A DISCOURSE Concerning SCHOOLS And Schoolmasters Offered to public Consideration.  
By M. N.  
LONDON, Printed for H. H. Anno Dom. 1663.   

A Discourse concerning Schools, and Schoolmasters, Offered to public Consideration.  
THat the Education of Youth is one of the greatest concernments of the Nation, is a Truth so obvious to every ordinary understanding, that I shall not need to insist upon the proof of it. Since 'tis plain, that the Scholastic State lays the groundwork and foundation of the other three States, viz. Oeconomical, Ecclesiastical, and Political; wherein the Societies take their measures of goodness and felicity, from the nature of those Methods which were used and that success which hath been obtained in Schools; all persons generally behaving themselves in their several stations, (which providence fixes them in) according to those Principles their childhood was first seasoned with, and that improvement of parts and manners they brought from thence. What is it that furnishes Families with dutiful children, industrious servants, discreet Masters? that supplies the Church with able Teachers, devout Hearers? that keeps Subjects in obedience to their Prince, in a quiet and just demeanour towards one another; but the powerful impressions of an early Institution, which being once well settled grow into habits, and become cor-natural to the temper and very constitution of the mind, not to be removed without great violence, and the continued efforts of ill company and constant debauches or diabolical infusions. Again, 'tis no less observable, that 'tis every man's care and main design, to provide well for his children after him, and to transmit happiness to his posterity: and this care is visible enough in their leaving honours and estates many times purchased with their own disquiet and sin to boot. Now let me ask, what those Legacies of the Parents love will avail, what the laws themselves, which by bounding property are to secure those estates to them, will signify; if our Children that are to succeed us, are not rightly principled in Piety and Obedience and the rules of honesty, & so prepared to a due observance of those Laws; which if not kept by them as well as us, all our care & provision for them will come to nought, and the next age that treads upon our heels, if let lose to licentious or factious practices and opinions, cannot but ruin all the benefits of our Peace, and the interests of our Religion; with this advantage, that their Predecessors must bear the blame of those miscarriages which proceeded from a neglected education of their children. Nay, I shall appeal to the Story of our late villainous changes, whether a few fanatic ill-principled spirits may not get partly power to destroy, partly credit to corrupt the rest of their fellow subjects from known rules of duty; as frequently those curs, which spend upon a wrong scent, are apt to misled the whole pack.  
This being, as it is amongst all men, who guide themselves by reason, agreed on; It may justly provoke the admiration of any considering person, that all sorts of people should be so remiss in this point, that amongst other provisions they seem to look upon education as the least necessary, and think that charge lost which is spent in breeding their children; which their extreme lavishness on other occasions and their sordid thrift in this doth abundantly testify.  

Res nulla minoris  
Constabit Patri, quàm Filius.  
Nothing shall stand the thrifty Dad  
In less than th' breeding of his Lad.   
Not to mention those of quality, & take notice only of the rabble we meet with in the streets; it must needs pity any Christian heart to see the little dirty Infantry, which swarms up and down in Alleys and Lanes, with curses and ribaldry in their mouths, and other ill rude behaviour, as if they were intended to put off their humanity, and to degenerate into brutes. What hopes may we entertain of posterity, when the better sort are sent over to foreign Schools of vice, to learn fashions, to court mistresses, dance à la mode and swear with a grace; and the worse sort are sent no whither, but learn to imitate and outdo those sorry examples they have at home.  
Nor is this neglect to be charged only upon particular persons in their private sphere; but the public also may be thought to partake in the same guilt: when we consider 'tis the only way to ascertain to our posterity the fruits of our late blessed and wonderful Restauration, and that so little has been done towards it, and that that little too has been so little looked after and observed. Indeed it must be confessed, that the Public Counsels have in the main been very worthy and just and industrious in ordering the great concerns of our peace, and in reestablishing the Church in its ancient Revenue and Reverence. And something by the by has been touched at for the Catechising of Youth, for the Master's abjuration of Covenant and subscription to Church Orders. But that either so imperfectly worded, as to afford an easy evation; or so poorly put in execution through negligence or corruption of Officers, that the law had as good never been made. I do not speak this with any imputation to the Henourable Assembly of Parliament; but with some resentment of this inadvertency bewail the fate of Schools, (which either have no patrons or their patrons no will to assist & promote their concernments) and pity the condition of posterity, which is no nearer looked to, no better provided for. It must be acknowledged, our worthy Patriots have business enough before them, to fill their hands and hearts, to take up their thoughts, and to employ their discourses. But when I find grievances of a meaner alloy considered and redressed; I could not but conclude, that they would in their wisdom have judged (had there stood up any one to represent) School-grievances and fraud and cozenage in that Mystery of as great and ill a Consequence to the public, and as worthy their debate and a speedy remedy as many of those which are come into Acts. Whereupon in the silence of all others, I thought myself obliged to take notice of this subject, and rather to extimulate some other, who being better acquainted with these things may make out further discoveries, than out of any confidence of an ability in myself to speak much to purpose in a thing of such moment, I have adventured to tender to public consideration my unpolished thoughts concerning the ordering of Schools to the benefit and improvement of Youth, and the advancement of Learning and Religion.  
And first, to speak of Stipend: reward being the very life of action, and the main encouragement of diligence.  

Quis enim vir●utem amplectitur ipsam, praemia si tollas?   

For who embraces virtue's self, If you take away the pelf?   
'Tis the Salary which makes Schools and Learning flourish. Chi ben paga ben impara, says the Italian. The conscience of doing public service, and satisfaction of discharging one's duty, is not a sufficient recompense for the toil of teaching. In Courts of Law and equity no under-Clerk or inferior Officers place, but may vie, for the profits of it, with the fairest pension of any public School. Ministers themselves, who instruct us to expect future rewards, yet without a fair present maintenance would fall into the contempt of the vulgar, and their labours prove ineffectual. And this is the case of Schools: no employment more publicly useful, none more toilsome and painful; yet no one more slighted even to reproach; no one less rewarded or regarded. 'Tis a great scandal to the Nation, and certainly as great a grievance (if rightly considered) that no one sort of men are greater sufferers in this kind, than Schoolmasters. Yet this must be said in commendation of our Ancestors, that their provision was very competent, and that the endowment of Schools was in proportion to the estates of those times very fair and honourable. When workmen wrought for a penny a day; when that Land which is now worth 40. or 50. s. an Acre, was then thought a dear bargain at ten groats; when every thing was cheap but money; forty pound per Annum was a fair livelihood, and better then, than 200. l. now perhaps. But what do we add to our forefather's stock? The trusties and Governors in the several Corporations share the Improvements amongst themselves, take all above the Salary for lawful prize, and leave the Master to the bare old allowance, notwithstanding the vast increase of the old Rents. So that by this means Schools are become Impropriations, and lay men (ignorant fellows) run away with the encouragements of Learning, & receive the rewards of the Master's industry. This abuse would deserve the Parliaments notice, and a severe account to be taken of the Revenues of Schools; which might be done by requiring all Masters and Governors to give in a perfect Inventory of School-Lands, Houses, etc. with their yearly value, and settling accordingly an honourable Salary upon the Master, with reasonable abatement for Repairs and the Charges of the Overseers. This course would invite men of eminent parts and abilities into School-work; whereas now 'tis made the Sanctuary of many idle insufficient persons, who have no hopes elsewhere; or by those, which have any merit, designed a step to some Church-preferment. It cannot then be expected, as things are, that the Schools of this Nation (excepting some few, which are Illustrious, and of Royal Foundation) should be in any tolerable condition.  
Having taken notice of the mean support and slender maintenance, let us next take a view of the Methods of teaching used in Schools; and see what disorders may be met with in them. I shall not pretend to be able to judge and give definitive Sentence, what is the best method; though we ought to have that regard to Antiquity and the custom of former times, that we are to be very tender, how we prefer our own novel conceits to their tried and approved usages; and that we do constantly adhere to that method and way which their practice, backed with public authority, hath chalked out to us, till authority do recommend another. They do almost in all Countries entertain the same Grammar, and go by a certain rule of teaching; Despauter obtains in France, Alvarez in Spain; and all England over heretofore, Lily and Camden were in the hands of Youth. And indeed there is the same reason for Uniformity in School, as in Church: the variety of Methods (supposing they were all severally in themselves very good) doing very much mischief, by not only distracting young heads, and discouraging them, and putting them back upon their removes to new Masters; but also making a fundamental difference in their course as they proceed to other studies. I have heard that a Bishop, at an examination in a public School, receiving an answer out of the common road, from a child, which had come lately from a private School, made this Reply, What, says he, Puritanism in Schools too? And so it is with us now, since these licentious times have overthrown all order, and broken us into so many sects and factions; the Schools have been infected with that Fanatic Itch, and like Independent Congregations have been variously administered by new Lights, according to the fancy of the several Teachers, that I dare say there are as many Grammars taught as there are Grammarians to teach, if not more. It would be well if these loose brooms were gathered again, if not into the old, yet into some one Model. 'Tis likely enough the old way may have some inconvenience, many defects and redundancies; why may not the same course be taken by us, as by the States of Holland, who upon such an occasion employed Vassius to revise and mend and complete the old Grammars both Greek and Latin, which are now accordingly read in the Low-country Schools; or, for better satisfaction, what if the Convocation would please to order some of their number, taking to their assistance some of the most able Masters, well experienced in teaching, either to correct what is amiss in the old Institution, or to draw up a new body of Rules and System of that Art, with the advantage of later inventions. It would be a thing not unworthy the care of Churchmen, and that for which posterity would pay thanks to their memory. Some eminent Divines in former ages have descended to that care, Dr. Collet, Dean of Paul's, Erasmus, Card. Woolsey, etc. In the mean time, I shall appeal to any man of sober Judgement, whether it be consistent with the Nations good, to banish schism out of the Church, and countenance it in Schools; and whether our English Youth, which is thus nursed up in faction, is like to be well taught.  
When the Stipends and Methods are thus established, I should further propose, that there should be no allowance for any one whatsoever to keep a private School upon his own account, unless it be the Clerk of the Parish, whose office it should be (with an allowance for it) to teach all the Children of the Parish at certain hours each day to write and read, and that by the direction and under the inspection of the Minister; and on Saturdays to prepare them for their public answering in the Church to the Catechise-question●: and that when children are thus far instructed in their own Parish, they should be then sent to some public School, unless the Parent were of an Estate to keep a Tutor (to be approved by the Bishop) in his house, or were of so low a fortune, that he could not be at the charge of breeding his Child a Scholar. For without question many of those whiffling undertakers, that appear not in public Stations, but venture out upon their own private bottom, besides that they drain the public Schools, to their great hindrance and discouragement, Citizens being easily pleased with any thing that is new-fangled; may very well be suspected to have no honest warrantable design, if they be well inquired into. I shall readily crave pardon of any one which shall be injured in that information which I have received; but must think myself obliged▪ in justice to the public, to let it be understood, what ill offices may be done it (as I have heard) in private. There are at this time about the City several Masters of private Schools, which have been and are still Covenanters, Presbyterians, Non-Conformists; some of whom have been outed out of their other men's places for Schism: who yet are encouraged by the confluence of youth from the City, and 〈◊〉 the favour of some Noble Families: One at Clapham. One at Tottenham High-Cross. One or two at Chelsey. One or two at Newington. One at least at Hackney, etc. and so (as I am told) throughout the whole Kingdom those of that party are designing the same course. Whether this be the fault of the under-Officers, a sort of men that by ill execution of good Laws have always brought an odium upon the Episcopal Authority, which employs them, and the sacred Order itself, upon which they depend: or whether it be the craft and cunning of those Merchants of the Faction, who rather than sit out will play any game, I am not able to discern; Authority may be satisfied, if it may be at leisure but to make the inquiry. However, it hath a very ill face, and portends unluckily enough to the peace of the Nation, that there are suffered such Seminaries of Faction, as if it were designed, that Posterity should retrieve the Good Old Cause, and the Children should carry on the Work of the Lord in the following Generation, which hath proved too hot in ours (Thanks be to God) for the Father's fingers. Will not these suffering Brethren have a fair Opportunity of being revenged on the Reverend Fathers of our Church, for their severity in turning them out of unjust Live, by training Youth to a contempt of Church-Authority and Order, and keeping on foot Nurseries (like barkstead's Regiment) of those who may hereafter make up a Schismatical Army?  
My Lords, You had much better have continued them in the Pulpit; they will do ten times more mischief now amongst the Lambs, than they could have done amongst the Sheep. What they did then, was like stealing of standing Corn out of the Field, but rubbing the Ears; but what they do now, is stealing the Seed, the next years Crop, which the Civil Law hath determined to be a far greater theft. They have sufficiently spoiled the present Age, must they now be turned lose to spoil the next Age too? If those Spirits by their Religious canting could carry away Men and Women from their Obedience to the Father of their Country, and from the bosom of their Mother the Church, ah! My Lords, Are they to be trusted with the Children? I am of Opinion, that if the Vicar General would instead of School-Licences give them Licences to practise Physic, he might do the whole Nation 〈…〉 good Office: For by this means, those of their own Tribe being the only persons that would probably make use of them, they might in some reasonable time give a fair account of the whole Fraternity; as we use to rid our houses of Rats, by teaching one to eat Rat's flesh, and then hanging a Bell about his neck he will never give over till he have ferreted all the gang away. In good earnest, it would be more prudent to advise his Majesty to allow all that have suffered in that kind, and are otherwise unprovided, (which will not be many) a moderate Pension out of his Exchequer, than thus to admit them to an employment, which may be of so dangerous a Consequence to the public Peace. And whereas they pretend not to intersmeddle with the Instruction but leave that to a little Officer, some puny Fellow they get from the University, who may subscribe according to the Act, while themselves keep their own Conscience free to the Godly Design: besides, that it is plain enough what danger there is in their very Converse and Example, in their Hums and Haws, in their Graces and Family-Exercises; it being so familiar with Men of that Principle, to sow Sedition in their very Prayers, and to make Religion itself a Stolen to Faction: I say, besides this, it will be found upon inquiry that they do too execute the Teaching Part, by spending considerable portions of their time in examining and taking account how their Children profit; though this must be said in their behalf, that for their teaching of Letters there is not that fear of a presbyterians doing much mischief, seeing it may be supposed they cannot be very comunicative of what most of them have not; but it is believed, it was the intention of that Act to take from them the Opportunity of spreading the Leaven of their Factious and Disloyal Opinions, which they can more effectually do in the Duties of the Family: And it may be easily guessed by the Relations, on what errand those Children are sent to such Masters or Landlords, namely, that they may learn to fear God, and disobey the King and the Church, (as their Fathers before them have done.) I am somewhat the more earnest on this Subject, because it must be confessed, that those who were censured unfit for Church-work, aught to be judged much less fit for the work of the School: and if the Priests are denied to the Fathers, much more should the Children be kept from them, unless we would verify that Proverb, that The Fathers have eaten sour Grapes, and now the children's teeth must be set on edge.  
To come then to the last and chiefest Consideration; How Schoolmasters themselves are to be qualified, that they may laudably perform the great Trust and Duty which is charged upon them. What difficulties the Work hath in it, to encounter all kind of Tempers, and improve all sorts of Wits, to be ingeniorum & morum artifices, to fashion Minds and Manners, to cultivate rude Soil, and dispose Youth to Virtuous behaviour against their Natural inclinations; what cares and pains, what great abilities of Prudence and skill and all Virtue, what a Cycle of Knowledge it requires to instruct others in the grounds of Literature, to raise their Parts, to heighten their Fancy, to fix their thoughts, and to crane their Genius to the pitch, and so prepare them for public Service, is a thing more easily discoursed then considered, more talked of then taken notice of. It is a great wonder of Providence, when we look on the present Constitution of Schools, how much contempt, and how little encouragement is shown to the Profession, that there are any able and worthy men of that way; and sure whoever they are, it was at first not the spontaneous Election of their own mind, but some outward necessity of Fortune, or some other Fatality that condemned them to those Galleys, and tied them to that Oar, seeing those that are engaged do most upon the stock of their own credit work through the flint: So true is that,  

Quem Jupiter odit, Paedagogum facit.   

To whom a spite▪ Jove takes,  
Him Pedagogue he makes.   
Were Parents obliged but for some time to the trouble of instructing their Children, (they think it trouble enough to have them in the same house;) they would quickly be convinced, what respects were fit to be paid to him, who undertakes such a charge, and what pardon he would deserve at their hands for small failings, when themselves cannot secure them from great ones. But were the forementioned course taken, of proportioning the Salaries to the improvement of Rents, there is no question to be made, but Schools might be well provided with gallant and able men, who might discharge that National trust with brave success, and yet with great Splendour and much ease. Were that done, young Scholars at the University would prepare themselves for School, as for a handsome Preferment; whereas now nothing but pure necessity can put them upon that way: They would practise to talk Latin fluently, that they might readily entertain any stranger, (which now many that have the Reputation of good Scholars are but clumsy in) and pour forth Verses and Declamations extempore; they would study the Classical Authors thoroughly and digest them, acquaint themselves with all the Critical parts of Philology, and the Elegancies of the Language, and the Customs of Antiquity: How many Erasmusses, and Melancthons', and Scaligers, and Puteans, and Vossiusses, should we have amongst us in a short time, if Literature were but thus encouraged? whereas now generally the Pulpit is made their ultimate Design; and when they set once a preaching, they lay their studies of Humanity aside.  
Before I part with this, I must not forget one thing, which I take to be a main Cause of the Master's toil, and the Scholars non-proficience; that as Schools now are, the Master takes too much upon him, and more than he can possibly with any credit discharge: For you shall see in most Schools but a Master and an Usher, and sometimes but one set over a Company of Boys, whose Capacities and Ingenies may be sorted perhaps into seven or eight Classes. It is not possible one or two men, (let them work their hearts out) should suffice to this Duty: Wherefore, if it were so ordered that every great School might have for each Form a Master, who might be as the Intelligence of that Sphere, and wheel it about with him through the whole Encyclopedy of School-Learning, (with a Rector or Precedent over them all) the work would go on with great facility and cheerfulness, and no less success.  
This is the course which the Jesuits take, and which makes them looked on as the greatest Masters of breeding up Youth: And this would be very feasible, to have in every great Town almost such a School, at least one or two in a County. To instance. What were it for Kings-Colledge to supply Eaten-School, New-Colledge to supply Winchester-School with half a dozen young Masters, who might, as they ripened each his Company, return back to his College, and there, if his Superiors shall judge fit, go on with those that are taken for the University, through the course of Philosophy: And so out of Christ-Church in Oxford, and Trinity in Cambridge, seven or eight, or half a score young men would not be missed; who if they were employed in Westminster-School, which furnishes both thos● Colleges, might by dealing the work amongst so many hands make it very light and prosperous; and so of other Free-Schools, especially those that send Scholars to certain Colleges.  
And this would be a pretty Introduction of young Masters of Arts and Bachelors into the World, and prepare them for a serious Scene of Action; and keep them from growing musty in the University, where Colledge-Commons, and the Walks, (if not good fellowship) indispose many for the Duties of an Active life; and to say Truth, what have they those Fellowships and Allowances for, but to serve the public, which they cannot do better at first setting out then in this way. And for places of lesser note, Servitor's, when they are arrived at Degrees, may be sent to Officiate for a time appointed, and not have Orders presently given them, and to be put to their shifts (as heretofore) in the Ministry, when their necessities recommended them to Presbyterian Families or poor populous Corporations, where for a livelihood they studied placentia, preached down the Church and preached up the Kirk: for it hath been observed, that your factious little Chaplains, and the Lecturers of your great Towns proved the Boutefeus' of our late Troubles. There being one or two such Schools in each County, how easily will the Gentry fall in, how readily the other sort of people, especially if such Schools have some Colleges in either University allotted for their preferment upon solemn Probations; which may be easily contrived without breach of any Statute. Nay, many Colleges we see are already so allotted, as those I mentioned before: so Saint john's▪ for Merchant Tailors: Jesus College for the Welsh: Exeter for Devonshire men, etc. and why may not the rest be so ordered? And then for places of lesser Note, as little Market-Towns, etc. where there is great number of Children, and some that their Parents would wish should do more then barely write and read, which we suppose is the Clerks work to teach them: there as was said before, may be one or two meaner persons with a less Salary, who may be stinted too in their work; so as to teach only Latin according to Grammar-Rule: for those who would design further, should be obliged to attend the great Schools; and no other School should have Privilege to fit Scholars for the University, by which means there would be a great concourse thither; and if the Gentry were numerous, there might be provided Masters of other Faculties to take up their leisure hours and intervals of study; viz. A Catechist, an Arithmetician, a Writing Master, a Master of Fence, a Dancing Master, Music Masters, a Rider of the great Horse; some old Soldier to teach them their Postures, and to handle their Arms, etc. And besides this (which is the other advantage of your boarding Schools) the benefit of Air might be procured, in the Summer quarter at least, by removing two or three miles out of the Town to some convenient seat, which might with those Improvements easily be purchased; as also other requisites provided for the ease and Reputation of the Masters, and the benefit & advantage not of the Scholars alone, but of those Towns also where the Schools are kept. Nor would this Academical way tend at all to the diminution of the Universities, but much advantage them in their Repute, by certain constant Homages from all the Schools in the Nation, holding from them in Capite, governed by their Missionaries, and by their Rules; and at last according to their demerit upon Trial, expecting Preferment from them; to which Repute the mutual Emulation of the Masters in their several Provinces being always in Fluxu, and not Stationary; and the account that they must make to the College which sent them, would very much conduce. Now those Provinces or Classes might be ordered according to the several Stages, Scholars go in their School-learning, after some such Draught as this:  

The first Class, Grounds of Grammar, declining Nouns and Verbs.  
The second, Congruity of Latin.  
The third, Propriety and Phrase.  
The fourth, Oratory and Rhetoric.  
The fifth, Poetry and Verse.  
The sixth, Greek grounds.  
The seventh, Dialect.  
The eighth, Antiquity and Philology.   
But this Course may be left either to the Arbitrary discretion of the present Master, or else Regulated by the Head and Seniors of the College, to which that School shall appertain according to occasion.  
To make short, this last Paragraph is offered as a Scheme only upon sudden thought, on purpose to suggest to some more ingenious and better experienced Head, to find out an expedient for preventing the Master's toil, and yet assuring the success: Nor hath the whole Discourse any other Design, then barely to represent some inconveniences in the managing of Schools, which are very visible to any one, but have not been taken public notice of by any; not that the Writer of this is at all an Opiniator of himself, or hath the confidence of obtruding his crude and undigested Sense upon the great Council of the Nation, or hath indeed any concernment in the Grievance, further than his own Children, whom he shall provide for, whether this have any effect or no; or can entertain any great hope to have this Paper considered or looked on by any of those who may be concerned in the Redress; much less was it in his aim to levelly Satire at any one, any otherwise then honestly to discharge his own burdened thoughts, in resentment of that which his mind told him deserved to be the Object of a public care, with the same Freedom as he thought them. And if any one find himself aggrieved at the Writer, he must not blame him for having a greater tenderness for the public good, then for any private person; and withal let him take this Character of him, that he is one bears that love to his Country, that Faith to his Prince, that Reverence to the Church, and that Honour for all true Worth and Desert, that he shall not be grieved himself to see his own Interest, his Reputation and dearest Concerns lie bleeding for their sakes; and will readily allow his forgiveness for any unkindness any one shall do him upon such a score.  
Much more might be said concerning the Exercises, especially such as are to be performed publicly; and concerning the Discipline of Schools by reward and punishment: wherein I should particularly advise that whipping might be, if not totally laid aside, at least very sparingly used, and that upon Moral transgressions; as Swearing, Thieving, etc. and then too by the hand of some Servant, the Beadle or Lictor of the School; as an Office in itself servile, not at all beseeming either Gentleman or Divine to execute; or indeed becoming any thing of Ingenuity, either to act or suffer. Indeed the great indiscretion and intemperance of Masters in that, hath brought a very great contempt and hatred upon the Profession itself: and not to speak of the ill use some have made of it to lewdness (of which Instances are not wanting, but that they are odious) it being a kind of uncovering nakedness: it doth generally more hurt then good, by making those that are dull more dull, and dispiriting the ingenious; and truly, wicked Boys (to whom it properly belongs) are by the frequency and commonness of it hardened; and being grown after a while shameless, and senseless of the Rod, having past the last remedy (as this is accounted) do become incurable: whereas such are to be kept in a course of Discipline, as not to be mended with the most severe inflictions of present smart, which is quickly worn off.  
To these Heads, and other Expedients, I do not want store of Observations taken up both abroad from other Countries, and at Home, in our own: but think it best to reserve them till some other time, if occasion shall be offered. Again, I consider, this is but a needless work peradventure: for when Salaries are improved, the Grounding Methods settled, and Masters well qualified, as to their Abilities and Affections, these Master's will in their several Companies for Superstructure and Discipline, and other Prudential ways, better possibly consult for themselves, than any by-stander can. Let me add, that in that Method by me laid down, there is not any prejudice in the least intended to those Masters, who are at present in Possession of public Schools; but on the contrary great advantage of Ease, of Honour, and of Profit. For supposing the number of Schools should be reduced to that paucity there mentioned, out of those Masters might be chosen the Scholarcha or Rector of each School, and his Colleagues too, pro hâc vice, whose single Forms would bring them in better returns, than their whole huddle of Scholars doth now. Those of the lesser note might be planted in the lesser Towns, and nothing to their loss. After these old standers were worn off the Stage, than University men might take their Qu.  
I shall Conclude with an humble Address to those in place and Power: (it being not impossible that some such may chance to let fall their Eye upon this Paper.) That the Honourable Court of Parliament would, as they tender the Peace of three Kingdoms, and the preservation of their own good Laws, lay to heart, and take into serious Consideration the necessity of wholesome Institution for our Children; that they would give public Schools a public Countenance, and remove those Grievances, which they labour under, by settling handsome Salaries, and establishing some kind of Uniformity; That they would not suffer those seeds to be scattered in the minds of Youth, which have in these late years produced such a Harvest of mischiefs and confusions; (upon this ground, that Royal Clemency is to be limited to Persons, not to be extended to Principles:) That they would take up that Noble Design of perpetua●●●… themselves in a well bred Posterity: and Lastly, That they would not be slow in a Business of so great and quick Concernment; the hopes of the next Age lying at stake, Children growing up into Men apace; and what is taken in now being hardly cured hereafter, the Elder sort affording very few examples of Conversion. That especially, the Right Reverend the Bishops, would not only provide for the Sheep, but take care that the Lambs may be fed, as the great Shepherd and Bishop gives them Order: That they would in their Dioceses Visit Schools, as well as Churches, and encourage Youth in Virtue: That they would please to use their Power for detecting the Frauds of trusties, and for restoring to Schools they Rights: And in fine, That they would enjoin their Ordinaries to be very strict and careful what Masters they admit how they are qualified, and affected to present Government both of Church and State: For he that is an Enemy of on● can be no Friend to the other: And to call, especially all private Teachers, and Schoolmasters (what ever their pretence may be) to a public Account; it being found a task almost impossible by all Methods the Church of England cause to recover those persons to a sound Orthodox Sense whose Childhood hath been poisoned, and prepossessed with Schism.  
FINIS.