words, difplays a trifling scholastic ambition. I no more admire that web where the knots and seams are visible, than I adinire that human form, where you may count all the bones and veins. Must I be bound to speak no other language but what is spoken in the courts of Paris? An imitation of words, by its facility, easily pervades a whole people; but the imita tion of applying those words, is of a flower progress. The man who borrows a robe that sits his person, may falsely imagine that his constitution, as well as size of body, is also similar to those of the owner; but strength and nerves are not so easily changed. The generality of readers may speak the same language which I employ; but I am very doubtful whether they have the same opinions. Plato says, the Athenians deal in copiousness and elegance of oratory, the Lacedemonians in brevity, and those of Crete aim more at the secundity of conceptions than the fertility of speech; and these are the nearest to perfection. I do not mean to insinuate, that polished language is not eligible, but that it is not so absolutely requisite, that every other consideration should yield H.6 to. to its attainment. The Greek and Latin languages are also of great utility, but people sacrifice too much for these acquirements. I beg leave to mention an improvement on the common method of teaching them, which I have experienced, that those who are desirous may profit by my example. My late father committed me to the care of a German, who conversed fluently in Latin, but could not speak my native tongue, and all the rest of the family were enjoined only to speak before me a sew Latin words, which they were taught for the purpose. By this method I was above six years old before I understood my own language; but without art, book, grammar, precept, whipping, or the expence of a tear, I had by that time learned to speak as pure Latin as my master himself. It was the intention of my father to follow the fame method of instructing me in Greek; for his great object was to make me relish science, and all relative duties, and to educate me without severity or constraint. He followed this plan in so extraordinary a manner, that he caused me to be awakened in the morn ing ing by the sound of a musical instrument, that I might not be roused too suddenly from sleep*; by this example you may judge of his whole conduct towards me, as it is alone sufficient to represent the precaution and affection of so good a father. He therefore is not to be blamed if he did not reap fruits answerable to so exquisite a culture, of which two things were the cause first, a steril and improper soil; for though I was of a strong and healthful constitution, and of a disposition tolerably tractable, yet my progress in literature was impeded by a *This eccentric mode of education is by no means here recited, as a method to be recommended, and indeed is expressly contrary to Montaigne's opinion in the first part of education, where he recommends boys being removed from the inspection of their parents, as he says they are not capable of properly chastising their faults, or of inuring them sufficiently to fatigue and inconveniences. The reader should always bear in mind Montaigne's assertion, "that he feels himself too badly instructed, to attempt instructing others." With this recollection the reader will probably be amused by the diversity of opinions from so singular a character, and will adopt only those that are likely to prove beneficial, great great deficiency in memory, and by a dulnefs and inactivity of habit; as I could with difficulty be roused to purfue my ftudies, or eyen to take bodily exertion, and follow juvenile fports. Yet my difcernment was tolerably clear, and I fometimes difplayed a boldness of imagination above my years. In the next place my father, like those who, being impatient of a flow and. fteady cure, fubmit to all forts of prescriptions, fuffered himself at laft to be overruled by the common opinion, and he sent me, at fix years of age, to the college of Guienne: but even there he provided me with the most able tutors; and, contrary to the ufual practice, gave me every poffible indulgence which could conduce either to my happiness or improvement. But with. all these precautions, it was a college ftill. My Latin immediately became corrupted, and from disuse I have fince totally loft the fluency of speaking it; therefore this new mode of teaching ferved no other end, than to prefer me to the highest claffes at my first entrance into college. At thirteen, having finished my course (as they termed it) I quitted college, but indeed without reaping any benefit, that at this time time I can honestly acknowledge. Happily for me, however, I was placed under the direction of a very ingenious preceptor, who observing that though I did my regular lessons with great indifference, yet that having no pleasure in reading the trash of infancy, such as Lancelot du Lake, Amadis de Gaul, &c. I had a taste for poetry and history, discreetly connived at my secret mode of reading. Hence, fascinated by the softness and pleasure of the subjects, I furtively ran through Virgil's Eneid, Terence, Plautus, and some Italian comedies; whereas, had he been so absurd as to debar me from this diverfion, I verily believe I should have brought away from college nothing but the same hatred for books which other young people do. Indeed I am confident, that unless I had experienced this mild treatment, the most estimable parts of my character would have been totally effaced, as I should never have submitted to force or violence. The chief direction which my father gave to those who had the care of my education, was to render me docile in my temper, gay and affable in my manners, and to stimulate my ambition. He was not so appre henfive |