A new method of educating children, or, Rules and directions for the well ordering and governing them during their younger years shewing that they are capable ... : also, what methods is to be used by breeding women ... / written ... by Tho. Tryon ... Tryon, Thomas, 1634-1703. 1695 Approx. 132 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 61 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2003-07 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A63806 Wing T3190 ESTC R34678 14560949 ocm 14560949 102586 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A63806) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 102586) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 1076:13) A new method of educating children, or, Rules and directions for the well ordering and governing them during their younger years shewing that they are capable ... : also, what methods is to be used by breeding women ... / written ... by Tho. Tryon ... Tryon, Thomas, 1634-1703. [8], 102, [10] p. Printed for J. Salusbury ... and J. Harris ..., London : 1695. "Recommended to parents, nurses, tutors, and all those concerned in the educating of children." Imperfect: pages stained and tightly bound with some loss of print. Reproduction of original in the Huntington Library. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. 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Education. 2003-02 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2003-03 Apex CoVantage Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2003-04 Jennifer Kietzman Sampled and proofread 2003-04 Jennifer Kietzman Text and markup reviewed and edited 2003-06 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion A NEW METHOD OF Educating Children : OR , RULES and DIRECTIONS For the Well Ordering and Governing Them , During Their YOUNGER YEARS . SHEWING That they are capable , at the Age of Three Years , to be caused to learn Languages , and most Arts and Sciences ▪ which , if observ'd By Parents , would be of greater Value than a Thousand Pounds Portion . ALSO , What Methods is to be used by Breeding Women , and what Diet is most proper for them , and their Children ▪ to prevent Wind , Vapours , Convulsions , &c. Written ( to dis-engage the World from those ill Customs in Education , it has been so long used to ) By Tho. Tryon ; Author of the Way to Health , Long Life and Happiness . Recommended to Parents , Nurses , Tutors , and all others concerned in the Educating of Children . London : Printed for I. Salusbury , at the Rising-Sun in Cornhill ; and I. Harris , at the 〈◊〉 , in the Poultrey , 1695. Price bound One Shilling . To Parents , Tutors , Nurses , and all others , concern'd in the Education of Children . IT was for your Direction , as well as for the Advantage and Benefit of Children , that this small Treatise was at first inended to be wrote and publish'd : 'T is to you therefore that it is address'd , hoping that it may be found serviceable to you in the Execution of your Duty in many Respects . For , First , It will constantly remind you of the Necessity and Obligation you lye under , in reference to the particular Management and Education of either your own or others Children you have taken the Charge of . Nature puts upon you a Necessity of taking Care of the One , and your own voluntary Act obliges you to the Other . Secondly , It will furnish you with Directions , that shall be much easier to you , and more advantageous to the Children you are to instruct . I need not undertake to shew the Inconveniencies of the common Method of Education . The ill Success that generally attends it , sufficiently detects it to be guilty of some grand Mistakes and Errors : It is not able to answer the end it proposes . For after abundance of useless Pains , Turmoil , and Endeavours , Whipping , Exercising and Instructing , when a Child arrives at the years of Maturity and Discretion , ( as they call it ) he is not one Jot mere Vertuous , and scarcely ( if at all ) more Learned than he was when he first set out . I have seen in Holland , and other parts of the World , Children entred upon Businest , and very capable also of managing it , at those Years , it may be , ours here in England are learning to Spell and Pronounce . Is it not a scandalous thing , to see a great Boy ; of Fifteen or Sixteen Years old , trudging to School , with a great Bundle of Books under his Arm , to learn to decline a Noun and Conjugate Verb , and yet after all , remains uncertain , whether the Genders of Nouns be Three or Seven ? But by this time he is it seems a hopeful Youth , and his Master thinks fit that he be sent to the University . Now there 's no help for it , he must be a Schollar : And yet perhaps , when he comes to commence Batchelour of Arts , shall hardly be capable of determining whether the Conclusion be part of a Syllogism . This indeed is the Craft of your common School Masters , to keep Children ( like Spirits in a Circle ) a long time under the Terror of their Iurisdiction and Discipline , in order only to promote their own Profit and Interest . A mischievous way this , and ought to be taken Nooice by the Government . Why sh●u'd the Publick for so many Years be deprived of the Service of so many hopeful Boys , who are ter a great deal to be entred upon Action , and intrusted with the management of Business , than to be compelled to sit in Torment eight Hours in a Day under the grum and unpleasing Aspect of an harsh vnd ill-natured Pedagogue . We hope a great-deal of this may be prevented by the Rules and Methods we here propose : For what we here offer to your Consideration , is neither so difficult , nor so chargeable : There is little but what is in the Power , even of the Poorest , to compass and accomplish , at least so far as concerns the making their Children Vertuous , and teaching them to write and read , which will mightily qualifie , and enable them to get an honest Livelyhood in the World. By these , and such like Methods , Fathers and Mothers may in a Twelve-months time teach their Children more of true and useful Learning at home in their Houses , than they learn at the common Schools in five Years . Decem annos trivit legendo Cicerone , To go ten Years to School to learn to construe a Latin Author , and yet perhaps after all , not understand him to purpose . A very fine Accomplishment , when in half the time he might have been taught to speak very readily three several Languages . I shall no longer forestall your Desires of Reading and Practicing these easie and natural Rules that I have laid down . I had I declare no bye nor private Respect in the Printing of them , but was wholly influenced by my Zeal to the Service of the Publick , that if it were possible I might contribute somewhat towards the Ease , Convenience and Welfare of Mankind ; which effect , if in any measure these Papers shall obtain , I have all that I can desire . To his very Worthy Friend Mr. Tho. Tryon , on his Discourse of Education . LOng since I wonder'd what the Poets meant , When they a Beard to Aesculapius lent , ●nd yet deny'd Apollo shou'd have one , ●ho ' he the Father was , the other Son. ●ut now the Wonder ceases , having known , ●hat Sons are wiser than their Fathers grown ; ●nd what cou'd ne'er be done by Ages past , ●s to Perfection brought we see at last . ●hey made Essays , but never cou'd arrive ●t the true Course and Method how to live . ●mperfect Rules their glimmering Light affords , ●dorn'd and Dress'd in a fair Robe of Words , Which please the Ears , from whence Contentment springs , ●n Reading , but ne'er reach the Truth of Things . ●heir Art might somewhat tow'rds the Platform yield , ●ut thou , my Friend , do'st the fair Structure build . ●uch difference is 'twixt their Attempts and Thine , That Thou perform'st what they cou'd but design . Thou for Mankind , chalk'st out the fairest way To Truth and Reason , where no Man can stray . Each single Page such Influence does impart , That it the Fancy fills , and sways the Heart . Youth's best Conductor , and its safest Guide , Steering a Course betwixt Contempt and Pride . On this alone our Welfare does depend ; Here we see what 's amiss , and how to mend : What guilty Education has deny'd , By these Instructions may be well supply'd . This does the Schools Pedantick Course o'er-rule , And makes a Man of him they 'd make a Fool. When a young Spark has run thro' all the Rules ; The Flogging Gantelope of hated Schools ; And to the University repairs , To learn the Terms of Art and Jargon there , The tedious Discipline of seven long Years . What is he better than my Friend and I , An Ant , or Emmet , or a Butter-fly , Or any other thing beneath the Sky . Who Reasons , Dictates , solidly pursue , Without Regard to Terms , of Old or New : Keep close to Nature in her own plain away , By no new Lights and Notions led astray ? Whilst all their Art amounts to only This ; Nego Sequelam ergo Falleris . A New Method . OF EDUCATIN● Children . &c. Of the Capacity of Children , together with a True Method of their Education . IT is a Truth generally acknowledged by Christians , but seldom so well consider'd as it ought . That Man is the compleat Image of God and Nature , and contains in himself the Principles and Properties of all things Corporeal and Incorporeal : That he is endued with an Elemental or Palpable Body , actuated and informed by an Ethereal Spirit , which directly answers to the great Soul of the World from whence it is taken , and whereof it is an Epitome and Abridgment or , if you please , the Son and Off-spring . And as the Soul of Man does contain all the true Properties of the Elements ●z . Earth , Air , Water and Fire , which are , as it were , the Mothers of the Body that nourish and sustain it ; so it has als● the Principles of Fire and Light , that is Spirit and Life , that gives Motion to the Body , which bears Relation to the Sou● of the great World , or that mighty Spirit which is the Moving , Vivifying Creative , and Conservative Power o● God. Now Man being so wonderfully composed , his Soul and Spirit containing the true Nature and Properties of every Being , he must consequently have a Simile or Agreement with the innat● Nature , Qualities , Dispositions and Inclinations of all Beasts , Fowl , Fish Herbs , Seeds , &c. both in the Visible and Invisible World , and is thereby become a Microcosm , a compleat Image or Resemblance of the Universe . The Earth Essentially contains in i● self the Vertues and Qualities of all Seeds , Fruits and Grains ; insomuch , that whatever is sown into it , immediately takes root , and attracts to it self an agreeable Matter proper for the Support and Nourishment of its own Body and Spirit . The like is to be understood of the Soul ; it being the Universal Humane Ground , wherein whatever is sown , whether Good or Evil , takes root , and powerfully , though insensibly , draws agreeable Matter out of all the Powers and Qualities of Nature , to nourish and improve that Seed , whereby it obtains a strong Form in the Soul , the Essences whereof can never be destroy'd or defaced , especially if the Seeds are sown in the first and tenderest Age of the Child . For then the Soul is most empty and consequently most susceptible of Impressions , and receiving any thing that is offer'd to it . All the Powers of Nature standing then , as it were naked , unbyass'd by Custom and Prejudice , with an earnest and ardent Appetite , desiring to be stampt with some Character or other , without any regard to either the Beauty or Value o● the Impression , having no Distinction betwixt Good and Evil. Upon this account , whatever a Child is first taught and accustomed to , not only takes the deepest root in the Soul , but beget ; Habits and Complexions , and denominates the very Constitution it self . This no wise Man can deny , it being Matter of Fact , and common Observation . Besides , all the Art and Industry of the best Tutors can never wholly remove or alter Qualities and Dispositions so earlily planted : Tho● by continually representing to them good Examples , back'd with Wholsom and Moral Precepts , if the Soul be of a mild and gentle Nature , they may , for some time , seem to be subdu'd ; yet upon the least Intermission , and Neglect o● such a Method , they shall be ready to exert themselves afresh , and perhaps , with redoubled Vigour . Therefore Education and Examples , in the Infancy , and first Ages of a Child , that is , from Two to Eight , Ten , Twelve Years , are the very Foundation of Vertue or Vice , accord●ng as they are us'd or apply'd : For ●hen Good and Evil are indifferent to ●he Soul ; and that which is first im●ibed , takes the deepest root , and begets the strongest habit . From hence it is manifest of what ●mportance it is , for Fathers , Mothers , Nurses , &c. to whom the Care of Children is committed , to be watchful that ●he Precepts and Examples of Vertue , have the Honour in making the first ●mpression on their Childrens Souls : That they labour to acquaint them be●imes with the Excellence of Patience , Humility and Compassion : That they ●epresent to them the Noble and Tran●cendent Dignity of Justice , and shew ●hem the Deformity of the contrary Vice : That they make them understand , ●hat there is as much Injustice in Wrong●ng a Man of a Penny , as in Cheating ●im of a Pound : That Writhing of the Neck of a Chicken with Delight , is as great an Evidence of the Spirit of Cruelty , as the Stabbing a Man. They are to ●ccustom their Children to a proper and distinct Method of Speaking : I am perswaded , much of the Stammering & Lisping in many People , might have been prevented by a proper and due Management in their Childhood . They ought also to be very careful to Teach them Temperance in Eating and Drinking , and Moderation in their Sleep and Exercises . By such Methods as these , the Seeds of Vice might more easily , because timely , be subdued , and a Foundation laid for the building up an Excellent and Accomplisht Person . But seeing that the common Custom of the World commands us , as soon as we are born , to be submitted to the Care and Tuition of Women , on whose good or ill Management of us in that tender Age , a great part of the Felicity or Misery of our Lives depend . And considering the Impressions that Women make , whilst they are Impregnate and go with Child , have a wonderful Influence upon their Issue , I think it will prove no worthless Service to propose some Observations and Methods whereby they may be better directed to discharge their Duty . ( 1. ) A good Diet ought to be observed ; that is , they ought to accustom themselves to simple Meats and Drinks such in which no manifest Quality is too predominant ; that is , not too sweet nor too bitter , too salt nor too sharp , &c. For all Extreams beget their own Qualities and Complections . All Strong Drinks are to be avoided ; for nothing is more inimical to the Nature of Children , than things wherein Heat has the Ascendant . All Spoon-Meats are very proper and Natural , except such as are made of Spirituous Liquors , as Wine , Ale , Beer , Cyder , &c. but if sweetned with Sugar , as is commonly practised , they are exceedingly Hotter , and ought to be avoided by all that value their own or their Childrens Health . But Gruels , Paps , Rice , variously dress'd , are very wholsom . Raw Herbs made into Sallads , and eaten with Bread , Butter and Cheese , are excellently good ; and for Drink ; Midling Beer or Ale is the best , except Water . ( 2. ) They are also , during their Impregnation , to abstain from all Foods that are made Hot in their Preparation , by Boiling , Stewing , Roasting , Baking , and the like . They ought to let them be quite Cold before they eat them ; for their fiery sulphurous Vapours do mightily generate windy Diseases , and that Epidemical Distemper call'd the Scurvy , both in the Mother and Child : for those fiery Fumes and Vapours that all hot Foods send forth , are of a furious and unpeaceful Temper , and contrary to the Natural Heat both of the Stomach and the Food it self . So that I affirm , the Eating solid Food hot , or before these deadly Vapours have separated themselves , to be one of the grand Causes of Wind , especially in Women and Children , ( as we have largely demonstrated in our Way to Health , and other of our Writings . ) ( 3. ) They ought to refrain the eating of all sorts of Roots , as Turnips , Pa●snips , Carrets , &c. For by reason of their Crude and Earthy Qualities , they naturally beget Wind. Unripe Fruit , and all things sharpned with Viuegar Oranges , Lemons , &c. are hurtful : For being unequal in their Parts , they generate cold windy Humours , and afford a very small and imprope● Nourishment , especially to Persons u● der the Circumstances we are no● speaking of . ( 4. ) They must be very careful , n● to exceed in Quantity . All Repletio● does in a very high degree obstruct the Course of Nature , and produces many Diseases ; and utterly destroys the Health and Harmony both of Body and Mind , affecting both with some signal and irreparable Damage , being of far more mischievous Consequence than most do imagine . ( 5. ) They ought to forbear all robust , masculine Labour and Exercises , as likewise a soft and sedentary Life : Both the one and the other ought to be gentle and easie ; not too thoughtfully , engaging the Mind , nor over-burdening the Body . Such a Course wou'd strengthen Nature , by removing Obstructions , and causing the Blood and Humours to circulate with more freedom and facility . For it is observable in all Countries where Women live live Temperately , use moderate Exercises , eat simple Foods and drink mostly Water , that windy Diseases are hardly ▪ ●wn to be found either in them or ●r Children . ●astly . Above all things , they ought ●beware that they do not give place Passion , to suffer those irregular ●tions of the Mind to reign and get 〈◊〉 Dominion over them . These sort 〈◊〉 Disturbances put the whole Constitution out of Tune , and make fierce and violent Invasions on the Sweetness of the good Powers and Qualities ; making the deepest Impressions on the Child , and powerfully incorporating with the ●erverse Seed of their Simile , whereby evil Inclinations and Dispositions are begotten , and do arise ; for there is a strong and unconceivable Sympathy betwixt the Mother and the Child , both in Vertue and Vice : so that there is no evil Indisposition that attends the Mother , but the Child participates thereof , receiving the Nourishment both of Spirit and Body from her . Nothing is more certain , than that every Passion , when it arrives to Extremity , begets its own Complexion ; for it penetrates even to the Center , joyns with its Simile , and be●es strengthned by it . By this means , the irregular Me● of Mothers affect their Children , 〈◊〉 often distempering their Minds and 〈◊〉 dies ; which in a very short time becom● so deep and central , that they are hard● ever cured or eradicated . This it is to be an ignorant Big● to Custom and Tradition . So unco● trollable is the Dominion they have ob● tain'd , that they sway and biass us against all Reason and Experience . So preposterously is Mankind blinded and depraved , that we can neither Hear , See , Feel , nor Taste Truth , nor the Simplicity of Nature's Operations . All Seed partakes of the Nature and Quality of the Ground whereinto it is sown : If the Ground be good , and the Seed good , you may reasonably expect sound and firm Fruit , without ble ▪ mish or distemper . Proper Method● must be observed , or all will be spoil'd . What Crop can the Husband-man hope for , if he neglects to Till and Manure his Land , or sows it with improper and unsuitable Seed ? Or what Profit can he expect from his Horses , Cows , and Sheep , if particular Care be not 〈◊〉 about the well-ordering his Cattle , that ●hey may bring forth their Young Ones with Strength and Health ? The like is to be understood of the Humane Ground , if that be not dress'd and cultivated by good Order and Temperance , you must not look for a healthy and vigorous Off-spring . In a word , the whole Education , Improvement and Accomplishment of Mankind , in a great measure , depends on the Management and good Conduct of Women . For Proof of which , let us a little consider what a powerful Influence , from our very Infancy , they have over us , and what a mighty ▪ Interest and Concernment they have in those very things that conduce most to our well-being , and have the greatest Effect upon our Constitutions and Dispositions . Custom , and common Practise , has so order'd it , That as we spring from them , we must be return'd to them . No sooner are we born , but we are thrown into their Hands . As they gave us Birth , 't is judg'd reasonable they should give us Education . It is not enough , ●at we must suffer under the Impressions we receive so earlily from them , during the mistaken Methods they too generally observe in the time of their Pregnancy ; but we must be submitted to their Discipline and Direction , after we are produc'd , stampt with the Image of God. Do they not form in us our first Notions , and prepossess the Soul before it has leisure to understa●d its own Power and Liberty ? All the Nonsence of our Conceptions , and Irregularity of our Morals , is deriv'd from them , whilst through an over-fond Tenderness they confirm and encourage those Seminal Principles of Vice that they ought to discountenance and subdue . How many Souls are ruin'd by Mothers and Nurses scaring their Children with horrid and frightful Names , when they would bring them to comply with their own Humour ? Hereby the Seeds of Fear are planted , which continually subject the Soul to constant and unavoidable Bondage . Besides , the Examples of their Passions , and irregular Actions , have a mighty Influence upon our tender Souls , insomuch that those first Impressions can never be obliterated or removed . They also prepare Childrens Food , and order and appoint their Diet and Exercises . From hence it appears how much we are under their Conduct and Management , as to Bed , Board , and all things conducing to the Preservation of Life and manner of Living . For this cause , it is possible to convince an Hundred Men of the Errors o● Life , before One Woman ; they being the Mistresses of Intemperance , and mightily espouse the Methods of that ancient Gentleman call'd Custom . Hence it follows , that it is of great Importance . That particular Care be taken about the Education of Women themselves , since they sow the first Seeds in the Humane Ground . When you ask Children why they do This , or That ? They will answer , Their Mothers taught them , and they saw their Mothers do it . So that the whole Care and Instruction of Children , especially whilst they are most capable of Impression , is committed to them . For few or no Men mind it , their secular Busi●ess calling them to the Management of other Affairs , which some term Matters of greater Moment . But this 〈◊〉 a great Mistake ; for I affirm , That ●rudent Education , and Early Discipline , are the Sinews of all good Go●ernment . And no Man can reasonably ●xpect better Success in Publick Affairs , except a more methodical Regulation be observed in the Education of Children , especially amongst the Females ; for if they are well Brought-up , they will naturally . Instruct and Teach their Off-spring . No Tutors can Teach Children to that Degree nor with that Ease , ●s Mothers . Besides , the Charge of Tutors often-times becomes burthensom ; an● many neglect the learning of excellent Things , because their Circumstances will not allow them wherewith to pay their Masters . If the Mother or Nurse be a Linguist , and can well understand and speak three or four Languages , the Child will quickly learn them all with as great facility and readiness as the Mother-Tongue . The same is to be understood as to all Arts and Sciences . It is a great Truth , though very little believed , That the Females are naturally as fit for , and capable of all excellent Learning , as Men , even the Mathematicks it self ; and if there be any difference , the Advantage is on the Womens-side . They are of curious and apt Capacities , to apprehend all things that depend upon the Power of the Fancy and Imagination , being of a more delicate Contexture , and wrought with a finer Thread than Man. Pray tell me , why were they thought fit , by the wise Antients , to Prepare , Compound and Dress our Food , which indeed is true Physick ? On the due Composition and Proportion of that , all the Health , Strength , nay , the Life it self of Men , depends . The Art of Preparation is not only Deep and Mysterious , but Curious and Ingenious : For , to understand Preparation and Composition , with the proper Quantity and Quality of the Ingredients , is none of the least Points in Philosophy . I am sure , what the Women fall short of in this Mystery , is not for want of Capacity ; for what they are once taught , and have made a Custom , they will hold fast . Therefore , that City or Countrey is happy , whose Women have been taug● good Customs , and the Orders of Temperance ; and on the other side , that Country is most unhappy , where the Women have embrac'd evil Custome . How preposterous is it ! You will trust Women with the most material Things , even the Government of Life , and Health , and yet deny them to be capable of understanding meaner Services . We affirm , they are as able to comprehend all Arts and Sciences to as high a degree as Men , if not higher , provided their Education be equal . Indeed , we do not approve of their being employ'd in Robust and Masculine Offices . Is i● not a pretty sight , to see a parcel of Women Carrying of Burthens , and Crying of Things in Baskets upon their Heads , about the Streets ? These are unseemly Employments , which render Women Rude , Bold , Surly , and Unchaste . They are to be apply'd to soft and gentle Exercises , more agreeable to their Complexions . They are to be Tutor'd in Arts more suitable and proper for them , as in good Writing and Arithmetick ; to understand Accompts , and the keeping of Books , and all other things that may be done within the compass of the House ; for if they have timely Instruction , they will soon demonstrate themselves to be very Apt , Sharp and Ready in all curious Arts , and oftentimes exceed even the Men themselves . By these means , Daughters would become altogether as helpful and serviceable both to themselves and Parents , as Sons ; and many times more , because they are not so apt and inclinable to Travel and Ramble abroad into Foreign Parts , nor List themselves in the Armies of Princes . Besides , the true Learning of all useful things , will render them fit and capable to answer the End of their Creation , viz. to be Helps-meet to their Husbands . For timely Education , and the teaching Children the Doing and Active Part , is , to sow in them the Seeds of Temperance , Frugality , and Good Order . This wou'd make them Thoughtful and Serious , and teach them to have a Value for those Principles of Vertue that are so timely implanted in them ; the Practice whereof will be so far from being difficult and hard , that 〈◊〉 will be familiar and connatural to them : They will take care to cherish , preserve and improve these noble Seeds , esteeming them the Foundations of Peace , Comfort , and everlasting Serenity of Mind . Like frugal Men , that get Money by their own Industry , they will know the true Worth of it , and how they part with it : while others are like a wanton and inconsiderate Spend-thrift , who squanders away all he has , without any regard to the Labour of those who got it for him , or considering that it might have much better been employ'd in the charitable Relief of poor and better deserving People . For this Reason , most rich Persons Children are Foolish , Idle , Prodigal , and very Expensive ; and their Parents can never expect better Fruit from them , till they give them better Precepts , and better Precedents . For , for the most part , they teach them Wantonness and Extravagance from their very Cradles , till they are Seven , Eight , or Ten Years of Age : Which ill Habits grow so very strong in them , that they become 〈◊〉 vincible , and no Art or Care possible can root out or expunge them . Some few there are , indeed , that are born with more propitious and favourable Natures , — Queis ex meliore luto finxit praecordia Titan , — whom Phoebus has form'd of better Clay , that by the help of Instruction , surmount the Difficulties of an ill and prejudicate Education . But these are very little beholden to their Parents and Tutors for Good Manners and Sobriety , but chiefly to the Portion of good Nature , and God's Gifts , that are born in them . The Fear of God , Temperance , Cleanness and Frugality , are taught by Precept and Example , even as Arts and Sciences are ; as also are Disobedience , Intemperance and Disorder . The principal Time of Teaching and Confirming Vertue and Vice , Temperance and Intemperance , Arts and Sciences , Industry and Wantonness , is from Three Years of Age to Ten : whatever is fastened to them within that time , will continue for ever , and will naturally grow strong , and improve , with the least Industry imaginable . If this be true , as certainly it is , ho● is it possible that the People of thi● Age should expect their Children should be Temperate and Industrious , when they do all they can , both by Precept and Example , to make them Gluttons and Debauched ? Do not many Parents at least permit , if not force their Children to Eat and Drink not only beyond the Necessity and Exactions of Nature , but also more than they are willing to receive ? And Persons of all Ages have an Inclination to eat and drink more than the Stomach can with ease digest , especially if their Meats and Drinks are well compounded and delicious ; which is often purposedly done , to entice Nature out of her own plain Way . Now , if Persons of mature Age and Experience are apt to exceed in this particular , and over-load the digestive Power of the Stomach , to the extreme prejudice of their Body and Mind ; what must Children suffer , that without any restraint , eat and drink to the end of their Appetites ? For the Palat● continues the Pleasure of Tasting , many Degrees beyond the Necessity of the Stomach , and the Requirements of the Digestive Faculty . Is not this teaching Children , even in the very Cradle , to be Gluttons ? Which being strengthned and improved by repeated Practice , is at last so deeply radicated , that it becomes a Second Nature . So that it is no wonder to see so many Men and Women Intemperate and Debauched ; nay , it is very hard to conceive it should be otherwise , when there has been so much Pains taken , and so many Years spent to confirm and corroborate the Habit ; and that even in their Youthful Age , when Impressions are soonest and deepest made . For the Soul of Man is endued ( as I said before ) with an Universal Spirit both of Good and Evil. There is no Property or Quality in the whole Nature of Things , that does not find in Man somewhat wherewith to assimilate and affix it self . Upon this account it is , that he is capable of learning all things Humane and Divine ; and those Precept and Examples that are first presented have the strongest Effect , and take the deepest Root . Temperance and Order are the fi● things that ought to be taught Childre● being the Foundation of all excelle● Learning . 'T is by their Direction a● and Influence that Man arrives to th● Accomplishment of his Nature , an● dignifies his Species above the Rank o● his Fellow-Creatures . So that if Children are accustomed to these things from their Birth , to Twelve or Fifteen Years of Age , it is almost impossible then they should become Intemperate , without the hazard of Sickness , or running the risque of many unpleasant Inconveniences . Which Consideration , together with an early and habitual Practice of those Vertues , will make it as easie and familiar for them to be Temperate , as Men are now prone to be Extravagant and Debauch'd . Besides , this Method would extraordinarily contribute to the Ease and Satisfaction of all Families , keeping them from many torturing Diseases , and great Expences , both in Servants , Meats and Drinks , and render all things sedate , quiet and delightful . Custom and Precept have wonderful and amazing Influences over all the Ce● lestial Powers and Configurations of th● Stars and Elements , and over innat● Dispositions , Inclinations and Com● plexions . So great is their Power bot● in the Good and Bad , that they lead Me● to commit the highest Evils and Out rages , even Murther it self , without any Trouble or Regret . For Example : Tak● a Boy of Two or Three Years old , tha● is dignified in the fiery Trigon in hi● Nativity , under Mars , who consequently is , by his Complexion , addicted to practice all manner of Wrath , Fiercenes● and Cruelty , ; let this Child be unde● the Tuition of a Bannian Woman , o● some other Person that scruples all Violence , or the killing either Man o● Beast , where they live temperately , an● observe sober Methods , and you sha● soon discern , notwithstanding his Ma● tial Inclinations , and the Power o● Celestial Influences , that the Custom Religion and Example of those Peopl● he is brought up among , will quickl● insinuate and conform themselves wit● their Similes in the Child's Soul , an● and gain an intire Dominion over all th● fierce and rude Dispositions he was ●earen'd with , from his Nativity , or ●edominating Consteilation . For cer●n it is , That the Soul contains the com●at and true Nature of all Things : ●nd though one Quality or Property be ●onger than another in the Soul , yet the other cling to it , and come after , ●cording to their Degrees of Strength Weakness ; and that Form or Quality ●at is weakest , can easily be made strong● by Custom , Precept and Example . ●nd so , on the other side , that Quality ●at in the Nativity was most Strong , ●n by the same Rule be made Weak ●d Impotent . This is further manifested in Religion , ●hich is made up of great Varieties of ●otions , and Practical Ceremonies , there ●ing as much difference as there is in ●e Nature of Things ; many of them ●antastical , Vain , and Irrational , and ●ost of them Ridiculous ; the Zealous ●pprobation whereof , and Formal Pra●ise , are convincing and undeniable ●rguments of the Force and Power of ●ustom . Will not those that have been ●structed in Base and False Notions , and constantly us'd to conform with humane and detestable Ceremonies , as easily perswaded to die for their R●gion ( as they call it , ) as those that h● really embrac'd the Truth , and l● under the most sober and agreeable M●thods of God's Law ? Without all p● adventure they will ; and the freque● Instances mention'd in the Records of Histories , determine the Question . Ha● there not been Turks and Indians Childr● that being educated in the Christian ●ligion , have prov'd as zealous and f●ward in the Defence of that Cause , the Child of a Christian ? And on 〈◊〉 other hand , are not the Ianizaries , 〈◊〉 the most part , the Sons of Christian● yet there are not , within the Confi● of the Ottoman Empire , more obstin● and inveterate Mussulmen . In sho● Children may be brought to any thin● Their Souls are so cereous and flexib● that they may , with the greatest facili● be form'd into any Shape , or any Figur● Good and Evil are alike to them , th● know no difference nor distinction : T● that they are first taught , fixes the Cha●cter , obtains the Ascendant , and de●n minates the Person either Vertuous or ●cious . For this Reason it was , that our Saviour ●mmanded little Children to be brought ●to him . Which had not relation only their Innocency , but to their Capacity ; ●eir Minds being , as it were , Free and ●mpty , not yet bound Apprentice to ●e Vanity of Custom and Prejudice : ●he Ground was clean , and exempt from ●e Weeds of Di●der and Wickedn● ; ●hereby they 〈◊〉 render'd more fit ●d capable to ●ve the Good Seed . ●id not our G●at Master likewise go ●to the Streets and High-ways to preach ●e Gospel to the Common and Ordi●ary sort of People ? Why did he not ●tner honour the Synagogues , and preach ●s Doctrine to the Scribes and Pharisees , ●ose learned and strict Observers of the ●aw ? No , the former were not fastned 〈◊〉 Prejudice , nor so deeply rooted in the ●ormalities of the Law , and Tradition , ●nd therefore more likely to embrace the ●ruth : There were not those Obstacles ●nd Impediments in them , as were in the ●tter . For the more free any Man is from ●e Power of Custom , the more room there is in the Soul to entertain Ver● As the Proverb has it , No Fool like the Fool : Because Folly is so deeply gro●ded in him , that there is no place any thing else . On the other hand , Children , at th● arrival into this World , are utter Str●gers to Custom and Tradition ; they 〈◊〉 as it were , like the Incorporeal Being their Imaginations and Fancies are 〈◊〉 b●nded or mis-led 〈◊〉 that we call R●son ; they penetra● 〈◊〉 , and imitate● things that they hea● 〈◊〉 , o● see done , a● this without any Consideration whet● it be good or evil , possible or impossi● being alike exempt from the fear of 〈◊〉 learning , and hope of future Bene● they press forward and attain to 〈◊〉 Knowledge of Things with wonder expedition and accuracy . And t● Younger they are , the more capable 〈◊〉 they of receiving Instruction , but A and Experience must improve the● Early Plants naturally take the surest a● deepest root , and with great vigour a● force attract the Vertues of the Earth 〈◊〉 their Nourishment ; and being dres● and cultivated by the industrious H● bandman , the good Juices soon grow ●ong , insomuch that they will over●me the Weeds themselves . Upon this Consideration , of the won●rful Nature and Aptitude of the Soul receive any thing that shall be offer'd it , it appears of what Importance it is , ●at particular care be taken to sow good ●ed at first . That if Parents neglect to ●ant , Children will do it themselves : or the Soul will not be empty , Empti●ess having no Being in Nature . So that you do not teach and shew them good ●ethods and Precepts , they will soon ●arn evil ones : For their whole Em●oyment and Business is , to learn and ●itate what they see and hear . As we ●ave observed before , all Languages and Tongues are alike to them ; the one is as ●asie as the other : but that which the Child first learns , takes the deepest root , ●nd gets the government over all the ●est . So that it is in the Power of the Mother , if she be a Linguist , to make Latin , or any other Tongue , the Mo●her-Tongue , as well as English ; and it ●ill be as easie , natural and familiar for ●he Child to imitate her in three or four several Languages , as one : Likewise , arrive at a proper and distinct Meth● of Speaking , if the Mother , Nurse , 〈◊〉 whoever has the Care of the Child co●mitted to them , be a Person so qualify and accomplish'd . Which is also to b● understood of the attaining to all othe● Arts and Sciences . Hence it follows , That the Female ought to have the principal and best Education , they being the first Planters o● Tutors , having the Children always with them , whom they will imitate and observe . Besides , Women have a wonderful Dignification in their Natures and Complexions ; God having implanted Modesty in their Constitution , which i● the Foundation of all Excellence and Vertue . They are of a quick , penetrating Fancy , apt to comprehend any thing that is fine or curious , as the Ar● of Housewifery , Needle-work , Painting , Musick , Writing , &c. In these thing● no Man can exceed them , if they hav● timely and proper Education and Instruction ; being both by their Genius and Complexions naturally adapted for al● easie Employments , and curious Arts : the Males are to Tillage , the Manage●ent of Cattle , Building , and all Employments that require greater Force and ●trength of Body to perform ; which ●he Females ought by no means to un●ertake , or meddle with . Now , if the Women were thus instructed themselves , how easie and natural wou'd it be for them to begin an● teach ●heir Children all excellent Things , even from the very Cradle ? Wi●h how little difficulty might they temper and regulate the Methods of their Eating , Drinking , Sleeping , and Waking ? For I must tell you , That Sobriety , Temperance , and Cleanness , are taught even as any Art or Science , tho' with much more Ease , and ●ess Fatigue , and with unconceivably more Success and Benefit . Use and Practise are the Life and Spirit that give Vertue and Skill to all Persons whatsoever . If the Children see no Disorderly nor Intemperate Examples , but have the Representation and Character of the contrary Vertues continually placed before their Eyes , they will undoubtedly conform themselves to that Image , in Practice and Imitation . If these Truths were thoroughly believed , and right● managed , what an Healthy Off-spri● should we have , every way adorn'd wi● Vertue , and the Knowledge of all use● and excellent Things ? Thus you see ho● much it depends upon the Care and Sk● of Parents , Tutors Nurses , &c. to for the Souls of Children , and make the● what they please to have them . Wha● ever they see or hear , they will practio● Do but shew them the Way of Vertu● and hide from them the contrary Pat● they will walk in it , whether you wi● or no , to the end of their Lives The● will never depart from such deep-roote● Laws , and so timely implanted Precept● For the Soul takes the Biass and Tur● of its future Inclinations from those fir● and early Impressions . It is likewise to be consider'd , Tha● Children ought not to be kept to any Employment , or Art , too long : For th● Humane Soul being compounded and endued with the Nature of all Thing● ( as we have before mention'd , ) cause● all People to delight in Variety , it being most like her self ; but especially Children do mightily press after , and lov● Variety , and there is nothing more ●rateful to their juvenile and unbounded ●ancies . So that they will never dwell ●ong upon any thing , nor be confin'd , ●ith Pleasure , even to that Sport or ●lay they seem to take most delight in , ●urther than their own voluntary Incli●ations shall sway and induce them . Be●ides , it would extremely dull and perolex , their Understandings , and retund ●he tender Acumen of their Wit and Spi●it . But when they come to Years of Discretion , ( as they call it , ) they will apply themselves closer and longer to some ●ne particular Employment , or Study ; ●ecause then Custom , Reason , and Self-●nterest , engage and perswade them ●o it . Moreover , as any one sort of Grain , too often sown on any one piece of Land , without Intermission , exhausts ●ts strength , and makes it weak , so that ●it will bear but a poor Crop ; because every sort of Grain does draw and attract from the Earth a proper Juice suitable to the Nourishment of its own Body : For which reason the prudent Husband-man will often change his Seed , to give the Ground variety ; by which means h● obtains a fruitful and plentiful Cro● every Year , if other Causes do not im● pede . The like must be conceived o● the Humane Ground . For Variety i● the very Foundation and Compositio● of our Lives ; nothing conduces mor● to the Health and Prosperity of Man● kind , nor is more agreeable to the Nature of Man , than Change of Diet , Exercise and Employment . Besides , Children are more Inquisitive● by many Degrees , and more violently desirous of Knowledge the five first Years of their Age , than afterwards ; for their Souls and Minds are , as it were ; empty , and long to be filled ; which naturally moves the Spirit to Industry , and a● Desire after Knowledge . But so soon as those green Years are past , and the Fancy is filled up with the false and mistaken Notions of Custom and Tradition , Men become , as it were , full and satiated ; more or . less dull and stupid , and consequently unapt to incline to the Study of any sort of curious Learning . For this reason it is , That whatever a Child is taught to imitate at Three or Four Years of Age , ( it is to be understood of ●ound and Healthy Children , which ●ost wou'd be , were the Rules before ●rescribed to Women , duly observ'd , ) ●akes double the root , and makes deeper ●mpressions upon them than what they ●re taught at Five ; and that at Five , double to what they are taught at Ten ; ●nd so on proportionably till Fifty or Sixty Years of Age. For , as Persons grow up into Years , their Souls and Minds are not only filled up and sullied with the irregular Dictates of invete●ate Custom ; but the Natural and Animal Spirits become muddy and impure , whereby the Apprehension and Understanding are less quick and penetrating . For the Fineness and Thinness of the Spirits , begets Acuteness of Wit , and supplies the Fancy with more Curious and Noble Images of Things ; seeing the finer any Man's Spirits are , the more capable he is of understanding the Mysteries of Arts and Sciences . From hence it is evident , That Order and Method do mightily strengthen and advance the Humane Nature , and render all Perso●s that observe them , more ready and adapt to learn , than such a● live Irregular Lives ; especially Children who , through the Fineness and Tenderness of their Spirits , cannot endure th● over-charging of Nature , without manifest Detriment and Prejudice . So that those Parents , Tutors , &c. that press them on to a Debauch , or permit or encourage them to Eat or Drink , or use any Exercise , beyond what the Necessity of Nature exacts are guilty of horrid Impiety against God , manifest Breach of Trust towards the Children , and accountable for all the sad Consequences of so fatal a Miscarriage . Again , Since Children , at first , do all that they do by Example and Imitation , it must of necessity be the indispensible Duty of all Parents , or Others with whom the Charge of their Education is intrusted , to be industriously careful that they neither hear nor see any Unseemly Action . Such Precedents will be quickly Copied and Transcribed by them , and in a short time be so deeply fix'd in the Imagination that all the Art and Pains they can administer shall never be able totally to deface or remove them . And if ever they wou'd have their Children to bear any Character in the World , and do any thing to Purpose , ●hey must be sure to avoid that foolish Half-speaking and Lisping , when they wou'd prattle with them , and divert them . It is impossible to believe what Damage they do their Children by this absurd and abominable Practise , pronouncing their Words by halves , and not one in an hundred properly and truly as it ought to be ; thereby putting the Children to a double and treble Task and Inconvenience ; first , by their own Example , fondly instilling into them an huddle of imperfect and broken : Nonsence ; and then , after they have discern'd the Folly and Mischief of stocking them with such Trash , ridiculously hoping to make them unlearn it again by Whipping and Beating them . They ought to be us'd to plain Discourses , and Words properly , fully and distinctly pronounced ; not with a grinning kind of Smile , and comick Distortion of the Visage ; but in a grave , folemn manner , and with a sedate and calm Countenance , even as you would propound Questions , and male Answer to a Judg● or Senator . For when they are us'd t● such a pertinent and handsom way o● Speaking , they will apply their utmo● Diligence to imitate and practice th● same . For 't is the same thing to th● Child , both as easie and natural to speak Words distinct and pertinent , as lisping and abrupt . Many Children have reason to condemn their Governors and Nurses , all the Days of their Life , for those manifold Inconveniences they are expos'd to by an uncomfortable Imperfection in the Utterance of their Speech . Their Governors also are sedulously to instruct them to avoid all Passion , Anger and Violence ; and as much as lies in their Power , keep them from seeing any Acts of that nature . There is a contagious Infection in them , that ought as carefully to be shunn'd , as the Plague or Leprosie . They ought to acquaint and make their Pupils sensible , not only of the Danger , but also of the Ugliness and Deformity of such preposterous and irregular Inclinations . Their Peace in this World , and Happiness in the next , intirely depend upon it . All the Preaching , Precept and Practice of our Great Law-Giver , tended to this End ; to in●ulcate into his Disciples a Principle of Meekness , Love and Unity ; to exercise a mutual Charity and Forbearance ●owards one another . A compassionate Forgiveness of one another's Faults , is the highest Conquest we can gain over our selves , and the nearest Approach we can make to Heaven ; and the Occasions of it , is the fairest Field Christianity has to display her self in with her true and proper Colours . — Ecce quam Christiani Amant ! Behold how the Christians Love ! — was the Heathen Persecutors Saying , of old , and ought to be the Motto and Character of all that would be called Christians now . Therefore our Great Master said unto Peter , Put up thy Sword : My Kingdom is not of this World. Nothing but Peace , Love , and Concord , can open the Gates into those blessed Realms of Light and Love. Except therefore the first Sallies and Motions of the Soul towards these Irregularities be corrected and reformed , nothing but the most fatal and irremediable Mischief will ensne . It is , I confess , a Work of great Difficulty ; yet that shou'd not discourage our Endeavours : nay , 't is in the Infancy of our Children , if ever , that we can reasonably hope for Success . Besides , the Practise of these Vices , rencounters the Oeconomy of the whole Creation : For all things both in the Animal , Vegetable and Mineral Kingdoms , do proceed from one Ground ; and though the Multitude and Variety of them be beyond any humane Number , yet Each and Every of them do , in one degree or another , contain the true Nature and Property of the Whole ; and in Man they have their Central Being and Existence , though not in all alike , but in some one Quality is strong , in others another ; from whence proceeds Mens Difference in Dispositions , Inclinations , Love , and Hatred ; but the Property which is strongest in the Radix , ever sways and governs the whole Life . There is another base and depraved Custom too frequently used , viz. To scare and affright Children with horrid and terrible Names ; thinking thereby to bring them to their Lure , and make them quietly comply with what they wou'd have them , not considering of what mischievous Consequence it is to the Child to have its tender Soul so alarm'd and prepossess'd with such monstrous Images of Things as keep Nature in a perpetual Agitation and Trembling . If the Child's Soul be of a strong and vigorous Complexion , you thereby awaken the Seeds of Envy , Hatred , Malice , and many other surly Dispositions ; and so by mistakenly endeavouring to lay One Devil , you raise a Thousand in his room . But if the Soul be of a soft , meek , and gentle Temper , you utterly confound and ruine it . It shall never be Master of one Regular Thought , and by consequence never produce an Handsom and Commendable Action . It shall be eternally subjected to doubt : Irresolute in its Designs , and Wavering in its Attempts . For those Terrors and Amazements awaken the Internal or Central Spirits and Powers of Nature ; which incorporating and joyning with their Similes , become , as it were , Consubstantiate with the Soul ; insomuch , that those dreadful Conceptions which they form'd in their Childhood , will never wholly depart ; but though , for a time , by a vigorous Exercise , and use of Reason , they may seem to be conquer'd , yet upon any sudden Accident of Danger or Disaster , their Fears shall start out a-fresh , and they shall soon be discern'd to be yet under the Dominion of their Youthful Terrors . Which timorous sort of Disposition , how Unfit it is for the Business of the World , and how Fatal it has prov'd to many that have been subjected to it , need not be insisted on ; what we have already said , may be sufficient to convict this abominable Practice of Ignorance , Cruelty and Madness . Another very great Evil and Prejudice to Children , is , To suffer them to play up and down promiscuously at all all sorts of Sports , and with all sorts of Play-fellows . Is it not lamentable , for Parents to let their Children throw away that part of their Time in idle , fruitless and dangerous Exercises , that is the only proper Season for them to learn the Rudiments of Vertue and Knowledge in ? For One Hour well employ'd , from Three Years of Age to Seven , is of more avail towards the true learning of any one Art or Science , than Ten , when they come to a maturer Age , ( as they call it . ) If they are not well and thoroughly grounded then , it will be very difficult to improve and accomplish them , when they come to riper Years . It is then the Seeds of True Knowledge and Philosophy ought to be sown , if ever they expect to reap any Fruit from them hereafter . Besides , the foolish and juvenile Pastimes fill the Imagination with strange Images and Conceptions of Things , that like so many rank and useless Weeds interrupt and divert the growth of Real Knowledge , and True Literature ; corrupting the Ground so much , that it will hardly be able to nourish and bring forth any thing of Esteem and Value . Wou'd it not raise a Man's Spleen with Indignation , to hear an old doating Sot of a Father , cry out of his Son , This Blockhead will never come to any thing : There is not such a Dunce again upon the Face of the whole Earth : It has cost me the Lord knows what , and yet I can make him learn nothing : I can make him understand nothing that is said to him . Alas ! Old Fool , why did not you begin sooner with him ? Why did you suffer him to squander away the best part of his Time in Idleness and Folly ? Oh , then he was an arch Young Rogue , a Witty , Forward Child , and you 'd warrant he 'd be no Fool , if he liv'd ; but now he 's a mere Booby , a Dunce , and a Block-head . Take him for your Pains , Old Gray-bearded Dotard ! You may thank your self for all this , and your Child is bound to Curse you . Moreover , there are other ill Effects that attend this Custom . Their Sports are often-times , especially if from under the Eye of their Parents and Tutors , &c. so rude and boisterous , that they over-doe their own Strength , and in a violent pursuit after their Play , strain it to a pitch many Degrees above their Ability , to the extreme Prejudice , and often the irrecoverable Damage of their Limbs and Body ; which perhaps , though not presently discover'd , yet if they live , succeeding Years will give them many sharp and troublesom Remembrances of it . Like the Effects of Hardships , and Youthful Colds , that will not be forgot in the Winter of Old Age. Thus it is evident , what a disastrous and Calamitous Influence these irregular Methods have both upon Mind and Body . Now , those that would really promote their Childrens Welfare , and their own Peace , must consult the Degrees and Abilities of Nature , else they will soon run themselves into great Inconveniences . The Bodies and Spirits of Children are young and tender , so that they cannot endure hard and laborious Exercises , without the Imputation of manifest Folly and Damage to their Health . For all Labour , or Exercise , ought to be measured in Proportion to the Strength of the Body and Mind : so that those appointed for Children , ought to be gentle and easie , such as will not strain the Body , nor dull the Spirit , together with a simple Temperate Diet , rather partaking of Moisture than Dryness ; because their Growth requires more liquid Matter , by reason of their implanted Heat and Fire , than maturer Age. Besides , those rustick and laborious Exercises do mightily offend and retard the Growth of Childrens Limbs , far more than most People do imagine . Hence appears the Necessity of Teaching Children , from Three Years old , and upwards , some easie and useful Things , instead of their idle and impertinent Games and Sports , such as Musick , Painting , Housewifery , &c. Also , to instruct them to Read and Speak Properly and Distinctly , to implant in them the Seeds of Vertue and Good Manners ; likewise to Walk Streight and Upright , to Run handsomly , and to make True and Proper Steps . This wou'd be a great Ornament , and of good Service to them , when they arrive to a more mature and adult Age : It would cut off a great deal of their superfluous Time , and employ it much better , and more advantageously than is generally practised . Moreover , it wou'd soon discourage and discountenance the ill Custom of sending Children to be instructed at publick Dancing-Schools ; where they many times receive more Prejudice in a Month , than they can repair or remove , perhaps , all their Lives after . For it shou'd be the Care of Mothers and Nurses , to order the Gaite , and direct the Steps of the Children ; wherein if they are well instructed at first , they will observe the same for ever . For by neglect of this it is , That so many Men and Women make such an Odd and Clownish Figure in their Walking and Moving ; sometimes their Steps are too thick , sometimes too short , and sometimes too long ; with some extraordinary and irregular Motions of their Backs and Hips , as if their Legs were too weak to support the weight of their Body ; with many other unseemly Postures ; which might more easily and less chargeably be prevented , were the Directions we prescribe but follow'd and observ'd . For it is to be noted , That ill Postures , and other Habits , if they are taken up betimes , become so strong and powerfully grafted in the Disposition , that it is almost impossible to root them out , or unteach them again . This is an undeniable Truth ; and it is a thousand times better , if possible , that Children should remain in an intire and and absolute Indifference and Neutrality , without learning or doing any thing at all , than to be taught or suffer'd to imitate preposterous Methods . For if the Child be born with Streight , Sound , and Proportionable Limbs , there is but one True , Proper , and Handsom way of Going ; which they may be as easily taught and brought to , as they are to Speak , provided a little Care and Pains be taken with them in the due time : For in the Beginning every thing is alike to the Child , and one thing as soon learned as another . Neither should Children , by any means , be permitted to Ieer or Laugh at any Person 's Deformity either in Mind or Body . It is a vain and lewd Practise , and generally tolerated ; nay , you shall see a parcel of Old Fools stand by , and please themselves extremely , to hear Children Revile and Reproach one another . These are things that of all others , ought to be severely corrected and punish'd . If once they are encourag'd to Back-bite , Envy , Defame , or Belye one another , there is no hopes of them ; they will be Devils in spite of your Teeth . For these are the Seeds of all Abomination , and will , upon Occasion , as they grow up , break out into the most unlawful and criminal Enormities : Theft , Murther , Blasphemy , Treachery , Dissimulation , Lying , Perjury , and all manner of accursed Villany , are the Off-spring of such an unatural and unchristian Connivance and Tolleration . 'T is for want of Parents and Nurses taking care timely to reform and destroy these mischievous Seeds of Vice that so many , every Month , ride backwards up Holbourn-hill , to Tyburn . We may say , That through Ignorance and Inconsideration , most People do , as it were , intice and play their Children into all manner of Vice , laying such early Foundations of Wickedness ; which meeting with suitable Occasions , in time , grow so strong , that they are never able to shake them off , or withstand them : all which might , at first , with a little Prudence and Care , have been prevented . For in lieu of these , they might with great Facility and Pleasure , have been taught all sorts and kinds of Vertue , and Degrees of Temperance , the Fear of God , Arts Sciences and Language , several useful and easie Works about Houshold-Affairs ; the Names , Vertues and Uses of Herbs and Plants ; to distinguish which are proper for Food , and which for Medicine ; the Managing of Gardens , and Art of Husbandry , with a thousand o●her-Employments more honourable and more diverting than their idle Sports and Games , which they usually practice , and whereof they are capable to a very high degree ; and then , in a short time , these little Attainments , with small Industry , will grow to very great Improvements , and accomplish them to bear the Character of Excellent Persons in the World. There are many other Enormities and great Evils , that Parents ( even those of the Best and Soberest sort ) are guilty of , in the Education of ther Children . For , First , Tho' they will not allow them to run about the Streets , and play promiscuously with the crowd of other Children , ( which indeed is extremely commendable , ) yet at Home , in their own Houses , they use all possible Methods to destroy and ruine them , by continually suffering them to stuff their little Paunches with all sorts of Dainties , and richly compounded Meats and Drinks , over-charging them both in Quantity and Quality ; which undermines the very Basis of Health , there being very few of so sturdy and strong Constitutions , that are not wounded by it in one degree or another . What is this , but laying a sure and lasting Foundation for Gluttony and Idleness ? Secondly , They give them all sorts of Liberty , Commanding their Servants to Humour and Obey them in all their foolish and extravagant Whimsies ; by which means they never or seldom arrive at any true Discernment of Things , being indulged in every thing that their extravagant Imaginations can conceive , or their undisciplin'd Appetites desire . They very rarely put them to any kind of the above-mention'd Exercises or Employments ; neither do they take care to set themselves before them as Precedents of Temperance and Frugality , taking delight to see them hector and domineer over those that wait upon and attend them ; by which means they become Haughty , Ambitious and Surly to all that are beneath them ( as they conceive ) in Birth or Estate ; given to Passion , Gluttony , Ebriety and Laziness ; whereas they ought to have the contrary Vertues of Affability , Courtesie , and Generosity , founded even in their very Natures and Constitutions ; which infinitely more become and adorn a Noble Birth , and Fair Fortune , than an ill-natur'd and untractable Pride . Besides , a nice and fond Education does , as it were , suffocate and destroy all Knowledge , and True Understanding , even in the very bud ; and chiefly advances Folly & Ignorance , the greatest Evils in the World ; for where Folly and Ignorance joyn , ( and they can never be separated , ) pray what Expectation can there be of any Great or Honourable Production ? The Fruit must of necessity be bad , when all within the Trunk of the Tree , the very Sap it self , is poyson'd and corrupt . For there are very small Hopes of that Person 's doing any thing to purpose , who has once indulg'd himself to an Habit of Idleness . Consider a while the wonderful Active Powers of God , the marvellous Operations of Nature , the daily Motions of the Celestials , the glorious Company of Stars , their Rising and Setting ; the Variety of their Lustre , Courses and Configurations . Behold the Rivers and Streams of Water labouring continually , though in in a long and difficult Progress , to pay their Tribute to the Ocean ; and the Ocean again , by industrious Tides , Fluxes , and Refluxes , striving to supply the Land. Observe how the Sun , the bright Luminary of Heaven , by his Circulations , and Mysterious Powers , does not only give Life and Being to all Elemental Things , but exhales Moisture from Below , and wonderfully bottles it up in the Clouds till the appointed Time , and then returns it , with Interest , to refresh and replenish the Earth . There is no such thing as Idleness among all the Works of God. An idle Person is none of God's Creature . Shou'd the Primum Mobile stand still but an Hour , the World wou'd be at an End , and the whole Globe of the Universe fall into its Original Chaos . All the Accommodations of Life are procur'd by Labour ; nay , Life it self cannot be otherwise maintained : The Blood must be always in Circulation ; and the Pulse , Nature's Clock , continually striking : The Stomach must labour hard in her Kitchin , to prepare and separate Aliment for the other Parts . You see then , that there is nothing idle a Moment in the Greater or Lesser World : How much then is it the Duty of Parents and Tutors , &c. to see that Children are constantly and commendably employed ; Idleness being a manifest Breach of the Command of God , and an open Contradiction to the whole Course and Operation of Nature ? It is the Mother of all Oppression and Violence ; an Inlet to all Sin and Wickedness ; and never goes alone , but is attended with a black train of horrid and abominable Vices ; rendring Men subject to the dominion of the gross , inferior and spiteful Powers , and evil Demons , who incessantly prompt them on to commit all kinds of Outrages against God , Man , and Beasts . From hence have all unlawful Sports and Games their rise ; such as Cards , Dice , Billiards , Lotteries , Whimsie-boards , Stage-Plays , Drolls , Hunting , Hawking , Prize-playing , Bull-baiting , Bear-baiting , Cock-fighting , wanton and lascivious Dancing , Racing , &c. with a thousand other Vanities that Parents and Elder People , by their own Practice , teach their Children , whereof some are Rude , Rustick , Unmanly , and Unseemly ; others Cruel , Bloody , and Oppressive ; others Mean , Base , and Effeminate : but all Sinful and Detestable , and ought to be condemn'd to the darkest and deepest Pit of Hell. And all this , forsooth , must be excus'd with the ridiculous Name of Pastime : As if our Time , which is the greatest Blessing we have , were so intollerable a Burthen , that we must be beholden to the Devil's Invention to help it off our Hands : Surely we shall , one day , find , That all we had , was but little enough to do our Duty in . Now , when I speak of Idleness , 't is not to be understood of an utter insensible Stupidity of Soul and Body , a state of absolute Inactivity , or the doing nothing at all ; but the doing of Evil , or that which Children ought not to do ; which is the worst sort of Idleness : for , in the other sence , there is scarce any thing Idle in the whole Course of Nature . If Children be not exercised in some useful Art and Things tending to Vertue , they will be always doing the contrary . For in their First and Second Age , which is from their Birth to Seven Years of Age , and from thence to Fourteen , their Spirits are extraordinarily brisk and airy : Their Imaginations & Desires cannot stand still , but will be endeavouring to penetrate into the Knowledge of Things . Upon which account , good and wholsom Examples ought to be set before them : Their particular Tasks ought to be assigned them , that they may betimes learn to dress the Gardens of their Souls , and sortifie them against the over-spreading Weeds of Vice and Ignorance , and keep their Bodies clean from Diseases and Distempers . For Idleness and Ignorance are the most inhumane Tyrants in the World ; and Mankind's greatest Enemies , which this present Age has brought into great Favour and Esteem : And because they are resolved to have their Children intirely under their Subjection , most Parents accustom 'em to 'em even from their Birth ; and as soon as they beg●n to Speak , fill their Heads with a Rhapsody of idle Prattle , Nonsence and Lies ; and so , as it were , erect a School in their own Houses for the Nurture of Ignorance and Vice , and take no Pains to inform and instruct them in the Rudiments of Vertue and true Knowledge . It is a grand Mistake , not to begin to teach Children any thing of Value till they are Eight or Ten Years of Age : As if they ought to commence then , when they shou'd almost have done Learning . They are early and timely Plants that take surest root , and thrive amain , ( as the Experience of all Mankind can testifie . ) In India they teach their Children to Spin fine Callico's and Muslins at Three Years old : Nor cou'd they ever bring them to Perfection , did they begin later . Italy abounds with fine Painters ; and Holland and England , with curious Spinners of Thread and Wool : In which Arts , all that have any Reputation , are very earlily instructed . Pray tell me , What Excellence can Age attain to , in Writing , Reading , Speaking Languages , Musick , Painting , &c. if there have not been first some youthful Instruction implanted in them ? It is a certain Truth , That the sooner we begin , the surer and better Progress we are like to make . It is no wonder then , that the Princes , and Great Men of this World , are so mightily given up to Wrath , Fierceness , and Fighting ; when we consider , they are bred to it from their very Cradles . As soon as they can handle a Sword , they must have a small one provided ; and when the Child shall in the least degree imitate any Warlike and Fierce Action , his Tutor and People about him praise him to the Skies ; I 'll warrant ( say they ) my little Master will be a General before he dies . Then , when he 's able to Ride , a Horse must be bought , with Holsters and Pistols , and all other proper Furniture ; so his little Lordship must be forthwith mounted . Now his Ears are open to nothing but War and Battles ; he dreams of nothing but Fighting , Killing and Conquering ; all the Discourse about him , is of nothing but Armies and Sieges , of Battalions and Squadrons , of Trenches , Bastions , Half-Moons , Parapets , and Counterscarps , with such impertinent Iargon , that the little Warrier fancies himself already in the Battle , just now a going to enter the Breach , and the Town 's our own . By such Methods as these , they animate and excite the Spirit of the Child , and stir up the Seeds of Fierceness and Wrath in his Soul ; which they ought , with the greatest Care imaginable , to suppress and mollifie . Thus all Children are taught , from their Infancy , the Trade of Killing ; and by practising on Inferiour Creatures , arrive , by degrees , to the Perfection of Murther , in killing of Men. This makes so many rash Young Men leave an honest and profitable Trade , where they have all Things convenient and necessary , to run heedlessly in the Wars of Princes ; blindly , though voluntarily , submitting themselves to almost intollerable Fatigues and Hardships , opening their Breasts to Guns and Swords ; and yet , after all , if they offer to quit their Colours , they are sure to be Hang'd , having bound themselves Apprentice to the worst sort of Slavery in the World. And this also makes the Gentlemen leave their Wives and Children , and all the Delights and Enjoyments of their Estates , to travel into foreign Countries , and there fight like mad , and venture their Lives against those they never had any Quarrel with . Now , I say , if Men are not well fraighted with good store of this unlucky Commodity call'd Wrath , it wou'd be impossible for them to Act as they do , contrary to all Humanity , and True Vertue : but the Power of Education is very great , and captivates all Mankind in one degree or other . Therefore , of whatever Spirit Fathers , Mothers , Tutors , &c. wou'd have their Children to be , let them take care to sow the Seeds thereof betimes in the Child's Soul. Wou'd you have your Child to Love and Fear God ? You may easily do it , to what Degree you please , provided he does not hear nor see contrary Examples . Wou'd you have him Temperate in Meats and Drinks ? Then accustom him to proper Quantities and agreeable Qualities in his Diet. Wou'd you have him Hardy , Strong and Healthy ? Then use mean Foods , and give them in Order , and with constant Exercise proportionable to the Strength of the Child . Or , Wou'd you have him a Curious and Excellent Artist ? Then keep him constant to the Practice of that Art , and where he may always see Examples of the same . The like is to be understood of all other Things . Some Rules concerning Proper FOODS for Children . IT is agreed on by all prudent Men , That simple Meats and Drinks are most friendly and acceptable to Nature , and Healthier than those that are rich , and compounded of various Ingredients , but more-especially for the tender Nature of Children . Did Mothers and Nurses truly understand and consider what was most agreeable to the Simplicity of Nature , this Age wou'd be happy ; and the Pains and Trouble of Bringing-up Children would hardly be felt . If their Foods were made of Corn , as Gruel made of Oatmeal ; Water-Pap , which is made only of Wheat-flower and Water , with a little Salt and Bread in it ; their Children wou'd be , for the most part , Plump , Brisk , Strong and Lively . When the Child is Costive , then Water-gruel , with more or less Flower'd-Pap , eating a little Bread and Salt with it , is very good and proper . This sort of Food is not only Healthier than Pap made of Milk , but much more Strong , and every way more substantial . It generates better Blood , and causes a more free and undisturb'd Circulation . For I affirm , If Children shou'd never have any other Food for the first Seven Years of their Age , than Water-gruel , and Pap made with Flower , Bread , and Salt ; their Constitutions wou'd be much healthier and firmer , free from innumerable Diseases wherewith thousands are now tormented ; withal , adding good Spring-water for their Drink . The World is not so grossly mistaken in any thing , as in the due Preparation of Meats and Drinks , especially as they relate to Children . Nothing is a greater Evil than Ignorance . All Meats and Drinks that are rich and delicate , are not in the least agreeable to the Nature of Children ; such as Milk-Foods mixed with Sugar & Spices ; also Butter & Cheese , if not eaten sparingly : all Fish , Flesh , and Foods wherein Eggs are mixed , as Custards , Cheese-cakes , &c. are pernicious , especially to some Children ; likewise Pies made with unripe Fruit , mixed with Sugar , which must indeed be eaten sparingly . But what unaccountable and preposterous Methods do we follow ? Our Governours Fondness and Ignorance destroys us . Mankind would be as Healthy as any other Creature ; and Healthier too , provided his Food was as natural and simple as that of other Creatures . I say , and I affirm nothing but Matter of Fact , A Man may do as good a Day 's Work , nay , better too , that eats but a Penny-half-penny's worth of Oatmeal made into thick Gruel , than he that stuffs his Carkass with the greatest Varieties he can think on . A Gentleman of my Acquaintance told me , That he liv'd for a Half-penny a Day , on that sort of Food , for 3 Months together . But be the Quantity what it will , I am sure a Man may live very well on it ; and be more Strong , Brisk , and Lively , than with Beef and Mutton . Besides , if Childrens Diet were simple and natural , they wou'd be of larger Growth , finer and straiter Limb'd , and every way more compleat ; especially if their Exercises were gentle , and suited to their Strength . This is evident , from the difference in Health and Strength between the Children of Poor People , and those of Greater Persons . Are there any People that have generally more or healthier Children than the Scotch Women ? Yet most of them live chiefly on Gruels made of Oatmeal ; and their Cawdles , when they Lye-in , are no better then Spoon-meats made of Oatmeal & Water , sometimes boiling therewith a little Small-beer or Ale. Besides , in those Northern Parts of the World , no People dandle , or carry their Children less about in their Arms : They are compell'd to it by their Poverty and Want , being forced customarily to labour abroad in the Fields for their Livelyhood , as well as at Home ; so that they have leisure to give but little more Attendance on their Children , than just suckle and feed them at the usual Times . For the constant carrying and lugging of Children about , is very prejudicial to their Health , by often-times over-heating the Blood ; especially if Elder and Stronger Persons take upon them that Office ; for by an unaccountable Sympathy , they powerfully attract those fine Spirits from the Child , which would abundantly nourish and strengthen it . For Children being Tender in their Constitution , and their Spirits Volatile , every little Disorder inflames and precipitates them into Feavourish Indispositions ; from whence proceeds a long train of other troublesom Diseases : ( which I have often labour'd to acquaint Mankind with , to very little purpose ; so much is inveterate Custom too powerful for me . ) Children are likewise very much prejudiced by lying in Bed with Old Persons ; and being kept too Hot , whereby they become Uneasie and Froward . For if things were rightly and orderly managed , there wou'd not be so much Business and Perplexity to tend upon Four or Five Children , as there is now upon One. They are preposterous in all their Methods ; they over-Feed them , over-Cloath them , over . Tend them , and over-Bind them : And in other respects they are as much remiss as they exceed in this . If the generality of Women wou'd but exercise the least grain of Sence or Wisdom , or if their Infallible Doctors wou'd be so kind as to tell them the Truth , they might quickly give themselves more Ease , and their Children more Health . Where there is no Order , there can be no good Effect , but every thing tends to Division and Irregularity . If they will observe no proper Methods , but do every thing without Order or Discretion , they must take what follows : For the Child will do every thing it is accustom'd to ; and that Custom that comes nearest the simplicity of Nature , will soonest and easiest be embraced . If the Child be used to Suck and Feed at such and such certain times of the Day and Night , it will soon be contented with it , and expect no other Treatment . There is another thing commonly practised by Mothers and Nurses , every way as ridiculous and hurtful as any of the rest ; and that is , Whenever the Child is out of humour , or any thing is amiss , presently to clap the Breast or a Spoon into the Mouth of it ; so inhumanely forcing it to Suck or Eat : Which , instead of Quieting the Child , does the more Disorder it ; and though , perhaps , not for the present , yet afterwards they shall find the Effects . For , the too often Eating , when Nature does not require , must of necessity disturb , heat and burthen the whole Body . A lamentable piece of egregious Folly this , and never enough to be exposed ! Wou'd it not look odly , if when a Man or Woman is out of humour , or any thing else is the matter , they shou'd immediately fall to Eating and Drinking , when perhaps they have been at Dinner not above an Hour before ? There is another thing , of great moment , to be observed ; viz. That to begin to teach Children betimes any Art , Science , or other Employment , and keeping them moderately to it for the most part of the Day , generates Better and more Manly Thoughts in them ; improves the Natural Genius , constantly supplying it with good Notions , so that they become more Serious and Thoughtful : For , Necessity is the Mother of Invention ; which is ever encreased by Exercise and Practice . Now , at Play there is no such Necessity , but Children ramble from one thing to another ; and are no further obliged , than their own Fancy inclines them . For , Constraint to any thing , dulls their Parts , fatigues and incapacitates them for the learning of those things they stand most in need to know . This sort of Instruction wou'd abundantly advance and beget Frugality and Order , even to a Miracle . For having obtain'd their Knowledge by their Pains and Industry , it wou'd be as valuable to them as an Estate or Money procured by a Man 's own Toil and Labour . So innumerable are the Advantages that wou'd hereby accrue , that it is impossible to do any more than hint at the many Benefits and Vertues that result from an Early , Prudent , and Well-methodized Education . There wou'd be little Reason then to reflect , That Boys and Girls play away that Time with Drums and Babies , which they might employ to more profitable Uses , and turn to a far better Account . And the Reason hereof is evident ; Because ( as we have already demonstrated ) they do all Things by Example and Imitation . Having before no Prepossession , or Prejudice , they must of necessity own that for their Sovereign , and be subjected to its Conduct . Methods and Institutions of a SCHOOL , for the advantagious Education of Young Persons , Propos'd . FIRST , There must be a Skilful Master , or Governour . 1. One that has been well acquainted with the World , and knows the Mystery and Intrigue of it . He must , in general , be a good Natural Philosopher ; and have some Knowledge of the Mathematicks , and Astronomy ; together with a competent measure of Ethicks , which is the Life of all . In short , He must be a Person able to bear the Character he undertakes , and instruct the Inferiour Tutors and Assistants in all the particular Methods that contribute to the Promotion of Learning , Vertue , and True Knowledge . It is not much insisted on , whether he took his Degrees at the University ; and his Learning ( as to point of Scholarship ) is less to be regarded than his Discretion . For as the greatest Scholars are not always the best Preachers , so neither are the Academicks ever the best Tutors . 2. There must be a Sub-Tutor under the Governour , that can speak Latin and French readily and properly . But if one that is a general Master of both Languages cannot be found , there must be two chosen , one for each . 3. Twice a Week a Musick-Master must come and teach those that are willing to learn that Science . There must be one in the School that understands it also , to hear and keep them to their Business , and Tune their Instruments . Likewise a Painter must come twice a Week , to instruct and give Patterns to such Children whose Inclinations lead 'em to practice that Art. 4. Now , when such Masters are provided as are every way accomplish'd for this purpose , you must proceed in a regular Order and Method : Which will not only make all Learning easie to the Children , but also to the Masters and Tutors . 5. Take Ten or Twenty Children , from Three Years old , to Five or Six at most , who are not to be suffer'd to speak one Word of English , but all keep silence and observe : And as much as may be , the Master and Tutors must make it their Business continually to speak Latin and French to them , commanding them to do this , and fetch that : And when the Children do not understand them , they are to teach them by Example , doing and fetching the thing themselves . By this means they will understand the Names of most things about the House , in Six Weeks , or Two Months ; and in the interim , they must be taught to Read the Languages they learn : So that in a Year's time they shall all speak both Latin and French , as well as any Children shall do English at that Age. And when these first Children speak the Tongues , then all that are admitted into the School will naturally learn it of Course , by Conversation and Reading , as easily as any learns English from their Mothers , &c. Nay , they shall Speak it better , and more properly Pronounce it , than most Children do their Mother-Tongue . 6. The Maids , and Nurses , and other Servants , shall not speak any other Tongue but what is learn'd and taught in the School ; and before they arrive to it , they shall be silent , and do all things by Signs . 7. The Day shall be divided into so many Parts as the Children learn Arts or Things . The Master and Tutors shall neither Whip , Beat , nor shew Anger or Passion toward any Child , be he never so dull : But instead of such Correction , shall take the dull Child aside , and Commend and Praise him for his Endeavours ; inform him how many Men of mean Birth have advanc'd themselves to a Noble Pitch of Eminence and Glory , by their Learning , Vertue and Sobriety ; and by these Means they shall excite and prompt him on to an honourable Ambition and Emulation . This , no doubt will have a good Effect : For both Wise Men and Fools do a-like love to be Praised . But other Methods shall be used for the executing of Justice , if at any time the Children become vicious and criminal ; such as shall not irritate the Spirit , or provoke Passion ; which is a great Enemy to the Souls and and Faculties of most Children , and too too frequently practised in most Schools ; which will be wholly prevented by the good and regular Methods we prescribe . For Order , when Children are accustom'd to it , has as great Power and Influence as Disorder . 8. The School shall be at some Distance from other Houses , or any Town , that there may be no Communication between the Children of the School and other wild Children ; that they shall not know what Swearing , or any such frothy Discourse is , or that there is any such thing in the World. And so of all other evil Communication . So that it will be easie to govern them , when Order and Custom have their free Influences ; and where there is nothing else seen or known but the Practice of Vertue , and Study of Learning . 9. In the Winter , the Children shall go to Bed at Seven a Clock at Night , and Rise at Seven in the Morning ; and in the Summer , at Eight at Night , and Rise at Six in the Morning . For , above all things , Children shou'd have Rest enough , and Sleep enough ; which does mightily strengthen and refresh Nature , and renders them brisk and alart at their Learning . 10. As soon as they are up in the Morning , they shall spend one Hour in Reading , and then eat their Breakfast : After which , such as love Musick , shall play and practice one Hour , and those that are for Painting , the like : The others shall walk in Gardens for the same time with their Tutors , and discourse of the Nature and Vertues of Herbs , P●ants , and Flowers , and of the Art of Husbandry and Gardening , all in the Language they then learn ; then they shall all return into the School , and learn their Books for one Hour . After which , they shall be instructed in the Business of the House , and the Art of Oeconomicks ; also the Manner and Preparation of the Food they have each day for Dinner , and have the Reasons of every thing discovered to them . Then they shall all go to Dinner ; after which , in the Summer time , they shall rest an Hour and a half , sitting silent in a Chair , where they may sleep , if they are inclined to it , which will greatly enliven , and sit them for the Afternoons Business . After which , they shall read half an Hour , or an Hour , and then such as are for Painting or Musick , must spend one Hour in the Exercise of those Arts , and in the mean while the others shall be employed in Writing ; Arithmetick , and Accompting . When this is done , they shall be employ'd again in Gardening , Planting , Sowing , Weeding , Digging , &c. Every one having a little Garden of their own , which they shall be taught to Dress and Cultivate ; and such as are not capable of that Exercise , shall walk among the others , and learn from them to do it themselves , always having their Tutors along with them : After which , they shall walk , run , and play about for half an Hour , their Tutors carefully observing that they do every thing with Decorum , and handsomly ; for all those Exercises that are perform'd by the Motion and Activity of the Body and Limbs , are to be used in the Afternoon , or near the time of going to rest , and not after Fullness , or Dinner , as the Custom is . 11. Thus they shall all learn Latin and French by Custom and Conversation ; for there shall be nothing else spoke in the School . Likewise they shall learn to read the same Tongue , which may be done a quicker and easier way , than the common Method , and by many degrees more to the purpose : For after any Child has learn'd the Letters , this will not take up above three or four Months at the most , to teach the dullest Capacity to read tolerably well , and in any Book , and some Mercurial Children will learn it in half the time . This Method of ours will be natural , and furnish the Child with more Variety of Words than the common way ; by this way they shall lay a Foundation for the Knowledge of all things that are convenient and needful for Mankind to know . French and Latin shall be as their Mother Tongue , and in two Years they shall speak and read , and understand it perfectly , and withal , in the same time learn many useful Arts and Sciences : The day being divided into several pairs , they shall easily pass out of one thing into another , without any Weariness or Lassitude , by which means it will be like Play to them ; for it is call'd Play , because Children do with pleasure pass from one thing to another of their own Inclination . But if they were confin'd to it , they would find it very hard Work , and be more unwilling to continue at it , than others that are put to the study of any useful Art. 12. Now the learning and practising several Arts , will mightily acquaint them with the knowledge of Words ; for every Art or Science has particular Terms and Proprieties of Expression , adapted to it , which they will be obliged to understand in the reading Books , French and Latin , that treat on those Subjects , so that they will have but little need of a Dictionary , when they are put to write , or discourse of the nature of Things , which many great Schollars are forc'd to have recourse to . 13. Thus , when they have learnt to speak these Languages perfectly , then they shall be taught the true Grammar of them , which will be easily done . For to Speak is one thing , and the Art or Reason of Speaking is another . The first must be done by Imitation and Practice , the other is the work of Time , and must be improved by Degrees . They that learn the Art of Speaking before they can Speak , invert the true Method , and as they say , put the Cart before the Horse ; and I do affirm , that if there be a true Method taken , the dullest Boy alive may be taught to speak good Latin and French , as well as he has the use of his Mother-Tongue . No Man can speak any Language well , and discourse handsomly of all things , but he that learns young , and by Conversation , all the Rules in the World can never make him a Master afterwards . All other Methods of Learning are like the Mystery of the Lawyers , who have used all possible Skill and Endeavours to make Honesty and Justice intricate , and hard to be understood , which the plainest Man upon Earth knows perfectly , without being beholden to their Books , or being skill'd in their Art. True Pronunciation and Speaking is learnt by Hearing . Those Children that are accustom'd to hear a Noble and Elegant way of Speaking , will imitate the same . This is the way to make Eloquent Orators , and good Artists . Pray tell me , if the best of Doctors of them all would not be at a Loss , if they were call'd to assist a Person in the Buying and Selling most sorts of the Commodities of Merchants and Shop-keepers , to discourse of all the parts of Housewifry , Agriculture , Navigation , Ships , their Tackle and Furniture , and a thousand other useful things ? most of them I believe would be forc'd to their Dictiona●ies , and I am sure in many respects find but little assistance there neither . No Man can possibly be a Master of any Language , but such as learn it very young , and by Conversation ; neither is he then a M●ster any farther than the custom of the Country allows him ; for 't is that which makes all Words proper and improper . 14. It is believ'd by some , that if a Child shou'd never hear Speaking , he wou'd never Speak ; tho' there is indeed a real Ground in Nature for Language . It is a noble thing , and distinguishes Mankind from the Beasts , and wou'd do much more , if Man had not lost the true Knowledge and Understanding thereof by his Fall and Degeneracy , viz. The Language of Nature , which was the Original Tongue that in the first Ages of the World the Antients had some glimmering Knowledg of , as appears by their giving such Names to their Children and other things , that by the Word and Sound the Nature and Qua●ity of the Person , or Thing named , might be understood , whereof there is now little or no Knowledge remaining . 15. But the Fowls of the Air and Beasts of the Field do still retain their Original Language , which the great Creator of all things at first endued them with , for they have not degenerated nor broken the Law of God and Nature , but have continued under the Government thereof ; and tho' they cannot express their Minds and Inclinations in Articulate Words ; and tho' for the most part they have but one Tone or Sound , yet they have by the various alteration of that Tone a quicker , and more natural way of Communicating their Sentiments to each other , suitable to their Occasions , and the respective State of their Minds and Desires . than Mankind can , by Articulate Words . I am almost bold to say , that if Mankind had not Education , he wou'd be much more ignorant than the meanest of Beasts . Now the chief difference between the Education of Men and Beasts is this ; the latter have their Education from Nature , and act according to their first and necessary Law. and the former from depraved Custom and Tradition , great part of which is Vicious and Devilish : He is hurried on with the Spirit of Error into all Acts of Violence and Injustice , being the Devil's Slave , yet boasting of his Knowledge and Understanding , which Knowledge and Understanding is not manifested in any thing , so much as in the works of Darkness . Thus I have given you a short Draught or Delineation of what I judge very necessary to be Copy'd out into Practice . Many oth●r useful Directions might be laid down , which shall be made use of if ever these Proposals shall have the good Fortune to be approved of , and encouraged . I am confident , such Methods as these would abundantly contribute to the Improvement of true Learning , and the Reformation of Men's Manners . There is one evil Practice that I find Parents and Nurses generally , guilty of , and cannot conclude without some Reflection upon the horrid and wicked Consequences that attend it . From the very Cradle they use all means possible to learn their Children Pride and Vanity : If they have any thing new or fine , they never let them alone till they have made the young Things sensible of the Worth and Value of it , thereby laying unremovable Foundations for Self-Conceit and Flattery , which grows up in them by degrees , till they are seduced into Presumption , and a Contempt of others , and so begets and nourishes Indignation , Self-Love , Anger , Hatred , &c. which produces Irreligion , Unbelief , Superstition , Impenitence , A●rogance , and a long train of D●abolical Mischiefs . Pride destroys the faculties of the Intellect , and will never suffer it to make a right Judgment . Is the Inlet to Credulity and Falshood , the Gare of Error , and the first step to Oppression and Violence , Inhumanity and Madness . It blinds all the Inward Senses of the Soul , subjecting them to all Malignant Influences , destroying the Image of God , poysoning the Imagination , and all the good Virtues , and active Powers of God and Nature . It fills the Fancy with dark Ideas , and destroys the Harmony of the Universe . It is a stirring Power and Quality , and may be justly styled the Son of the Devil . Every Man hugs and caresses it in himself , but abhors and abominates it in another . It is a mortal Enemy to Mankind , and the Spring head of all War , Devastation , Depopulation , Self-Murder , Lying , Distraction , and whatsoever is odious and wicked in the World. What Ignorance , Blindness and Madness then does posses Mankind , that they shou'd be at such continual Charge and Pains to improve and nourish this Hellish Quality , that sets the World and all Nature in a Flame ? Let all People then in time consider the sad Effects of this Vice , and not intail on their Posterity such a Distemper , which utterly ruins both the Soul and Body . Let them consider what a Christian ought to be , and the Condition on which our Eternal Salvation and Happiness depends , and examine whether the Educa●ion of their Children be correspondent and agreeable to Christ's Rule . I say , when this is consider'd , and compar'd , a Man must necessarily conclude , that Men do not believe what they talk of , and p●etend to ; for if they did , they could not be contented with such Vicious Methods , in bringing up their Children . Poor Peoples Children , for want of Necessaries , are brought up in Swinishness and Beastiality , and the Rich educate their Children in all the Degrees of Court Haughtiness , Intemperance and Idleness ; so that a Man of 1000 l. per an . that has four or five Children , ought to have an Estate better than the whole for each of them , every Child beginning his Trade of Life , where the Father and Mother left off ; insomuch that if an Account were taken of all the Genmen's Families in England , you wou'd hardly find one in twenty of their Children that live any thing handsomly in the World. Of all the Youths that Yearly come up to London , to be Apprentices to Mer●rs , Drapers , Silk men , &c. there is not one in twenty that serves his time out , or lives on his Trade , which can be attributed to nothing else but the effects of those : Poysonous Weeds of Pride and Arrogance , their Parents sow'd in them in their Childhood . The same is to be understood of common Servants ; are they not Bold , Surly , Nasty , and Ignorant ? So that you must teach them every thing before you can have any Service from them ; and when they can do your Business , upon any light Occasion they grow Sawey and Impudent , and will leave you , without any Acknowledgment of your Kindness to them , which only proceeds from the want of Publick Schools , and due and timely Methods of Education . Let no Person therefore that falls under this Character , think to excuse himself , by murmuring at , and upbraiding his Creator , as if he had dealt unkindly with him ; but if the Blame must be laid somewhere else besides , than upon himself , let him charge his Miscarriage upon his Father and Mother , who by their Ignorance and Madness , have stif●ed and beclouded Vertue , and advanc'd and encouraged Wickedness and Folly , whereby Men become Contemptible in this World ; and Miserable in the next . The True and most Natural Method of teaching Children to read Latin , French , Dutch , Italian , or any other Language , as well as their Mother-Tongue , with great Ease and Pleasure , so that they shall pronounce all their Words fully and properly , which is the greatest difficulty in the Learning of Languages . THE understanding Tongues and Languages is a sort of Learning , highly useful and convenient , and unspeakably serviceable , as well in the management of any Trade , Business or Employment the Divine Providence shall place us in in the World , as in the Spiritual Advantages , in reading the Holy Scriptures , and other good Books . The common Method is not only tedious and difficult , whereby many are discouraged , and grow weary before they are able to read tolerably , but also very chargeable , so that poor People are not able to defray the Charge of Schooling for their Children . Upon consideration of these things I gave my Mind to think of some more expeditious Course , and more natural Method , viz. A more easie , quick , and familiar way of learning Letters , so that it be very delightful , both to Schollar and Teacher . First , Teach your Child the Letters , and to spell a little in the Primmer , which may be done in a quarter , or half a Year , by often naming the Letters to them , and asking what they are ; for the frequent Sounding or Speaking them goes in at the Ears , and penetrates to the Center , it being the Sense that records what is spoken ; so that the oft repeating , and speaking of the Letters in the hearing of of the Child , makes a deeper Impression upon the Powers of the Mind . When this is done , take any Book that treats of Temperance and Ve●tue , and distinctly read one , two , or three words , or so many as your Child or Schollar can readily speak after you , and so proceed , making the Child point to each Word , and look with the Eye upon them , expressing each Word distinctly after you , and making a Pause after every Word , till the Child hath done repeating ; and when you come to any Words or Word that the Child cannot easily pronounce or express , then you ought to reiterate it with a plain strong Voice , assisting and helping the Child in his pronouncing ; but if it be still hard , leave it , go on , it will perhaps be easilier done at another time . Thus when you have read one Book , or as much of it as you think fit , chuse another , provided always that your Books be innocent and pleasant ; by this means you shall accustom your Schollar to a variety of Prints , Letters and Words , which will be of great use to him ; whereas in the common Schools you see a Child that can read tolerably well in one Book , or one Chapter , and yet not be able to read a word in another : but by practicing the Method we prescribe two or three Hours in a day , in eight o● ten Weeks time the Child shall be able to read in most Books . All the Sences have their appointed Offices . Now the particular Office of Hearing is , to receive in , and distinguish Sounds , and bring them thro' the proper Organs , and present them to the Memory , which is a Retentive Faculty of the Soul , whose Office is to Register all the Ears have presented it with , that they may be forth coming , when any Occasion shall call for them . Now the Ears being the natural Organs to receive all Sounds and Words , that Sound , Voice or Word that is spoken by another Person , and receiv'd by a Third , makes a far deeper Impression on the Memory , than that which he reads himself : So that he that reads aloud , remembers more than he that reads softly to himself , because the strong Speaking enters the Organs more forcibly , and conveys the Sound and Sense to the Memory , which records and presents it to the Judgment , which is the guide of Actions , and judges of what passes and repasses thro' the little World - Man. For this cause never any Man did or can pronounce any Language or Tongue truly and properly , by reading of it only , if he has not heard it spoke , and truly pronounced to him , which is the reason that many speak most of their words improperly , tho' they have read them a thousand times , but the Ears immediately catch what they hear properly spoken , and convey it to the Memory , so that it shall never be forgotten . Now the Sense of Hearing is made good by Hearing ; as in Musical Harmouy , by the common use , and hearing of good Musick and Singing , the Ear can distinguish Sounds , and know when it is well perform'd , and the like , is to be understood of the speaking of Tongues . For any Person shall learn to speak any Language by ten Degrees sooner and better , by Hearing and Conversation , than by any other Method . Therefore Children shou'd be taught to speak the Tongue or Language by Hearing or Conversation , before they think of learning the Rules . For the Reason and Philosophy of Speaking , is a great Art , and the work of Time , and not at all to be taught Children . This preposterous Method does rather distract and confound them , than improve and profit : So that by the Methods commonly used in the Schools , very few ever arrive to speak of many things . It is Conversation that givesChildren an Universal Tongue , or way of Speaking . By this means , viz. By frequency of Speaking and Discoursing , the hardest words will become easie and familiar ; for as we said already , they , ought to speak and read perfectly , before they enter upon the Reason and Rule of Speaking . Now the Advantages of the fore mention'd Methods are : First , It saves Expence of Time , which is of great Consequence ; in our Schools , a Boy learns for seven Years , and after all , can neither write nor speak a Line of true Latin. Besides the difficulty in their way of Proceeding damps and discourages the Child's Industry and Inclination to learn. Secondly , He shall pronounce his Words more properly , and exactly . Thirdly , He shall more readily read in any strange Book , offer'd him at first sight . Fourthly , It does wonderfully benefit and imprint the matter on the Memory of the Teacher ; so that there is as it were a Co-partnership in Learning , between the Master and the Schollar . Fifthly , By this way any Father , Mother or Friend , may with Ease and Delight teach their own Children to read at home , without the Charge or Trouble of sending them abroad to School where for the most part they learn nothing but lewd Words , and ill Manners , and in short , lose all their time . Sixthly , This Method will not be only beneficial to Children , but to those of maturer age , that would learn to read well , who may hereby be improv'd in three or four Weeks , to admiration , and be made capable of pronouncing all Words with their right tone and accent , as well as if they had been bred Schollars . For example , when they have heard , and been used to pronounce this word [ Participate ] short , they will never say [ Par-ti-ci pate ] making the last Syllable save one long , which wou'd be ridiculous ; yet these , and a many other Absurdities , are the effects of the common Methods of Teaching . A true Method of Teaching to Write a good Legible Hand . LET there be Copies Engraven , and Printed on good Paper , not one line , only on the top or side , as is usual for Writing Masters to place their Copies , but in lines quite through the Books First , The beginning strokes of every letter , and then the next added , and so on till the whole Letter is finished , that the Child may know how and where each Letter is to be begun and made . After that , let there be several lines of small Letters , and the like of Capitals : and lastly , Copies of Joyned-Hand , all well writ or cut with the due strokes of a neat mixt hand , which is now most in fashion , easily learnt , and best for general use . Then let the Child with a good Pen and the best red Ink , go over the Letters , and make them red , and so proceed to the whole Letters , and then to the Joyning ; only at the first it will be necessary that the Father , Tutor , or some one that can write pretty well , should show the Child how to hold his Pen , and guide his hand for two or three weeks , and not suffer him to run rudely and hastily over the Copy , which is but wasting ●me and Paper , and spoiling the the Childs hand ; it must be done heedfully , and when he has made his Letter to observe what is amiss , and mend it in the next , till he can make all his Le●ters exactly , and then and not before let him proceed to the Joined-hand Copies , and when the Book is writ out provide another in the like manner . This Writing over the Copies , will by frequent use and cu●om bring his Hand to an habit of making his Letters without them in a short time . For if you keep him to this practice two or three hours in a Day , and make him diligent a●d intent upon it , there is no question but in two or three Months he will be able to write a very good Hand . And suppose now in that time he writes four or five of those Copy Books , that will be but four or five Shillings charge in the whole . Likewise People of Mature Age may learn this way with Ease , Secrecy , and Expedition , it being a Method that cannot fail of Perfecting any that shall carefully practice it for one half Year . Of Retaliation , or Rewards and Punishments . REtaliation both in Good and Evil , is the Original Foundation of the Law of Justice ordained by God and Nature , which no Man can escape or avoid . The secret and sure hand of Gods Justice will certainly meet and find the Transgressor either publickly or privately in this World or in the next . Upon this consideration Moses and all the wise Ancients founded and framed their Laws of Government in Conformity to this Original Law of God in Nature , which our Saviour Christ has confirmed , saying Such Measure as you mete to others , such shall be Measured to you again . Pythagoras , and all the rest of the Philosophical Law-givers endeavoured by all means to make their followers sensible of the importance of this Law , being the first Principle and Foundation on which all true Religion and Vertue does depend . So that it is imposible for him to be a Sober , Vertuous , Temperate , and Good Man , that has no regard to this Law. Christ also told his Disciples , That they must do unto all Men , as they would have others do to them . Which is the compleat fulfilling of all Laws both Divine and Humane . Therefore there is the greatest necessity imaginable , that every Man be made sensible of the Worth , Value and Bounty of this eternal ●aw , and that Children should be instructed even from their very Cradle , that Rewards and Punishments assuredly attend the observers and Violators thereof . For if little Children were well Educated in the fear of God , and the Methods of Order , Temperance and Cleanness , and taught that every Evil of what kind soever if not Repented of , and forsaken must be Retaliated either in this World or the next , it would immediately stem the Tide of those Enormities that are every Day committed without either Reproof from their Elders , or Regret to Themselves . Now I say , did Men firmly believe these things , the dread of Retaliation would keep them from Oppressing either their own Kind , or Creatures of inferiour Ranks and Species . For all sorts of Intemperance and Oppression be they little or much , must be retaliated , as well in private Families , as in publick States . What else is the occasion of changing and transferring of Governments , from one to another , and the shifting of private Estates and Families ; so that it is rare to have an Estate continue in one Family for three Generations , which proceeds from the neglect of living in , and observing God's Law in Nature . Kings , Princes , and great Men , with force and power , break all Bonds and Obligation of Justice , violate and oppress their Inferiors having no regard to that Golden Law , of doing unto all Men as they wou'd be done unto , with a thousand other Evils they commit , as if no Mercy or Sense did dwell in them . So that oftentimes they are depose from their Government , out off by violent and immature Deaths , or else these Evils are retaliated upon their Posterity . The like is to be understood concerning every private Family and Person . When a sober industrious Person has got an Estate , what does he then but by his own mistaken Conduct , together with the Women's idle and nonsensical Methods in the Education of his Children , make way for the transferring of it , and by this means sets it agoing much faster , and in a shorter time than it was got ? Now some think this swift motion of transferring Estates is occasion'd by the ill getting of them , which indeed is too often true , but not always ; for it is visible that the ill Conduct of Parents , in bringing up their Children , does frequently do it : For all Idleness , Intemperance , and Mispe●t time are certainly punished ; and tho' it be done by Children , yet they must undergo the Retaliation , both in the Good and Evil. No Creature under Heaven that breaks God's Law can escape the punishment , due for such a Violation and Transgression . And on the other hand , God is no Respecter of Persons ; but whoever lives and obeys this sacred Law , is blessed with the sweet Influences of Heaven , and accepted of God , whether young or old . Now if Parents did but give themselves Leizure to think , they wou'd never suffer their Children to run headlong to Destruction as they do ; nay , many give them Precedents and Examples for their evil Practices and Disorders . Which plainly declares them to have no Faith , and that they do not believe one word of the Scripture , or the Commandments of God and Christ , recommended to them . For I must take leave to tell you , Believing is quite another thing ; for where-ever Faith is , it is accompanied with great Power , which does as it were compel those that enjoy it , to a Conformity and Obedience to its Commands . It hath a secret Sympathetick Operation upon the Inclinations , Gestures and Intentions , and can powerfully change the innate Nature of the Mind . Suppose any sober Person chances to be at some distance from home , and at the same time a Servant or Messenger comes and tells him , that his House by some Accident was on Fire , and that it burn'd so violently , that his only Child and Wife were consumed to Ashes in the Flames . Now do you not think that this Report would alter and change this Person from a Chearful , Sedate Condition , to a Melanchollick Anxious State of Mind , as not doubting the Truth thereof ? How many Examples have we of this kind ? of Persons , that upon the News of ill Events Accidents , have been so surprized , and overwhelmed with Grief , that they could not be perswaded to Eat , Drink , or Converse with any Body . Some have been so overcome , that they have entred into Vows of Abstinence and Self-denial , and others so disturb'd , that they have thro an innate Power of the Mind , and strong Imagination of the Belief of the Truth of it , shook off the Bridle of Reason , and broke the Chains of their Senses , and run mad and distracted ; which would never have happen'd , had they not firmly believ'd what was reported : Which Instances are wonderful Evidences and Manifestations of the Power of Faith. And it is clear in the business of Religion , that Men will hazard their Lievs and Estates as freely , in the defence of a Diabolical Opinion , as for the Truth it self ; and the reason is , because they believe it to be true . Pray therefore do but consider the Nature and Operation of undisturb'd Faith , and how powerfully it works on the Mind , and how it alters and changes Nature to all Intents and Purposes . Now I say , if Faith hath so powerful an Operation on Man for the least of Momentary Enjoyments , what shou'd be the Effects of true Faith , for , and of things , that are durable and eternal ? Especially if we reflect that Mankind has not in any degree liv'd answerable to the Rule and Condition , on which Salvation and Happiness is promised and intail'd . Hence it is plain , that most Men in the World do bely themselves , when they say they have Faith , and that they believe ; for Christ saith , That if we had Faith , tho' no bigger than a Grain of Mustard Seed , we might be able to remove Mountains ; that is , all Sins and Evils that lie in our way . Faith is an ineffable Spirit and Divine Power . It is higher than all Heighths , and deeper than all Depths . It is a Spiritual and Holy Virtue , that does penetrate , even to the very Centre of all Beings and Commands over all the Celestial and Terrestrial Powers , having as it were the mighty Fiat in its self , making something where there was nothing . Man's Soul is its Chariot , where it rides in Glory and Triumph , altering and changing all Essences , Forms and Qualities : All things submit to its Influences , and nothing is able to withstand its Power . Now the true Season of Sowing and Planting this true Faith in Children is from three or four Years of age , to ten or twelve ; and being well fastned and secur'd to them in those young and tender Years , a small Industry afterwards will improve it to a very high degree . And as it lays a sure and deep Foundation for all things , both in Virtue and Vice ; so it is clear and most true , tha● the that believes God's Commandments , and his Law of Justice and Retaliation , dares not abuse nor violate any of his Kind , nor inferior Creatures , nor be Intemperate , Idle , Lewd or Disorderly . I say , and affirm , That it is impossible for Men to be so extreamly Brutified , and Act as they do , had they but the least Grain of true Faith. It is only Talk , and nothing else , there being no greater Evil in the World than the evil Education of Children , and certainly Parents must , and are obliged to make a Retaliation for their Neglects , and ill Management of their Children . All the great Wickedness , Violence and Pollutions that are frequently committed in our parts , owe their Original to Mistakes in this Point . And shall not there be a Reckoning ? For certain , there must be an Account given ; and tho' Men forget themselves , yet in God's Providence and his Law in Nature , there is no Forgetfulnes . Raro Ant●cedentem scelestium deseruit pede Poena Claudo . Tho' Justice and Punishment come slowly oftentimes , yet they surely come . And Men shall then , when it is too late , bewail their Neglect of that Duty , which now they might with the greatest Ease and Satisfaction perform . Some further Thoughts concerning the Education of Children . by another Hand . In a Letter to a Friend . Esteemed and Worthy Friend . THE Subject you were pleased to recommend to my Thoughts , which was concerning the Educution of Children , I have consider'd , and according to my Capacity , have given here at present what hath rise in my Mind concerning it , which I humbly submit to your better Iudgment , having engag'd my self herein , n●t with any Thoughts of my own Ability , to perform so great a Task , but purely in Obedience to your Motion . My first Consideration in this Matter is the great Benefits , which must certainly accreu by the well performing so Noble and Worthy a Design , it being the chief Means to attract the Divine Blessings on that Nation , that universally and earnestly engage themselves therein . It lays a solid Foundation of Virtue , Wisdom , Iustice , Temperance , Industry , Ingenuity , Love to Mankind , Truth , Humility , &c. and at the same time roots out the contrary Vices . A Child in its tender Infancy is the most helpless Creature . Which by the way teaches us that this is not our home . In this state the Mother hath the Care and Direction ; and that her Tenderness and Love to her Infant may not run her into Error , she ought to consider the Needs and Necessities of Nature , and provide against them , what exceeds those Bou●ds , may prove burthensome to the tender Babe . For good Nature hath provided the Breast , and whilst the Infant hangs there , it is well provided for ; without fear of Surfeits and Excess . Cleanness and Necessity ought to be observed in its Dress or Cloathing , rather than Custom or Fashion , and for Food where may we take a better Pattern than from Nature ? The Mother's Care extends ov●r the Child for near the first seven Years , with respect to the Necessities and Weaknesses of Nature in those tender Years : and here ought to bo great Caré taken , both of Body and Mind , to lay a solid Foundation of Virtue and Goodness . What Children ought to be instructed in , the Method of it , the Grounds from whence the Capacity of Children ariseth , ought to be taken notice of , and well observed , of which I can give but brief hints , without enlarging beyond my intended Bounds . I conceive that a general Rule or Maxime , to be laid down for the Education of Children , may be . That Examples of what you would instruct them in , ought constantly to be presented to them . The Capacity of Children to receive and learn what Men are capable to offer to them , may easily be apprehended ; for that they participate of the same Power and Faculties of Mind and Body with Men : it must be owned that they are in the Bud , not yet come to ripeness : there is as certainly a growing in Understanding , as well as a growing in Stature , also a growing in Virtue , or gaining Strength in the exercise of Truth , Modesty , &c. It must considered that there are opposite Vices , which the degenerate Nature of Man is pro●e to embrace and entertain ; and if they are used before Children , the base Example prevails in viciating them , more than all precepts to the contrary can oppose : For where Pride , Sloth , Voluptuousness , Fraud , Self-Love , &c. are exercised ; Children are readily infected , and become as Seed , sown into a fertile Ground , that in time takes such rooting , that it is hard to be weeded out , if not almost impossible : But according to the Nature of all Weeds , spreads the whole Country , and on this occasion it is said by the Wise Man , Prov. 24 31 , 32. I went by the Field of the Slothful , &c. and lo ! it was all over grown with Thorns , and Nettles had cover'd the Face thereof , &c. Therefore all Example of Vice ought most carefully to be supprest ; for that they ruin the present Practicers , and sow a Seed for the corrupting and spoiling the next Generation . This consideration cannot be too much , nor too earnestly pressed ; for Knowledge , accompanied with Vice , serves but to exalt it to its Perfection ; and when a Nation or Person have thus fill'd up their Measures , they are fit Objects for Ruin and Destruction . The Nature thereof is such , that it draws Divine Vengeance on their Heads , except infinite Love and Forbearance steps between , to give an Opportunity for Repentance . This being premised , and due care taken to prevent the sowing of this evil Seed , and also to root up as much , as may be such evil Weeds ; as may arise of themselves in Children , thro' the power of depraved Nature ; then it may be proper to offer to their Understandings Things worthy the Nature of Man to receive . We find that Speech or Discourse by words , used by Men to communicate their Thoughts , to explain the Nature of Things , to detect Falshood and Vanity , &c. is only peeuliar to Man , and differences them from the rest of the Creatures , being a Character of a Divine Stamp , and shows the Excellency of the Humane Nature . We find by common Experience , that Children learn Speech very early and easily , and it is equal what ever Language is offered to them , they will with the same ease acquire it , which I conceive is a clear Argument for what I before offered , that Example ought to be presented to Children of what you would instruct them in , and we find also , that whatever Language Children are brought up in , and use till they come of Age , that becomes so natural to them , that it is difficult to learn another Language , commonly the first is so imprest , that many cannot express themselves in another Language , but it shall have somewhat of the first mixt with it , which showsnot only how how easie it is to instruct Children by Example , but also what is learned in Childhood , is rooted so deep , that it is not easily Eradicated . If for Example sake we here in England would instruct our Children in the Latin Tongue , or any other Language , would it not be easier , quicker , and more effectual to perform it after the same manner they learned their first Speech , than by Artificial Methods , and Grammar Rules , which I conceive ought to be offer'd them afterwards ? But this Notion hath of late obtained with many Men , who are proper Iudges therein ; and therefore the less may be said thereof , it carrying so strong an Argument forit self , even in the very Proposal . It is found by experience , that in some parts of Europe , where two or three Languages are spoke , that the Children there commonly learn them together ; as in Flanders the Dutch and French ; in Switzerland , the German and French. What may be the reason that here in England we speak not the Latin so readily as in some other Countries ? May it not be for want of frequent Examples ? Another Instance may here be very fitly offered , to show the Capacity of Children , and thereby induce us to an early Application for their Instruction , and that as in Musick , which formerly hath been thought too hard and difficult to instruct Children therein , and that it would rather oppress and burthen , than instruct or improve them ; which Opinion hath sufficiently been confuted of late years , by a Person , not fetter'd by such common Thoughts or Custom , but breaking through , hath produced Examples in Children at four Years old , that have attain'd a proficiency to be admired because not common , viz. Playing on the Viol several things with great swiftness of Hand , and at six or seven Years old , playing Divisions and Sonato's in Consort : Therefore I think , many words need not here be added , for that Matter of Fact carries an undeniable Proof along with it . I might instance in that common Art of Spinning , and in that dare appeal to those most knowing therein ; if Children , instructed 〈◊〉 that Art very Young , are not capable to spin a finer , and more even Thred , than any elder Person can possibly do , that was not put to it young ; and altho' this may seem a mean Instance , yet it is Pregnant , and the Art highly useful and acceptable with Men , the making curious fine Linnen and Lace . This is also Matter of Fact , and not to be deny'd . The like may be said in Painting , Drawing , Graving , &c. Such a Foundation may be laid , if begun as well , might produce wonderful Effects . That good Doctrin of the Wise Man may serve here in general ; Prov. 22. 6. Train up a Child in the way he should go , and when he is old , he will not depart from it . We ought to desire that the whole Nation were a School of Virtue , and every Family as a Branch of the whole , were found in the Exercise thereof ; such a School would certainly prove the most efficacious for the end proposed , but this is rather to be desired than expected , and indeed it is to be lamented , that publick Examples should ruin private Instruction : For as the more publick and general Examples of Virtue are , so are they more teaching , and on the contrary , the more publick and general Examples of Vice are the more infecting : Therefore it is that many Lovers of Virtue decline the publick Ways and Methods of instructing , for fear of being infected with the Vices , publickly practiced , and so lose a benefit , to avoid a certain Mischief , retiring within the narrow Limits of their own Families . And when Youth comes forth , virtuously educated in Private , to see the Lic●ntiousness used in Publick ; the Danger is great , if many are not corrupted therewith . This is not only incident to Youth , but also to elder Years , till the Mind comes to be in love with Virtue for its own sake . If for the attaining the end proposed to , viz. the well Educating of Children , that at present a School might be erected , where such Children designed to be taught , should constantly reside : That such Language proposed to be taught , should there constantly be spoken , and no other . That such Arts or Sciences , worthy the Knowledge and Practice of Men , were there duly and clearly proposed and exercised . That Truth , Industry , Temperance , &c. were there strictly observed , and in fine , all Vice studiously avoided , we might hope for a good Effect and Issue in the thing designed , and that the more sublime Truths relating to God and Immortal Life , might be more explained to us , which at present is wrapt up in the Books of the Scriptures , Nature and our Selves . It would very much contribute to the Im● 〈◊〉 ●th of Virtue ; were it set in a true Light , it ought not to be obscured with that frightful Vizard , as it is commonly represented , as if there was no Beauty or Pleasantness therein , but only Melancholly , Dullness , Unsociableness , and Folly : Therefore , Examples should be set before Children in the Conversation of those about them ; that as they pursue Virtue in its many Excellencies , they may not forget that Chearfulness , Ingenuity , Affability , Generosity , &c. that compleat the Harmony of the whole , without which , instead of attracting the Affections of those young Ones they should instruct , raise an aversion in their Minds against that , which otherwise they would rejoyce in , it being fasly exhibited to them . I will only instance that great Saying of Solomon ' s , Pro● 3. 17. speaking of Wisdom . Her Ways ar● Ways of Pleasantness , and all her Pa● are Peace , &c. I beg your Candid Acceptance hereof , and pardon for such Weakness , as may appear herein , and am , Sept. the 4th . 1694. SIR , Yours Intirely , FINIS .