fay, that 
 it is better for them to be led in their 
 younger years by a kindly parent or tutor, 
 than to be left to form an opinion after- 
 ward as chance fhall direct. For this rea- 
 fon, I am clear that children be educated 
 in the religion eftablilhed or tolerated by 
 
 law,
 
 Education iritb rcfpccl to Religion. 203 
 
 law. Nor ought this to be confidered as 
 a rafh concelhon ; for lure I am, that 
 ninety-nine of a hundred have no better 
 foundation to build their faith upon. 
 It may be demanded then, where lies 
 the merit of a Chriftian above a Mahome- 
 tan or a Pagan ? I admit, that it cannot 
 lie in following blindly the religion of 
 one's anceftors. But as the Chriftian re- 
 velation is the mod perfect of all, and the 
 pureft in its doctrines, it is highly meri- 
 torious in a Turk or a Pagan, who feeks 
 truth with a fincere heart, to become a 
 true Chriftian. At the fame time, I am 
 far from thinking, that Chriftianity is 
 the only road to heaven. All who have 
 a good heart with a clear confeience, will 
 meet with the fame reward. It is not 
 material in the fight of the Almighty, 
 whether the religion they have been 
 taught is or is not orthodox, provided 
 they be fincere. People follow naturally 
 and innocently the faith of their parents; 
 and die generality have no other means 
 
 for
 
 S04 Education with refpedl to Religion, 
 
 for embracing a revelation, real or pre- 
 tended. How few are there who can de- 
 pend on their own judgment, in making 
 a choice ! Are people to be condemned 
 for judging wrong, who cannot judge at 
 all ? To me therefore it appears evident- 
 ly the will of God, that fmcerity ihould 
 be the only title to his favour, leaving 
 men to their own belief. 
 
 It may well be considered by us as a 
 lingular favour of Providence, that we 
 enjoy the Chriftian Revelation, the pureft 
 and moil luminous of all that have been 
 given to men. With regard however to 
 people ignorant of Chriftianity, it tends 
 greatly to their peace of mind, to adhere 
 to the religion eftablifhed among them. 
 Therefore, whatever unlucky doubts or 
 fcruples may haunt a man with reipecl: to 
 that religion, he ought to conceal them 
 from his children. In a Chriftian coun- 
 try, let him employ all honeft means to 
 
 breed
 
 Education with refpecl to Religion. 205 
 
 breed his children fincere Chriftians. To 
 that end, among other particulars more 
 material, a fet of prints reprefenting the 
 hiftory of the Old and New Teftament, 
 will contribute greatly. Young creatures 
 delight in pictures ; and by that means, 
 the material facls relative to Chriftianity 
 may be deeply damped on their minds, 
 leaving when they grow up, little incli- 
 nation to doubt of their reality. 
 
 Here indeed I zealoufly exhort pa- 
 rents and teachers to guard againft bi- 
 gotry and fuperftition, which, if early 
 fown in young minds, are not eafily 
 rooted out. Teach your children to pre- 
 fer their own religion ; but inculcate at 
 the fame time, that the virtuous are ac- 
 ceptable to God, however erroneous in 
 point of belief. Prefs it home on them, 
 that there is nothing in nature to hinder 
 different feels of Chriftians from living 
 amicably together, more than different 
 
 feels
 
 2o6 Education with refpecl to Religion, 
 
 feels of philofophers, or of men who work 
 in different arts ; efpecially as the articles 
 of faith that diftinguifh thefe feels are 
 purely fpeculative : they have no relation 
 to morals, nor any influence on our con- 
 duct. Yet from thefe diftinclions have 
 proceeded rancour and animofity, as if 
 our moil important concerns had been 
 at flake. In a different view, the abfur- 
 dity appears ftill more glaring. Thefe 
 articles, the greater part at lead, relate 
 to fubjects beyond the reach of human 
 linderftanding ; fo that no man can fay 
 whether they are true or falfe. The Al- 
 mighty, by his works of creation, has 
 made his wifdom and benevolence mani- 
 feft : but he has not found it neceffary 
 to explain to his creatures the manner of 
 his exiftence ; and in all appearance the 
 manner of his exiftence is beyond the 
 reach of our conceptions. Yet in a 
 creed commonly afcribed to Athen alius, 
 the manner of God's exiftence is han- 
 dled
 
 Education with refpcEi to Religic?i. 207 
 
 died with the fame air of certainty, as if 
 it were contained in a divine revelation. 
 Certain it is, that the propofitions laid 
 down in that creed, are far beyond the 
 reach of human knowledge. I forbear 
 to mention, that the greater part of them, 
 if they have any diflincl: meaning, con- 
 tradict common fenfe. And yet, good 
 God ! what oceans of blood have been 
 fhed by the inveteracy of the orthodox 
 againft the Arians, occafioned chiefly by 
 that very creed ; men maffacring one an- 
 other without remorfe, and even without 
 pity — more cruel far than beads of prey, 
 who never kill but for food. Perfecution 
 for the fake of religion, would have been 
 entirely prevented by wholefome educa- 
 tion, inflilling into the minds of young 
 people, that difference in opinion is no 
 juft caufe of difcord ; and that different 
 fects may live amicably together. In a 
 word, neglect no opportunity to imprefs 
 on the mind of your pupils, that religion 
 
 is
 
 ■2o8 Appendix to Seclion VII. 
 
 is given for our good ; and that no reli- 
 gion can be true which tends to difturb 
 the peace of fociety. 
 
 APPENDIX to SECTION VII. 
 
 ART; I. 
 
 THAT the fenfe of Deity is innate 
 has been lhewn elfewhere *. The 
 prefent enquiry is how to unfold it. 
 
 The perception of our own exigence is 
 quickly followed by that of the exiftence 
 of God ; or rather, they grow up toge- 
 ther. The pleafures of novelty aiid beauty 
 and grandeur are early felt ; it feerns pof- 
 lible to excite, even in the minds of chil- 
 dren, a reflection on the author of thofe 
 pleafures. Children are indebted to their 
 parents for food and clothes and other 
 
 comforts, 
 
 * Sketches of the IMory of Man. Edit. 2. vol. 4. 
 page 190.
 
 Appendix to Seciion VII. 209 
 
 comforts, and they feel gratitude and at- 
 tachment. But who makes the fun to 
 rife, and the flowers to grow, and fruit to 
 ripen ? They are the queflions of chil- 
 dren, the feed of an anfwer is in their 
 own mind, it only needs to be unfolded. 
 By beginning here, the fir ft idea of God 
 is that of a benevolent Being, and the 
 firft devout fentiments are thofe of grati- 
 tude and admiration. 
 
 Gloomy views of the Supreme Being, 
 and of the fervice which he requires, have 
 the worft effect: on the minds of youth. 
 The celebrated Boyle, when a young man, 
 vifited the fcenes of St Bruno's folitude. 
 The ftories and pictures of that Saint o- 
 verwhelmed him with melancholy. The 
 mifery of his creatures feemed to be the 
 iacriflce which God required. Accord- 
 ing to his own account, " nothing but 
 " the forbiddennefe of felf-di (patch pre- 
 " vented his acling it." 
 
 D d Tt
 
 2io .Appendix to Section VII 
 
 It is not meet to burden young minds 
 with religious inftruclion. If it be con- 
 veyed in the form of a talk, it will fbon 
 grow irkfbme. If it confift in definitions 
 of God arid explanations, it will probably 
 amount to the knowledge of words. If 
 abftrufe and inadequate reafonings be 
 ufed, they will choke the good feed which 
 you mean to cherifh. 
 
 In unfolding a truth which affects the 
 imagination and the heart, proper feafons 
 muft be chofen. When the fun rifes 
 from the fea, and difpels the clouds, and 
 gilds the mountains, while birds iing and 
 the air is fragrant ; you may aid your 
 pupil's contemplation on that power 
 which daily renews our joy. In the fa- 
 ience and folemnity of a ftarry night, his 
 thoughts afcend to the Creator. While 
 it thunders, he readily perceives that re- 
 verence is due to the Almighty. 
 
 There
 
 Appendix to Seftion VII. 2 1 1 
 
 There are feafons when the doclrine 
 of providence, and of immortality, a 
 branch of that doclrine, may be deeply 
 impreiTed. Recoveries and efcapes and 
 deliverances are often experienced in 
 youth ; when your pupil has experienced 
 any of thefe, with the flighted aid he 
 will recognife a providence. Your difeafe 
 was extreme, the phyfician gave no hope, 
 your companion was carried to the grave. 
 What power reftored you to your forrow- 
 ing friends ? what gratitude is due to that 
 power ? what love to thofe friends who 
 took fo deep an intereft in your afflic- 
 tion ? You have efcaped an accident 
 which the next moment had proved fa- 
 tal. Who preferved your life ? for what 
 end was it preferved ? 
 
 Marcus Antoninus was thankful to 
 Providence that his mother recovered from 
 a ficknefs which had like to have cut her 
 off in her youth. Such an interpoiition 
 
 dulv
 
 212 Appendix to SeStion VII. 
 
 duly weighed, leaves a more powerful and 
 permanent impremon than profound rea- 
 foning, and awakens a livelier gratitude. 
 Thofe who have cultivated piety, and like 
 Antoninus recorded its progrefs, have all 
 been touched with early interpolations of 
 Providence, and treafured them up as me- 
 morials of Divine Goodnefs and grounds 
 of hope. 
 
 Youth feldom pafles without a time 
 to weep. The death-bed of a parent or 
 of a young friend, melts the heart. Con- 
 cern and attachment grow as the hour 
 approaches. Death leaves him inconfo- 
 lable. Immortality is the fourcc of con- 
 iblation, and now is the time to open it. 
 It accords with lively forrow, which clings 
 to a departed friend, and dwells on the 
 thought of an everlafling union. Divine 
 Goodnefs, which the fhadow of death 
 had veiled, mines forth again. Were 
 dying parents, like the late Lady Cath- 
 
 cart.
 
 Appendix to Section VII. 213 
 
 cart, to awaken a fenfe of God and im- 
 mortality in the minds of children, it 
 would make an indelible impreffion. 
 
 The doctrines of Providence and a 
 future (late, intereft all mankind. Sy- 
 ftems of education which overlook them 
 are very deficient. The reafonings of 
 Theologians and Sceptics, may have gi- 
 ven to an important fcience a difcoura- 
 ging afpecl. With them it may flill be 
 left to difpute with Clarke and Dodwell, 
 and to trace the intricacies of Spinoza ; 
 but in a fyftem of education fuited to 
 man, his relation to God, with the fenti- 
 ments and duties founded on that relati- 
 on, is an efTential branch. The fteps by 
 which your pupil advances in knowledge, 
 all lead to the Creator. By giving them 
 this direction, improvement and delight 
 will mingle. 
 
 \ R T,
 
 214 Appendix to Setllon VIL 
 
 ART. II. 
 
 THERE is an early tendency to con- 
 template the works of nature, and, 
 to enquire. If the inclination and ca- 
 pacity of youth were confulted, natural 
 hiftory would be the firft branch of edu- 
 cation. On this fubjecl:, the pupil is in- 
 troduced with eafe and pleafure to indu- 
 flry and thought. Curiofity is gratified 
 and excited by turns. A way of know- 
 ledge is opened in the defert, and a path 
 in the deep waters. Final caufes are per- 
 ceived, and views of wifdom open. He 
 is introduced to communion with God. 
 
 Much depends on the method in 
 which natural hiftory is taught. The 
 fophiftry of materialifm darkens the un- 
 derftanding, and chills the heart, and 
 damps the ardour of purfuit. The fenfe 
 of Deity, which the mere detail of fads 
 
 would
 
 Appendix to SeSionVIL 11$ 
 
 would cherifli, is blafled by cold and 
 captious reafoning ; the refult is doubt 
 and melancholy, perhaps indolence and 
 fenfuality. But when marks of wife and 
 beneficent defign are pointed out, the de- 
 tail of facfls becomes more interefting. 
 Reafon is exercifed. Admiration is felt. 
 The heart warms at every new profpect 
 of benevolence. Frefh ardour kindles in 
 a purfuit by which the higheft feelings 
 of the mind are gratified. 
 
 If the inclination and capacity of the 
 pupil be ilill confulted, experimental phi- 
 lofophy is the next ftep. It contributes 
 to the arts of life, and it may likewife 
 contribute to the knowledge of God. " It 
 " gives a rclifh, as Mr Boyle obferved 
 " and felt, for abftract truths which do 
 " not gratify ambition, fenfuality or low 
 " interefts." The laws of nature fuppofe 
 a Lawgiver. The properties of body, 
 fubjecled to the power an$ ingenuity and 
 
 life
 
 rii6 appendix to Sedition VIL 
 
 ufe of man, lead to the Author of thefe 
 properties and of this ftibjeetion. The 
 doctrine of caufe and effect is explained. 
 The metaphyseal duft is eafily wiped off. 
 With intuitive conviction, the mind refls 
 in a firfl caufe, independent and felf-ex- 
 iflent. It refls in filent awe. The expla- 
 nations of fchcolmen are blafphemy. 
 
 The fciences acquire new importance 
 and dignity, and reflect new honour on 
 their profeffors, as they difpel fuperfli- 
 tiOn and eftablifh faith in the perfections 
 aiid providence of God. " Our views of 
 " nature,'* fays M'Laurin, an eminent 
 and enlightened teacher, " however im- 
 " perfect, ferve to reprefent to us in the 
 " mofl fenfible manner, that mighty 
 " power which prevails throughout, act- 
 u ing with a force and efficacy that ap- 
 " pears to fuffer no diminution from the 
 " greatefl diftances of fpace or intervals 
 8 of time ; and that wifdom which we 
 
 " fee
 
 Appendix to Sccllon VII. 217 
 
 " fee equally displayed in the exquiiite 
 " ftructure and jufl motions of the great- 
 " eft and fubtileft parts. Thefe, with 
 " perfect goodnefs by which they are 
 " evidently directed, conftitute the fu- 
 " preme object of the fpeculations of a 
 " philofopher, who, while he contein- 
 " plates and admires fo excellent a fyflem, 
 " cannot but be himfelf excited and aiii- 
 " mated to correfpond with the general 
 " harmony of nature." Sir Ifaac New- 
 ton Concludes his principal works with 
 thoughts of God, fublime in proportion 
 to the objects which filled his mind, and 
 the clearnefs with which he viewed them. 
 In a late EfTay on Gravitation, an idea is 
 prefented of fome centre of the univerfe 
 unfpeakably remote, round which the 
 fun and ftars may gravitate. After fup- 
 porting the hypothefis by analogv, and 
 by the change of place actually obferved 
 in many ftars, it thus concludes, " What 
 " an aftonifhing thing is this when con- 
 E e " fulercd
 
 2 1 8 Appendix to Seel ion VII. 
 
 " fidered in its proper and fall extent t 
 " It feems the voice of nature reaching 
 " from the uttermoft heavens, inviting 
 " us to enlarge and elevate our views.'* 
 
 ART. III. 
 
 FROM the knowledge of external 
 things, the mind is conducted to 
 the knowledge of itfelf : a brighter dif- 
 play of the Deity opens. Human wif- 
 dom appears in mechanical arts, but ftill 
 more in the arts of government. The 
 laws of motion in matter, and of inflincl 
 in brutes are fuited to their fubjects ; but 
 the laws which regulate a mind capable 
 of thinking and chuiing, lead to more 
 profound refearches. The labour is dif- 
 ficult, but the rccompenfe is great. In 
 tracing thefe laws we difcovcr the end of 
 our creation, and the means of attaining 
 it. We difcovcr hidden trcafures of DL 
 
 vine
 
 Appendix to Scclion VIL 2 1 9 
 
 vine Wifdom, in a fubject of higher dig- 
 nity and more exquifite workmanfhip, 
 than the material world. We feel a prin- 
 ciple of juftice and kind affection, which 
 aid our conceptions of the Divine Juftice 
 and Benevolence. Some of the paflions 
 find an object in God ; and moral excel- 
 lence attracts the heart. 
 
 The principles of tafte are the eafiefl 
 and moft pleafant branch of human na- 
 ture ; and with them, perhaps, it is fittelt 
 to begin. The pleafures of imagination 
 are relimed in youth : as their fources 
 are traced with the means of purifying 
 them, they acquire a new reliih. Means 
 fitted to their ends in fo complicated a 
 machine as man, difplay profound wif- 
 dom : when thefe ends are fo many delici- 
 ous picafures, they renew the impreflion 
 of Divine Benevolence. The benevolence 
 of God is the foundation of piety, and 
 it cannot be laid too deep. While the 
 
 picafures
 
 120 jippendix to Seclion VII. 
 
 pleafures of imagination are enjoyed, gra- 
 titude may at times be roufed. Many 
 of thefe pleafures accord with devotion, 
 and rife in the exercife of it to their 
 higheft note. Great and awful and im- 
 meafurable objects are fublime ; as they 
 raife the thoughts to God, the mind 
 fwells with flill more exalted pleafure. 
 The enthufiafm of poetry is felt, and the 
 fire of devotion burns. Hymns to the 
 Creator were early expreffions of piety 
 among men, and piety may flill be che- 
 rifhed in early years by fongs of praife. 
 
 Laws which regulate conduct, are 
 more important than thofe by which plea- 
 fure is difpenfed. 
 
 Kind affections fpring up in youth; 
 it is the fcafon for rearing the amiable 
 virtues. Pleafure accompanies every act 
 of goodnefs ; the gratitude which it ex- 
 cites, and the praife which it attracts, 
 
 heighten
 
 appendix to Scftio?i VII. 221 
 
 heighten that pleafure ; devotion purifies 
 and exalts it. Benevolence, which is a- 
 nimated by views of Divine Benevolence, 
 and works together with God, is pure 
 and permanent ; it is proof againfl ingra- 
 titude and unmerited reproach. 
 
 While juftice is explained, the obliga- 
 tion is felt, and the fanctions which en- 
 force it. Human laws are contemplated 
 as a part of God's adminiftration, found- 
 ed on the fenfe of juftice which he has 
 given, inflicting punifhments which that 
 fenfe approves, and eftablifhing order in 
 fociety. So far the profpect is bright. 
 But your pupil mull be inftructed in the 
 diforder which actually prevails, the im- 
 perfection of human laws, the partiality 
 and deceivablenefs of judges, the tri- 
 umphs of iniquity. A cloud gathers on 
 the profpect. Indignation rifes at the 
 view of oppremon, and fympathy with 
 the oppreffed, and an appeal to that Being 
 
 who
 
 222 Appendix to ScBloti VIL 
 
 who made man upright. Immortality, 
 opened through the vale of death, it opens 
 again through the vale of iniquity. 
 
 If difficulties occur in comparing the 
 juftice of God with his benevolence, the 
 following hints by Muralt are fubmit- 
 ted. 
 
 " The faculties with which man is 
 " endowed, tend, when properly exer- 
 " cifed, to the perfection of his nature, 
 " When they are turned from their true 
 " defoliation, diforder enfues, great in 
 <c proportion to the excellence of the fa* 
 " culties perverted. The order which 
 " fubfifts among the members of the 
 " body is effential, not only to its per- 
 " fection, but to its happinefs. Difor* 
 " der in any member of the body, is 
 " notified by pain ; diforder in the fa* 
 " culties of the mind, is in like manner 
 u notified by pain of mind. Pain is the 
 
 " confcquencc
 
 Appendix to SeBioti VIL 223 
 
 confequence of diforder, the neceffary 
 unavoidable confequence ; were it o- 
 therways, both body and mind would 
 go to ruin. Detach the idea of feve- 
 rity from the juftice of God : were 
 creatures free from diforder, that fe- 
 verity would not exift. The efTential 
 juftice of God, is his approbation of 
 that order which renders intelligent 
 creatures happy ; and of confequence, 
 a difapprobation of the diforder which 
 renders them miferable. The feem- 
 ing feverity of his juftice, is a con- 
 ftant and prefling call to return to hap- 
 pinefs, and to that order with which 
 it is neceflarily connected. The ju- 
 ftice, which feems fevere in its effects, 
 is, in its principle, goodnefs directed by 
 wifdom. The principle by which he 
 confents to the pain of his creatures, 
 is the fame by which he wills them to 
 ' be happy." 
 
 Reason
 
 224 Appendix to Sett ion VII. 
 
 Reason is of late growth : much mix ft 
 be done in. the way of difcipline before 
 it can be applied ; that difcipline, how- 
 ever, mould be adapted to reafqn, which 
 is hereafter to review it. Beware of 'con- 
 veying, to your papil religious principles 
 that will not (land the tell of enquiry ; 
 when he conies to winnow them, the 
 wheat may fly off with the chaff. Ina 
 dark age, prejudices friendly to virtue 
 may operate through life ; but when light 
 rufhes in, the foundation of piety and 
 virtue may be fhaken. JLrafmus ob- 
 ferved, that all the reformers he was ac- 
 quainted with, became worfjb men than 
 they were before. The firft reformers, 
 in renouncing venerable prejudices with 
 which the mod important truths were 
 mingled, underwent a fevere trial ; nor 
 is it much to be wondered at, if, in 
 breaking the bands of fuperflition, the 
 bands of love were loofed. The chil- 
 dren of proteftants acknowledged no au- 
 thority
 
 Appendix to Seel ion VII. 11: 
 
 thority but fcripture, and they efcaped 
 the trial of their fathers. In the pro- 
 grefs of enquiry, fcripture came to be 
 judged by reafon, the moral fenfe, and 
 the IcvAq of Deity. In this ftate of 
 things, it feems prudent to begin with 
 incontrovertible ellential truths, and to 
 prepare and cultivate reafon for judging 
 of the relt. 
 
 A R T. IV. 
 
 WHEN the fenfc of Deity is unfold- 
 ed, and reafon cultivated, it is 
 time to judge of revelation. Chriftianity 
 claims attention on feveral accounts : it. 
 is the religion of our fathers : it has a 
 fhew of evidence : if it be true, it is a 
 truth of high concern. 
 
 Many of the objections to Chriftianit) 
 
 are owing to mifreprefentations of it. Le; 
 
 the New Teftament be confultcd. Doe--. 
 
 F f ii
 
 226 Appendix to SeBion VII 
 
 it afcribe to God a character worthy the 
 Creator of the univerfe and the Father of 
 men ? Does it clear and extend the view 
 of his wifdom and benevolence ? Does* it 
 make the way to communion with him 
 more plain and pleafant ? 
 
 Is the appointment of a Mediator ana- 
 logous to the ways of Providence, ex- 
 preffive of Divine Condefcenfion, and 
 fuited to human nature ? Is it confoling 
 to the heart under a fenfe of guilt, to be 
 allured of pardon ? Does moral excel- 
 lence made perfect by fufFering, feem to 
 be a facrifice which God will accept ? Is 
 it natural to the mind of man, to feel ad- 
 miration and love at the view of moral 
 excellence, and yield to its transforming 
 influence ? 
 
 Take a view of man in his low eftate. 
 Think if it be godlike to fend glad ti- 
 dings to the poor, if it be godlike to con- 
 
 fole
 
 Appendix to Seel ion VII. 227 
 
 fole the miferable, and if the fympathy 
 of an affectionate and powerful friend be 
 a (Irong confolation ? Man is mortal, and 
 Jefus pafTed before us through death, not 
 with an awful infennbility, which leaves 
 the feeling heart behind. 
 
 Does the doctrine of a refurrection 
 fall in with our predilection for thefe 
 bodies, and open as it were to the eye of 
 fenfe the profpect of immortality ? And 
 does the doctrine of judgment accord 
 with the natural feeling, that we are ac- 
 countable ? 
 
 Do die fufFerings of Chrift, and the 
 glory which followed, illuftrate and rati- 
 fy his important doctrine of a (late of 
 trial, preparatory to a (late of retribution? 
 
 Judge Chriftianity by its effects. Docs 
 it kindle love to God and man, and efta- 
 
 bliih
 
 228 Appendix to SeBion VII. 
 
 blim the authority of confidence, and i*e- 
 concile man to his lot ? 
 
 If your child be fatisfied that Chrift is 
 a teacher fent from God, and is willing 
 to be his difciple, it is meet to confefs 
 him before men. The celebration of his 
 death is a proper teitimony of regard. 
 Such a Benefactor deferves to be had ill 
 everlafling remembrance. 
 
 The hearts of the young, when nrft 
 introduced to communion with the faith- 
 ful, are acceflible and foft. Parents 
 might avail themfelves of this feafon to 
 rccal their early dedication to God, to ex- 
 plain the wifdom and love which inspi- 
 red the difcipline through which they 
 have been made to pafs, to foretel its in- 
 fluence on their future conduct, to anti- 
 cipate the time when that conduct lhall 
 he judged, and to devolve the care of it 
 on themfelves. 
 
 A R T.
 
 Appendix to Scclion VII. 229 
 
 ART V. 
 
 WHILE other pafTions are fpring- 
 ing up, and attended to with a 
 wife and watchful eye, the devout paf- 
 lions claim a mare in that attention. 
 
 The works of God infpire humility. 
 When we look up to the heavenly bodies, 
 and meditate the extent and the num. bar 
 and the glory of them ; we return to 
 ourfelves with lowly thoughts. " Lord 
 " what is man that thou art mindful 01 
 
 " him r 
 
 Perfect innocence is not the portion 
 of mortality. Even in worthy purfuits 
 the judgment may err, and in the exer- 
 cife of right affections the heart may 
 wander. In youth a paflion may break 
 its bounds, and for a moment hi) wafte 
 the foul. Rcmoiie is felt. Under its 
 fevere and awful preifure, the foul re- 
 turn >
 
 230 Appendix to SeElion VII. 
 
 turns to God, and melts in penitential 
 forrow. The peace which begins to 
 dawn, is a token of the Divine compaf- 
 fion. The fruits of this exerciie are a 
 lively ihn^e of the danger of guilt, the 
 humblenefs of mind which becomes an 
 imperfect creature, and fympathy with 
 thofe who are in the fame imperfect 
 {late. The devout act paffes in retire- 
 ment betwixt the foul and God; but the 
 fruits of it you may aid your young 
 friend 10 cultivate. 
 
 Love to God is excited and cherifhed 
 by reflecting on his favours, and on the 
 goodnefs from whence they flow. Affec- 
 tion to a creature muft be limited, but 
 unmixed and unbounded goodnefs is the 
 object of unbounded affection. The heart 
 does not reft in any human enjoyment, 
 but it refts in God ; the object is ade- 
 quate and the enjoyment complete. Di- 
 vine love attracts the ardour and fenfi- 
 
 bilitv
 
 Appendix to Seflion VII. 231 
 
 bility of youth, and averts debafing paf~ 
 fions. 
 
 First feelings are critical; by them 
 the character is often decided, Suppofe 
 them fenfual ; how deep they link ! how 
 often renewed by a polluted imagination, 
 and how fondly cherilhed ! They be- 
 come the hidden treafure of the heart, 
 to which it retires for a dark fclfifli eva- 
 nefcent joy: the prefence of the virtuous 
 cannot always fupprefs them, nor the gate 
 of the fanctuary Unit them out. The path 
 of honour is for ever abandoned. Early 
 impreilions of piety in like manner take 
 poffefiion of the heart. The tirft feelings 
 of devotion are remembered with delight. 
 God is fought and he is found in the out- 
 goings of the morning, in delightful and 
 in awful fcenes, in the peace and in the 
 tumults of nations, in the inmoft reccf- 
 ies of the foul. When the mind is un- 
 occupied, it is drawn by love to the Fa 
 
 ther
 
 Appendix to Seftion VII 
 
 \> 
 
 ther of mercies. Love to God brightens 
 the funfhine of prosperity, and perfumes 
 with fweet incenfe the facrifices which 
 are made to virtue. Every thing praife- 
 worthy is to be expected from the youth 
 who loves his Creator and acts as under 
 his eye. 
 
 Divine love has at times appeared in 
 a lefs inviting form. Unfeeling men, like 
 Dr Clarke, alarmed at the effects of en* 
 thuhafm, have denied the exiftence of any 
 affection or paffion of which God is the 
 object. Dr Butler, with a deeper' infight 
 into human nature in his fermon on the 
 love of God, has eftablifhed the doctrine 
 on its true foundation. The fuccefs of 
 cnthufiafts in ages of ignorance, and a- 
 mong the ignorant of the prefent age, 
 denotes a principle in the human mind 
 which corresponds to their inftructions. 
 It is a facred principle, and deferves to 
 
 be
 
 Appendix to Scclion VII. 233 
 
 be called forth and cherilhed by the voice 
 of wifdom. 
 
 Madame Guyon taught the ladies of 
 Lewis the Fourteenth's degenerate Court, 
 to love their Creator. The young yield- 
 ed to her perfuafive eloquence. She was 
 accufed of corrupting the youth. Her de- 
 fence was in the ipirit of her inftructions. 
 " But the youth whom I have corrupted, 
 " thou knoweft, O my God, are full of 
 " love to thee." The error of pure love, 
 if it mud be accounted an error, was yet 
 honourable for human nature. Like the 
 Stoic philofophy of old, it gave to the 
 world characters of fublime and godiike 
 virtue. The names of St Francis de Sales 
 and Fenelon, like thofe of Epictetus and 
 Antoninus, are lights ihining in a dark 
 place. In the mid ft of degeneracy, they 
 are pleating memorials that God made 
 man after his own image. 
 
 G g A R T.
 
 134 Appendix to SeBion VIL 
 
 ART. VI. 
 
 POLITICS is the lafl branch of edu- 
 cation. Its theory illuftrates the 
 principles of virtue and religion. The 
 ftudy of government and laws extends 
 the view of moral obligation ; the (tri- 
 dent feels his relation to the public, and 
 meditates the duties of a citizen. The 
 hiftory of nations, with the caufes of 
 their rife and fall, extends the view of 
 Providence. 
 
 The art of rifmg in life is at lafl the 
 object. Concerning politics in this fenfe, 
 Lord Bacon obferves, ^ec: perhaps the 
 obfcr\-ation was verified m hi.nfelf, that 
 " uDiefs the young be inilrucled in re- 
 " ligious and moral principles before 
 " they proceed to politics, they are apt 
 *' to account moral differences unreal, 
 c and to meafur.e all things by utility 
 : and fuccefs." In the career of am- 
 bition,
 
 Appendix to Sefiion VII. 235 
 
 bition, religion is a bulwark againft fur- 
 rounding temptation. Means fuggefted 
 by friends, and authorifed by example, and 
 crowned with fuccefs, and adorned with 
 Chefterfield's eloquence, are reviewed by 
 confeience. Figure and fortune appear 
 light when laid in the balance with mo- 
 deity and uprightnefs. The fteps of a 
 religious youth may not be marked with 
 fhining honours, but they will never be 
 ftaiaed by iniincericy. A fenfe of the 
 Divine pre fence, become habitual and 
 pleafant, infures uprightnefs. 
 
 In Roman Catholic countries there are 
 houfes of fpiritual retreat, where the well 
 difpofed retire at times to commune with 
 God and with their own hearts. A pu- 
 blic inftitution of this kind may feem 
 oftentatious, but the fpirit of it is lau- 
 dable. In the burled life a day may be 
 found for facred folitude. The youth 
 who has acquired a relilh for the plea- 
 sures
 
 2*6 -Appendix to Seclion V1L 
 
 fures of devotion, yields his heart to 
 thofe pleasures. He views, at a proper 
 diftahce, the active life upon which he 
 has entered, and makes a true eftimate 
 of weakli arid fame and pre-eminence. 
 He attends to his character as an ac- 
 countable being, and thinks of the time 
 when fticccfs or difappointment will fi- 
 gure lefs than the fteps by which they 
 arrived ; when the - pleafure of fuccefs 
 will be increafed by the honourable 
 means of attaining it, and the pain of 
 difappointment lefTened, becaufe nothing 
 dishonourable Was done to avert it. The 
 particular duties of his fphere are review- 
 ed : if the review prefents imperfections, 
 he does not difguife them to his own 
 mind, nor does he check humility. Un- 
 der the impreffion of divine goodnefs, he 
 learns to forgive himfelf, and to improve 
 the experience of former errors againfl 
 future temptation. Plans of ufefulnefs 
 are devifed, and kind affections cherifh- 
 
 cd.
 
 Appendix to SeSlion VII 237 
 
 ed. The beauties of virtue open in pro- 
 fpect, andj like a traveller refrefhed, he 
 fets forward with alacrity. 
 
 The intercourfe of friendfhip is a fur- 
 ther mean of uprightnefs. Young men 
 whofe mutual attachment is dignified by- 
 principle, inveftigate together the fair and 
 honourable courfe : felf-deceit is unveil- 
 ed, falfe fhame is combated, and felf- 
 efteem is cherilhed. Religious conver- 
 fation in mixed company was falhionable 
 once, and it degenerated into hypocrify ; 
 it now retires to the privacy of friend- 
 fhip, and refumes its charm. Truths 
 which elevate the foul are canvafTed and 
 pondered. Generous affections flow and 
 mingle. Existence is felt to be a bleflmg. 
 
 Attendancf on public worfliip is a 
 decent avowal of piety. In the folemn 
 ailembly, the diftindlion of ranks is fu- 
 fpended, mutual benevolence kindles, and 
 
 the
 
 ^.^8 Appendix to SeCtionVIL 
 
 •j 
 
 the fire of devotion burns : the laws of 
 God are heard with reverence. Though 
 the effects of focial worihip be not air- 
 ways felt, through the diftradlion of the 
 worhhipper, or the incapacity of thofe 
 who minifter ; flill one of jufl and liberal 
 fentiments will add the weight of his 
 example to an inflitution, which, with all 
 its imperfections, promotes a feirfe of God 
 and of moral obligation among men. 
 
 ART. VII. 
 
 THE opinion of RoufTeau, that re- 
 ligious inftr action may be fafely 
 deferred till fifteen or even eighteen years 
 of age, has weight perhaps with fome 
 parents and tutors, and contributes to 
 the neglect of early piety. RoufTeau's 
 talents entitle him to a refpectfal hear- 
 ing ; but on a fubject fo important rea- 
 fons ought to be weighed. 
 
 He
 
 Appendix to Scclion VII 239 
 
 He alleges that " the idea which a 
 *' young mind forms of God is low and 
 u unworthy of him." Will not this ar* 
 gument likewife conclude againfl teach- 
 ing religion to the old ? The beft idea 
 man can form of God, is in many refpects 
 low and unworthy of him. Still man is 
 made to know his Creator, and to act in 
 confequence of that knowledge. In teach- 
 ing other fciences, we are not difcouraged 
 tho' the learner's fir ft views be imperfect ; 
 we gradually prefent flich as are more 
 clear and extenfive and fatisfying. It is 
 further to be confidered, that in religion 
 the heart is concerned as much as the 
 underftanding : affection may be iinccrc 
 while reafon is feeble. The firft love of 
 an innocent heart, is a facrifice of a fweet 
 favour. 
 
 He alleges that " it is better to have 
 
 ' no ideas of God than fuch as are in- 
 
 " j virions," and accommodates a faying 
 
 of
 
 24° Appendix to Se£lio?i VIL 
 
 of Plutarch to his argument, " I would 
 " rather be forgotten, than remembered 
 " as unjuft, envious, jealous, and fo ty-. 
 " rannical as to exact more than I give 
 " means of accomplifhing." ' It were 
 certainly better to be ignorant of God> 
 than to think him unjuft and tyrannical ; 
 but is it then impoflible to convey to a 
 young mind an idea of divine benevo- 
 lence ? Will not that idea be relifhed, 
 while pleafure and hope combine to 
 make the morning of life ferene ; Is there 
 a likelier mean of averting injurious 
 thoughts of God, than prefenting fuch 
 as are juft ? A mind enlightened with 
 views of the divine goodnefs, and touched 
 with the participation of it, is prepared 
 to meet with temporary evils, and to 
 difcern goodnefs through the veil. Is a 
 mind kept in ignorance of God till the 
 ills of life arife and thicken in profpect, 
 equallv well prepared ? 
 
 He
 
 Appendix to Scftio?i VIL 241 
 
 He labours to prove, what nobody 
 doubts, that God will not punifh invo- 
 luntary ignorance. But is there no blame 
 in voluntarily eftranging the young from 
 piety ? The importance of an early im- 
 prefuon is acknowledged ; RoulTeau ac- 
 knowledged and illustrated it in the cafe 
 of companion. If love to men be promo- 
 ted by exciting early and mmaging fkil- 
 fully fentiments of humanity, may not 
 love to God be promoted by exciting and 
 regulating devout fentiments, before the 
 pleafures and cares of this life take poffef- 
 fion of the heart ? Our author laments, 
 that pleafures natural to the young and 
 fuited to their years are with-held ; and 
 in the fpirit of philanthropy recommends 
 to parents, that at whatever period God 
 calls their children, they may not die 
 without having tailed happinefs. Upon 
 this principle, it feems unkind to with- 
 hold the pleafures of piety from the 
 young. Even in the dawn of reafon, God 
 H h is
 
 242 Appendix to Seflion VI'L 
 
 is feen in his works, and felt in his fa- 
 vours ; and well grounded hopes arife : 
 the young can tafte the pleafures of ad- 
 miration, and praife, and trufl. Youth is 
 not exempted from calamity : when fa- 
 ther and mother forfake them, they re- 
 cognife the providence of a Father in hea- 
 ven. Thofe who minifter at death-bed, 
 know that the young are fufceptible of 
 divine confolation ; that under its facred 
 influence they fufFer in patience, and 
 comfort their weeping parents, and die 
 in peace. 
 
 There are fituations and events in 
 human life, which call forth the religious 
 principle : where it has been uncultiva- 
 ted, as is generally the cafe in high life, 
 it appears in a forbidding form. Lewis 
 the Fourteenth's education was neglect- 
 ed ; his religion, when calamity called it 
 forth, was made up of abject fuperflition 
 and cruel bigotry, ruinous in proportion 
 
 to
 
 Appendix to Seclio7i VIL 243 
 
 to his power. The converfions of eclat 
 as they are called in France, ufually con- 
 fift in a tranfition from the chambers of 
 voluptuoufnefs to the cells of St Urfula 
 or St Bruno. Even in more enlightened 
 countries, religion, operating late in an 
 untutored mind, exhibits oftentatious 
 fanctity and blind credulity ; confcience, 
 which ought to direct, fubmits to be di- 
 rected, — a depofit too important to be en- 
 trufted with any creature. The religious 
 principle, when duly cultivated, is a fe- 
 curity againfl profanenefs on the one 
 hand, and fanaticifm on the other ; it 
 brings forth the peaceable fruits of righte- 
 oufnefs. 
 
 If religious inftruction be neglected 
 
 till the period marked by RoufTeau, there 
 
 is the utmoft reafon to fear that it will 
 
 be for ever neglected. Your pupil muft 
 
 pafs through life deflitute of the fureft 
 
 guide ; and he mull pafs through death 
 
 deflitute of all confolation, 
 
 ART.
 
 244 Appendix to Se&ion VJL 
 
 ART. VIII. 
 PRAYER. 
 
 TH E propriety of prayer is feldorri 
 queflioned, except by philofophers. 
 Roufleau in a treatife on Education fays, 
 " I thank God for his favours, but I do 
 " not pray to him. What mould I afk?" 
 He profeffes " not to philofophife with 
 " his pupil, but to amfl him in confult- 
 " ing his own heart." And is there not 
 in the heart a tendency to prayer ftrong- 
 ly felt at times, as in danger that hu- 
 man power cannot avert, in perplexity 
 from which human prudence cannot ex- 
 tricate, under forrow for which this world 
 yields no confolation, and under the pangs 
 of an awakened confcience ? Was it not 
 a dictate of the heart which made the mo- 
 thers of Ifrael bring their little children 
 to Jefus, that he might lay his hands on 
 them and pray ? 
 
 Short
 
 appendix to Se&iofi VII. 245 
 
 Short forms of prayer arc of ufc at 
 firft. The prayer which little children 
 are taught to make for their father and 
 their mother, may be confidered as the 
 beginning of piety and filial love, and a 
 mean of unfolding them. 
 
 As children advance let the form be 
 varied. Let it exprefs a fenfe of depen- 
 dence, gratitude, and defire to grow in 
 favour with God and men. Fenelon's 
 morning prayer, " Faites que nous com- 
 " mencions aujourd'hui a nous corriger, 
 " &c" fuppofes the work ftill to begin, 
 it favours felf-deceit and lukewarmnefs. 
 The forms mould be adapted to a pro- 
 gremve ftate. 
 
 Let prayer to God be made with re- 
 verence. Reverence may be felt, even 
 before the object of it is diftin&ly ap- 
 prehended. From that fympathetic reve- 
 rence which the folemnities of worfhip 
 
 excite,
 
 246 Appendix to Seffion VIL 
 
 excite, the mind gradually rifes to an in- 
 vifible object. 
 
 The preparation of the heart is nece£ 
 fary. It may be prepared by elevating 
 views of nature. " The heavens declare 
 " the glory of the Lord : they declare it 
 " to all the inhabitants of the earth. 
 " There is no fpeech nor language where 
 " their voice is not heard. Their awful 
 " and majeftic filence fpeaks the language 
 " of every people. It fpeaks to the heart 
 " of man." Before that powerful and 
 benign Majeffy, let us bow and worfhip. 
 Views of Providence may in like man- 
 ner prepare the heart. " I wound and I 
 " heal. I kill and I make alive." To that 
 Being, in whofe hand our life is, and who 
 alone can make us happy, let us devote 
 ourf elves. Select pafTages of fcripture may 
 be ufed to predifpofe the heart. Prayer 
 degenerates into rote, if the heart be nor 
 prepared. 
 
 While
 
 Appendix to Scclion VII, 247 
 
 While you pray with and for your 
 children, the principles of devotion in. 
 their minds unfold. In that facred hour, 
 they feel themfelves the objects of tender 
 affection : they perceive that you are de- 
 pendent as well as they, that bleffings 
 mufl be derived from a higher hand on 
 yourfelves and on them. " The remem- 
 *' brance of many prayers offered up for 
 u them by their parents, draws to vir- 
 " tue. Even in foreign lands, and arnidfr, 
 " bufy fcenes, the hearts of children 
 " melt at times with that affectionate re- 
 " membrance, and yield many foothing 
 " acknowledgments of the debt of love 
 " which they ftill owe. Even after pa- 
 " rents are laid in the dull, that remeaoi- 
 " brance draws to virtue. Shall I trouble 
 " their relt by departing from innocence? 
 " Shall I fruftrate the lall ftrong delire 
 <c which filled their fpirits as they de- 
 <c parted ? Can I doubt that the favour 
 •' pf God extends to the children of his 
 
 " worlhippers?
 
 248 Appendix to Sefiion VII. 
 
 " worfhippers ? From the day that they 
 ? - forfook mc, his favour hath compalTed 
 c: me about, it flill encompafTeth me*." 
 
 The ftated and avowed exercife of de- 
 votion, is the only remedy againft faife 
 -Qiame : the flrongefl arguments cannot 
 overcome it. Let parents who believe in 
 the efficacy of prayer, and who are yet 
 afhamed to pray, deliver their children 
 from the fame temptation. 
 
 When the habit of praying daily is 
 acquired, devout thoughts affociate with 
 the hour of prayer. The impreflion of 
 God's prefence often renewed, checks 
 temptation, and ftrengthens virtue, and 
 eflabliihes tranquillity of mind on a good 
 foundation. 
 
 * A fermon by Mr Charteris, Minifler of Wilton, 
 on i Tim. ii. i. 
 
 SECT,
 
 Injhuclions preparatory^ &c. 249 
 
 SECT. VIII. 
 
 Instructions preparatory to the Mar- 
 ried State. 
 
 PUberty, when new appetites and de- 
 fires fpring up, is the molt critical 
 time for education. Let the animal ap- 
 petite be retarded as long as poflible in 
 both fexes. It is not difficult to keep 
 females within bounds ; for they are 
 trained to referve and to fupprefs their 
 dehres. As the fame referve enters not 
 into the education of young men, extra- 
 ordinary means muft be ufed to keep 
 them within bounds. Employ your male 
 pupil in hunting or other violent exercife 
 that engrofles him, and leaves no room 
 for wandering thoughts. But when he 
 cannot longer be reflrained, then is the 
 time for difcourfing with him of mar- 
 riage, for difplaying its fweets, and for 
 I \ painting.
 
 250 . InJIruBions preparatory 
 
 painting the diftreiTes both of mind and 
 body that refult from a commerce with 
 loofe women. Give inftances of fuch 
 diftreiTes ; and defcribe them in vivid 
 colours which at that ductile age will 
 make a lading imprefhon. 
 
 Now is the precious time for lecturing 
 your male pupil on the choice of a com- 
 panion for life : no other branch of edu- 
 cation is of deeper concern. Inftil into 
 his heart, that happinefs in the married 
 ftate, depends not on riches nor on 
 beauty, but on good fenfe and fweetnefs 
 of temper. Let him alfo keep in view, 
 that in a married woman, the manage- 
 ment of domeftic affairs and the edu- 
 cation of children, are indifpenfable du- 
 ties. He will never tire of fuch conver- 
 fation ; and if he have any degree of 
 fcnfibility, it will make fuch an impref- 
 fion as to guard him againfl a hafty 
 choice. If not well guarded, he will 
 
 probably
 
 to the Married State. 251 
 
 probably fall a prey to beauty or other 
 external qualification, of little import- 
 ance in the matrimonial Hate. He fets 
 his heart on a pretty face, or a fprighriy 
 air : he is captivated by a good finger or 
 a nimble dancer ; and his heated imagi- 
 nation bellows on the admired object 
 every perfection. A young man who has 
 profited by the inftructions given him, 
 is not fo eafily captivated. The picture 
 of a good wife is fixed in his mind ; 
 and he compares with it every yoang 
 woman he fees. " She is pretty, but has 
 " flie good fenfe ? She has fenfe, but is 
 " flie well tempered ? She dances cle- 
 " gantly, or fings with exprefiion ; but 
 " is ihe not vain of fuch trifles ?" Judg- 
 ment and fagacity will produce a deli- 
 berate choice : love will come with mar- 
 riage ; and in that ftate it makes an illus- 
 trious figure. After proper inftruction, 
 let the young man be at full liberty to 
 chufe for himielf. In looking about 
 
 where
 
 252 InJlruElions preparatory 
 
 where to apply, he cannot be better di- 
 rected, than to a family where the parents 
 and children live in perfect harmony, and 
 are fond of one another. A young wo- 
 man of fuch a family, feldom fails to 
 make a good wife. 
 
 Beauty commonly is the firft thing 
 that attracts ; and yet ought rather to 
 be avoided in a wife. It is a danger- 
 ous property, tending to corrupt her 
 mind, though it foon lofes its influence 
 over the hufband. A figure agreeable 
 and engaging, which infpires affection 
 without the ebriety of love, is a much 
 fafer choice. The graces lofe not their in- 
 fluence like beauty : at the end of thirty 
 years, a virtuous woman who makes an 
 agreeable companion, charms her huf- 
 band perhaps more than at firffc. The 
 comparifon of love to fire holds good in 
 one refpect, that the fiercer it burns the 
 fooner it is extinguifhed. 
 
 From
 
 to the Married State. 253 
 
 From the making choice of a wife we 
 proceed to the making choice of a huf- 
 band. Mothers and nurfes are conti- 
 nually talking of marriage to their fe- 
 male pupils, long before it is fuggefted 
 by nature ; and it is always a great 
 eftate, a fine coat, or a gay equipage that 
 is promifed. Such objects impreifed on 
 the mind of a child, will naturally bias 
 her to a wrong choice when me grows 
 up. Let her never hear of marriage but 
 as proper for men and women : nature 
 will fuggcfb it to a young woman, per- 
 haps fooner than ilie is capable of making 
 a prudent choice. Neglect not at that 
 time to talk to her of a comfortable com- 
 panion for life. Let her know, that if ic 
 will be defpifed if me marry below her 
 rank ; that happinefs however depends 
 not on titles, nor on riches, but on the 
 hufband's good temper, fobriety, and 
 induftry, joined with + competency. At 
 the fame time, to prevent a rafh choice, 
 
 make
 
 254 InJlriiEiions preparatory 
 
 make it a frequent fubject of converia- 
 tion, that marriage is a hazardous ftep, 
 efpecially for the female fex, as an error 
 in ehufing a hufband admits of no reme- 
 dy ; that the duties of a married woman 
 are burdenfome, the comforts not always 
 correfponding. Give her the hiftory of 
 prudent women, who, not finding a match 
 to their liking, pafs an eafy independent 
 life, much regarded by their friends and 
 acquaintance. When a woman has given 
 up the thoughts of matrimony, what 
 employment more reputable can fhe 
 have, than the education of young girls. 
 Let her adopt for an heir a female child: 
 fhe will foon feel the affection of a mo- 
 ther, efpecially if fhe make a difcreet 
 choice. A mother's affection commences, 
 it is true, with the birth of her child ; 
 an affection, however, extremely {lender, 
 compared with what fhe feels afterward, 
 from her watchful, attention to its wel- 
 fare, and from its fuitable returns of gra- 
 titude
 
 to the Married State. 
 
 -5> 
 
 titude. A woman who adopts a promis- 
 ing child, has in that refpect every advan- 
 tage that a mother enjoys. At any rate, 
 the condition of a maiden lady with an 
 adopted daughter, cannot in any view 
 be thought inferior to that of a widow 
 left with one or more children. I have 
 the good fortune to be acquainted with 
 three maiden ladies in high efleem, who 
 have each of them undertaken the charge 
 of a young orphan family. In all ap- 
 pearance, they live as happily as any wi- 
 dow ; and ailu redly more fo than many 
 a married woman. Let it not however 
 be thought, that I am edeavouring to 
 difluade young women from matrimony : 
 it would be a flagitious as well as foolifh 
 attempt. My purpofe only is to mode 
 rate a too violent appetite for it. 
 
 But now, fuppofing a young woman 
 perfectly tractable, no means ought to 
 be neglected for making her an ulcful 
 
 and
 
 256 Injirn5lions preparatory 
 
 and agreeable companion in the matri-* 
 monial flate. To make a good hufband, 
 is but one branch of a man's duty ; but 
 it is the chief duty of a woman, to make 
 a good wife. To pleafe her hufband, to 
 be a good ceconomift, and to educate 
 their children, are capital duties, each of 
 which requires much training. Nature 
 lays the foundation : diligence and faga- 
 city in the conductor, will make a beau- 
 tiful fuperftructure. The time a girl be- 
 flows on her doll, is a prognoflic that 
 flie will be equally diligent about her 
 offspring. 
 
 Women, deftined by nature to be obe- 
 dient, ought to be difciplined early to 
 bear wrongs, without murmuring. This 
 is a hard leilon ; and yet it is neceffary 
 even for their own fake : fullennefs or 
 peeviihnefs may alienate the hufband j 
 but tend not to footh his roughnefs, nor 
 to moderate his impetuofity. Heaven 
 
 made
 
 to the Married State. 257 
 
 made women rnfinuating, but not in or- 
 der to be croft t it made them feeble, 
 not in order to be imperious : it gave 
 them a fweet voice, not in order to fcold : 
 it did not give them beauty, in order to 
 disfigure it by anger. 
 
 But, after all, has nature dealt fo par- 
 tially among her children, as to bellow 
 on the one fex abfolute authority, leaving 
 nothing to the other but abfolute fubmif- 
 fion ? This indeed has the appearance 
 of great partiality. But let us ponder a 
 little. — Has a good woman no influence 
 over her hufband ? I anfwer, that that 
 very Ample virtue of fubmiflion, can be 
 turned to good account. A man indeed 
 bears rule over his wife's perfon and. con- 
 duct : his will is law. Providence how- 
 ever has provided her with means to 
 bear rule over his will. He governs by 
 law, flic by perfuafion. Nor c?a\ her influ- 
 ence ever fail, if fupported by fweetneis 
 K k of
 
 258 InJlruEllons preparatory 
 
 of temper and zeal to make him happy. 
 RoufTeau fays charmingly, " Hers is a 
 " fovereignty founded on complaifance 
 " and addrefs : careiTes are her orders, 
 " tears are her menaces. She governs in 
 " the family as a minifter does in the ftate, 
 " procuring commands to be laid on her, 
 " for doing what fhe inclines to do." 
 
 All beings are fitted by nature for 
 their ftation. Domeftic concerns are the 
 province of the wife ; and nature prompts 
 young women to qualify themfelves for 
 behaving well in that ftation : young 
 men never think of it. I know feveral 
 ladies of good underftanding, who, at 
 the diftance of weeks, can recal to me- 
 mory the particulars of every dinner they 
 had been invited to. 
 
 From a married woman engaged in 
 family concerns, a more (laid behaviour 
 is expected, than from a young woman 
 
 before
 
 to the Married State. 259 
 
 before marriage ; and confequently, a 
 greater fimplicity of drefs. Cornelia, 
 daughter of the great Scipio, and mother 
 of the Gracchi, makes a figure in the 
 Roman flory. She was vifited by a lady 
 of rank, who valued drefs, and was re- 
 marked for an elegant toilet. Obferving 
 every thing plain in Cornelia's apart- 
 ment, " Madam, fays fhe, I wifh to fee 
 " your toilet, for it mud be fuperb." 
 Cornelia waved the fubject till her chil- 
 dren came from fchool. " Thefe, my 
 " good friend, are my ornaments, and 
 " all I have for a toilet." Here is dif- 
 played pure nature in perfection. A girl 
 begins with her doll, then thinks of 
 adorning her own perfon. When fhc is 
 married, her children become her dolls, 
 upon whom all her tafte in drefs is dif- 
 played. 
 
 SECT.
 
 z6o Irjl ructions concerning the Culture 
 
 SECT. IX. 
 
 Instructions concerning the Culture 
 of the Head or Understanding. 
 
 ]N planning the prefent work, I had 
 chiefly in view the culture of the heart ; 
 prompted by two motives, firft, its fupe- 
 rior importance in the conducl of life ; 
 next, its being in a great meafure over- 
 looked by writers upon education. The 
 culture of the underftanding has been 
 ib amply difplayed by excellent writers, 
 as to afford little matter for additions. As 
 however there is a certain period, during 
 which the culture of the head may be 
 carried on jointly with that of the heart, 
 the following hints are added relative to 
 the former, and preparatory to a more 
 regular courfe of inftruclion at fchool or 
 college. 
 
 lji, In order to fmooth the road to 
 knowledge, it ought to be a chief concern 
 
 in
 
 of the Head or Underftanding. 261 
 
 in the preceptor, to promote in his pupils 
 an appetite for it. Give them examples 
 of men, who, from a low date, have by 
 learning arrived to great fame and ho- 
 nour. Let fuch examples be introduced 
 occalionally, as a fubject only of conver- 
 fation. Leave the application to the young 
 men ; which will have a much finer ef- 
 fect, than if the preceptor himielf mould 
 make the application, 
 
 2r/, Boys ought fo far to. be treated 
 like men, as to be informed before hand 
 of the benefit expected from what they 
 are ordered to do or to learn ; which will 
 make them apply with double vigour. 
 Roulfrau gives a lively example. 1 1 i^ 
 E/cve, before he could read, got a writ- 
 ten invitation to a milk fealt. He applied 
 to every peribn in the family, dehring to 
 know the contents of the billet ; but they 
 could not read, or pretended they couJ i 
 not. The opportunity was loll : and from
 
 262 InJlruEilons concerning the Culture 
 
 that moment he was reftlefs till he was 
 taught to read. 
 
 3d, In teaching children any art, read- 
 ing for example, arithmetic, geography, 
 let it not be confidered as a formal ftudy, 
 but as an amufement. Cut letters in 
 wood, give them names, fcatter them, 
 and defire your Ekve to bring a parti- 
 cular letter. Let him try to imitate the 
 letter that is brought. Employ him to 
 count the number of panes in a window, 
 or of millings on a table. Thefe hints 
 may be varied a thoufand ways, much 
 to his inftruction as well as amufement. 
 An agreeable way of learning geography, 
 is to have every county or kingdom by 
 itfelf parted on wood. After ftutlying the 
 general map, let your pupil try to join 
 the parts into one whole. A pack of cards 
 containing the names and pictures of 
 great men, with a fliort account of them, 
 w\\\ be an agreeable introduction to hi- 
 
 ftorv.
 
 of the Head or Under jlandlng. 263 
 
 ilory. Cards may be fuccefsfuliy applied 
 to many other purpofes. 
 
 4/^, It will facilitate the acquiring of 
 any art, to divide it into all its diftinct 
 branches. Before a child is taught to 
 read, acquaint it with letters, next with 
 fyllables, and then with words. Famili- 
 arize your pupil with the Greek letters, 
 fo as to read Greek before you enter him 
 upon the meaning. Begin not to teach 
 Euclid, till he is well acquainted with 
 the different figures. In that view, em- 
 ploy him to inferibe a circle in a fquare, 
 a triangle in a circle, and fo on. This 
 manual operation will be an enticing a- 
 mufement : and at the fame time contri- 
 bute to make the demonftrations more 
 readily apprehended. Introduce him to 
 the knowledge of the terreftrial globe, io 
 as to be able to point out every kingdom 
 and every city, before commencing a re- 
 gular courfe of geography. 
 
 S th, A
 
 : 64 Inft ructions concerning the Culture 
 
 5/i?, A continual attention to a finglc 
 object, is the hardeft talk that can be 
 impofed on children. They are prone to 
 variety, which is peculiarly ufeful in 
 childhood, intended by nature for ac- 
 quiring ideas. When the thoughts of a 
 child begin to wander, change the fub- 
 ject Rebuke and correction, commonly 
 employed to force attention, fill the mind 
 with fear and concern, leaving no room 
 for other impremons. 
 
 6tb, Exercise your children tore- 
 cite (lories they have heard or read. It 
 improves their articulation, gives them 
 words at command, and tends to form 
 their ftile. This ought to be a frequent 
 occupation. 
 
 7//;, When the faculty of reafbn begins 
 to make fome figure, exercife your pupils 
 to draw morals from fables well chofen. 
 Prefent to them fir ft fables of which the 
 
 moral
 
 of the Head or Under/landing, 265 
 
 moral is obvious and ftrikinq;. Proceed 
 to fables the moral of which is lefs ob- 
 vious. The progrefs ought to be flow ; 
 for to draw a proper moral, requires much 
 practice, or uncommon penetration. To 
 facilitate that exercife, I recommend a 
 little book entitled, An Introduction to 
 the Art of 'Thinking. Take a hint alfo 
 from the fame book, to exercife your pu- 
 pils in conjecturing the exiftence of un- 
 known facts, from facts that are known. 
 Take the following inftance. Roufleau, 
 in his travels through England, obferving 
 a fmooth foot-path at the fide of every 
 high road, conjectures that the Engliih 
 mull be highly benevolent, becaufe they 
 provide comfortable roads for the low 
 people, who are neglected in every other 
 country. 
 
 8//?, To form a ftile in young perfons 
 of twelve or thirteen, I fuggeft the fol- 
 lowing method. Take a long fentencc 
 L ! in-
 
 z66 Inftruclions concerning the Culture 
 
 in an Englifh author, Lord Bolinbrokc, 
 for inftance, who delights in long fen- 
 tences ; reduce it to the fimpleft arrange- 
 ment, but fo as to be perfectly intelli- 
 gible. Employ your pupil to arrange it 
 in the bell order he can. After frequent 
 trials with the tutor's obfervations on 
 them, I have known much facility acqui- 
 red in arrangement ; fentences fometimes 
 arranged, perhaps better than by the au- 
 thor himfelf. 
 
 gib. Regular hours at fchool of read- 
 ing and of diverfion, have a woful effect,. 
 Children, after a painful leffon, are let 
 out to play. Their time, being circum- 
 fcribed, appears always too lhort. From 
 the height of amufement, they are forced 
 back to a dry leffon. Can it be expected^ 
 that in fuch a ftate of mind they will li- 
 ften to ferious inftruclion ? Let them 
 play, let them fatigue themfelves : guard 
 only againft launtering. When fuffici- 
 
 ently
 
 of the Head or Under/landing. 267 
 
 ently tired, lead them back with a chear- 
 ful countenance to a lefTon, as a change 
 of amufement. This is agreeable to hu- 
 man nature ; and I hold it to be decifivc 
 againft a public fchool, till young pcrfons 
 have acquired as much understanding, as 
 to be convinced of the benefit of inftruc- 
 tion, without needing any collateral in- 
 citement. To torment young creatures 
 with Latin before that time, is likely to 
 make them abhor it. " Id in primis ca- 
 " verc opportebit, ne (India, qui amare 
 " nondum poterit, oderit, et amaritudi- 
 " nem femel perceptam etiam ultra rudes 
 " annos reformidet *." 
 
 10//J, The inflruclions given above, 
 which can only be put in practice by a 
 private tutor, mew the benefit, or rather 
 necemty, of prolonging domeltic educa- 
 tion. There is another reafon ftill more 
 cogent. A public fchool anfwers finely 
 
 for 
 
 * Ouintil. L. 1. C. r.
 
 268 InJlruElions concerning the Culture 
 
 for initiating young men in the manners 
 of the world, leading each to mind him- 
 felf, and to guard againft others. But is 
 there to be found in a public fchool, a 
 cenfor of manners, or a guardian of mo- 
 rals ? The mailer concerns himfelf with 
 neither, except that his difciples behave 
 orderly when he is lecturing. Nor in- 
 deed is it poflible, that he can have con- 
 ftantly under his eye, fuch numbers as 
 are commonly at a public fchool. Hence 
 it is in a meafure efTential, that a young 
 man be well tutored in morals, at leaft, 
 before he be left to himfelf, among a num- 
 ber of young men of very different dif- 
 pofitions. Virtue, decency, order, con- 
 fid moftly in reftraint, a negative which 
 makes no figure externally. It is the bold 
 fpirit, difdaining reftraint, that makes a 
 figure, is admired and followed. Do pa- 
 rents apprehend no danger of their fon 
 being led aftray at a public fchool? Sure- 
 ly there is great danger, if he be not fuf- 
 
 ficiently
 
 of the Head or Undajlanding. 2^9 
 
 ficiently prepared at home to refill temp- 
 tation. In the Spectator, a young man 
 is defcribed, who funk into vice by not- 
 being able to pronounce the monofyl- 
 lable No. If you put any value on mo- 
 rals, permit not your fon to enter a pu- 
 blic fchool, till he can pronounce with a 
 manly affurance the monoiyllable No. 
 
 1 \th, Epistles to friends, or to favour- 
 ites, may be an amufement at a public 
 fchool as well as at home ; and this a- 
 mufement may be encouraged as early 
 as young folks have learned to write to- 
 lerably. It is an agreeable amufement : 
 it improves their hand, and enures them 
 to exprefs their thoughts readily. When 
 they have learned the art of arranging 
 ientences as above, the improvement it 
 makes in their epiltles delights them. 
 
 12//6, People are induilrious to lay up 
 a (lock of money for their children 5 but 
 
 few
 
 270 Injlrucl'wns concerning the Culture 
 
 few think of a more ufeful flock, that of 
 ideas, though it can be procured in lefs 
 time and with lefs labour. One who in 
 youth has collected fuch a flock, who de- 
 lights in reading, and who has acquired 
 a habit of thinking and obferving, can 
 never pine for want of company. This 
 perfon poffelfes the magic art of raifing 
 the dead, and converfing familiarly with 
 the greatefl men of pail times. That 
 fource of entertainment never dries up, 
 not even in old age. It is my fincere 
 opinion, that a common peafant enjoys 
 more felicity, than a man of fortune whofe 
 education has been neglected, who is fo ig- 
 norant as even to put no value on know- 
 ledge, who lives from hour to hour with- 
 out plan or profpecT. It requires an extra- 
 ordinary genius to lead an idle life with 
 any degree of fatisfaction or efteem. Com- 
 pany is not always in our power ; and in 
 company a man makes but a filly figure, 
 however plentiful his board is, if he has 
 
 nothing
 
 of the Head or U nchrjland'uig, i J I 
 
 nothing to fay to his guefts. I have in 
 my eye a married couple, who began 
 with a large flock of money ; but no 
 ideas except what were picked up occafi- 
 onally, and confequently of the fimpleit 
 kind. The fum of the man's learning 
 was a fmattering in Latin ; and of the 
 woman's, Dryden's plays, and two or 
 three French romances. With that flock, 
 fcanty as it was, they made a tolerable 
 fhift the fir (I years of their union. In 
 youth the world is new ; and a flow of 
 fpirits is in itfelf enjoyment. The couple 
 are now old, in eafy circumltanees, but 
 no fund of converfation, no talle for 
 books, nothing to do. h it not a deplo- 
 rable cafe, to be as it were on the brink 
 of happinefs, and vet encirely excluded 
 from it ? The picture of fauntering Jack 
 and idle Joan, has a foundation in na- 
 ture. 
 
 ly/j. With refpeel to things proper to 
 be known by perions of condition, I re- 
 commend
 
 1 J 2 InJiruEiions concernhig the Culture 
 
 commend botany as a favourite, not what 
 is commonly taught, fit only for thofe 
 who intend to be profefTors, but the 
 powers and properties of plants, their 
 flowers, their fruit, their odour, their cul- 
 tivation, and in Ihort every particular 
 that gives fatisfaction to a reflecting mind. 
 Married women of condition, cannot be 
 more agreeably employed, than in adorn- 
 ing their gardens and pleafure grounds 
 with trees, fhrubs and flowers, which 
 bounteous nature produces in great va- 
 riety for our amufement. In this coun- 
 try, it is common to teach girls the harp- 
 fichord, which fhows a pretty hand and a 
 nimble finger, without ever thinking 
 whether they have a genius for mufic, 
 or even an ear. It ferves indeed to fill a 
 gap in time, which fome parents are at a 
 lofs how otherwife to employ. By all 
 means, let their tafte in mufic be im- 
 proved, if they have any, as well as in 
 painting, and in the other fine arts ; but 
 I find no good rcafon for degrading 
 
 young
 
 of the Head or Underfanding. 2-3 
 
 young women of condition, to be mufi- 
 cians more than painters. Such labori- 
 ous occupations, which confume much 
 time, are proper for thofe only who 
 purpofe to live by them. If, however, 
 a young woman of rank, be violently 
 bent on mulic or painting, it would be 
 cruel to reflrain her ; but I would yield 
 with reluctance. I am not of the lame 
 opinion with refpecl to dancing. To be 
 a good player on the harpiichord, requires 
 only a fine ear with perfeverance : it is 
 no index of mental faculties. To dance 
 well, that is, to dance with grace and ex- 
 preflion, a certain dignity of mind is re- 
 quifite, fupported by good fenie ; and 
 therefore, dancing well is an index of 
 the mind. I add, that elegant motions 
 in dancine, are communicated to walk- 
 nig and to every geiture. Much time, 
 however, in teaching a girl to dance, is 
 thrown away if the have not a pregnant 
 genius : it is fufficient that her motions 
 be made cafy, to prevent being auk ward. 
 M m i4' ; -
 
 274 Injlruclions concerning the Culture 
 
 \\th, As in forming the two fexes, every 
 thing that tends to rivalfhip is avoided, 
 nature ought to be copied in education. 
 You cannot exceed in difplaying to young 
 women human nature, its principles, its 
 pamons, its faculties, its frailties ; for by 
 that branch of knowledge, their conduct 
 is directed. Hiflory alfo ought to be 
 their ftudy as well as that of young men. 
 A general knowledge of the fciences and 
 of their utility, may be opened to them 
 hiilorically ; becaufe it will enable them 
 to put a juft value on men of learning, 
 and withdraw them from fops and frib- 
 lers. But avoid the intricacies of philo- 
 fophy and deep reafoning ; which would 
 tend to emulation, not to cordiality. A 
 woman of fenfe prudently educated, 
 makes a delicious companion to a man 
 of parts and knowledge. An ignorant 
 woman, if (he confult her peace of mind > 
 will accept of no man for a hufband, but 
 who is ignorant like herfelf. She cannot 
 
 be
 
 of the Head or Under/landing. 275 
 
 be a companion for a man of knowledge ; 
 and die fenfe of her inferiority renders 
 her unhappy. To people who labour for 
 bread, converfation is very little necef- 
 fary, but eflential to perfons of rank ; 
 and therefore, to unite in matrimony, a 
 man of tafte and knowledge, with a mal- 
 low female, is indeed woful. What fi- 
 gure will fuch a woman make in educa- 
 ting their offspring ; and how mortify- 
 ing muft it be to the man to have his 
 children ill educated ? How can ihe 
 train them to virtue when lhe is ignorant 
 of the means ? She knows of no means 
 but flattery or threats, which, far from 
 improving, render them -infolent or ti- 
 mid. 
 
 15/^, It is curious to obferve the pro- 
 grefs of nature in bellowing knowledge. 
 Children learn words before they can 
 fpeak ; and when they can fpeak, they 
 employ thefe words to explain what they 
 
 want,
 
 2/6 - Inflruclions concerning the Culture 
 
 want, obfcurely indeed for fome time. 
 The full import of words being learned 
 by degrees, children exprefs themfelves 
 more and more accurately, as they ad- 
 vance toward maturity. There are how- 
 ever many words which are never per- 
 fectly nnderftood by the generality, per- 
 final identity for example, chance^ fpace. 
 < Tafie is a common word ; and yet it 
 would puzzle many a good writer, to 
 give it a precife meaning. Were teach- 
 ers reduced to oife no word but what 
 their pupils perfectly underftand, inflruc- 
 tion could not begin before maturity of 
 age ; and much later, if ever, with many. 
 Yet the celebrated Roufleau, overlooking 
 the progrefs of nature, maintains ftre- 
 mioufly, that in teaching children, no 
 word ought to be ufed but what denotes 
 fomething they are acquainted with, that 
 is, fome known object of the external 
 fenfes. With refpect to the fable of the 
 fox and raven, he pronounces it abfunl 
 
 to
 
 of the if aid or U nderjlandivg, 2~j 
 
 to mention thefe animals to a child, if it 
 has never feen them. I cannot fubferibe 
 to this opinion. A child may know that 
 a raven is a bird, and a fox a bead, with- 
 out having feen either. With that im- 
 perfecT: knowledge, however, the child 
 may underftand the fable as well as if it 
 had feen both. People of Europe talk 
 familiarly of a lion, and with intel- 
 ligence ; though few in that part of the 
 world ever faw a lion. With refpeel to 
 geography, he obferves, that to point 
 out countries and towns in a map, is but 
 an imperfect way of teaching their true 
 pofition. I grant ; and would take a 
 better way if it were in my offer. Teach- 
 ing, however, by the map is far from 
 being ufelefs : the pupil retains the po- 
 fition of places as delineated there ; and 
 when his faculties ripen, he readily trans- 
 fers that ideal pofition from the map to 
 the globe of the earth. Ron 11 can de- 
 clares againfl teaching hiltory, till young 
 
 people
 
 278 hijtruclions concerning the Culture 
 
 people are ripe for j uclging of caufes and 
 conferences. This, with many, would 
 prove a very late beginning. I am for 
 teaching hiilory as fbon as the plain facts 
 can be comprehended ; firji, becanfe it is 
 agreeable to children ; and next, becaufe 
 it makes the facts known and ready for 
 ufe when people are able to judge of 
 caufes and confequences. At that rate, 
 a child fhould never hear the name of 
 God. That word fignifies a Being, of 
 whom the moil penetrating philofopher 
 has but an obfeure conception, which 
 mud be flill more obfeure in a child. It 
 is proper however, to give children an 
 impreflion of a good Being, who made 
 us and protects us. Their notion of a 
 Deity, will purify as they grow up. 
 
 1 6tb, So far indeed I heartily agree with 
 RouiTeau, that in teaching children, the 
 limplcft words mould be preferred, where 
 it can be done. This concludes flill more 
 
 forciblv
 
 of the Head or Under/landing. 2 70 
 
 .r 
 
 forcibly againft employing general rules : 
 for they are above the comprehension of 
 children ; inftruction goes on better and 
 more plcafantly without them. In teach- 
 ing a language, it is the univerfal prac- 
 tice to begin with grammar, and to do 
 every thing by rule. I affirm this to be 
 a mod prepofterous method. Grammar 
 is contrived for men, not for children. 
 Its natural place is between language and 
 logic : it ought to clofe lectures on the 
 former, and to be the firft lectures on the 
 latter. It is a grofs deception that a lan- 
 guage cannot be taught without rule*. 
 A boy who is flogged into grammar- 
 rules, makes a fhift to apply them ; but 
 he applies them by rote, like a parrot. 
 Boys, for the knowledge they acquire of 1 
 language, are not indebted to drv rules, 
 but to practice and obfervation. To this 
 day, I never think without fhuddering oi 
 Difputer's grammar, which was my daily 
 perfecution during the moft. important 
 
 period
 
 280 Injlruttlons concerning the Culture, &c„ 
 
 period of life. Curiofity, when I was 
 farther advanced in years, prompted me 
 to look into a book that had given me 
 ib much trouble. At this time, I under- 
 llood the rules perfectly ; and was afto- 
 nifhed that formerly they had been to 
 me words without meaning, which I had 
 been taught to apply mechanically, with- 
 out knowing how or why. Deplorable 
 it is, that young creatures mould be fo 
 punifhed without being guilty of any 
 fault — more than fufficient to produce a 
 difguft at learning, inftead of promoting 
 it. Whence then the abfurdity of per- 
 fecuting boys with grammar-rules ? Pride 
 is the caufe. By ufing rules, the teacher 
 of Latin flatters himfelf, that his profef- 
 fion equals in dignity that of logic and 
 mathematics, to which rules are effen- 
 tial. Even a humble teacher of Englifh 
 to children four or five years old, will, 
 in fpite of common fenfc, make a figure 
 
 bv his rules. 
 
 SECT.
 
 Selfijhncfs and Benevolence compared. 281 
 
 SECT. X. 
 
 Short Essays on particular Subjects rela- 
 tive to the Culture of the Heart. 
 
 ART. I. 
 
 Selfishness jWBen e vole nce compared, 
 
 TH E reftlefTnefs of man has been 
 a topic of frequent declamation ; 
 " That after much thought and labour 
 " in the purfuit of any good, the acqui- 
 " fition bellows but a momentary plea- 
 " fure ; that the pcrion becomes as reft- 
 " lefs as before, in the purfuit of fome 
 " new objeel: ; and in fhort, that moft 
 " men pafs life in toil and anxiety, with- 
 " out ever refting contented with what 
 " they pofrefs." Writers who have a 
 juit fenfe of religion, account for this 
 difpofition from the following principle, 
 N n " That
 
 282 Selfijhnefs and Benevolence compared, 
 
 " That this life is to us a time of trial, 
 " to prepare for a better ; and that hap- 
 " pinefs in it, befide being inconfiftent 
 " with fuch a trial, would divert our 
 " thoughts from a better life." Other 
 writers who have no thought but of our 
 prefent (late, hold this difpofition to be a 
 grofs imperfection in human beings, 
 made as it would appear not for their 
 own happinefs, but for fome latent pur- 
 pOfe. 
 
 As the tracing the ways of Providence 
 has always been to me a favourite ftudy, 
 I chearfully enter the lifts againit the wri- 
 ters laft mentioned. 
 
 There may be animals which have 
 no enjoyment beyond reft and food. But 
 man is not fo made. His conftitution 
 fits him for action ; and he takes pJea- 
 fure in it. Did he take delight in reft, 
 he would be an abfurd being, confider- 
 
 ing
 
 Selfiflmefs mid Benevolence compared. 283 
 
 ing chat this earth produces little for him 
 but what requires preparation ; that raw 
 materials are furnifhed in plenty, but 
 that much labour is requifite to convert 
 them into food, cloathing, habitation. 
 I obferve further, that though the feeds 
 of all valuable knowledge are born with 
 us, yet that perfevering culture is necef- 
 fary to make them productive. What then 
 would man be in his prefent Rate, were 
 reft his delight, his fimimtan bonwn P 
 
 Thus, upon the aclivity of man, de- 
 pend all his comforts internal and ex- 
 ternal. " Admitted, fay my antagonills. 
 " Man is not blamed for his activity in 
 " procuring the comforts of life ; but 
 " for his reftleflhefs in never being fa- 
 " tisfied with his prefent comforts." 
 Thefe writers certainly will not condemn 
 reftlelfnefs in the lump : they will ap- 
 prove reftleflhefs in doing good ; which 
 undoubtedly is one of the nobleit pro- 
 perties
 
 284 Selfijhnefs and Benevolence compared. 
 
 perties that belong to human nature, 
 ReftiefThefs then, as far as reprehenfible, 
 muft be confined to the felnfh paflions. 
 Nor can all of thefe be comprehended ; 
 for furely there is no vice in reftlefThefs 
 to acquire fame, or the good will of 
 others. ReftiefThefs with regard to cor- 
 poreal enjoyments, I acknowledge to be 
 hurtful. Nor is it even there a defect 
 in the nature of man, but one of the per- 
 nicious confequences of indulging fuch 
 enjoyments to excefs. As they are the 
 loweft enjoyments of our nature, intem- 
 perance in them foon produces fatiety 
 and difguft ; from which the luxurious 
 have no relief but by frequent change 
 of objects. This miferable reftlefThefs, 
 the fruit of intemperance in grovelling 
 pleafures, will not find a fingle votary. 
 Confider on the other hand a focial dis- 
 position. A man of benevolence, whofe 
 happinefs chiefly confifts in ferving o~ 
 thers, can never reft fatisfied in his pre- 
 
 fent
 
 Selfijhnefs and Benevolence compared. 285 
 
 lent (late : opportunities of doing good 
 daily occur, and employ him without end. 
 The more opulent he is, the more reftlefs 
 he will be ; becaufe opulence multiplies 
 his opportunities of doing good. 
 
 Activity is efTential to a focial be- 
 ing : to a felfiih being it is of no ufe, 
 after procuring the means of living. A 
 felfiih man, who by his opulence lias all 
 the luxuries of life at command, and de- 
 pendents without number, has no occa- 
 fion for activity. Hence it may fairly 
 be inferred, that were man deftined by 
 Providence to be entirely felfiih, he would 
 be difpofed by his conititution to relt, 
 and never would be active when he 
 could avoid it. The natural activity ot 
 man therefore, is to me evidence, that 
 his Maker did not intend him to be pure- 
 ly a felfiih being. 
 
 This
 
 286 Selfifhnefs and Benevolence compared. 
 
 This leads me to compare felfifhnefs 
 with benevolence. Selfifhnefs in one in- 
 ftance is not only innocent but laudable, 
 which is in coveting fame or good will- 
 Thefe appetites however prevail but in 
 few, compared with the appetite for cor- 
 poreal pleafures. It would be too exten- 
 sive for the prefent efTay, to fliow all the 
 advantages of benevolence over corporeal 
 pleafures ; that no corporeal pleafure con- 
 tributes fo much to happinefs as the ex- 
 ercife of benevolence ; that the latter 
 raifes a man in his own efteem, and in 
 that of others, whereas the former leffens 
 him in both. I mall therefore confine 
 myfelf to one particular, which is the fu- 
 perior advantage of benevolence from its 
 permanency. Corporeal pleafures, how- 
 ever fweet at firfl, foon lofe their relifh ; 
 nor is there any way to prevent fatiety, 
 but change of objects. This is ftrongly 
 exemplified in that low commerce be- 
 tween the fexes, founded on the carnal 
 
 appetite
 
 Selftj'hnefs and Benevolence compared. 2 S 7 
 
 appetite merely ; which requires new ob- 
 jects daily, becaufe the fame object foon 
 difguits. Nor can novelty long fupport 
 this grovelling appetite : frequent repe- 
 tition without waiting the calls of nature, 
 blunts the charm of novelty : every new 
 object appears lefs and left new ; and 
 that charm vaniihes long before middle 
 age. This fuggelts a fecond inference, 
 that were man intended to be entirely a 
 felfilh being, his life would be made 
 much ifiorter than it is. Benevolence on 
 the contrary acquires vigour by cxercile, 
 and the more good we do, the more we 
 are inclined to do. The fatisfaction it 
 affords is not blunted even by old age, 
 which blunts every other enjoyment. 
 The body may decay, but the pleafure 
 of doing good, when habitual, continue-, 
 the fame, even to thelail moment of exig- 
 ence '. 
 
 Lis rv x 
 
 ' With re i pea to thofe who arc in conftant pnr- 
 fuit of pleafure, which as couilantly eilapes their gralp,
 
 2S8 Selfijhnefs and Benevolence compared. 
 
 Listen to this doctrine ye parents and 
 tutors : and haflen to infpire thofe under 
 your care with affection to their fellow 
 creatures. Let thern know, that, even 
 for their own fake, benevolence is great- 
 ly preferable to felnihnefs. This leffon, 
 it is true, may be gathered in the com- 
 merce of the world ; but if the mind be 
 left without inftruction, it is apt to ac- 
 quire a felfiih bias ; and then the leffon 
 comes too late. Teach your pupils fub- 
 miflion to fuperiors, and civility and com- 
 plaifance to inferiors. Let acts of bene- 
 volence be their daily exercife. Give them 
 money for charity, and accuitom them 
 to account how it has been laid out. Let 
 
 them 
 
 a writer of fpirit exclaims as follows. " At that rate 
 " poverty is the greateft blefling of life. By delay- 
 " iug gratification of the appetites, it makes gratifica- 
 " tion a pleafure. It keeps the foul awake wi h ex- 
 " pectation, and enlivens it with hope. In a word, 
 " the reputed wretch, who begs from door to door, 
 " is really happier than the rich man who has every 
 " pleafure in his power ; and yet, from the eafmefs 
 '• of attainment, feels no gratification."
 
 Sclji/hncfs and Benevolence compared. 289 
 
 them viilt the lick, and carry to them 
 what is proper for their relief. Exhort 
 them to be kindly to their companions, 
 and to be ready to aiTiit them in diftrefs. 
 Convince them, that in fuch conduct 
 they will find much more gratification, 
 than in yielding to felfiih appetites. Be- 
 nevolence thus cultivated in children, 
 becomes, in time, their ruling palTion : 
 they Avill be the delight of their parents, 
 a bleiTmg to their relations, and the ob- 
 jects of univerfal good will and eiteem. 
 
 ART. II. 
 
 Opinio n and Belief lefs influenced by 
 Keafun than by 'Temper and Education.. 
 
 IN the reign of Tiberius C:efar, Severus 
 Ccecina infilled to have it enacted, 
 that no Roman governor lhould carry Li: 
 wife with him to his province. He laid, 
 li that he had a wife and fix children, 
 O o " and
 
 290 Opinion and Belief lefs influenced by 
 
 " and that he always left them at home* 
 " though, in different provinces, he had 
 " borne arms for the republic more than 
 " forty years ; that by fuch attendants 
 " peace degenerates into luxury, war in- 
 " to confufion, and a Roman army into 
 " a mob of barbarians ; that not only 
 " weak and unequal to labour is the fe- 
 " male fex, but, where not reftrained, 
 " cruel and greedy of power : that they 
 " love to range among the foldiers, and 
 " to cabal with the leaders." He in- 
 treated the fenate to confider the danger- 
 ous tendency of bribery and corruption 
 in a governor. " Yet how often, added 
 " he, have their wives been noted for 
 " thefe crimes ! The infamous of every 
 " province cling to them for refuge ; 
 " which eftablifhes in efFecl: two gover- 
 " nors in a province, and oppofite in- 
 1 terefls. The paying court to the wives 
 " of magiftrates, prohibited by our old 
 laws, feems now to be in oblivion ; and 
 
 " thefe
 
 Reafon than by Temper and Education. 291 
 
 " thcfe ladies, not fatisfied to domineer 
 " at home, infeft the courts of juftice, 
 " armies, and the fenate." Ccecina end- 
 ed without applaufe : a confufed murmur 
 fpread through the afTembly. Valerius 
 Meffalinus anfwered thus. " Our fore- 
 " fathers, involved in perpetual war, and 
 reduced frequently to defend the gates 
 of Rome, were rigid in difcipline, and 
 
 u 
 
 u 
 
 " auflere in manners. We have now 
 
 " no enemy to fear : victorious Rome is 
 " the feat of empire. Peaceable times 
 " produce kindly manners ; and our old 
 " cufloms have yielded to gentlenefs and 
 " humanity. Society between hufband 
 " and wife is founded on nature ; and 
 u nature ought to prevail. Againft the 
 " enemy let us march with nothing but 
 a our arms : returning victorious, why 
 " ihoukl we be denied the reward of a 
 " comfortable companion? Some women 
 u arc prone to avarice or ambition ; and 
 iS fo are fome men. Is the latter a good 
 
 u re a lbn
 
 292 Opinion and Belief lefs influenced by 
 
 " reafon for leaving our provinces with-, 
 " out governors ? Some men have been 
 u corrupted by their wives ; but are all 
 " bachelors of unfpotted fame ? Becaufe 
 " of a few inftances of bad women, mall 
 " our citizens be deprived of their great- 
 " eft blefTing, in adverfity as well as in 
 " profperity ? In vain do we lay our 
 " vices upon others : let us fairly ac- 
 " knowledge the fault to be in the huf. 
 " band, when the wife goes aftray. Is 
 " it of no moment, that by the projected 
 " law the brittle fex would be expofed to 
 *' their own luxury, and to the luft of 
 " profligate men ? As the hufband's pre- 
 " fence is no more than fumcient to keep 
 " his wife within bounds, ought a law 
 " to be made for feparating them ? Thus 
 " in, draining for a remedy to foreign 
 " evils, we open a door to unbounded 
 
 ; vice at home." Drufus the Emperor's 
 adopted fbn added, " That princes are 
 
 c often called to diftant expeditions ; 
 
 " how
 
 Rcafon than by 'Temper and Education. 293 
 
 " how often did Auguftus vifit the cx- 
 1 tremitics of his empire, accompanied 
 ' with his faithful Livia ! That he him- 
 1 felf has led armies far from the city, 
 ' and was ready at all times to ferve his 
 ' country ; but would go with little fa- 
 ; tisfaction, if torn from his dear wife, 
 " the worthy mother of many children/' 
 I need not inform the reader that Taci- 
 tus is my author, who adds, that the mo- 
 tion was rejected. 
 
 To which fide does the reader incline? 
 This queition is, in appearance, deepk 
 political ; and yet I violently fufpect, 
 that the good of the itate was not what 
 moved any of the fpeakers. Imagine a 
 grave fenator with a long beard, Hand- 
 ing up and delivering what follows ; 
 " Gentlemen, each of you have in your 
 " own opinion, urged unanswerable ar- 
 " guments ; and is iurprifed, that any 
 " mould ftand out againlt conviction. 
 
 " But
 
 294 Opinion and Belief lefs influenced by 
 
 " But I let you into a fecret, that your 
 
 " arguments have not convinced even 
 
 " yourfelves. Your conviction is found- 
 
 " ed upon character, not in the lead 
 
 " upon reafons of ftate. You Drufus are 
 
 " in the flower of youth, vigorous, and 
 
 " delighting in the commerce of women. 
 
 " — You Coecina are old, crabbed, and 
 
 1 long pad the pleafures of youth." 
 
 It is an obfervation univerfally ad- 
 mitted, that in the conduct of life, men 
 are influenced more by pailion and pre- 
 judice than by reafon. A man who is 
 prone to fufpicion and diflrufl, will be 
 jealous of his wife, and lock up every 
 thing from his fervants. One addicted 
 to fociety, has no exiftence but in a 
 crowd. A perfon on the contrary of a 
 folitary difpofition, retires to the moun- 
 tains, and declares war againft the fea- 
 thered kind. " Is it not more innocent, 
 il lays he, to make war upon birds than 
 
 " upon
 
 Reafon than by Temper and Education. 295 
 
 " upon men ?" The man mull be won- 
 drous cool who is always obfequious to 
 reafon : he would indeed be a lingular 
 phenomenon. Is there any thing more 
 common than a perfon going aitray, not- 
 withstanding the admonitions of con- 
 fcience ? Pallion, it is true, does not al- 
 ways appear lb openly. It frequently by 
 deep difguife convinces us, that our opi- 
 nions and belief are founded on folid 
 principles. Thus, being impofed 01 by 
 paflion under the mafk of reafon, felt- 
 deceit is fpread through the human race. 
 The ilory above mentioned, is a noted 
 inftance ; and fuch occur every day. 
 Show me a man who is fired with am- 
 bition and love of power : you, in vain, 
 will attempt to convince him, that Alex- 
 ander was not a greater man than So- 
 crates. The opinions we form ol men 
 and things, are the refult ot affection 
 more than ot evidence. An advice given 
 by a man oi figure, is highly regarded :
 
 %g6 Opinion and Belief kfs influenced by 
 
 the fame advice from one in low condi- 
 tion, is defpifed or neglected. A coura- 
 geous perfon under-rates danger : to the 
 indolent the {lighted obftacle appears un- 
 furmountable. A perfon of veracity, re- 
 lying on the veracity of others, is eafy of 
 belief: where a man's veracity is i'o fup- 
 ple as to bend to his intereft, he will be 
 fufpicious of evidence and hard of belief 
 Hence it is, that upon the benevolent and 
 humane, the arguments for the goodnefs 
 of the Deity, make a deeper impreflion, 
 than on the fullen and morofe. How 
 important then is the art of education, 
 when upon it in a great meafure depend, 
 not only our behaviour and conduct ; 
 but even our judgment and underftand- 
 ing, by which chiefly we are elevated a- 
 bove the brute creation ! What can be 
 more interefting to human beings, than 
 their conviction of the exiftence of a be- 
 nevolent Deity, their Maker, their Fa- 
 ther, their Protector ? Did parents feri- 
 
 oufly
 
 Reafon than by Temper and Education. 2 9 7 
 
 ouily confider, that this conviction de- 
 pends in fome meafure upon our difpo- 
 fition, they would neglect no opportuni- 
 ty of fweetning the temper of their chil- 
 dren, and improving their benevolence. 
 The time for fuch difcipline, is confined 
 to pupilage, when the mind, like wax, 
 is deeply fufceptible of impreflions. At 
 maturity, it becomes inflexible like the 
 body, and then culture comes too late. 
 Againfl pailions and prejudices that ne- 
 ver have been controlled, the molt co- 
 gent reafons fignify little. Arguments 
 that accord with a man's tafle are 
 greedily fwallowed, while the unpala- 
 table are rejected with diiguft. He 13 
 therefore no adept in logic, who hopes to 
 convince others by arguments that have 
 weight with himfelf. He ought to ittidv 
 the temper of the pcrfon he would con- 
 vince, pud urge the arguments that are 
 fuited to that temper. Drufus was fond 
 of glory ; and Ccecina might have pre- 
 P p v filed,
 
 2o8 Opinion and Belief lefs influenced by 
 
 vailed, had he painted in lively colours j- 
 how glorious it would be to facrifice 
 private pleasures to the fervice of the 
 flate. But to urge that women are vici- 
 ous creatures, was not likely to make an 
 impremon on Druflis, who thought that 
 all women were hoiieft becaufe his wife 
 was an angel. 
 
 Seeing then that our Opinions and be- 
 lief depend greatly on , pafhon and pre- 
 poffemon, little upon reafon, and not at 
 all upon will, how extravagant is the at- 
 tempt to force conviction by rewards 
 and puniihments ! Suppofe that the law 
 had taken place prohibiting governors of 
 provinces to carry their wives along with 
 them • and that the Emperor had order-* 
 cd all the world to be of his opinion, un- 
 der a grievous penalty. The order pro- 
 bably would have produced plenty of dif- 
 femblers, but not a fingle convert. To 
 make me believe under the terror of pu- 
 
 nifhmentj
 
 Reafon than by Temper and Education. 299 
 
 niihment, that the earth refts upon a huge 
 elephant, or that an eclipfe prefages i'oine 
 dire calamity, is no leis abfurcl than an 
 endeavour to force a dwarf to be fix feet 
 high, or a negro to have a white com- 
 plexion. What then ihall be thought of 
 perfecution for difference of opinion in 
 points of faith ? Often in perilling hiilo- 
 ries of perfecution, I have flartcd up as 
 from ileep, and imagined that all the 
 while I had been dreaming. And vet in 
 fact that monfter Perfecution, tiie off-, 
 fpring of wild bigotry, has ih ::1 more 
 blood than the hercelt wars for power 
 and rlorv. Confiderin<r that to believe 
 is not in our power, more than to be hot 
 or cold, would one imagine it poflible, 
 that, by miiguided education, a rational 
 being can be made to believe the moll 
 palpable abfurdities, as that bread and 
 wine, in direct, contradiction to our fenfes, 
 are ilefli and blood ; or that an old frail 
 man becomes infallible, the moment lie 
 
 is
 
 joo Opinion and Belief lefs influenced by 
 
 is elected a bifliop, with a triple crown 
 on his head ; or that grofs inconfiftencies 
 affirmed in the creed of St Athanahus, 
 mufl be believed under the pain of eter- 
 nal damnation *. Such examples of per- 
 verfe education, tending to enervate the 
 faculty of reafon, and to make us blind- 
 ly fubmimve to the crafty and defigning, 
 ought to call forth the mofl fervent zeal 
 of parents to have their children proper- 
 ly educated. It is not fufneient that they 
 are taught morality and the rules of con- 
 duel : their rational powers ought to be 
 Gxercifed and fortified, in order to judge 
 what they ought to believe, and what 
 they ought not to believe. What a heavy 
 charge then lies againfl thofe parents, 
 who, inflcad of inflructmg their children 
 
 in 
 
 * What are we to think of thofe men who intro- 
 duced that infernal creed into the Liturgy of the 
 Church of England j and confequently joined with 
 the author in devoting to eternal flames every perfon 
 Jew or Gentile, Turk or Chriftian, who does not 
 faithfully believe every abfurdity it contains,
 
 Reafon than by 'Temper and Education. 30 j 
 
 in the principles of reafon, the nobleft 
 faculty of man, leave them open to every 
 wrong imprefhon that may be ftamped 
 on die tender mind, by chance, or by the 
 depravity of people about them ! 
 
 ART. III. 
 
 Differences in Opinion make the Ce- 
 ment of Society. 
 
 IT appears to me the utmoft pervcrhon 
 of human nature, that people differ- 
 ing in opinion, even with refpecl to reli- 
 gion, cannot live peaceably together, not 
 to fay happily. Men join in fociety for 
 mucual aid and fupport : and they fub- 
 mit to be governed, becaufe government is 
 efiential to fociety. But how far does this 
 fub million extend ? Surely not to a man's 
 private thoughts and opinions : theie he 
 rnay indulge as his reafon dictates to him. 
 
 The
 
 302 Differences in Opinion 
 
 The legiflature has no concern, provided 
 he keep them to himfelf without disturb- 
 ing fociety. Toleration is thus a dictate 
 of common fenfe, and as fuch is now 
 permitted every where. And yet, the 
 civil war in France between the Catho- 
 lics and Huguenots, was founded upon a 
 doctrine directly contrary. The Hugue- 
 nots pleaded for liberty of confcience : 
 the Catholics, bitter enemies to it, infilled 
 that none fhould be permitted to breathe 
 the French air who differed from them in 
 the flightefi punctilio. Penning that hi- 
 flory, it often occurred to me as a horrid 
 depravity of temper in human beings, to 
 devote to deftruclion one another for a 
 caufe that gives no diflurbance at pre- 
 fent, and which ought never to have gi- 
 ven diflurbance. Yet even in France, 
 perfecution raged contrary to the nature 
 of the people ; and brought that great 
 monarchy to the brink of ruin. Would 
 one believe, that by vicious education 
 
 men
 
 wake the Cement of Society. t> 2 3 
 
 men can be converted into monfters, 
 worfe than beafts of prey who fpare their 
 own kind * ? 
 
 Tins hiftory fuggefted the following 
 thoughts upon uniformity in poin^ of 
 opinion. Were it even practicable, by 
 perfecution or other means, to produce 
 uniformity in opinion ; the effect, far 
 from being defirable, would be difinal. 
 All nature is full of variety ; and the 
 mind of man correfponds to it, being 
 prone to variety, and delighting in it. 
 We feel as in fetters when long confined 
 to one object : a blended fcenc of wood.;, 
 rivers, plains, mountains, men walking, 
 cattle grazing, a cottage here, a ftecple 
 there, gives more plcamre than the fky, 
 
 the 
 
 * It is mentioned by Sully in his Memoirs, that on 
 a vifit to Madame de Maftin his aunt, lhe received him 
 very coldly, faying (he had dUinhericcd him, becaufe 
 lie neither oelieved in God nor in his faints, and wor- 
 fhipped none but the devil. This was the notion her 
 father confefTbr had given her of all Protcftants.
 
 304 Differences in Opinion 
 
 the ocean, or any .other fingle object,* 
 however grand. To a well difpofed mind 
 it muft be equally entertaining, to look 
 down, as it were from an eminence, up- 
 on the various tempers, fentiments, opi- 
 nions, and purfuits of human beings, 
 tending to different ends, claming indeed 
 and interfering, but upon the whole con- 
 fpiring to the general good. " Endlefs 
 differences in . .temper, in tafte, .and in 
 mental: faculties, that of reafon in par- 
 ticular, produce neceffarily variety in 
 fentiment and in opinion. Can God 
 be difpleafed with fuch. variety, when 
 it is his own work ? He. requires no 
 uniformity except with refpecl to an 
 upright mind and clear conference, 
 which are indifpenfable. Here opens 
 at the fame time an illuftrious final 
 caufe. Different features and different 
 expreffions of countenance in the hu- 
 man race, not only diftinguifh one 
 perfon from another, but promote fo- 
 
 " ciety,
 
 make the Cement of Society. 305 
 
 " ciety, by aiding us to chufc a friend, 
 " an affociate, a partner for life. Differ- 
 " ences in opinion and fentiment, have 
 " effects Hill more beneficial : they rouie 
 " the attention, give exercife to the un- 
 " derftanding, and lharpen the reafon- 
 " ing faculty. With reipect to religion 
 u in particular, perfect uniformity, which 
 " furniihes no fubjeel for thinking nor 
 " for reafoning, would produce languor 
 " in divine worlhip, and make us fink 
 " into cold indifference *." Is this a 
 doctrine that will juftify the oceans of 
 Chriftian blood that have been llied in 
 fupport of it ? Saladin, one of the great- 
 eft men that ever exiiled, had, even in 
 the dark age of fuperftition and bigotry, 
 very different notions. It is reported of 
 him, that in his latter-will, he ordered 
 large fums to be diftributed among the 
 poor, without any diftinclion of Mahome- 
 Q^q tans, 
 
 * Sketches of the Hiftnry of M.m ; F.t!';t. 1. Vol. 4. 
 
 •'. All
 
 306 Differences in Opinion 
 
 tans, Jews, or Chriftians ; willing to have 
 it underftood, that all men are brethren, 
 and that charity ought not to confider 
 what men believe, but what they fuffer. 
 
 But as the abfurdity of expecting uni- 
 formity in point of religion ftands now 
 manifefl to all the world, I fhall confine 
 my fpeculation to a more mild fubjecl, 
 that will raife no indignation nor bad 
 humour. I begin with alking this limple 
 queftion, What comfort would fociety 
 afford, and converfation one of its chief 
 fupports, without variety in humour and 
 fentiment ? Language would be ufelefs, 
 and no uniting tie would remain but of 
 many hands to procure the neceffities of 
 animal life. Man would degenerate into 
 a brute — an illuftrious effect, worthy to 
 be enforced by fire and fword ! Is this 
 to copy nature, which diversifies our 
 minds as much as our faces ? What then 
 fhall be thought of thofe who in com- 
 pany
 
 make the Cement of Society. 307 
 
 pany are rude to every one who differs 
 from them ? Is fuch behaviour more ex- 
 cufable than to pull every one by the 
 nofe whole face difpleafes them ? I can- 
 not illuftrate this topic more agreeably 
 than by a fable from a French author, 
 which I venture to put into the Engliih 
 drefs. " Four friends there were, linked in 
 " clofe union. If they differed, it might 
 " be in fentiment, but never in affection. 
 " One was for the fair beauty, another for 
 u the brown : one dealt in profe, another 
 " relilhed verfe. Frequent were their de- 
 " bates, but all tending to enliven con- 
 " verfation. One day, a favourite topic 
 " was brought upon the carpet. They 
 " took fides, grew keen, their blood was 
 " up, nothing but noife inftead of reafon. 
 " They parted in bad humour, fcarce (cn- 
 " fibleof friendfliip to one another. After 
 " having time to cool, Gentlemen, fays 
 " one of them, how happy for friends to 
 " be always of one mind : let us humblv 
 
 " pray
 
 308 Differences in Opinion 
 
 " pray the gods for that bl fling. No 
 " fooner faid than done. They marched 
 " in a body to the temple of Apollo, and 
 u prefented their fupplication. The'god 
 " inclining his ear, granted their re- 
 " queft ; and in the twinkling of an eye, 
 " they were perfectly unifon. One made 
 " an obfervation ; all concurred. One 
 " declared his opinion ; the reft gave a 
 " nod. Good, faid they ! Farewel dif- 
 " putes, we wifli them a good journey. 
 " But behold : the charm of fociety has 
 " journeyed with them. No more amu- 
 " fing converfations, no beautiful reflec- 
 " tions, no mining thoughts, ftruck out 
 " by oppofition, that enlighten the mind 
 " and chear the heart — Aye, is now the 
 " only word. Friendship lubfided, indif- 
 " fercnce encroached, and irklbme grew 
 " the hours that formerly glided fweetly 
 " along. Entire concord diffolved the 
 il union. Let men forbear mending the 
 ' works of nature : we are well enough
 
 make the Cement of Society. 309 
 
 <w as we are. Give all men the fame 
 ' turn of mind, and you take awav the 
 " very fait of foeiety. Uniformity 
 " brought furth : to her infant ihe gave 
 " the name of Disgust." 
 
 Speculations like the prcfent, have 
 a tendency to banifh bigotry in opinion. 
 There are indeed certain opinions that 
 ought to be univerfal, becauie they arc 
 grafted on our nature. I would perfe- 
 cute every opinion contradictory to the 
 following proportions, that there is a 
 Deity to whom we owe gratitude and 
 worlhip ; and that there is a right and a 
 wrong in actions, which ought to regu- 
 late the conduct of every human being. 
 But 1 would perfecute the opinions only, 
 not the perfons who hold them : they 
 are the objects of pity, not oi pcrfecution. 
 It is not in the power of man to eradi- 
 cate his opinions, more than his feelings 
 or his appetites. How abfurd then is it 
 
 to
 
 3 ro Differences in Opinion 
 
 to punifh a man for what he cannot help I 
 There is not in fcience a principle more 
 evident than that now mentioned, which 
 every man muft affent to when fairly Ma- 
 ted. Yet fuch is the influence of paffion 
 and prejudice, as to have rendered that 
 principle invifibie for many ages. What 
 rancour, diftrefs, and bloodfhcd would 
 have been prevented even among Chri- 
 ftians, had the abfurdity of perfecution 
 been difplayed to them in open day light ? 
 This doctrine ought to be carefully in- 
 flilled into young minds, hitherto free 
 from bias. Let it be inculcated early in- 
 to both fexes, that men are not account- 
 able for their opinions, more than for 
 their faces ; and that a wrv opinion, even 
 in matters of religion, is not the fubjecl: 
 of punifhment, more than a wry fhape. I 
 include opinions however ilightly found- 
 ed, provided only they be fincere and agree- 
 able to confeience. It is indeed a fort 
 of Herculean labour, to eradicate notions 
 
 that
 
 make the Cement of Society. 311 
 
 that from infancy have been held funda- 
 mental. But the mind of a child is white 
 paper, ready to receive any impreilion, 
 good or bad. This is the precious time 
 for impreilions, though too early for re- 
 gular inftruction. Let it not be trifled 
 away, for it never can be recalled. Good 
 impreilions damped on the mind at that 
 early age, fink deep and never are obi ite- 
 rated. Therefore, neglect no opportuni- 
 ty of fetting virtue and vice before your 
 child, in their proper colours : repeat to 
 it often, that if it be good, every perfon 
 will love it ; if naughty, that every per- 
 fon will hate it ; and, in a word, that 
 happinefs is the rcfult of virtue ; mifery 
 of vice. Give me the naming of the tu- 
 tor, and the pupil mall partake of the an- 
 gelic nature, or of the nature of a beaft 
 of prey. 
 
 1 finish with obferving hiftorically, 
 that the art of Printing, among its other 
 
 advantages.
 
 312 Differences in Opinion , 8tc. 
 
 advantages, has had an influence to era* 
 dicate perfecution, by fpreading every 
 where knowledge and rational principles. 
 Even thofe who are the moft prone to 
 perfecution, begin to hehtate. Reafon, 
 reluming her fovereign authority, will 
 banifli it altogether. It is true, that 
 no farther back than the beginning of 
 the prefent century, Mr Locke, even by 
 Proteftants, was held grofsly heterodox 
 for maintaining toleration. I am how- 
 ever hopeful, that within the next cen- 
 tury it will be thought ftrange, that per- 
 fecution mould have prevailed among 
 focial beings. It will perhaps even be 
 doubted, whether it ever was ferioufly 
 put in practice. 
 
 A R T
 
 Partiality, 313 
 
 A R T. IV. 
 PARTIALITY. 
 
 AN officer of the revenue, rich by op- 
 premon, had a fon and a fervant 
 intimate companions. They would pafs 
 the live-long day in converting about 
 mafters and fathers. " Mailers now-a- 
 " days are mere Turks, fays Martin the 
 u valet, no regard for us ; labour into- 
 " lerable, threatnings, blows ; but of 
 " wages, not a word. Do they take us 
 " for unbaptized beads of burden ? All 
 u true, favs the fon ; but, my dear Mar- 
 " tin, are fathers lefs hard hearted ? In- 
 " ceffant chiding, vexatious admoniti- 
 " ons, tedious Icclures. Can the fools ex- 
 " peel we ihoukl have all the dull gravity 
 " of old age ? Does a young man incline 
 " to the army ? he is condemned to the 
 ** long robe. Croflcd he mull be in every 
 " inclination, as if the old dotard were 
 R r "to
 
 3*4 Partiality. 
 
 " to chufe for him, not he for himfelfl 
 " No ! adds he, there is not a race of men 
 " more intolerable than fathers/' This 
 was their conftant theme. Martin, em- 
 ployed in the finances, fucceeded, became 
 a tax-gatherer, had a fumptuous houfe, 
 a luxurious table, a grand equipage, and 
 a nation of valets* The fon improved 
 his father's flock, took a wife, and had 
 children. Martin, now rich, became a 
 reputable companion. They continued 
 good friends. But what was now their 
 theme ? Why, children and fervants. 
 " O the crofs of domeflics, fays Monfieur 
 " Martiniere, (for Martin's name was 
 tc now extended a full fpan), thoughtlefs 
 " and lazy ; threats and blows are in 
 " vain, — thieves, traitors, liars, they eat 
 " our bread and laugh at us to the bar- 
 " gain. Ah ! fays the father of the fa- 
 " mily, talk to me of children, there's 
 44 the real crofs, good for nothing boy or 
 * fc girl, no obedience. — We fatigue our- 
 
 " felves
 
 Partiality. 
 
 d l 5 
 
 " felves to death for them ; but as to 
 " gratitude, your fervant. They long for 
 " our death, watch the inftant ; and how 
 " happy when relieved of a burden. 1 ' 
 
 A man is a partial judge in his own 
 caufe. Full of his imagined fuperiority, 
 he lofes fight of what he owes to others. 
 Fancying himfelf on a throne, to him all 
 muft bend the knee. A low man rails 
 at his fuperiors : he is exalted, lofes fight 
 of what he was, and now rails at him- 
 felf in his former condition. The poor 
 never ceafe wondering at the narrow 
 views of the opulent, and at their want 
 of charity. Give them riches, their tone 
 varies ; and now not a fyllable but of 
 the refpect due to people of their rank. 
 When fuch is the prcpofTeflion even of 
 the lowed dalles, can a more fober way of 
 thinking be expected from thofe of high 
 birth ? Kings naturally are not more de- 
 praved than other men ; and but for 
 
 fell-
 
 3 1 6 Partiality* 
 
 felf-partiality, it would be difficult to ac- 
 count why felfimnefs is their ruling paf- 
 fion ; with fcarce any fenfe of juftice, 
 far lefs of benevolence. 
 
 SELF-partiality is the fource of mani- 
 fold diftrefTes. A man infected with that 
 difeafe, never thinks he is treated with 
 fumcient refpect : needs there more to 
 imbitter his life, and to unfit him for 
 fbciety ? peevifhnefs and difcontent ren- 
 der him miferable, in the very circum- 
 flances that make others happy. It was 
 U problem among the ancient fages, why 
 men commonly are £o well fatisfied with 
 themfelves, and fo little with their condi- 
 tion. Had they thought of felf-partia- 
 lity, it would have folved the problem, 
 A man of that temper never imagines 
 that his condition equals his merit. 
 
 SELF-partiality is difficult to be cured. 
 It is a diftemper that a man fees clearly 
 
 in
 
 Partiality, 3 1 7 
 
 iu others, never in himfelf ; and one will 
 not readily fubmit to a cure who is not 
 fenfible of needing it. The great Cicero 
 is a mortifying in dance or this diitem- 
 per. He was vain of his confulate, and 
 exhorts his friend Lucceius, who was 
 writing the hiftory of Rome, to bedow 
 the utmod energy of his pen in magni- 
 fying his exploits. " Make it," fays he, 
 *' a fplendid dory ; for, in relating the 
 " tranfaclions of your friend, a deviation 
 " from truth may well be excufed." Did 
 any man ever betray an appetite for fame 
 more grofs and unjudifiable ? Yet in 
 feveral of his epidlcs to Brutus and to 
 Cato, he declares that he was entirely free 
 from vanity ; and that no other mortal 
 had lefs regard to common fame and vul- 
 gar applaufe. A gentleman of a peevifh 
 temper, but to which felf-partiality made 
 him blind, had a finall edate in the neigh- 
 bourhood of a nobleman who delighted 
 in hunting. If the chace led the hunters 
 
 into
 
 318 Partiality, 
 
 into his fields, he was impatient and dif- 
 contented, even without fuffering any 
 harm. One time, in the bitternefs of 
 wrath, he wrote to the Earl, that there 
 could not be a greater curfe than to be 
 his neighbour. Urged by debt, he offer- 
 ed his eflate to fale ; and the Earl, to be 
 rid of him, was glad to give the price 
 demanded, much above the value. But 
 change of refidence did not change his 
 temper. Every new neighbour appear- 
 ed to him worfe than all the former. 
 " Strange !" exclaimed he, w that I can- 
 " not fettle any where without finding a 
 " Lord H — ." Know thyfdf, is a difficult 
 leffon, efpecially for a young perfon who 
 is not aware of felf-partiality. The tu- 
 tor ought to apply himfelf diligently to 
 correct it in his pupil ; alluring him, that 
 of all vices it is the apteft to raife difguft. 
 Bifhop Butler in one of his admirable fer- 
 mons, gives the following fagacious leffon: 
 " Do not pretend," fays he, " that your 
 
 " friend
 
 Partiality. 315 
 
 " friend has any defects ; but put him up- 
 " on thinking, what his enemies would fay 
 " were they to attack his character. Let 
 " him beware of what he fufpects they 
 " would mention as vicious or defective; 
 " not that he is to fuppofe them in the 
 " right, but that there may be fome wcak- 
 " nefs there which he ought to guard 
 " againft. This is the true way," adds 
 the good Biihop, " of making our ene- 
 " mies contribute to our good." If even 
 by fuch difcipline felf-partiality cannot 
 be totally eradicated, it may at lead be 
 concealed. In weighing my own opi- 
 nion againft that of my opponent, what 
 if I mould rack my invention to difcover 
 what may be urged for him ? Frequent 
 practice may poflibly abate my felf-par- 
 tiality. This leflbn is with energy ex- 
 prefled in the following golden rule, 
 " Do as you would be done by." 
 
 Partiality,
 
 J2d Partiality. 
 
 Partiality, checked or difguifedj 
 when entirely felfim, is allowed full fcope 
 when our country is the object, or our 
 friend, or our religion *.■ This fort of 
 partiality is laudable, if it provoke not 
 Our hatred againft others. Excited by 
 partiality to their country, the old Ro- 
 mans were flaming patriots. But their 
 partiality was -indulged to an ungene- 
 rous excefs : they became proud, infolerit^ 
 intolerable, holding all other nations as 
 brutes and barbarians, the Greeks fcarce- 
 ly excepted. Such partiality is not unjufi 
 only, but inexcufable ; being an infallible 
 fymptom of a mean under ft a riding and 
 of a contracted heart. It muft be a bad 
 
 frame 
 
 * A very fenfible and religious woman, lately de- 
 teafed, had a great ffiendfhip for David Hume the 
 pHilofopher. When rallied on it, Ihe infilled that he 
 was the bcft chriftian of her acquaintance, that fhe 
 read all his works as rhev were publifhed, that to he 
 fare t'-^ere was a little philofophical nonfenfe in them ; 
 but (till, that lie was a good chriftian. " For, added 
 *' (lie, hrv( I not been in-imately acquainted with' 
 f< David Hume fince he was 3 child."
 
 Partiality* 321 
 
 frame of mind that fets us at variance 
 with our fellow creatures, and foments 
 difcord inftead of fweetning fociety. 
 
 But the bad effects of partiality in 
 hurting others, are not to be compared 
 with its bad effects in hurting ourfelves. 
 Every enmity we indulge, is to us a real 
 misfortune : it lb far imbitters our chief 
 fund of happinel's, which confilts in be- 
 nevolence and internal quiet. What then 
 muff he fuffer, who hates every perfbn 
 who differs from him in fentiment. Such 
 is the difmal condition of the bigot in 
 religion, and factious man in the itate, 
 objects however of pity more than of 
 averfion. 
 
 Benevolence, the molt eftimable of 
 all principles, may, by a wrong direction 
 'of our paffions, generate malevolence in 
 abundance. If we be taught to confine 
 our good will to our connections, and to 
 S f hold
 
 J22 Partiality, 
 
 hold others at defiance; the man whtf 
 has from nature the greater! flock of be- 
 nevolence, becomes by that wrong bias 
 the moft zealous clanfman, and the mofl 
 violent flickler for a party ; which in- 
 flames his averfion to others in propor- 
 tion. Thus the fpirit of faction, oppo- 
 sition, and enmity, are by wrong educa- 
 tion raifed and foftered. Pictures of that 
 kind are far from being rare. Reflect 
 only on the ftate of this nation two cen- 
 turies ago. The old Roman patriotifm, 
 which comprehended the whole Roman 
 people, was among us confined to our 
 tribe or clan. What inveteracy of one 
 tribe againft another ! Worfe than lions 
 and tigers, which fpare their own kind,. 
 we hunted one another down, and man 
 became the mofl formidable enemy of 
 man. 
 
 People acquainted with their country- 
 men only, are apt to take up a prejudice 
 
 againft
 
 Partiality. 323 
 
 againft the manners and cuftoms of other 
 nations ; which tends to narrow the fpirit 
 of benevolence, and to lcfTen their fatif- 
 faction in the fociety of their fellow crea- 
 tures. Liberal education, and travelling 
 with a view to inftruction, are the only 
 remedies. An incident recorded by He- 
 rodotus fets in a ftriking light the par- 
 tiality of a nation to its own cuftoms. 
 Darius king of Perfia, having an army 
 compofed of different nations, demanded 
 of his Greek foldiers what bribe would 
 prevail to make them eat the bodies of 
 their dead parents, as the Indians did. 
 It being anfwered, that nothing ihould 
 ever tempt them to commit a crime fo 
 atrocious, the Prince in their prefence 
 demanded of fome Indians, what ilim 
 would tempt them to burn the bodies of 
 their parents after death. The Indians in- 
 treated die King to impofe upon them any- 
 thing lefs horrible. That this was rank 
 prejudice in the Indians, will be acknow- 
 ledged
 
 324 Partiality. 
 
 ledged by every European. But were the 
 learned and polifhed Greeks free from, 
 that taint ? We prefer the Greek man- 
 ners and cufloms, which are familiar to 
 us as their books make a capital branch 
 of a learned education. The laying of a 
 dead body on a funeral pile, appears to 
 us as natural as the laying of it in earth. 
 But let us figure an Egyptian, who, 
 proud of his own country, never gave 
 himfelf the trouble to think of foreign 
 cuftoms. " Embalming was a facred rite 
 among that'people, in order to preferve 
 entire the bodies of their anceflors : the 
 palaces of the dead were little lefs fump- 
 tuous than of the living. What notion 
 would an Egyptian have of a people, 
 whofe practice he mould be told it was, 
 to throw their anceflors into the fire, or 
 to let them rot in the earth ? Yet the fen- 
 timeut of the fimple Indian was the fame. 
 Being ignorant of the art of embalming, 
 the reverence he had for his parents, 
 
 prompted
 
 Partiality. 325 
 
 prompted him to give them the molt ho- 
 nourable grave in his power, which was, 
 10 convert them into his own fubllance. 
 Brutality or favagenefs it could not be, 
 when they expreifed fuch horror at the 
 Grecian mode. Their reverence indeed 
 for their parents rrtuft have been excef- 
 ilve, when it was fufficient to overba- 
 lance the averfion that men, as well as 
 other animals, have to feed on their own 
 fpecies. 
 
 If in this manner, young perfons can 
 be trained to examine with candour the 
 manners and cuftoms of different nations, 
 they will rind lefs realon than is common- 
 ly thought for preferring their own. Lead 
 them to reflect that the manners and 
 cuftoms of nations, depend more on ac- 
 cident than 011 folid caufes. The follow- 
 ing is a ludicrous inftancc. Along beard 
 is among us a mark of gravity, and com- 
 mands rei'pect ; nor is it without realon 
 
 that
 
 326 Partiality. 
 
 that we imagine this to be a natural im- 
 preflion. Yet in the reign of Francis I. 
 of France, the grave judges of the parlia- 
 ment of Paris were obliged to be clofe 
 {haven. It was fafhionable among the 
 courtiers and young beaux, to encourage 
 the beard and to cut it into fhapes. The 
 beard accordingly was at that time a 
 mark of levity, and therefore inconfiftent 
 with the folemn air of a judge. 
 
 As it is difficult to fubdue partiality 
 when it has once got a feat in the mind, 
 parents and tutors ought to give peculiar 
 attention, to preferve thofe under their 
 care from the infection, noxious to them- 
 felves, and noxious to others. Self-par- 
 tiality is in particular the parent of opi- 
 niatrety ; and young perfons cannot have 
 a worfe guide, in their commerce with 
 the world. Let them keep in mind, their 
 frequent miftakes and frequent change 
 of fentiment. Candour in acknowledg- 
 ing
 
 Partiality. 327 
 
 mg error will gain them friends, more 
 certainly than the mere negative of never 
 having erred. Such candour will prevent 
 many a blulli and irkfome reflection, 
 which they are well acquainted with, 
 who cannot bear ever to be thought in 
 the wrong. A habit of ingenuity makes 
 a man a comfortable companion, and 
 fits him for every enjoyment of focial 
 life. 
 
 ART. V. 
 Association rf Ideas. 
 
 AM a n while awake is conflantK 
 thinking. Ideas pais in his mind 
 without a gap or interval, forming a fuc- 
 cclTicn of related thoughts or ideas, fol- 
 lowing one another according to an efla- 
 bli (lied law of nature. Our external ac- 
 tions are in a great meafure governed by 
 this fuccefTion, there being an intimate 
 
 < onnciflion
 
 328 Affectation of Ideas. 
 
 connexion between thought and action* 
 Did -'our thoughts flow on, without any 
 mutual relation, and without any rela- 
 tion to our external actions ; we mould 
 be hurried from thought to thought, 
 and from action to action, entirely at the 
 mercy of chance *. It is of importance 
 in the education of youth, that this fuc- 
 cemon be preferred entire, free from ill— 
 forted ideas that have originally no rela- 
 tion. Any unlucky bias by which un- 
 related ideas are conceived to be related, 
 is fufficient to difturb the regular courfe 
 of actions, and to throw all into confu- 
 fion. Nature is faithful in difplaying to 
 us things as they exifl : our erroneous 
 conceptions are the refult of mifguided 
 education, or of wrong impremons made 
 during childhood. The harm treatment, 
 for example, of a tender boy by a mer- 
 cilefs pedagogue, may produce an inti- 
 mate connection between Itudy and di- 
 
 ftrefs, 
 
 * Elements cf Ciukif::i, chap. 1
 
 AJfociation of Ideas. 329 
 
 ftrefs, fo as to give an averfion to books, 
 never to be conquered. Inculcate into 
 a boy that his fate depends on the mo- 
 tion of the planets : in ipite of reafon, 
 he will be addicted to judicial aftrology. 
 There are men who, from fome unlucky 
 impremon made on them when children, 
 are as much afraid of a harmlefs cat as 
 of a fierce lion. 
 
 One of Mr Locke's moft beautiful 
 chapters is upon affociation of ideas. He 
 mows the bad effects that certain ideas 
 unhappily connected or aflociated, have 
 upon the underitanding and upon the 
 affections. " The ideas, he obferves, ot 
 " goblins and fprights, have really no 
 " more to do with darknefs than with 
 " light ; yet let but a foolifh maid in- 
 " culcate thefe on the mind of a child, 
 " and raife them there together, poffibly 
 44 he lhall never be able to ieparate tliem 
 xi io lung as he lives, but darknefs ihall 
 T t " ever
 
 330 AJfociation of Ideas. 
 
 ever after bring with it thefe frightful 
 ideas, and they fhall be fo joined that 
 he can no more bear the one than the 
 other." He proceeds to inform us, 
 That fome fuch wrong and unnatural 
 combinations of ideas will be found to 
 eftablifh the irreconcileable oppofition 
 between different feels of philofophy 
 and religion. That which thus capti- 
 vates reafon, and leads men of lince- 
 rity blindfold from common fenfe, 
 will, when examined, be found to be 
 fome independent ideas, of no alliance 
 to one another, by education, cuftom, 
 and the conftant din of their party, fo 
 coupled in their mind that they always 
 appear together, and can be no more 
 feparated than if they were but one 
 idea, and they operate as if they were 
 fo. This gives fenfe to jargon, de- 
 monftration to abfurdities, and confift- 
 ency to nonfenfe, and is the founda- 
 
 " tion
 
 AJJociat'ion of Ideas. 3 3 1 
 
 " tion of the greateft, I had almoft faid, 
 " of all the errors in the world." 
 
 Association of ideas is a plentiful 
 fource of fpeculation. Mr Locke has gi- 
 ven a fine opening to the fubject of ill 
 founded affociations, and it deferves well 
 to be profecuted. It ought to be a chief 
 concern in the tutor to prevent in his pu- 
 pil an aflociation between truth and er- 
 ror. Truth is in great danger from fuch 
 an aflociation : error cannot for ever 
 ftand its ground againft reafon ; and if 
 it happen to be detected, the whole 
 tumbles down together like the cement- 
 ed parts of an old fabric. Thus it has 
 fared with the Chriftian religion. The 
 minds of men were more en (laved by the 
 Church of Rome, than their bodies for- 
 merly by the republic of Rome. Reafon 
 was blaftcd in the bud ; and people, 
 through fuperflition and bigotry, were 
 prepared to embrace every abfurdity, as 
 
 readilv
 
 33 2, jiffbciatlon of Ideas. 
 
 readily as the moft facred truths. The 
 Romifh Church, taking advantage of this 
 blindnefs, feduloufly inculcated every 
 docflrine that tended to aggrandize their 
 Dalai Lama. Its humble difciples made 
 no difficulty to fwallow, even without a 
 wry face, the rankeft abfurdities, direct 
 contradictions not excepted, of which 
 the credo quia impojjibile ejl, is a notable 
 inilance. When, upon the revival of 
 arts and fciences, the light of reafon be- 
 gan to dawn, and men ventured to think 
 for themfelves, how came it that the 
 Church of Rome was not apprehenhve of 
 its danger ? It was fo accuftomed to ab- 
 iolute authoritv, as to have no dread of 
 a rebellion ; and after whole nations had 
 thrown off its yoke, and proclaimed li- 
 berty of confcience, it was too late to 
 think of a remedy. So far Chriftianity 
 was a gainer. But unhappily, the ab~ 
 furd docf rines grafted on revelation, have 
 led many well meaning perfons to rejecl 
 
 it
 
 /IJfo elation of lift as. 333 
 
 it totally. Opinions aflbciated by edu- 
 cation, and confirmed by cuftom, arc, as 
 Mr Locke expreffes it, fo coupled in the 
 mind, as not to be feparated more than 
 if they were but one idea. Had the Chri- 
 ftian Revelation been preferved in its o- 
 riginal purity, promulgating immortality 
 to the world, with a distribution of re- 
 wards and punishments in a future flate, 
 I am confident that it would have been 
 embraced by the wifefl and the heft men, 
 and adhered to by all without hesitation, 
 not even excepting fuch as may entertain 
 doubts or fcruples about the itrength of 
 the evidence. 
 
 To reject the Chriftian Revelation, i> 
 a fad effect, of ill aifociated opinions ; 
 and yet fuch aifociation may have a i\ill 
 worfe effect : it may produce vicious prac- 
 tice, much lei's tolerable than erroneous 
 principles. Many pious teachers aiioci- 
 ate religion with a riiriditv of manners 
 
 too
 
 334 jiffhciation of Ideas. 
 
 too flridl for any human being. What 
 confequences are to be expected from 
 fuch an affociation ? Young perfons, mi- 
 ferable under fuch unnatural reftraint, 
 feldom fail of becoming either hypocrites 
 or open profligates. Our Saviour fays, 
 " My yoke is eafy and my burden light." 
 Thefe teachers maintain his yoke to be 
 galling and his burden heavy. Religion 
 is given us for our good, and in obeying 
 its precepts there is great fatisfadlion : 
 fuch doctrines on the contrary render it 
 harm and uncomfortable. Zealous dif- 
 ciples of Law upon Chrijlian perfection mull 
 be miferable in this life ; and if they 
 break loofe from their fetters, they muft 
 be miferable in the life to come. 
 
 Opulence confefTedly, with luxury 
 and felfifhnefs its concomitants, are the 
 moil obvious caufes of the decay of pa- 
 triotifm in Britain; but they are not the 
 only caufes. An alTociation of repugnant 
 
 opinions
 
 AJfociatio?i of Ideas. 335 
 
 opinions has contributed to that woful 
 effect. Above a century ago, paflive obe- 
 dience and non-refiftence to the arbitrary 
 will of a Tingle perfon, was a ruling prin- 
 ciple in politics : it was fubftituted to the 
 love of our country, and was carried to 
 as ridiculous an extreme as ever chival- 
 ry was. Reafon at lait prevailed, after 
 much oppofition : the abfurdity of a 
 whole nation being flaves to a weak mor- 
 tal, remarkable perhaps for no valuable 
 qualification, became apparent to all. It 
 was not difficult to forefee the confe- 
 quence : down fell the whole fabric, the 
 found parts with the infirm. And men 
 now laugh currently at the abfurd no- 
 tions of their forefathers, without think- 
 ing either of being patriots, or of being 
 good fubjects. 
 
 The afTociations above mentioned, are 
 but a few of the many that tend to mis- 
 lead people from a jufl way of thinking. 
 
 Formerly,
 
 336 AJfoclation of Ideas, 
 
 Formerly, this nation was over-run with 
 imaginary ghofts and apparitions ; for 
 fimple people give a ready ear to wonders ; 
 and the more wonderful, the more firm 
 is their belief. A child in the nurfery 
 liftens greedily to a dreadful flory. It 
 believes and trembles j and, if not of a 
 bold fpirit, is domineered by the im- 
 preffion for life. I could name perfons, 
 whom even the molt profound philofo- 
 phy has not delivered from the fancied 
 affociation of terror with darknefs. What 
 fkill then does not the cultivation of the 
 heart and head require, when after the 
 ordinary difcipline of fchool and col- 
 lege, men of all ranks are found to be 
 infected with wrong biafTes and irre- 
 gular aflbciations, which fland firm even 
 againft the mod folid reafoning ! Let 
 this consideration actuate thofe who 
 prcfide over the education of youth. 
 How deep are the impreiTions, good or 
 bad, that are made in childhood ! As 
 
 this
 
 AJfociation of Ideas. ^il 
 
 this is the proper period for impreflions, 
 what have not teachers to anfwer for 
 who neglect it. With refpect to re- 
 ligion in particular, the mod impor- 
 tant branch of education, it is in the 
 power of a fenfible tutor to inflil into 
 his pupil, notions fo juft and clear as to 
 fecure him againft every hurtful error. 
 Above all, let it be inculcated, that reli- 
 gion is the great fupport of morality, 
 that it is our ftrongeft fafeguard againft 
 the diftrefTes of life, that it is confident 
 with every rational enjoyment; and up- 
 on the whole, that its direct tendency is 
 ro make its votaries happy. 
 
 IT u A P P E N-
 
 APPENDIX I. 
 
 Things to be got by Heart for im- 
 proving the Memory. 
 
 Benevolence recommended. 
 
 A Mouse by accident coming under 
 -*-■*• the paw of a lion, begged hard for 
 life, urging that clemency is the fairefl 
 attribute of power. The lion generoufly 
 fet it at liberty. The moufe afterward 
 obferving the lion entangled in the toils 
 of the hunter, flew to his ailirtance, gnaw- 
 ed the net to pieces, and let him free. 
 Hence an ufeful lefTon, Neglect, no oppor- 
 tunity of doing good ; for even the loweft 
 may happen to be ufeful to the higheft. 
 
 Moderation recommended. 
 
 A boy, fond of a butterfly, purfued it 
 from flower to flower. He thought to 
 
 furprilc
 
 140 'Things to be got by Heart 
 
 furprife it among the leaves of a rofe ; 
 then to cover it with his hat as it was 
 feeding on a daify : he followed it from 
 bloflbm to bloilbm ; but the nimble crea- 
 ture, ftill eluded his grafp. Obferving it 
 now half buried in the cup of a tulip, he 
 rufhed forward, and happened unluckily 
 to crufh it. The poor boy chagrined at 
 his rafhnefs, was addrefTed by the dying 
 infect in the following words : " Behold 
 " the fruit of thy impetuohty ! Know 
 " that pleafure is but a painted butterfly, 
 " which may be indulged for amufe- 
 " ment ; but if embraced with too much 
 " ardour will perifh in thy grafp." 
 
 Honesty rewarded. 
 The Prince of Conti, highly pleafed 
 with the intrepid behaviour of a grena- 
 dier at the fiege of Philipfburgh 1734, 
 threw his purie to him, excufmg the 
 fmalnefs of the fum. Next morning the 
 grenadier came to the Prince, with a 
 
 couple
 
 fur improving the Memory. 34 1 
 
 couple of diamond rings and other jewels 
 of value. " Sir," faid he, " the gold I 
 " found in your purfe, I prefume was in- 
 " tended for me ; but the jewels I bring 
 u back to your highnefs, having no claim 
 " to them. You have, foldier," anfwer- 
 ed the pince, " your honeily entitles you 
 " to them as much as your bravery en- 
 " titles you to the gold." 
 
 Honesty rewarded. 
 
 The Cardinal Farnefe, (tiled the Patron 
 of the Poor, gave public audience once a 
 week to indigent peiibns in his neigh- 
 bourhood, and diflributcd money among 
 them according to their wants. A poor 
 woman prefented herfelf one day with her 
 daughter, a beautiful creature 01 about 
 fifteen years of age. " My Lore 1 ," fays 
 (he, " 1 owe fur the rent or mv Ik Life five 
 " crowns ; and my landlord threatens to 
 " turn me to the flreet, unlefs I pay the 
 " fum within a week. What I beg of 
 
 k ' vour
 
 342 "Things to be got by Heart 
 
 " your eminence is, to interpofe your fa- 
 " cred authority, and protect us from the 
 " violence of that cruel man, till by our 
 " induflry we procure the money for 
 " him." The cardinal after writing a 
 billet, " Go," fays he, " to my fleward 
 " with this paper, and receive from him 
 " five crowns." The ileward upon fight 
 of the billet told out fifty crowns. The 
 poor woman refufed to take above five, 
 faying " fhe expected no more, and that 
 " furely it was a miflake." They agreed 
 to refer the matter to the cardinal him- 
 felf. " It is true," faid he, " there is a 
 " miftake : give me the paper and I will 
 " rectify it." He gave the rectified bil- 
 let to the woman, faying, " fnch can- 
 dour and honefty deferve a recom- 
 penfe. Here I have ordered you five 
 hundred crowns. What you can fpare 
 of it, la)- up as a dowry for your 
 daughter in marriage." 
 
 Dis~
 
 for improving the Memory. 34.3 
 
 Dishonesty punljbcd. 
 
 An ufurer, having loft an hundred 
 pounds in a bag, prom; fed a reward of 
 ten pounds to the perfon who mould re- 
 (lore it. A man having brought it to 
 him, demanded the reward. The ufurer, 
 loth to give the reward now that he 
 had got the bag, alleged after the bag 
 was opened, that there were an hundred 
 and ten pounds in it when he loft it. 
 The ufurer being called before the judge, 
 unwarily acknowledged, that the feal was 
 broken open in his prefence, and that 
 there were no more at that time but a 
 hundred pounds in the bag. " You fay," 
 fays the judge, " that the bag you loit 
 " had a hundred and ten pounds in it." 
 " Yes, my Lord." " Then," replied the 
 judge, " this cannot be your bag, as it con- 
 " tained but a hundred pounds. Thcrc- 
 " fore, the plaintiff mult keep it till the 
 " true owner appears : and you mult 
 
 " look
 
 344 Things to be got by Heart 
 
 " look for your bag where you can find 
 
 " k; 
 
 Charity recommended. 
 
 Zacchor and EfrefF begged Morat 
 their tutor, to permit them to vifit the 
 curiolities of Aleppo. He gave them a 
 few afpers to expend as they thought pro^ 
 per ; and on their return, he enquired 
 how they had bellowed the money, " I," 
 iaid Zacchor, " bought fome of the fineft 
 " dates Syria ever produced : the tafle 
 " was exquifite." " And I," faid EfrefF, 
 ' met a poor woman with an infant at 
 " her breafl : her cries pierced me. I 
 gave her my afpers ; and grieved that 
 I had not more." The dates, faid Mo- 
 rat to Zacchor, will in a few hours be, 
 converted into mere excrement ; but Ef- 
 refF's charity will be a lafting blefling, 
 and contribute to his happ.inefs, not only 
 in this life, but in that to come. 
 
 Friend- 
 
 u
 
 for improving the Memory. 345 
 
 Friendship. 
 
 Antonius after the battle of Philippi, 
 being in clofe purfuit of Brutus, Lucul- 
 lus, to preferve the life of his friend Bru- 
 tus, furrendered himfelf to the foldiers, 
 pretending to be Brutus. Being brought 
 before Antonius, he faid, " My friend 
 " Brutus is not taken prifoner, and I 
 u hope the gods will not fufFer it. As 1 
 " have impofed upon your foldiers, I am 
 " ready to fuffer what feverity you pleafe 
 " to inflict upon me." Antonius turned 
 to the foldiers and faid, " Don't be 
 " difcouraged fellow foldiers : you have 
 " brought me a better prize than what 
 " you fought for." He then embraced 
 Lucullus, applauded his friendlhip, wifh- 
 ed to have him for a friend, and found 
 him fuch for ever after. 
 
 Friendship. 
 The good Damon being condemned 
 by Dionyfius tyrant of Syracule to fuller
 
 346 'Things to be got by Heart 
 
 a capital punifhment, he requefled per- 
 mifTion to fct his affairs in order, which 
 lay at a diftance from the capital. Per- 
 miffion was granted upon his finding one 
 to anfwer for his return, and to fuffer 
 death in his flead if he failed. This the 
 tyrant did as a mow of humanity, not 
 imagining that fuch a man would be 
 found. Pythias offered to anfwer for his 
 friend, and Damon was fet at liberty. 
 When the day of execution drew near, 
 the tyrant had the curiofity to vifit Py- 
 thias in his dungeon. He rallied him 
 for his folly in prefuming that Damon 
 would return to fuffer death, and be as 
 foolifh as Pythias himfelf had been. My 
 Lord, faid Pythias with a firm voice, I 
 would fuffer a thoufand deaths, rather 
 than that my friend Damon fhould fail 
 in any article of his honour. He cannot 
 fail : I am as confident, of his virtue as 
 of my own exi (fence. But I befeech the 
 gods, to preferve the life of my Damon. 
 
 Oppofc
 
 jor improving the Memory. 347 
 
 Oppofe him ye winds ! and fuffer him 
 not to arrive till by my death I have re- 
 deemed a life, of more value a thoufand 
 times than my own ; of infinite value to 
 his lovely wife, to his innocent children, 
 to his friends, to his country. Dionyfius 
 was confounded, and awed by the digni- 
 ty of thefe fentiments, fo oppoiite to his 
 own. He hefitated, looked down, and 
 retired without fpeaking. The fatal day 
 arrived, Pythias was brought forth, and 
 walked to the place of execution, with a 
 ferious but fatisfied air. Dionyfius was 
 already there, fitting penflve and atten- 
 tive to the behaviour of the prifoner. 
 Pythias on the fcaffold addrclled the af- 
 fembly with a chearful countenance, 
 " My prayers are heard," he cried, " the 
 " gods are propitious ! You know, my 
 " friends, that the winds have been con- 
 " trary. Damon could not come, he 
 " could not conquer impombilities. He 
 " is on his way, hurrying on, accufing 
 
 " himfelf
 
 34-8 Things to be got by Heart 
 
 " himfelf and the adverfe winds. But I 
 " hafte to prevent him. Executioner, 
 " Do your duty." As he pronounced 
 thefe words, a diftant voice was heard ; 
 and, ftop, flop the execution, was pro- 
 claimed by the crowd. A man came at 
 full fpeed. In an inftant he was off his 
 horfe, on the fcaffold, and held Pythias 
 ftraitly embraced. " You are fafe," he 
 cried, " you are fafe my friend, my 
 ** beloved ; the gods be praifed, you are 
 " fafe !" Pale with anguifh in the arms 
 of his Damon, Pythias replied in broken 
 accents, fatal hafte, cruel impatience ! 
 What envious powers have wrought im- 
 pofTibilities to deflroy you ? But I ihall 
 not be wholly difappointed ; lince I can- 
 not fave you, I will die with you. Dio- 
 nyfius heard, and beheld all with afto- 
 nifhment. His heart was touched, his 
 eyes were opened ; and he was fenfible 
 for the firfh time of the force of virtue 
 and of friendfhip. Defcending from his 
 
 throne.
 
 for improving the Memory. 349 
 
 throne, he afcended the fcafTold. Live, 
 live, ye incomparable pair, he exclaimed. 
 You have taught me the reality of virtue 
 and of rriendihip. Live happy, live re- 
 nouned, and, oh, form me by your pre- 
 cepts, as you have invited me by your 
 example, to be worthy of being your 
 friend. 
 
 Liberality. 
 
 Croesus reproaching Cyrus the Great, 
 for fquandermg the public treafure a- 
 mong his favourites, Cyrus, in order to 
 juftify his liberality, defpatched circular 
 letters to his grandees, dehring from each 
 of them, for a prefling occafion, as much 
 money as they could fpare. As it a- 
 mounted to a much greater Ann than 
 Cyrus had bellowed on them, he (aid to 
 Crcefus, " I am not lei's in love with 
 l - riches than other princes, but am a 
 " better hufband of them. See what my 
 1 fmall donations have procured me ;
 
 35 o Things to be got by Heart 
 
 u not only many friends, but more faith- 
 " ful treafurers than thofe can be who 
 " ferve for hire." 
 
 Veracity. 
 
 The Duke d'Ofluna having leave from 
 his Catholic Majefty to releafe fome gal- 
 ley Haves, fuch as he mould think the beft 
 deferving of pardon, went on board the 
 Admiral Galley at Barcelona, and afked 
 feveral of the flaves what were the crimes 
 that had fent them to the galleys. Every 
 one endeavoured to excufe himfelf, that 
 it was out of malice, that the judges 
 were corrupted, or fuch like. The fame 
 queftion being afked at a little fturdy 
 fellow, he acknowledged that he was juft- 
 ly condemned ; for being in want of mo- 
 ney, that he had robbed a man on the 
 high-way. On which the Duke gave 
 him a blow over the moulders with a 
 cane, faying, " You rogue, why mould 
 ; you be among fo many honeft inno- 
 
 " cent
 
 for improving the Memory. 351 
 
 " cent men ? Get you out of their com- 
 ** pany, for ihame." 
 
 The mojl pleafing Sort of Revenge. 
 
 In a war between the French and Spa- 
 niards in Flanders, a foldier, being ill 
 treated by a general officer, and (truck 
 feveral times with a cane, faid coolly, that 
 the officer mould foon repent of it. A 
 ihort time after, the fame officer com- 
 miffioned the colonel of the trenches to 
 find him out a bold fellow, who for a 
 reward would undertake a dangerous 
 piece of work. The foldier mentioned 
 offered his fervice ; and taking with him 
 thirty of his comrades, performed the 
 work with fuccefs. The officer highly 
 commended him, and gave him a hun- 
 dred piitoles, the reward promifed. The 
 foldier, after diftributing them among 
 liis comrades, turned to the officer and 
 faid, " I am, Sir, the foldier you abufed 
 u fifteen davs ago, and 1 told you that 
 
 41 VOli
 
 352 Things to be got by Heart 
 
 " you would repent it." The officer melt- 
 ed into tears, threw his arms around the 
 foldier's neck, begged his pardon, and 
 inftantly gave him a commifliom 
 
 Fruits of Industry. 
 
 A gentle man of the county of Surry, 
 having an eflate in land of L. 200 yearly, 
 kept the whole in his own hand. Find- 
 ing that this did not anfwer, he was for- 
 ced to fell the half to pay his debts, and he 
 fet the remainder to a tenant for one and 
 twenty years. Toward the end of the 
 leaie, the tenant afked the landlord if he 
 would part with his land. " Prithee tell 
 " me," fays the landlord, " how it fhould 
 ' come that I could not live upon twice 
 ' as much being my own, and yet that 
 yon, having but the one half and pay- 
 ing rent for it, have been able in twen- 
 " ty years to buy it ? " Sir," faid the 
 tanner, " when any thing was to be 
 " done, you faid, Go and do it ; but I 
 
 " always
 
 for improving the Memory. $$$ 
 
 " always faid, Let us go and do it ; and 
 1 f'o not only law my bufinefs done, but 
 " affifted." 
 
 Conjugal Affection. 
 
 The Emperor Conrad, having in the 
 fiege of Wiltiburgh reduced the inhabi- 
 tants to great extremity, and having taken 
 pity of the women who were innocent, 
 permitted them to depart from the town 
 with what luggage they could bear on 
 their backs. The Duchefs took Guelpho 
 her hufband on her back ; and all the 
 other women following her example, if- 
 f bed forth, laden not with gold and filver, 
 but with men and children. The Em- 
 peror pleafed with this ftratagem, took 
 the Duke into favour with all his adhe- 
 rents. 
 
 Conjugal Affection. 
 
 She meets a fon of age in the woods. 
 
 Bending, he weeps over a gray (lone. 
 
 Y v 4t Here,"
 
 354 'Things to be got by Heart 
 
 Here," he faid, " fleeps the fpoufe 
 of my love ; here, I reared over her 
 the green turf. — Many were our days 
 on the heath. We have turned away 
 our feet from young trees, left we 
 might cruih them; and we have feen 
 them again decay with years. We have 
 feen ftreams changing their courfe ; 
 and nettles growing where feafted 
 kings. All this while our joy remain- 
 ed ; our days were glad. The winter 
 with all its ihow was warm, and the 
 night with all its clouds was bright. 
 The face of Minalla was a light that 
 never knew a wane; .an undecaying 
 beam around my ffceps. But now flie 
 fhines in other lands-; When, my love, 
 ihall I be with thee ?'\ 
 
 Pride. 
 
 A young lady of rank and /fortune. 
 
 went out to walk in her father's woods. 
 
 Pray madam," faid the gray-headed 
 
 ft e ward.
 
 for improving the Memory. 
 
 35 S 
 
 fteward, " may I humbly intreat that 
 * 4 you will not go far from home : you 
 " may meet with ftrangers who are ig- 
 "*" norant of your quality." " Give your 
 " advice" anfwered ihc, " when defired. 
 " I admit of no inflructions from fer- 
 u vants." She walked on with fatisfac- 
 : ion, enjoying a clear fky, and a cool 
 breeze. Fatigue feized her, regardlefs of 
 high birth; and me fat down on a fmooth 
 fpot at the fide of a high road, expecting 
 fome equipage to pais, the owner of 
 which would be proud to convey her 
 home. After long waiting, the firlt thing 
 fhe faw was an empty chaife, conducted 
 by one who had formerly ferved her fa- 
 ther as a poflilion. " You are far from 
 u home Madam, will vou give me leave 
 4t to fet vou down at my old mailer's." — 
 ' Prithee fellow, be not ollicious." Night 
 was fall approaching, when Ihc was a. - 
 coiled by a country man on horieback, 
 " Miitrcis, will you get on behind me, 
 
 " Dobbin
 
 356 Things to be got by Heart 
 
 " Dobbin is fure-footed, you fhall be fet 
 " down where you will, if not far off, 
 " or much out of my way." " Mijlrefs /" 
 exclaimed fhe, " how dare you prefume." 
 — No offence, faid the young man, and 
 rode away, humming the fong / love Sue. 
 
 It was night : the clouds gathered, 
 the leaves of the trees ruftled ; and the 
 young woman was terrified with what (he 
 took for ftrange founds. There came an 
 old man driving an empty dung cart. 
 " Friend," faid fhe with a humble accent* 
 " will you let me go with you ?" 
 
 Pride is the mod galling burden a 
 perfon can walk under. Prudence faves 
 from many a misfortune: pride is the 
 caufe of many, 
 
 Againjl idle Disputes. 
 
 One of our ancient Britifh Princes fet 
 up a ftatue to the Goddefs of Victory 
 
 where
 
 for improving the Memory. 357 
 
 where four roads met. In her right 
 hand was a fpear ; and the left refted on 
 a fhield, one face of which was gold > 
 the other filver. It happened one day, 
 that two knights completely armed, the 
 one in black, the other in white, came 
 up to this ftatue from oppofite parts. 
 This golden fhield, fays the black knight 
 — golden ihield, interrupted the white 
 knight, if I have eyes, it is filver. I 
 know nothing of your eyes, replied the 
 black knight ; but I know that the Ihield 
 is gold. The difpute ended in a chal- 
 lenge. After fixing their fpears, they 
 flew with impetuofky at each other ; 
 and both of them fell to the ground much 
 bruifed. A Druid who came by, mowed 
 them their miftake ; and gave them this 
 jeffon, " Never to enter into a difpute till 
 " you have fairly confidered both fides 
 " of the queftion." 
 
 LuDI-
 
 358 Things to be got by Heart 
 
 Ludicrous. 
 
 Sir William Lilly, a famous painter 
 in the reign of Charles I. agreed before- 
 hand for the price of a picture he was 
 to draw for a rich London alderman, 
 who was not indebted to nature either 
 for fhape or face. The picture being ri- 
 mmed, the alderman endeavoured to beat 
 down the price, alleging that if he did 
 not purchafe it, it would ly on the paint- 
 er's hand. " That's your miftake ," fays 
 Sir William, " for I can fell it at double 
 " the price I demand." " How can that 
 " be," fays the alderman, " for 'tis like 
 " no body but myfelf?" " True," replied 
 Sir William; " but I will draw a tail to 
 " it, and then it will be an excellent 
 " monkey." Mr Alderman, to prevent 
 being expofed, paid down the money de- 
 manded, and carried off the picture. 
 
 Smart
 
 fir improving the Memory. 359 
 
 Smart Repartee. 
 
 One evening at Button's corFee-houfe, 
 
 Mr Pope, who was remarkably crooked^ 
 and a fet of literati, poring over a ma- 
 nufcript of the Greek poet Ariftophanes, 
 found a palTage they could not under- 
 ltand. A young officer, who Hood by 
 the fire, begged that he might be per- 
 mitted to look at the paflage. " Oh 1" 
 lays Mr Pope farcaltically, " by ail means, 
 " pray iatisfy the young gentleman's cu- 
 " riofity." The officer, coniidcring ;i 
 while, laid that there only wanted a iu te 
 of interrogation to make the patlage in- 
 telligible. Piqued at being outdone by 
 a redcoat, " Pray" fay.s Pope, " whai 
 u a note of interrogation ? A note 01 in- 
 " terrogation, ' replied the youth, u is 
 u a little crooked tiling that aik.s quc- 
 vt itions." 
 
 ih:
 
 360 Thing* to be got by Heart 
 
 The Cunning outwitted. 
 
 A gentleman, attacked in his chariot 
 by a highwayman, fin-rendered his purfe 
 containing abont forty guineas; adding 
 that robbery was an infamous calling, 
 and that the highwayman would do bet- 
 ter to put what he had done upon a re- 
 putable footing, by exchanging his blun- 
 derbufs with the purfe. M With all my 
 
 heart," fays the highwayman ; and 
 delivered his blunderbufs. The gentle- 
 man, turning it againft him, threatned 
 to ihoot if he did not inflantly reftore 
 the purfe. " You may do as you pleafe," 
 replied the highwayman ; " but I mult 
 " ufe the freedom to tell you, that the 
 ' biter is bit, for the blunderbufs is not 
 " loaded." 
 
 Temperance and Content. 
 
 Ben Had i the Dervis entertained hLs 
 Sovereign Harum the Calif of Egypt with 
 the following account of his life. Caled 
 
 my
 
 for improving the Memory. ^Gi 
 
 my father, full of years and of benevo- 
 lence to his fellow creatures, waited with 
 entire refignation for the hour that Pro- 
 vidence had appointed to be his kill. 
 Finding death fait approaching, he cal- 
 led me to his bed-fide. " My ion," ikid 
 he, " my beloved and only ion, I have 
 no wealth to bequeath you ; but I will 
 leave you two of the greateft fecrets of 
 nature, namely, one to acquire wealth 
 to the utmoft bounds of your wiihes ; 
 and one to pais a long and chearful 
 life, free of diilrefs either of mind or 
 ' body. But in order to benefit by thefe 
 fecrets, there are certain things which 
 you muff folemnly promiie to per- 
 form." I did fo, refolving from the 
 bottom of my heart to be obfequious to 
 my father's commands. " Take," laid 
 he, " this book written by Ikdreddin, 
 " famous for fanctity of life. Penile it 
 " over and over with the decpeit atten- 
 " tion : it. will envigorate the feeds ot 
 / ?. u virtue
 
 362 Things to be got by Heart 
 
 " virtue fowed by me in your tender 
 " mind, fo as to guard you againft the 
 " contagion of vice ; without which you 
 " never can be worthy of that inefiimable 
 " treafure. When you are thoroughly 
 " confcious of meriting that reward, 
 " break the feals of this letter (putting 
 " it into my hand) : in it the whole my- 
 " fiery is contained. But mould you 
 " open it before you are proof againft 
 " every temptation, the characters will 
 " inftantly vanifh, and leave you in the 
 *' dark as much as before." Embracing 
 me with the utmoft tendernefs, he ex- 
 pired in my arms. When time had mo- 
 derated my grief, I thought of my lega- 
 cy. I pa(Ted whole days in imagined 
 fcenes of power and grandeur, in exalt- 
 ing my favourites and deprefhng my 
 enemies. I was refolved that my palace 
 mould be fumptuous above any that the 
 greateft monarch potteries, that the very 
 pavement of it mould be folid gold. But 
 
 as
 
 for improving the Memory. 36$ 
 
 as the awful promife I had made was ef- 
 fential, I opened the precious book. I 
 found the diction fweet and elegant, and 
 the fentiments refined. But above all, 
 its precepts of morality and religion 
 charmed me. I read it over and over, 
 meditated upon it night and day ; and 
 fquared my conduct by thefe precepts, 
 till I became habitually as well as natu- 
 rally virtuous. At lad, I perceived a to- 
 tal change in my difpofition. I roved 
 no longer upon grandeur ; nor held 
 riches in any efteem. I had indeed fe- 
 cured uninterrupted health by tempe- 
 rance ; but I had no wifli to prolong my 
 life beyond the days allotted by Provi- 
 dence. The whole of my ftudy was to 
 be lteady in virtue, and to guard againft 
 every temptation. In a word, I became 
 indifferent about the fee rets contained in 
 the letter. I opened it however in obe- 
 dience to my father's will, and read 
 what follows. " If thou haft read with 
 
 " profit
 
 364 Things to be got by Heart 
 
 " profit the volume bequeathed, and mo- 
 
 " delled thy conduct according to its 
 
 " dictates, already doll thou pofTefs the 
 
 " promifed bleflings. Temperance is 
 
 " the only fecret to banilh difeafe, and 
 
 " to prolong a chearful life. And con- 
 
 " tent will relifh the fimple things that 
 
 " temperance requires ; whereas un- 
 
 <c bounded riches are an invincible temp- 
 
 " tation to abandon real good in the 
 
 c purfuit of imaginary pleafure." 
 
 At my father's death, I was within 
 the years of eighteen, ignorant of the 
 world and of its corruptions. A young 
 man without experience, is liable to va- 
 rious temptations, partly from imitation, 
 and partly from his irregular appetites ; 
 and without a trufty monitor ieldom 
 fails to be led aflray. My beloved fa- 
 ther, to whom 1 am indebted for every 
 blefTing of life, contrived this ilratagem, 
 
 like
 
 for improving the Memory. ^S 
 
 like a trnfty monitor, to fecure me a- 
 gainft every temptation. 
 
 You behold here, continued the Der- 
 vis to his Sovereign, the utmoit limits of 
 my wifhes. My cell, which you have 
 deigned to vifit, is neat, though far from 
 colli v. I want for none of the conve- 
 niencies of life ; nor do I covet any of its 
 fuperfluities. Dainties ferve only to de- 
 prave the appetite, and to render more 
 wholefome food infipid. Riches and 
 fplendor are air bubbles, which loie 
 their imagined value when they become 
 familiar. My dread Sovereign, when 
 you attain to my age, you will regard 
 ambition and other empty phantoms that 
 iill the mind during the heat of youth, 
 to be vain delulions. To you virtue will 
 then appear in her native charms. When 
 nek of fuch vanities, virtue, which, like 
 the laurel flouriihing in perpetual bloom, 
 
 fuffcra
 
 366 things to be got by Heart 
 
 fuffers no decay, fhall prove your fweet- 
 efl confolation. 
 
 The Dervis ended, and in Harum's ear 
 So charming left his voice, that he awhile 
 Thought him ftill fpeaking, (till ftood fix'd to hear. 
 
 As ftratagems like the foregoing, to 
 guard virtue during youth, are feldom 
 happy in the invention, and as little in 
 the execution, good education, profecu- 
 ted with unremitting care, is the only 
 flratagem that can be relied on by pa- 
 rents for fecuring good conduct in their 
 children. Benevolence, it is certain, 
 and all the other moral virtues, may be 
 imprefTed on the tender mind, fo fuccefs- 
 fully as to become a fecond nature. 
 
 L u D i-
 
 for improving the Memory, 367 
 
 Ludicrous. 
 
 A Cheshire-man fet fail for Spain, 
 To deal in merchandize ; 
 No fooner he arriv'd there, than 
 A Spaniard he efpies, 
 
 Who faid, " You Englifh dog, look, here, 
 " What fruits and fpices fine 
 " Our land produces twice a-year, 
 " You've no fuch fruit in thine." 
 
 The Chefhire-man ran to his hold, 
 And brought a Chefhire-cheefe, 
 Then faid, " You Spanifh dog behold ! 
 " You've no fuch fruits as thefe. 
 
 " Your land produces twice a-year. 
 " Rich fruit and fpice you fay ; 
 " But fuch as now my hands do bear, 
 " Our land gives twice a-day." 
 
 Chearfulne s s recommended. 
 
 The honeft heart, whofe thoughts are clear 
 From fraud, difguife, and guile, 
 Need neither fortune's frowning fear, 
 Nor court the harlot's fmile. 
 
 The
 
 $6$ Things to be got by Heart 
 
 The greatnefs that would make us grave, 
 Is but an empty thing ; 
 What more than mirth would mortals have ? 
 The chearful man's a king. 
 
 In Vraife of Content. 
 
 No glory I covet, no riches I want, 
 Ambition is nothing to me, 
 The one thing I beg of kind heaven to grant, 
 Is a mind independent and free. 
 
 With paiiions unruffled, untainted with pride? 
 By reafon my life let me fquare : 
 The wants of my nature are cheaply fupply'd, 
 And the red are but folly and care. 
 
 The blefhngs, which Providence freely has lent, 
 I'll juftly and gratefully prize ; 
 While fweet meditation and chearful content 
 Shall make me both healthy and wife. 
 
 How vainly, thro' infinite trouble and ftrife, 
 Do many their labours emplov ; 
 Since all that is truly delightful in life, 
 Is what all, if they will, may enjoy. 
 
 C O M P A S-
 
 for improving the Memory. 369 
 
 Compassion. 
 
 Pity the forrows of a poor old man, 
 Whofe trembling limbs have borne him, to your 
 
 door, 
 Whofe days are dwindled to the fhorteft fpan, 
 Oh ! give relief, and heaven will blefs your ftore. 
 Thofe tatter'd cloaths my poverty befpeak, 
 Thofe hoary locks proclaim my lengthen'd years ; 
 And many a furrow in my grief- worn cheek 
 Has been the channel to a flood of tears. 
 Yon houfe erected on the rifing ground, 
 With tempting afpec~t drew me from my road ; 
 For plenty there a refidence has found, 
 And grandeur a magnificent abode. 
 Hard is the fate of the infirm and poor ! 
 Here as I crav'd a morfel of their bread, 
 A pamper'd menial drove me from the door 
 To feek a {fielter in an humbler (lied. 
 Oh ! take me to your hofpitable dome ; 
 Keen blows the wind, and piercing is the cold ! 
 Short is my paflage to the friendly tomb, 
 For I am poor and miferably old. 
 Should I reveal the fources of my grief, 
 If foft humanity e'er touch'd your bread, 
 
 A a a Your
 
 370 Things to be got by Heart 
 
 Your hands would not with-hold the kind relief, 
 And tears of pity would not be repreft. 
 Heav'n fends misfortunes ; why fhould we repine; 
 'lis Heaven has brought rne to the ftate you fee ; 
 And your condition may be foon like mine, 
 The child of forrow and of mifery. 
 A little farm was my paternal lot, 
 Then like the lark I fprightly hail'd the morn ; 
 But ah S oppreffion fore'd me from my cot, 
 My cattle dy'd and blighted was my corn. 
 My daughter, once the comfort of my age, 
 Lur'd by a villain from her native home, 
 Is caft abandon'd on the world's wide ftage, 
 And doom'd in fcanty poverty to roam. 
 My tender wife, fweet fmoother of my care, 
 Struck with fad anguifh at the item decree, 
 Fell, ling'ring fell, a victim to defpair, 
 And left the world to wretchednefs and me. 
 Pity the furrows of a poor old man, 
 Whofe trembling limbs have borne him to your 
 
 door, 
 Whofe days are dwindled to the morteft fpan, 
 Oh ! give relief and heaven will blefs your flore, 
 
 H a p p i-
 
 for improving the Memory. 371 
 
 Happiness of the Married State. 
 
 At Upton on the hill, 
 There live a happy pair ; 
 The fwain his name is Will, 
 And Molly is the fair j 
 Ten years are gone and more, 
 Since Hymen join'd thefe two ; 
 Their hearts were one, before 
 The facred rites they knew. 
 
 Since which aufpicious day, 
 Sweet harmony does reign j 
 Both love, and both obey : 
 Hear this, each nymph and fwain, 
 If haply care invade, 
 As who is free from care ? 
 Th' imprefiion's lighter made 
 By taking each a (hare. 
 Pleas'd with a calm retreat, 
 They've no ambitious view; 
 In plenty live, not ftate, 
 Nor envy thole that do. 
 Sure pomp is empty noife, 
 And cares encreafe with wealth ; 
 They aim at truer joys, 
 T r :jnuuillity and health. 
 
 WlTL
 
 37^ Things to be got by Heart- 
 
 With fafety and with eafe 
 Their prefent life doth flow j 
 They fear no raging feas, 
 Nor rocks that lurk below : 
 May flill a fteady gale 
 Their little bark attend, 
 And gently fill each fail, 
 'Till life itfelf fhall end. 
 
 Happiness of the Married State, 
 
 Old Darey, with Joan by his fide, 
 I have often regarded with wonder, 
 He's dropfical, (he is dim-ey'd, 
 Yet they're ever uneafy afunder : 
 Together they totter about, 
 Or fit in, the fun at the door ; 
 And at night, when old Darby's pipe's out, 
 His Joan will not fmoke a whiff more. 
 
 No beauty nor wit they poflcfs, 
 Their feveral failings to cover : 
 Then what are the charms, can you guefs, 
 That make them fo fond of each other ? 
 * Tis the plcafing remembrance of youth, 
 The endearments that youth did beftow, 
 
 Th
 
 for improving the Memory, 373 
 
 The thoughts of pad pleafure and truth, 
 The belt of our bleffings below. 
 
 Those traces for ever will laft:, 
 Nor ficknefs nor time can remove : 
 For when youth and beauty are pad 
 And age brings the winter of love, 
 A friendfhip infenfibly grows, 
 By reviews of fuch raptures as thefe ; 
 The current of fondnefs ftill flows, 
 Which decrepit old age cannot freeze. 
 
 Virtue praifed. 
 
 Would you the bloom of youth mould laft ? 
 'Tis virtue that muft bind it faft ; 
 An eafy carriage, w r holly free 
 From four referve, or levity; 
 Good natur'd mirth, an open heart, 
 And looks unfkilPd in any art j 
 Humility, enough to own 
 The frailties, which a friend makes known, 
 And decent pride, enough to know 
 The worth, that virtue can beftow. 
 
 These are the charms, which ne'er decay, 
 Tho' youth and beauty fade away, 
 
 And
 
 374 -Things to be got by Heart 
 
 And time, which all things elfc removes, 
 Still heightens virtue and improves. 
 
 Vanity of Praying for Earthly Blessings. 
 
 The man to Jove his fuit preferr'd ; 
 He beggM a wife. His prayer was heard. 
 A wife he takes. And now for heirs 
 Again he worries heav'n with prayers. 
 Jove nods affent. Two hopeful boys 
 And a fine girl reward his joys. 
 
 Once more, he cries, accept my prayer j 
 Make my lov'd progeny thy care. 
 Let my firft hope, my fav'rite boy,. 
 All fortune's richeft gifts enjoy. 
 My next with ftrong ambition fire : 
 May favour teach him to afpire ; 
 'Till he the flep of pow'r afcend. 
 And courtiers to their idol bend. 
 With ev'ry grace, with ev'ry charm, 
 My daughter's perfect features arm. 
 If Ileav'n approve, a father's blefs'd. 
 Jove ftniles, and grants his full requeft 
 
 The
 
 for Improving the Memory. 375 
 
 The firft, a mifer at the heart, 
 Studious of ev'ry griping art, 
 Heaps hoards on hoards with anxious pain j 
 And all his life devotes to gain. 
 He feels no joy, his cares increafe, 
 He neither wakes nor fleeps in peace ; 
 In fancy'd want (a wretch complete) 
 He i'tarves, and yet he dares not eat. 
 
 The next to hidden honours grew : 
 The thriving art of courts he knew : 
 He reach'd the height of power and place ; 
 Then fell, the victim of difgrace. 
 
 Beauty with early bloom fupplies 
 His daughter's cheek, and points her eyes* 
 The vain coquette. each fuit difdains, 
 And glories in ner lover's pains. 
 With age (he fades, each lover flies, 
 Contemn'd, forlorn, flie pines and dies. 
 
 When Jove the father's grief furvey'd, 
 And heard him heaven and fate upbraid, 
 Thus fpoke the god. By outward (how, 
 Men judge of happinefs and woe : 
 Seek virtue ; and, of that pofleif, 
 To providence rehgn the reft. 
 
 Superiority
 
 376 things to be got by Heart 
 
 Superiority of Virtue above Vice. 
 
 Virtue and Vice, two mighty powers^ 
 Who rule this motley world of ours, 
 Difputed once which govern'd bed, 
 And whofe dependents mofl were blefl j 
 And both the doubtful point confent 
 To clear by fair experiment. 
 For this fdme mortal they declare, 
 By turns (hall both their bounties (hare. 
 
 On Hodge they fix, a country boor, 
 As yet rough, ign'rant, carelefs, poor : 
 Vice firft exerts her pow'r to blefs, 
 And gives him riches to excefs : 
 With gold fhe taught him to fupply 
 Each rifing wifh of luxury : 
 Hodge grew at length polite and great, 
 And liv'd like Minifter of State : 
 He fwore with grace, got nobly drunk, 
 And kept in pomp his twentieth punk. 
 
 One morning, as in eafy chair, 
 Hodge fate with ruminating air, 
 Vice, like a lady fair and gay, 
 Approach'd, and thus was heard to fay, 
 " Know, favoured mortal, know that J. 
 " The pleafures of thy life fupply ;
 
 for improving the Memory. 
 
 5 J i 
 
 ci I rais'd thee from the clay-built cell, 
 
 *« Where want, contempt, and flav'ry dwell ; 
 
 " And (as each joy on earth is fold) 
 
 " To purchafe all, I gave thee gold. 
 
 " My name is Vice !" — Cried Hodge, and leer'd, 
 
 " Long be your mighty name rever'd ! 
 
 " Forbid it, Heav'n ! thus blcfs'd by you, 
 
 " That I mould rob you of your due ; 
 
 " To wealth, 'twas you that made me heir, 
 
 " And gave, for which I thank you, care ; 
 
 " Wealth brought me wine, 'tis part a doubt, 
 
 " And wine — fee here's a leg ! the gout : 
 
 " To wealth my French ragout I owe, 
 
 " Whence fcurvy, pains, and aflhmas flow." 
 
 Fnrag'd and griev'd, away me flew, 
 
 And with her gifts from Hodge withdrew. 
 
 Now in this fad repentant hour, 
 Celeflial Virtue try'd her pow'r ; 
 For wealth content the goddefs gave, 
 Th' unenvy'd treafure of the flave ! 
 From wild defires fhe fet him free, 
 And fill'd his bread with charity ! 
 No more loud trumpets riot breeds, 
 And temp'rance gluttony fucceeds. 
 
 B b b Uodgf,
 
 378 Things to be got by Heart 
 
 Hodge, in his native cot at reft, 
 Now Virtue found, and thus addrefs'd ; 
 " Say, for 'tis yours by proof to know, 
 " Can Virtue give the blefs below ? 
 " Content my gift, and temp'rance mine, 
 " .And charity, tho' meek, divine !" 
 
 With bl-uming checks, and kindling eyes. 
 The man tranfported thus replies : 
 
 " My goddefs ! on this favour d head, 
 u The life of life, thy blemngs (lied ! 
 < £ My annual thoufands when I told 
 " Infatiate (till I figh'd for gold ; 
 " You gave content, a boundiefs (lore, 
 " And rich indeed ! I figh'd no more — 
 " With temp'rance came, delightful gueft I 
 " Health, tafteful food, and balmy reft ; 
 " With charity's feraphic flame, 
 " Each gen'rous facial pleafure came ; 
 " Pleafures which in pofTeftion rife, 
 cc And retrofpccYive thoughts fupplies ! 
 c I-nng to atteft it may I live, 
 ' That, all Vice promifes, you give." 
 
 Caveat
 
 for improving the Memory. 379 
 
 Caveat againji being fmit with an out -fide. 
 
 A tender Mifs, whom mother's care 
 Bred up in wholefome country air, 
 Far from the follies of the town, 
 Alike untaught to fmile or frown ; 
 Her ear unus'd to flatt'ry's praife, 
 Unknown in woman's wicked ways ; 
 Her tongue from modifh tattle free, 
 Undip'd in fcandal and bohea ; 
 Nor cards fhe dealt, nor flirted fan, 
 A ftranger to quadrille and man ; 
 But fimple liv'd, jult as you know 
 Mifs Chloe did — fome weeks ago. 
 
 As now the pretty innocent 
 Walk'd forth to tafte the early fcent, 
 She tripp'd about the murm'ring dream, 
 That oft had lull'd her thoughtlefs dream. 
 The morning fweet, the air ferene, 
 A thoufand flow'rs adorn'd the fcene ; 
 The birds rejoicing round appear 
 To chufe their conforts for the year ; 
 Her heart was light, and full of play, 
 And, like herfelf, all nature gay. 
 
 On fuch a day, as poets fmg, 
 A Butterfly was on the wing ; 
 
 From
 
 380 'Things to be got by Heart 
 
 From bank to bank, from bloom to bloom, 
 He flretch'd the gold-befpangled plume : 
 Now fkims along, and now alights 
 As fmell allures, or bloom invites ; 
 Now the violet's freflmefs fips ; 
 Now kifs'd the rofe's fcarlet lips ; 
 Becomes anon the daify's gueft ; 
 Then prefs'd the lily's fnowy bread ; 
 Nor long to one vouchsafes a day, 
 But juft falutes and flies away. 
 
 The virgin law with rapture fiVd ; 
 She faw, and what me faw defir'd. 
 The finning wings, the darry eyes, 
 And burns to feize the living prize : 
 Her beating bread and glowing face 
 Betray her native love of drefs. 
 Enfnar'd by empty outward fliow, 
 She fwift purfues the infecl-beau ; 
 O'er gay parterres (lie runs in hade, 
 Nor heeds the garden's flow'ry wade, 
 The nymph o'er every border flew, 
 And kept the fliining game in view : 
 As hov'ring o'er the tulip's pride 
 lie hung with wing divcrfily'd, 
 
 Caught
 
 for Improving the Memory. 381 
 
 Caught in the hollow of her hand, 
 She held the captive at command. 
 
 Fluttering in vain to be releas'd, 
 He thus the gentle girl addrefs'd : 
 " Loofe, gen'rous virgin, loofe my chain ; 
 " From me what glory can'ft thou gain ? 
 " A vain, unquiet, glitt'ring thing, 
 " My only boaft a gorgeous wing ; 
 " From flow'r to flow'r I idly (tray, 
 " The trifler of a fummer's day : 
 " Th.cn let me not in vain implore, 
 " But leave me free again to foar." 
 
 His words the little charmer mov'd, 
 She the poor trembler's fuit appvov'd. 
 His gaudy wings he then extends, 
 And iiutters oa her finger ends : 
 From thence Le fpoke, as you fhall hear, 
 In llrains well worth a woman's ear. 
 
 " When now thy young and te ider age 
 " Is pure and iieediefs to engage ; 
 " Unknowing all, to all unknown, 
 " Thou liv'it, or prais'd, or blam'd by none. 
 " But wheu, unfolding by degrees 
 " The woman's fond defire to pleafe, 
 
 " Thou
 
 382 Things to be got by Heart 
 
 u Thou fett'ft thy little charms to moWjj 
 
 " And fports familiar with the beau ; 
 
 " Thou in the midnight-ball malt fee 
 
 " Things apparel'd juft like me. 
 
 " If charm'd with the embroider'd pride^ 
 
 " The victim of a gay outfide, 
 
 " From place to place, as me juft now, 
 
 " The glitt'ring gewgaw you purfue, 
 
 " What mighty prize fhall crown thy pains ? 
 
 " A Butterfly is all thy gains !" 
 
 Virtue praifed. 
 
 Now fpring begins her fmiling round 5 
 Lavilh to paint th' enamell'd ground 5 
 The birds exalt their chearful voicbj 
 And gay on every bough rejoice. 
 The lovely graces hand in hand, 
 Knit in love's eternal band, 
 "With, dancing ftep at early dawn, 
 Tread lightly o'er the dewy lawn. 
 Where-e'er the youthful filters move, 
 They fire the foul to genial love. 
 Now by the river's painted fide, 
 The fwain delights his country-bride : 
 
 Whil
 
 for improving the Memory. 383 
 
 While, pleas'd, (he hears his artlefs vows ; 
 Above the feather'd fongfter wooes. 
 Soon will the ripen'd fummer yield 
 Her various gifts to ev'ry field ; 
 Soon fruitful trees, a beauteous (how, 
 With ruby-tinctur'd births fhall glow ; 
 Sweet fmells, from beds of lilies born, 
 Perfume the breezes of the morn. 
 The funny day, the dewy night, 
 To rural play my fair invite ; 
 Soft on a bank of violets laid, 
 Cool flie enjoys the ev'ning-fhade 5 
 The fweets of fummer feaft her eye : 
 Yet foon, foon will the fummer fly. 
 
 Attend, my lovely maid, and know 
 To profit by the moral fhow ; 
 Now young and blooming thou art feen, 
 Frefh on the ftalk, for ever green ; 
 Now does the unfolded bud difclofe 
 Full-blown to fight the blufhing rofe : 
 Yet, once the funny feafon paft 
 Think not the coz'ning fcene will laft ; 
 Let not the flatt'rer hope perfuade : 
 Ah ! muff. I fay that this will fade ? 
 
 For.
 
 384 Things to be got by Heart 
 
 For fee the fummer pods away, 
 Sad emblem of our own decay. 
 Now winter, from the frozen north, 
 Drives his iron chariot forth ; 
 His griily hand in icy chains 
 Fair Tweda's filver flood conflrains : 
 Caft up thy eyes, how bleak and bare 
 He wanders on the tops of Yare ! 
 Behold his footfteps dire are feen 
 Confefs'd on many a with'ring green. 
 Griev'd at the fight, when thou malt fee, 
 A fnowy wreath clothe ev'ry tree, 
 Frequenting now the flream no more, 
 Thou fly'ft, difpleas'd, the barren more. 
 When thou (halt mifs the flow'rs that grew 
 But late to charm thy ravifh'd view, 
 Shall I, ah horrid ! wilt thou fay, 
 Be like to this another day ? 
 
 Yet, when in fnow and dreary froft 
 The pleafure of the field is loft, 
 To blazing hearths at home we run, 
 And fires fupply the diftant fun ; 
 In gay delights our hours employ, 
 We do not iofe, but change our joy j 
 
 Happy
 
 for improving the Memory, $$ 
 
 Happy abandon every care, 
 To lead the dance, to court the fair, 
 To turn the page of ancient bards, 
 To drain the bowl and deal the cards. 
 But when the beauteous white and red 
 From the pale afhy cheek is fled ; 
 When wrinkles dire, and age fevere, 
 Make beauty fly we know not where ; 
 The fair whom fates unkind difarm, 
 Have they for ever ceas'd to charm ? 
 Or is there left fome pleafing art, 
 To keep fecure a captive heart ? 
 
 Unhappy love ! might lovers fay, 
 Beauty, thy food, does fwift decay ; 
 When once that fhort-liv'd ftock is fpent, 
 What art thy famine can prevent \ 
 Virtues collect with early care, 
 That love may live on wifdom's fare ; 
 Tho' extacy with beauty flies, 
 Efteem is born when beauty dies. 
 Happy to whom the fates decree 
 The gilt ot heav'n in giving thee : 
 Thy beauty fhall his youth engage ; 
 Thy virtues fhall delight his age. 
 
 C c c Though
 
 386 Things to be got by Heart \ &c. 
 
 Though the chief purpofe of this 
 collection is to improve the memory by 
 exercife, it is not however the only pur- 
 pofe. Nothing is admitted but what 
 tends to mend the heart. I have befide 
 in view, to initiate young perfons in the 
 art of pronunciation ; and accordingly 
 the things I have felecTed are in various 
 ililes. 
 
 APPEN-
 
 APPENDIX II. 
 
 Excerpts from a young Gentlemcw s Com- 
 mon-place-book r being the Hi/lory of his firfl 
 Excurfon after completing his College- 
 Education. September 1734. 
 
 IN my journey through Fife I met with 
 nothing remarkable, fave a good coun- 
 try in the ftate of nature. The bifhop- 
 ric of Durham is reckoned one of the 
 fined diflricfls in England. Fife, like it, 
 fpreads every where into little green hills 
 and valleys ; but no planting, no inclo- 
 fmg, poor crops of corn except upon the 
 coaft, and very little grafs. The fpirit of 
 improvement is indeed beginning in that 
 country ; and planting and inclofmg will 
 give it a very fine appearance. Cupar, 
 the county town, is pleafantly fituated on 
 the hanks of the Eden. A bleaching-field 
 
 is
 
 % 88 Excerpts from a young 
 
 is lately made there, which will promote 
 the linen manufacture in that country, 
 hitherto little advanced. In our road 
 from this town to Dundee, a curious 
 group of figures flruck us, that would be 
 a good fubject for a picture. A little 
 woman was ihearing corn on a little 
 ridge. Behind her was a boy about eight 
 or nine, gleaning what fell from her hand. 
 At the fide of the corn flood a cradle with 
 an infant in it, rocked by a girl younger 
 than the boy. At fome diftance a little 
 cow was tethered, and by it a little dog 
 lying. I miffed nothing of the family 
 but the little cat, which I fuppofe was 
 left at home to guard the little houfe. 
 How few are the neceffities of nature,, 
 and how eafily provided for ? May we 
 not imagine this little woman as content- 
 ed, as the great Lord of the manor ? 
 
 Dundee is a trading town, advantage- 
 oufly fituated on the river Tay, two miles 
 
 above
 
 Gentleman s Common-place-book. 389 
 
 above where it falls into the fea. The 
 river is there two miles broad and makes 
 a fine appearance. The town has been 
 encreafing ever fince the Union in the 
 number of inhabitants and goodnefs of 
 the houfes. They are now at work about 
 a town-houfe, the plan of which they 
 have from Mr Adams. Though Dundee 
 is the largeft town in Angus, yet Forfar 
 is the county town. It Hands in the great 
 valley of Strathmore, that runs from Perth 
 north-eait to the fea almoit in a ftraight 
 line, about fifty miles long, and betwixt 
 four and five broad ; bordered on either 
 iide by hills riling gently on the fouth 
 fide, and on the north by the famous 
 Grampians a little more elevated. 'Tis 
 a beautiful ltrath or valley adorned with 
 houfes and planting, and interfered with 
 rivers dcfcending from the hills. Forfar 
 is a royal burgh, poor indeed, having 
 little to brag of but its antlcpiity. King- 
 Malcolm Can more held his firir. parlia- 
 ment.
 
 J9° Excerpts from a young 
 
 ment there, and the ruins of his palace 
 are yet to be ihen. The town is fituated 
 at the fide of a lake, within which there is 
 an ifland where Queen Margaret retired 
 after her hufband Malcolm Canmore's de- 
 ceafe. There is a tradition in the town 
 of Forfar, that to this queen, canonized 
 afterward for a faint, we owe the cuftom 
 of the grace-drink : fhe eftabliihed a rule, 
 that whoever ftaid till grace was faid, 
 was to be rewarded with a bumper. This 
 piece of hiftory diverted us and occafion- 
 ed fome reflections. In thtjirji place, it 
 appears furprifing that one fhould be e- 
 tcrnized for fuch a trifle. I know not but 
 this may have been the principal flouriih 
 in the preamble of Queen Margaret's 
 patent for faintfhip. But when we exa- 
 mine the nature and courfe of things, 
 the furprife vanifhes. Our nation was 
 then in its infancy, examples of courage, 
 public fpirit, devotion, learning, Esfr. rare. 
 Every thing makes a figure in a country 
 
 not
 
 Gentleman i Common-place-book. 391 
 
 not overftocked with examples of the fame 
 kind. In the next age, it required the 
 building a. church or mortifying an eilate 
 to gain the character of iaint, purchaied 
 by our Margaret at fo much eafier a rate. 
 In the fir/l ages, men were efteemed he- 
 roes for fubduing a robber or for kill- 
 ing a wild boar. Hercules reigns to this 
 day for no higher exploits ; and in this 
 country, it is reported that the origin of 
 Lord Sommerville's family is owing to 
 the deiiroying an overgrown worm, the 
 figure of which animal, and of the chief- 
 tain in the act of killing, remain cut in 
 Rone in the old kirk of Linton. Turn 
 over the lives of the ancient Greek philo- 
 sophers, and many of them will be found 
 eternized for a faying or opinion, for 
 which a man would not think one jot the 
 better of his parifh minifler. Happy are 
 they who delight in fame, to live in 
 iiich ages ! The fame circumf lances of 
 a people may alio explain how the grace- 
 cup,
 
 392 Excerpts from a young 
 
 cup, a thing that among us at prefent 
 would be but the maggot of a day, mould 
 have grown into a general cuftom. Scot- 
 land being then in its infancy, deftitute 
 of laws, deftitute of cufloms, rude even 
 in the art of fpeech, manners and cufloms 
 would be eafily introduced to fill a va- 
 cuity ; and when a cuflom is once intro- 
 duced, even upon the flightefl founda- 
 tion, it continues long in vigour, becaufe 
 there is nothing to put it out of its place. 
 A nation advanced to maturity is in a 
 different condition. Every thing there 
 being reduced to form and figure, there 
 is little room left for new cufloms or 
 new manners. Here however a diflinc- 
 tion occurs between cufloms that gain 
 ilrength by habit, and thofe that are na- 
 turally fluctuating, fuch as the fafhions of 
 drefs. But at prefent being not much 
 inclined to deep fpcculation, I yield to 
 nature in her purfuit of more airy game. 
 And here I obferve, that whatever may 
 
 be
 
 Gentleman s Com??to?i-place-book. 393 
 
 be thought of the world turning worfe 
 and worfe, the men in thofe ancient times 
 have not been more religious than they 
 are now. Were people bribed to go to 
 church by a good dinner after fermon, 
 we mould find churches as much crowd- 
 ed as ever. In former ages too, it feems 
 we were fatisfied with the form of religi- 
 on as well as at prefent. But what comes 
 of the ladies all this while ; for fure 
 Queen Margaret was too polite to think 
 of a bumper as a reward to them. What- 
 ever might be done in private, they would 
 not be inclined to exert their proweis in 
 public. In drinking-bouts and love-in- 
 trigues, they ftrictly follow the fcripture, 
 not to let their left know what their right 
 is doing. A lady to whom I was talk- 
 ing of this defect, in Queen Margaret's 
 plan, gave me a ready anfwer. Fix the 
 men, lavs Hie, and no fear of the ladies. 
 This lolution mull be acknowledged in- 
 genious as well as ingenuous : whether 
 D d d folid
 
 394 Excerpts from a young 
 
 folid or no, the ladies can bed tell. For 
 my part, I would incline to put it upon 
 a better footing : the women in all ages 
 have been remarkable for their piety ; 
 and therefore I fuppofe that this law was 
 made for the men only : the ladies will 
 obferve decency at leaft, without a bribe. 
 
 Were I to defcribe Forfar in the he- 
 roic (train, I mould fay that the inhabi- 
 tants are a very hofpitable people. En- 
 tertained we were by the chief magistrate, 
 whole doors fly open to all ftrangers. It 
 is expected indeed that you leave vails 
 anfwerable to your entertainment. If 
 this ceremony happen to be neglected, 
 officers of the houfehold are in the way, 
 who modeflly take you by the fleeve, 
 and, out of zeal for your reputation, put 
 you in mind of your duty. 
 
 Fur fine ft thing feen here, is an edi- 
 fice of the molt perfect model, appearing 
 
 to
 
 Gentleman s C^mmon-placc-book . 395 
 
 to be as fvvcet a dwelling as one would 
 wilh for. It has been expofed to fale for 
 vears ; and yet, which is flrange, no pur- 
 chafer has been found. 'Tis true, it is 
 not richly furnilhed, and riches go a 
 great way in thofe days. For my part, 
 I willingly would have taken a leafe of 
 it, but had not money for the purchafe. 
 This building was not made with hands, 
 though of human architecture. It pafTes 
 by the name of Mifs Lyon. 
 
 From Forfar our company came by 
 invitation to Gallery, the feat of Mr Ful- 
 lerton, a gentleman who made his for- 
 tune in the Weft Indies, and now for 
 fome years has been fettled in his native 
 land, where he pafTes his time with eafe 
 and ehearfulnefs, free from the hurry of 
 bufinefs and fracas of great towns, which 
 he fays he is heartily tired of. He is in- 
 deed an agreeable old man, has a very 
 good houle with fine gardens fituated 
 
 upon
 
 396 Excerpts from a young 
 
 upon the river of Montrofe in Strath- 
 more. He diverted us with an incident 
 that happened lately. He has relations 
 in the county of Cornwall. One of them, 
 a young Efquire, made him a vifit this 
 fummer, of three or four weeks. The 
 tender mamma, who had difmal notions 
 of Scotland, begged her child for God's 
 fake to return home before the weather 
 mould break, which might be dangerous 
 in fo wild a country. PrepofTeffed with 
 this opinion, the young gentleman with 
 his governor arrived at Gallery. Could 
 they fail to be furprifed with the finenefs 
 of the gardens, variety of the fruits, and 
 gaiety of the fields ? Above all, fome o- 
 range and almond-trees ftruck the fage 
 governor with admiration. An orange- 
 tree in a pot had by fome accident been 
 left in the kitchen-<rarden : the crafs had 
 
 o o 
 
 grown up that nothing was fecn but the 
 plant. The curious governor, whom you 
 may fuppofe a member of the Royal So- 
 ciety,
 
 Gentleman s Common-plac e-book. 397 
 
 ciety, efpied this wonder firft, and called 
 upon his pupil to behold. Mr Fullerton, 
 with a well acted indifference, feemed to 
 know nothing of the matter, only that 
 to be fure it had been fume feed of the 
 orange-tree, blown there by the wind, 
 or accidentally dropt by the gardener. 
 The man was ravifhed at the difcovery — 
 the pocket-book was pulled out, day and 
 place marked, with all circumftances. 
 This poflibiy may be heard of in the 
 tranfactions of the Royal Society. Thus 
 travellers fir It impofe upon themfelves, 
 and then upon the world. 
 
 Aberdeen at prefent is one of the 
 moil flourilhi ng towns in the kingdom. 
 They tell me, that fmce the memory of 
 man the inhabitants are doubled. Their 
 own manufactures are exported annually 
 to the value of near a hundred thouiand 
 pounds Sterling, which is moftly return- 
 ed in fpecie. The inhabitants of the 
 
 ih ire
 
 yyS Excerpts from a young 
 
 ih ire arc an induflrious people, man, wife 
 and child employed ; abundance of good 
 company in the town itfelf, a more ho- 
 fpitable people are no where to be met 
 with. 
 
 Episcopacy with the liturgy of the 
 Church of England, prevails much more 
 here than in the fouthern parts ; and in 
 proportion, gentlemen who are no friends 
 to the prefent eflablifhment. However, 
 of late many of them have got over the 
 fcruple of taking oaths, in order to ferve 
 their friends at elections : for there is no 
 reafon to believe that there is any change 
 in their political principles. To one un- 
 acquainted with the world and its man- 
 ners, this mull appear extremely fhocking. 
 To call upon God to witnefs a lie ; to pro- 
 mile, to bind myfelf in the moll pofitive 
 terms, when I never intend to perform ; 
 what, it will be faid, can be more wicked ? 
 And yet, when I look abroad into the 
 
 world.
 
 Gentleman s Common-place-book. 399 
 
 world, and find fo many gentlemen of 
 honour acting this part with fcarce any 
 remorfe, I am puzzled and cannot help 
 Hopping fhort to confider, whether after 
 all this practice is fo criminal. If it be, 
 it is furely the fingle inftance in nature 
 of a great crime attended with fcarce any 
 remorfe or indignation. But this cannot 
 be. All crimes mult give us abhorrence ; 
 and be we ever fo well read in Grotius and 
 PufFendorf, there is no rule given us to 
 judge of human actions fo certain as what 
 we draw from our own heart. The me- 
 rit or demerit of actions is in proportion 
 to the good or hurt they do. Lying, 
 i wearing falfely, breach of promife, are 
 criminal as tending to the diflolution of 
 lociety, which cannot fubfift without 
 mutual faith and trull among men. This 
 is what makes treachery ib odious a 
 crime. On the other hand, whatever 
 words a man ufes, yet if it be clearly un- 
 derllood, that no faith i^ intended to be 
 
 [riven
 
 40 o Excerpts from a young 
 
 given or received, they are of no moment. 
 Thus it is with the common civilities and 
 compliments pafhng among men, which 
 one would be reckoned a fool to depend 
 on. Thus, to go a little deeper, cuftom- 
 houfe oaths now-a-days go for nothing. 
 Not that the world grows more wicked, 
 but becaufe no perfon lays any ftrefs up- 
 on them. The duty on French wine is 
 the fame in Scotland as in England. 
 But as we cannot afford to pay this high 
 duty, the permiflion underhand to pay 
 Spanifh duty for French wine, is found 
 more beneficial to the revenue, than the 
 rigour of the law. The oath however 
 muft be taken that the wine we import 
 is Spanifh, to entitle us to the eafe of the 
 Spanifh duty. Such oaths at firfl were 
 highly criminal, becaufe directly a fraud 
 againit the public ; but now that the 
 oath is only exacted for form's fake, 
 without any faith intended to be given 
 or received, it becomes very little different 
 
 from
 
 Gentleman s< Common-placc-book. 40 1 
 
 from faying in the way of civility, " I 
 " am, Sir, your friend, or your obedient 
 ' fervant." And in fact, we every day 
 fee merchants dealing in fuch oaths whom 
 no man fcruples to rely upon in the molt 
 material affairs. 1 could wifli, that the ta- 
 king oaths to the government, when the 
 heart goes not along, were but as innocent. 
 So far is plain, that when a man takes 
 oaths in order to get into power, is truil- 
 cd, and betrays his truit, nothing can be 
 more vitious. But let us fuppofe he takes 
 the oaths to preferve his eitate, to give 
 bread to his family, or to ferve his friend 
 at an election who is friendly to the go- 
 vernment ; how far is this criminal ? 
 We mull examine firit, how far it was 
 right in the Parliament to impofe fuch 
 oaths. This matter ought to be handled 
 tenderly ; yet there is no avoiding enter- 
 ing into it. Here the diitinclion natural- 
 ly calls up betwixt a manifeit rebellion, 
 and a civil war occasioned by a contro- 
 F e e verted
 
 402 Excerpts from a young 
 
 verted title. Of the laft fort, none will 
 qneftion the Revolution to have been j 
 ar.cl thofe gentlemen who did, and do 
 ftand out againft the Revolution, muft be 
 ahovved to be acting againft private in- 
 tereil upon a principle of confeience. 
 One would think it hard to treat fuch 
 gentlemen as common robbers or rebels. 
 All laws, human and divine, teach us to 
 treat them with lenity. And indeed in 
 the main, they are fo treated. Yet of 
 fome feverities, they have reafon to com- 
 plain. For example, if they be allowed 
 the protection of the government, for 
 what good reafon mould they not be per- 
 mitted to gain a livelihood in any private 
 way they are capable of? Why may not 
 a man be an advocate, though it does 
 not go clearly with his mind, that the 
 Chevalier is a baftard ? This furely is a 
 hardlhip ; and the people I am talking 
 of, will be apt to hold the oath of abjura- 
 tion, to be rigorous and unjuft. If they 
 
 bow
 
 Gentleman s Common-place-book. 403 
 
 bow the head in the houfe of Rimmon, 
 they have the AiTyrian for their example, 
 and the prophet for their authority. To 
 be peaceable fubjecls without attempting 
 to difturb the Government, they think 
 is all that can reafonably be exacted of 
 them. It mud be confeiled, there is lefs 
 to be faid in j unification of thofe who 
 fwallow the oaths, for no better realbn 
 than to arliit. their friend at an election. 
 Yet even here, it may be thought, that 
 fuch oath, cannot be very criminal where 
 no harm is done or intended, it being 
 the lame to the Government whether the 
 one or the other candidate, both of them 
 friends, be returned. This is a theme I 
 thought well worthy of consideration. It 
 leiTens our horror to find that our coun- 
 trymen are not ib criminal as we at firit 
 imagine. If there be any weight in this 
 apology, it ought to teach all govern- 
 ments to be tender in impofmg oaths : it 
 rigorous or unreafonable, they will fcarce 
 
 anfwer
 
 404 Excerpts from a young 
 
 anfwer the end ; and their multiplicity 
 tends to break faith and confidence a- 
 mong men. Balancing however ill with 
 good, it may be a queftion, whether we 
 have been great fufFerers by the political 
 oaths impoled iince the Revolution. On 
 the one hand, there is the evil tendency 
 we have been fpeaking of: on the other, 
 thefe oaths have been ufeful in making 
 men better fubjecfts, No honed man, by 
 whatever motive prevailed on to take the 
 oaths, but mufl confider them as fome 
 pledge of his obedience ; and it is fact, 
 that many a one has thus been carried 
 imperceptibly from his old friends, and 
 become at lait a hearty friend to the pre- 
 fent eftablifhment *. 
 
 The 
 
 * The danger of multiplying oaths is well urged 
 by this young gentleman, and yet, the benevolence of 
 youth has prompted him to extenuate them. " But 
 " it is dang( runs to withdraw the fnalleit peg in the 
 " moral edifice, for the whole will totter and tumble. 
 " Men creep on to vice by degrees. Perjury, in or- 
 (; der to fupport a hicnd, has become cuftomary of 
 
 late
 
 Gentleman s Common-place-book. 405 
 
 The following adventure happened 
 lately in Aberdeenihire. Though the 
 little god of Love has become a domeftic 
 animal, yet his wings are not fo much 
 lnortened, but that goofe-like, he can now 
 and then make a ihort flight. Gordo- 
 nio, the ordinary fate of younger bro- 
 thers, was left to fhift for himfelf with a 
 very fmall patrimony. By great penury 
 and much induftry, he has fcraped toge- 
 ther about ten thoufand pounds. When 
 about fifty he fell in love ; the firft time 
 that any pallion had touched his bread, 
 fave that of gain. Where had it lurked 
 all this while ? The young lady was a- 
 
 verfe, 
 
 " late year? ; uitnefs fictitious qualifications in the 
 " electors of parliament-men, which are made effec- 
 " tual by perjury : yet fuch is the degeneracy of the 
 '• prelent times, that no man is the worfe thought oi 
 4< on that account. We rnnfl not ilatter ourielves 
 " that the poifun will reach no further. A man who 
 " boggles not at perjury to ferve a friend, will in 
 " time become fuch an adept as to commit perjury 
 " to ruin a friend v. lien he becomes an enemy." 
 Sketches, vol. IV. p. 175,
 
 406 Excerpts from a young 
 
 verfe, the man at once became a new 
 creature. The change was firft obferved 
 in his drefs and air. The rolled (lockings 
 difappeared, his breeches had buckles 
 at the knees ; and what was a new light 
 in Aberdeen, were held up by a large 
 buckle behind. line linen, powdered 
 wigs, followed of courfe : the man now 
 walks erect with an open countenance. 
 In a word, he would not be known to be 
 the floven that walked about in a pace 
 flow and circumfpect, his eyes upon the 
 ground, fear and care imprinted on his 
 vifage. The fort at lad furrendered, and 
 it is computed the fiege cod him above 
 five hundred pounds. What cannot gold 
 perform ? He has been married above a 
 twelvemonth, and is 110 w the moil hos- 
 pitable man in Aberdeen. Every body 
 approves of his tafle, his wife being a 
 chearful and agreeable woman. He is 
 fparing of nothing but of his words, and 
 rt fuch a degree, that he flill retains an 
 
 old
 
 Gentleman s Common- place-book. 407 
 
 old bye-word, " All in good time ;" 
 which indeed he has right to appropri- 
 ate, the phrafe being expreffive of his 
 own fortune. I do not remember a (lo- 
 ry that comes nearer to that of Cymon 
 and Iphigenia ; only this is within the 
 bounds of nature. Cymon is reprefent- 
 ed a ftupid fool ; and yet to fall in love 
 at rirft fight, requires no flight degree of 
 fenfibility. But to let that pafs, our Cy- 
 mon is a ftrong inftance how uncertain 
 our guefTes are about the characters of 
 men. Fifty years of his life had puffed, 
 when, by accident, he became acquaint- 
 ed with the lafs that made the flrft im- 
 preffion on his heart. Had not this hap- 
 pened, he would have jogged on in the 
 old way, and no mortal have known, nay 
 not he himielf, what fort of a man he is. 
 Had Oliver Cromwell been much addicted 
 to mufic, agriculture, or any trifling a- 
 mufement, it might have kept him at 
 homo without thinking of overturning 
 
 rlv
 
 40 8 Excerpts from a young 
 
 the conftitution. Upon fuch flender 
 hinges do the greater! events turn. 
 
 The county of Murray, is one of the 
 fined in the kingdom ; in its fituation 
 and climate, very much refembling Eaft 
 Lothian. Elgin the county-town is beau- 
 tifully feated in a plain upon the river 
 Lofty, which runs into the fea about 
 four miles below. Its courfe lies betwixt 
 two lakes ; that of Spenzie on the weft, 
 which covers a great quantity of land ; 
 that of Coats on the eaft, of a much lefs 
 fize. The old caftle of DufFus, the feat 
 of the family, is fituated in a plain, clofe 
 to the lake of Spenzie, formerly a mile 
 from it. This change was wrought by 
 feveral late inundations of the river Lof- 
 fy, which filling the lake with fand, rai- 
 fed the water and made it overfpread much 
 ground. I believe it might be poflible 
 to drain this lake altogether ; but belong- 
 ing to many proprietors, it is not eafy to 
 
 make
 
 Gentleman s Common-place-book. 409 
 
 make them join in a common mcafure. 
 One thing they would lofe. A great 
 quantity of fwans come down from the 
 hills and refort there in winter. Mur- 
 ray is a fandy foil, efpecially toward the 
 lea. There is a great track of land eafl 
 of the river Findhorn, which in the year 
 1690, was overblown with land, and to 
 this day, has a difmal appearance, occa- 
 fioned by a pernicious cultom of pulling 
 bent upon the land-hills at the more, 
 now prohibited by Act of Parliament. 
 In the road from Innes to Gordonflon on 
 the eafl fide of the river LofTy, for a mile 
 together, you meet with bare gravel like 
 what is at the mouth of great rivers : but 
 every now and then, there are pillars of 
 land about feven feet high, with grais a- 
 top. This formerly was all a fandy ibil 
 about i'even feet deep above the gravel. 
 The country people by paring the furface 
 for covering their houfes, laid the land 
 open to the wind, which in a few years 
 F f f overfprcad
 
 410 Excerpts from a young 
 
 Overfpread a great fpace of land. But 
 luckily the wind blowing ftrongly from 
 the fouth-weft before the fand was cover- 
 ed with grafs, the whole was driven into 
 the fea ; and now one will fcarce difcern 
 where it has been. Sir Robert Gordon's 
 eflate lies a few miles weft from the river 
 Lofty upon the fea. Such another acci- 
 dent fome years ago overfpread a part ot 
 this eftate with fand, particularly a piece 
 of link ground. The fand rotted the fur- 
 face of the links, and the fouth wind not 
 only blew the new fand into the fea, but 
 with it the fand that had formed the 
 links ; and to the furprife of every body, 
 the ground below was fine foil, and had 
 actually carried corn, for it was lying in 
 ridges. 
 
 The mofles in this county and in Aber- 
 deenihire, furnifli the only fuel they 
 have at home ; for there is no coal but 
 what is brought by fea, nor is there any 
 
 wood
 
 Gentleman s Common-place-bcok. 411 
 
 wood in the county, at leail in the low 
 parts of it. Thefe niofTes are formed by 
 the rotting of wood ; and there is fcarce 
 a mofs that has not much wood, not quite 
 diffolved. Nothing is more evident : and 
 yet it puzzles me ; for by this account 
 the whole furface of the earth muft have 
 been mofs. Berwickfhire lies low, and 
 many parts of it wet. It was once all 
 wood, which furely was not all cut down 
 for ufe. How comes it then, that there 
 is not the lead veftige of mofs in the low- 
 er part of a county where it was moil na-* 
 tural to expect it ? 
 
 The houfe of Innes is one of the moil 
 commodious old houfes in this country. 
 The ground ftorey is vaulted. The prin- 
 cipal apartment above the vaults, coniiits 
 of two grand rooms, one of them forty- 
 eight feet long ; the two floreys above 
 contain ten well proportioned bed-cham- 
 bers, and the houfe is provided with a 
 
 handlbme
 
 4. 1 2 Excerpts from a young 
 
 handfome fcale ftair-cafe. Over the great 
 door there is the following infeription, 
 Nulli certa domus, No man's habitation is 
 certain. Does this inscription iliow a 
 fpirit of resignation; or can vanity be 
 difcerned lurking under the mafk of hu- 
 mility ? Compare this with the inferip- 
 tion on the itandard of the great Saladin. 
 This black shirt is all that Sala- 
 din Conqueror of the East shall 
 carry to his grave. Sure there was 
 no vanity here, but an angelic modera- 
 tion preferved amid illuflrious victories. 
 It was a great atchievement of a private 
 gentleman to build the houfe of Innes, 
 near two hundred years ago ; and what 
 he had reafon to value himfelf upon. To 
 fee fuch an infeription over the little 
 door of a cottage, would indeed be ludi- 
 crous ; no lefs ib than what is reported of 
 a little man elected Provoft of Aberdeen, 
 who, amid the congratulations of his ac- 
 quaintance, laid his hand upon his breaft, 
 
 and
 
 Gentleman s Common-place- book. 413 
 
 and declared that after all he was but a 
 mortal man. Pombly one of an exalted 
 foul would clafs the builder of Innes with 
 the Provoit of Aberdeen. For my part, I 
 mould value myfelf much upon 10 hand- 
 fome a performance; and am therefore of 
 opinion, the infeription is lefs allied to 
 vanity than to resignation. In matters of 
 opinion, there is no fixed (tandard to judge 
 by. Our opinions are various like our 
 temper, becaufe it has great influence on 
 them. 
 
 Inverness, 10th October. In this 
 country a new fcene opens which thofe of 
 the fouth know little of. The people here 
 are generally divided into tribes or clans, 
 who acknowledge a chief, whom they 
 more willingly obey than their king. No 
 fafety for a man who would live inde- 
 pendent : he is obliged to inlifl himfelt 
 into one or other clan. A gentleman, in 
 order to affront a neighbour, Hole away 
 
 the
 
 4 1 4 Excerpts from a young 
 
 the dead body of a near relation, whom 
 the neighbour was preparing to bury. 
 The friends were convened for the burial ; 
 but behold the corpfe was gone. This oc- 
 casioned a Judiciary trial. The only wit- 
 nciTes were the criminal's accomplices, all 
 of them of his own name. They depo- 
 led point blank that none of them had fo 
 much as heard of the thing, till fpread all 
 over the country. No body doubted of 
 the perjury. I was ftunned, and could 
 not help obferving to one of the Judges, 
 that the fouls of thefe people were as 
 much at their chieftain's devotion, as their 
 bodies. In a converfation about clanfhip, 
 a gentleman of the name of Grant, a 
 Lieutenant in an independent company, 
 blundered out his true fentiments, that 
 he would rather hear of the Grants Heal- 
 ing three cows, than hearing of one flolen 
 from them. This is lavage, but not fo 
 much as may be imagined. The clans 
 hate one another, but are remarkably ho- 
 ned
 
 Gentleman s Common-place-book. 41^ 
 
 neft to thofe of their own name. And 
 their mutual depredations are rather to 
 be confidered as reprifals than as theft. 
 The cafe here is precifely the fame as be- 
 tween Scotland and England, before and 
 for fome time after the Union of the two 
 Crowns. To enliven the converfation, I 
 took the part of my blunt friend, and 
 flourifhed the beft I could upon this to- 
 pic. The Captain was raviihed. I faid 
 further, that the old Romans were all di- 
 vided into clans. When I found I was 
 liftened to, my vanity led me to difplay a 
 little of my learning. I obferved that in 
 the Roman ftate, their tribes had like our 
 clans a common name ; that when a tribe 
 grew numerous, it was divided into what 
 the Romans called families; and in fome 
 of the mod populous tribes, the families 
 were again divided mtojlripcs or branches. 
 In the lad cafe, every man had four names : 
 the nrfl was his proper name, fuch as Cains 
 or Lucius, or Peter or John among us. The 
 
 fecond
 
 4 1 6 Excerpts from a young 
 
 fecond was the name of the tribe, the 
 third, of the family, the fourth, of the 
 branch. I added, that clanfhip is a great 
 bulwark againft abfolute monarchy and 
 tyrannical government, it being eafier to 
 fubdue one man than ten thoufand firmly 
 united by all the ties of blood and friend- 
 fhip. For that reafon, the Roman Em- 
 perors never were at reft, till they broke 
 and di Solved all the clan-connections. 
 They began with opening the fucceffion 
 of land to females ; and proceeded flep 
 by ftep, till there remained no traces of 
 clanfhip more than now in England, or 
 in the fouthern counties of Scotland. 
 
 Reflecting afterwards on this con- 
 verfation, feveral things occurred to inc. 
 Succeilion with us has an air of accident- 
 more than of defign. We admit female- 
 iuccellion ; and yet none of my mother's 
 relations can fucceed to me. If we fol- 
 low nature, why ihould brothers or fi- 
 tters
 
 Gentleman s Common-placc-book. 417 
 
 fters be excluded though related only by 
 the mother ? If our views be political, 
 why not exclude women altogether and 
 keep eftates within the name ? 
 
 In this country we fee no good ef- 
 fects of clanthip ; conftant quarrels and 
 fomewhat like natural antipathy between 
 clans ; and of courfe entire neglect of 
 the public. We find nothing fimilar in the 
 Roman ftory, if the druggies be except- 
 ed betwixt the Patricians and Plebeians, 
 which, on the part of the latter, were for 
 liberty not fuperiority. How to be ac- 
 counted for, that the private tribe-combi- 
 nation did not in the leaft impair their pa- 
 triotifm ? As the mind of man is of a li- 
 mited capacity, the more regard we have 
 for one let of men, the lei's is left to be- 
 llow upon others ; confequently the af- 
 fection a Roman had to bellow upon one 
 of another tribe could not be great : every 
 one knows how little regard the Patrici- 
 G g g :ms
 
 41 8 Excerpts from a young 
 
 ans and Plebeians had for one another. 
 As clanfhip therefore muft be unfavour- 
 able to patriotifm, we cannot fufficiently 
 admire the Roman method of education, 
 which fupported that noble affection a- 
 gainit. the undermining influence of the 
 clan- connection. But now what mall 
 we fay of our family feuds, of which 
 fcarce a footllep among the Romans. 
 This feems a puzzling queftion. The 
 Roman clanfhip was an union or fociety 
 among equals : our clanfhip, a petty go- 
 vernment of fubjects united under one 
 head or chieftain. Here light breaks in. 
 A fociety among equals tends to defence 
 more than offence : a fociety of fubjects 
 under a common chief, tends to offence 
 as much as to defence. 
 
 Was the Roman clanfhip a proper con- 
 ftitution in a great flate? On the one hand, 
 where one is born a fubject of a ftate fo 
 extenhve as fcarce to make anv connec- 
 
 tion
 
 Gentleman s Common-plac e-book. 419 
 
 lion among individuals, he has nothing 
 but merit and engaging manners to de- 
 pend on. The acting a part in the middle 
 of an unconcerned multitude, is next to 
 acting in a folitude. On the other hand, 
 every individual of a clan has the fup- 
 port of the whole ; and is belides em- 
 boldened, by acting in the fight of many 
 who are concerned in him as friends and 
 relations, who he knows will take his 
 part right or wrong. This refolves all 
 into birth, with little or no regard to 
 perfonal merit, which is attended with 
 every inconvenience that is remarkable 
 in hereditary nobility. 
 
 KB. The reader will judge, whether 
 this young gentleman had not only made 
 good ufe of his time, but had alio been 
 in the practice of a common-place-book. 
 long before this firlt excurfion. 
 
 F I N I S.
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY 
 
 Los Angeles 
 
 This book is DUE on the last date stamped below. 
 
 
 
 CM 
 
 
 flL 00T 1 8 1993 
 

 
 3 1158 00149 5018 
 
 mmmm 
 
 A A 000 133 034 9