difcufs these subjects." But it is the opinion of all wise men, that that part of philosophy which treats of man, his faculties, and duties, as it sweetens life, and is both useful and agreeable, may be admitted into all social meetings. It is a great misfortune in our age, that philosophy, or in other words, virtue, is represented, even by men of superior parts, with a terrific countenance; whereas there is nothing in reality more cheerful. Socrates, who was virtue's first favourite, abolished constraint in order to introduce her with simplicity and ease. Virtue is the nursing mother of all human pleasures; by rendering them just, she renders them certain and pure: by interdicting some enjoyments, and by moderating others, she increases our relish for those which she permits, and, like a kind and liberal mother, abundantly allows what nature requires; unless we should assert that the prescribed regimen, which checks the hand of the toper before he is intoxicated, of the glutton before he is surfeited, and equally forbids all other excesses, can be esteemed an enemy to real pleasure. She loves life, beauty, glory, health; but her peculiar office is to teach

us their true value, and how to relinquish them without too deep a regret.

Care should be taken not to make our pupil a slave to his improvement. I would not have his spirit broken and subdued, as is frequently the case, by abandoning him to the morose humour of an over-grown pedant for fourteen hours a day. If he should be naturally of a solitary and dejected disposition, and particularly addicted to study, I would not too much encourage this humour, as it may make him unfit for society, and all useful occupation. How many men have I seen in my time absolutely stupified by an immoderate thirst after knowledge: but as the steps we take in walking to and fro in a gallery do not equally fatigue a man, though three times as many as in a regular journey, so a lesson introduced accidentally, without obligation of time or place, will glide insensibly into the mind. I would have the comportment and decency of the exterior, and the cultivation of the interior, directed at the fame time. 'Tis not merely the soul, 'tis not merely the body, that we wish to form; 'tis the man: as Plato says, they ought to be

equally

equally attended to, like a pair of horses to the same carriage.

I rather think, that Plato expresses more solicitude for the exercises of the body, and conceives that the mind will proportionally be benefited *.

Our plan of education should be conducted with a steady mildness, quite contrary to the practice of our pedants, who instead of tempting and alluring children to letters by gentle means, do only present before their eyes rods, horror, and cruelty. Away with this violence and compulsion; in my opinion there is nothing which more tends to check the powers of an ingenuous disposition. If you wish the boy to dread shame and chastisement, do not harden him by repeated punishment.

* As sickness draws deep furrows o'er the face, And blooming health supplies a sprightly grace; As grief and joy are equally defin'd,

The visage shews the feeling of the mind;

Philosophy should all her aid impart,

To form the outward man, and calm the heart:

But vain the aid of philosophic power,

Unless religion, in affliction's hour,

From whole blest source sublimest hopes are given,

Benignly lifts our contrite hearts to Heaven.

i

I have ever condemned our college difcipline; peradventure they might have erred less perniciously on the indulgent fide *.

How much more decent would it be, to see their classes strewed with green leaves, and fine flowers, than with the dried stumps of birch and willows! Were these institutions under my direction, I would ornament the schools with the pictures of joy and gladness, with Flora and the graces, "that where their profit is, there might be their pleasure also." Such viands as are proper and wholesome for children, should be seasoned with sugar, and such as are dangerous with gall.

All singularity in manners should be studi ously avoided. I have seen some fly from a mellow apple with greater precipitation, than from a cannon ball; others run away from a mouse; others turn sick at the appearance of a cat; and even Germanicus could neither endure

We are led to fuppofe, by Montaigne's account, that the French feminaries for education were at that time conducted with extreme illiberality, which was still more heightened perhaps by the rigid aufterity of the Roman Catholic religion.

the

the fight or crowing of a cock. I will not deny that there may be some occult cause for similar aversions; but if early care is taken to conquer these prepossessions, they may generally be subdued. In this case precept has so effectually wrought upon me (though I must confess not without some efforts) that I have not a real antipathy to any harmless thing in nature, except that I never could bring myself to overcome my aversion for malt liquor. When the body is supple, it may be bent almost to any fashion or custom; and provided a young man can contain bis appetites and will within due limits, let him, in God's name, be rendered sit for all companies, and all nations. Let him be able to do every thing, but love to do nothing but what is right. He should be taught not to carry even forbearance too far; the philosophers themselves do not justify Calisthenes for forfeiting the savour of his master Alexander the great, by refuting to pledge him with a glass of wine. There is a great difference between forbearing to do wrong, and not knowing how to do wrong. These are my lessons, and he, who shall put them in practice, will have profited. beft

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