IneverseriouslysettledmyselftothereadinganybookofsolidlearningbutPlutarchandSeneca;andthere，liketheDanaides，I
　　eternallyfill，anditasconstantlyrunsout;somethingofwhichdropsuponthispaper，butlittleornothingstayswithme。Historyismyparticulargameastomatterofreading，orelsepoetry，forwhichIhaveparticularkindnessandesteem:for，asCleanthessaid，asthevoice，forcedthroughthenarrowpassageofatrumpet，comesoutmoreforcibleandshrill:so，methinks，asentencepressedwithintheharmonyofversedartsoutmorebrisklyupontheunderstanding，andstrikesmyearandapprehensionwithasmarterandmorepleasingeffect。AstothenaturalpartsIhave，ofwhichthisistheessay，Ifindthemtobowundertheburden;myfancyandjudgmentdobutgropeinthedark，trippingandstumblingintheway;andwhenIhavegoneasfarasIcan，Iaminnodegreesatisfied;Idiscoverstillanewandgreaterextentoflandbeforeme，withatroubledandimperfectsightandwrappedupinclouds，thatIamnotabletopenetrate。Andtakinguponmetowriteindifferentlyofwhatevercomesintomyhead，andthereinmakinguseofnothingbutmyownproperandnaturalmeans，ifitbefallme，asoft—
　　timesitdoes，accidentallytomeetinanygoodauthor，thesameheadsandcommonplacesuponwhichIhaveattemptedtowrite（asIdidbutjustnowinPlutarch’s"DiscourseoftheForceofImagination"），toseemyselfsoweakandsoforlorn，soheavyandsoflat，incomparisonofthosebetterwriters，Iatoncepityordespisemyself。YetdoIpleasemyselfwiththis，thatmyopinionshaveoftenthehonourandgoodfortunetojumpwiththeirs，andthatIgointhesamepath，thoughataverygreatdistance，andcansay，"Ah，thatisso。"IamfarthersatisfiedtofindthatIhaveaquality，whicheveryoneisnotblessedwithal，whichis，todiscernthevastdifferencebetweenthemandme;andnotwithstandingallthat，suffermyowninventions，lowandfeebleastheyare，torunonintheircareer，withoutmendingorplasteringupthedefectsthatthiscomparisonhaslaidopentomyownview。And，inplaintruth，amanhadneedofagoodstrongbacktokeeppacewiththesepeople。Theindiscreetscribblersofourtimes，who，amongsttheirlaboriousnothings，insertwholesectionsandpagesoutofancientauthors，withadesign，bythatmeans，toillustratetheirownwritings，doquitecontrary;forthisinfinitedissimilitudeofornamentsrendersthecomplexionoftheirowncompositionssosallowanddeformed，thattheylosemuchmorethantheyget。
　　Thephilosophers，ChrysippusandEpicurus，wereinthisoftwoquitecontraryhumours:thefirstnotonlyinhisbooksmixedpassagesandsayingsofotherauthors，butentirepieces，and，inone，thewholeMedeaofEuripides;whichgaveApollodorusoccasiontosay，thatshouldamanpickoutofhiswritingsallthatwasnoneofhis，hewouldleavehimnothingbutblankpaper:whereasthelatter，quiteonthecontrary，inthreehundredvolumesthatheleftbehindhim，hasnotsomuchasonequotation。——[DiogenesLaertius，LivesofChyysippus，vii。181，andEpicurus，x。26。]
　　Ihappenedtheotherdayuponthispieceoffortune;IwasreadingaFrenchbook，whereafterIhadalongtimerundreamingoveragreatmanywords，sodull，soinsipid，sovoidofallwitorcommonsense，thatindeedtheywereonlyFrenchwords:afteralongandtedioustravel，I
　　cameatlasttomeetwithapiecethatwaslofty，rich，andelevatedtotheveryclouds;ofwhich，hadIfoundeitherthedeclivityeasyortheascentgradual，therehadbeensomeexcuse;butitwassoperpendicularaprecipice，andsowhollycutofffromtherestofthework，thatbythefirstsixwords，Ifoundmyselfflyingintotheotherworld，andthencediscoveredthevalewhenceIcamesodeepandlow，thatIhaveneverhadsincethehearttodescendintoitanymore。IfIshouldsetoutoneofmydiscourseswithsuchrichspoilsasthese，itwouldbuttooevidentlymanifesttheimperfectionofmyownwriting。ToreprehendthefaultinothersthatIamguiltyofmyself，appearstomenomoreunreasonable，thantocondemn，asIoftendo，thoseofothersinmyself:theyaretobeeverywherereproved，andoughttohavenosanctuaryallowedthem。IknowverywellhowaudaciouslyImyself，ateveryturn，attempttoequalmyselftomythefts，andtomakemystylegohandinhandwiththem，notwithoutatemerarioushopeofdeceivingtheeyesofmyreaderfromdiscerningthedifference;butwithalitisasmuchbythebenefitofmyapplication，thatIhopetodoit，asbythatofmyinventionoranyforceofmyown。Besides，Idonotoffertocontendwiththewholebodyofthesechampions，norhandtohandwithanyoneofthem:’tisonlybyflightsandlittlelightattemptsthatIengagethem;Idonotgrapplewiththem，buttrytheirstrengthonly，andneverengagesofarasImakeashowtodo。IfIcouldholdtheminplay，Iwereabravefellow;forI
　　neverattackthem;butwheretheyaremostsinewyandstrong。Tocoveraman’sself（asIhaveseensomedo）withanotherman’sarmour，soasnottodiscoversomuchashisfingers’ends;tocarryonadesign（asitisnothardforamanthathasanythingofascholarinhim，inanordinarysubjecttodo）underoldinventionspatcheduphereandtherewithhisowntrumpery，andthentoendeavourtoconcealthetheft，andtomakeitpassforhisown，isfirstinjusticeandmeannessofspiritinthosewhodoit，whohavingnothinginthemoftheirownfittoprocurethemareputation，endeavourtodoitbyattemptingtoimposethingsupontheworldintheirownname，whichtheyhavenomanneroftitleto;andnext，aridiculousfollytocontentthemselveswithacquiringtheignorantapprobationofthevulgarbysuchapitifulcheat，atthepriceatthesametimeofdegradingthemselvesintheeyesofmenofunderstanding，whoturnuptheirnosesatallthisborrowedincrustation，yetwhosepraisealoneisworththehaving。Formyownpart，thereisnothingI
　　wouldnotsoonerdothanthat，neitherhaveIsaidsomuchofothers，buttogetabetteropportunitytoexplainmyself。NorinthisdoIglanceatthecomposersofcentos，whodeclarethemselvesforsuch;ofwhichsortofwritersIhaveinmytimeknownmanyveryingenious，andparticularlyoneunderthenameofCapilupus，besidestheancients。
　　Thesearereallymenofwit，andthatmakeitappeartheyareso，bothbythatandotherwaysofwriting;asforexample，Lipsius，inthatlearnedandlaboriouscontextureofhisPolitics。
　　But，beithowitwill，andhowinconsiderablesoevertheseineptitudesmaybe，IwillsayIneverintendedtoconcealthem，nomorethanmyoldbaldgrizzledlikenessbeforethem，wherethepainterhaspresentedyounotwithaperfectface，butwithmine。Forthesearemyownparticularopinionsandfancies，andIdeliverthemasonlywhatImyselfbelieve，andnotforwhatistobebelievedbyothers。Ihavenootherendinthiswriting，butonlytodiscovermyself，who，alsoshall，peradventure，beanotherthingto—morrow，ifIchancetomeetanynewinstructiontochangeme。Ihavenoauthoritytobebelieved，neitherdoIdesireit，beingtooconsciousofmyownineruditiontobeabletoinstructothers。
　　Someone，then，havingseentheprecedingchapter，theotherdaytoldmeatmyhouse，thatIshouldalittlefartherhaveextendedmydiscourseontheeducationofchildren。——["Which，howfitIamtodo，letmyfriendsflattermeiftheyplease，Ihaveinthemeantimenosuchopinionofmyowntalent，astopromisemyselfanyverygoodsuccessfrommyendeavour。"ThispassagewouldappeartobeaninterpolationbyCotton。
　　Atallevents，Idonotfinditintheoriginaleditionsbeforeme，orinCoste。]——
　　Now，madam，ifIhadanysufficiencyinthissubject，Icouldnotpossiblybetteremployit，thantopresentmybestinstructionstothelittlemanthatthreatensyoushortlywithahappybirth（foryouaretoogeneroustobeginotherwisethanwithamale）;for，havinghadsogreatahandinthetreatyofyourmarriage，Ihaveacertainparticularrightandinterestinthegreatnessandprosperityoftheissuethatshallspringfromit;besidethat，yourhavinghadthebestofmyservicessolonginpossession，sufficientlyobligesmetodesirethehonourandadvantageofallwhereinyoushallbeconcerned。But，intruth，allI
　　understandastothatparticularisonlythis，thatthegreatestandmostimportantdifficultyofhumanscienceistheeducationofchildren。Forasinagriculture，thehusbandrythatistoprecedeplanting，asalsoplantingitself，iscertain，plain，andwellknown;butafterthatwhichisplantedcomestolife，thereisagreatdealmoretobedone，morearttobeused，morecaretobetaken，andmuchmoredifficultytocultivateandbringittoperfectionsoitiswithmen;itisnohardmattertogetchildren;butaftertheyareborn，thenbeginsthetrouble，solicitude，andcarerightlytotrain，principle，andbringthemup。Thesymptomsoftheirinclinationsinthattenderagearesoobscure，andthepromisessouncertainandfallacious，thatitisveryhardtoestablishanysolidjudgmentorconjectureuponthem。LookatCimon，forexample，andThemistocles，andathousandothers，whoverymuchdeceivedtheexpectationmenhadofthem。Cubsofbearsandpuppiesreadilydiscovertheirnaturalinclination;butmen，sosoonasevertheyaregrownup，applyingthemselvestocertainhabits，engagingthemselvesincertainopinions，andconformingthemselvestoparticularlawsandcustoms，easilyalter，oratleastdisguise，theirtrueandrealdisposition;andyetitishardtoforcethepropensionofnature。Whenceitcomestopass，thatfornothavingchosentherightcourse，weoftentakeverygreatpains，andconsumeagoodpartofourtimemtrainingupchildrentothings，forwhich，bytheirnaturalconstitution，theyaretotallyunfit。Inthisdifficulty，nevertheless，Iamclearlyofopinion，thattheyoughttobeelementedinthebestandmostadvantageousstudies，withouttakingtoomuchnoticeof，orbeingtoosuperstitiousinthoselightprognosticstheygiveofthemselvesintheirtenderyears，andtowhichPlato，inhisRepublic，gives，methinks，toomuchauthority。
　　Madam，scienceisaverygreatornament，andathingofmarvelloususe，especiallyinpersonsraisedtothatdegreeoffortuneinwhichyouare。
　　And，intruth，inpersonsofmeanandlowcondition，itcannotperformitstrueandgenuineoffice，beingnaturallymoreprompttoassistintheconductofwar，inthegovernmentofpeoples，innegotiatingtheleaguesandfriendshipsofprincesandforeignnations，thaninformingasyllogisminlogic，inpleadingaprocessinlaw，orinprescribingadoseofpillsinphysic。Wherefore，madam，believingyouwillnotomitthissonecessaryfeatureintheeducationofyourchildren，whoyourselfhavetasteditssweetness，andareofalearnedextraction（forweyethavethewritingsoftheancientCountsofFoix，fromwhommylord，yourhusband，andyourself，arebothofyoudescended，andMonsieurdeCandale，youruncle，everydayobligestheworldwithothers，whichwillextendtheknowledgeofthisqualityinyourfamilyforsomanysucceedingages），Iwill，uponthisoccasion，presumetoacquaintyourladyshipwithoneparticularfancyofmyown，contrarytothecommonmethod，whichisallIamabletocontributetoyourserviceinthisaffair。
　　Thechargeofthetutoryoushallprovideforyourson，uponthechoiceofwhomdependsthewholesuccessofhiseducation，hasseveralothergreatandconsiderablepartsanddutiesrequiredinsoimportantatrust，besidesthatofwhichIamabouttospeak:these，however，Ishallnotmention，asbeingunabletoaddanythingofmomenttothecommonrules:
　　andinthis，whereinItakeuponmetoadvise，hemayfollowitsofaronlyasitshallappearadvisable。
　　Fora，boyofqualitythen，whopretendstolettersnotupontheaccountofprofit（forsomeananobjectisunworthyofthegraceandfavouroftheMuses，andmoreover，initamandirectshisservicetoanddependsuponothers），norsomuchforoutwardornament，asforhisownproperandpeculiaruse，andtofurnishandenrichhimselfwithin，havingratheradesiretocomeoutanaccomplishedcavalierthanamerescholarorlearnedman;forsuchaone，Isay，Iwould，also，havehisfriendssolicitoustofindhimoutatutor，whohasratherawell—madethanawell—filledhead;——["’Tetebienfaite’，anexpressioncreatedbyMontaigne，andwhichhasremainedapartofourlanguage。"——Servan。]——
　　seeking，indeed，boththeoneandtheother，butratherofthetwotoprefermannersandjudgmenttomerelearning，andthatthismanshouldexercisehischargeafteranewmethod。
　　’Tisthecustomofpedagoguestobeeternallythunderingintheirpupil’sears，astheywerepouringintoafunnel，whilstthebusinessofthepupilisonlytorepeatwhattheothershavesaid:nowIwouldhaveatutortocorrectthiserror，and，thatattheveryfirst，heshouldaccordingtothecapacityhehastodealwith，putittothetest，permittinghispupilhimselftotastethings，andofhimselftodiscernandchoosethem，sometimesopeningthewaytohim，andsometimesleavinghimtoopenitforhimself;thatis，Iwouldnothavehimalonetoinventandspeak，butthatheshouldalsohearhispupilspeakinturn。
　　Socrates，andsincehimArcesilaus，madefirsttheirscholarsspeak，andthentheyspoketothem——[DiogenesLaertius，iv。36。]
　　"Obestplerumqueiis，quidiscerevolunt，auctoritaseorum，quidocent。"
　　["Theauthorityofthosewhoteach，isveryoftenanimpedimenttothosewhodesiretolearn。"——Cicero，DeNaturaDeor。，i。5。]
　　Itisgoodtomakehim，likeayounghorse，trotbeforehim，thathemayjudgeofhisgoing，andhowmuchheistoabateofhisownspeed，toaccommodatehimselftothevigourandcapacityoftheother。Forwantofwhichdueproportionwespoilall;whichalsotoknowhowtoadjust，andtokeepwithinanexactandduemeasure，isoneofthehardestthingsI
　　know，and’tistheeffectofahighandwell—temperedsoul，toknowhowtocondescendtosuchpuerilemotionsandtogovernanddirectthem。
　　Iwalkfirmerandmoresecureuphillthandown。
　　Suchas，accordingtoourcommonwayofteaching，undertake，withoneandthesamelesson，andthesamemeasureofdirection，toinstructseveralboysofdifferingandunequalcapacities，areinfinitelymistaken;and’tisnowonder，ifinawholemultitudeofscholars，therearenotfoundabovetwoorthreewhobringawayanygoodaccountoftheirtimeanddiscipline。Letthemasternotonlyexaminehimaboutthegrammaticalconstructionofthebarewordsofhislesson，butaboutthesenseandlethimjudgeoftheprofithehasmade，notbythetestimonyofhismemory，butbythatofhislife。Lethimmakehimputwhathehaslearnedintoahundredseveralforms，andaccommodateittosomanyseveralsubjects，toseeifheyetrightlycomprehendsit，andhasmadeithisown，takinginstructionofhisprogressbythepedagogicinstitutionsofPlato。’Tisasignofcrudityandindigestiontodisgorgewhatweeatinthesameconditionitwasswallowed;thestomachhasnotperformeditsofficeunlessithavealteredtheformandconditionofwhatwascommittedtoittoconcoct。Ourmindsworkonlyupontrust，whenboundandcompelledtofollowtheappetiteofanother’sfancy，enslavedandcaptivatedundertheauthorityofanother’sinstruction;wehavebeensosubjectedtothetrammel，thatwehavenofree，nornaturalpaceofourown;ourownvigourandlibertyareextinctandgone:
　　"Nunquamtutelaesuaefiunt。"
　　["Theyareeverinwardship。"——Seneca，Ep。，33。]
　　IwasprivatelycarriedatPisatoseeaveryhonestman，butsogreatanAristotelian，thathismostusualthesiswas:"Thatthetouchstoneandsquareofallsolidimagination，andofalltruth，wasanabsoluteconformitytoAristotle’sdoctrine;andthatallbesideswasnothingbutinanityandchimera;forthathehadseenall，andsaidall。"Aposition，thatforhavingbeenalittletooinjuriouslyandbroadlyinterpreted，broughthimonceandlongkepthimingreatdangeroftheInquisitionatRome。
　　Lethimmakehimexamineandthoroughlysifteverythinghereads，andlodgenothinginhisfancyuponsimpleauthorityandupontrust。
　　Aristotle’sprincipleswillthenbenomoreprinciplestohim，thanthoseofEpicurusandtheStoics:letthisdiversityofopinionsbepropoundedto，andlaidbeforehim;hewillhimselfchoose，ifhebeable;ifnot，hewillremainindoubt。
　　"Chenonmenthesaver，dubbiarm’aggrata。"
　　["Ilovetodoubt，aswellastoknow。"——Dante，Inferno，xi。93]
　　for，ifheembracetheopinionsofXenophonandPlato，byhisownreason，theywillnomorebetheirs，butbecomehisown。Whofollowsanother，followsnothing，findsnothing，nay，isinquisitiveafternothing。
　　"Nonsumussubrege;sibiquisquesevindicet。"
　　["Weareundernoking;leteachvindicatehimself。"
　　——Seneca，Ep。，33]
　　Lethim，atleast，knowthatheknows。Itwillbenecessarythatheimbibetheirknowledge，notthathebecorruptedwiththeirprecepts;
　　andnomatterifheforgetwherehehadhislearning，providedheknowhowtoapplyittohisownuse。Truthandreasonarecommontoeveryone，andarenomorehiswhospakethemfirst，thanhiswhospeaksthemafter:’tisnomoreaccordingtoPlato，thanaccordingtome，sincebothheandIequallyseeandunderstandthem。Beesculltheirseveralsweetsfromthisflowerandthatblossom，hereandtherewheretheyfindthem，butthemselvesafterwardsmakethehoney，whichisallandpurelytheirown，andnomorethymeandmarjoram:sotheseveralfragmentsheborrowsfromothers，hewilltransformandshuffletogethertocompileaworkthatshallbeabsolutelyhisown;thatistosay，hisjudgment:
　　hisinstruction，labourandstudy，tendtonothingelsebuttoformthat。
　　Heisnotobligedtodiscoverwhencehegotthematerialsthathaveassistedhim，butonlytoproducewhathehashimselfdonewiththem。
　　Menthatliveuponpillageandborrowing，exposetheirpurchasesandbuildingstoeveryone’sview:butdonotproclaimhowtheycamebythemoney。Wedonotseethefeesandperquisitesofagentlemanofthelongrobe;butweseetheallianceswherewithhefortifieshimselfandhisfamily，andthetitlesandhonourshehasobtainedforhimandhis。Nomandivulgeshisrevenue;or，atleast，whichwayitcomesinbuteveryonepublisheshisacquisitions。Theadvantagesofourstudyaretobecomebetterandmorewise。’Tis，saysEpicharmus，theunderstandingthatseesandhears，’tistheunderstandingthatimproveseverything，thatorderseverything，andthatacts，rules，andreigns:allotherfacultiesareblind，anddeaf，andwithoutsoul。Andcertainlywerenderittimorousandservile，innotallowingitthelibertyandprivilegetodoanythingofitself。Whoeveraskedhispupilwhathethoughtofgrammarandrhetoric，orofsuchandsuchasentenceofCicero？Ourmastersstickthem，fullfeathered，inourmemories，andthereestablishthemlikeoracles，ofwhichthelettersandsyllablesareofthesubstanceofthething。Toknowbyrote，isnoknowledge，andsignifiesnomorebutonlytoretainwhatonehasintrustedtoourmemory。Thatwhichamanrightlyknowsandunderstands，heisthefreedisposerofathisownfullliberty，withoutanyregardtotheauthorfromwhencehehadit，orfumblingovertheleavesofhisbook。Amerebookishlearningisapoor，paltrylearning;itmayserveforornament，butthereisyetnofoundationforanysuperstructuretobebuiltuponit，accordingtotheopinionofPlato，whosays，thatconstancy，faith，andsincerity，arethetruephilosophy，andtheothersciences，thataredirectedtootherends;
　　mereadulteratepaint。IcouldwishthatPaluelorPompey，thosetwonoteddancersofmytime，couldhavetaughtustocutcapers，byonlyseeingthemdoit，withoutstirringfromourplaces，asthesemenpretendtoinformtheunderstandingwithouteversettingittowork，orthatwecouldlearntoride，handleapike，touchalute，orsingwithoutthetroubleofpractice，astheseattempttomakeusjudgeandspeakwell，withoutexercisingusinjudgingorspeaking。Nowinthisinitiationofourstudiesintheirprogress，whatsoeverpresentsitselfbeforeusisbooksufficient;aroguishtrickofapage，asottishmistakeofaservant，ajestatthetable，aresomanynewsubjects。
　　Andforthisreason，conversationwithmenisofverygreatuseandtravelintoforeigncountries;nottobringback（asmostofouryoungmonsieursdo）anaccountonlyofhowmanypacesSantaRotonda——[ThePantheonofAgrippa。]——isincircuit;oroftherichnessofSignoraLivia’spetticoats;or，assomeothers，howmuchNero’sface，inastatueinsuchanoldruin，islongerandbroaderthanthatmadeforhimonsomemedal;buttobeablechieflytogiveanaccountofthehumours，manners，customs，andlawsofthosenationswherehehasbeen，andthatwemaywhetandsharpenourwitsbyrubbingthemagainstthoseofothers。I
　　wouldthataboyshouldbesentabroadveryyoung，andfirst，soastokilltwobirdswithonestone，intothoseneighbouringnationswhoselanguageismostdifferingfromourown，andtowhich，ifitbenotformedbetimes，thetonguewillgrowtoostifftobend。
　　Andalso’tisthegeneralopinionofall，thatachildshouldnotbebroughtupinhismother’slap。Mothersaretootender，andtheirnaturalaffectionisapttomakethemostdiscreetofthemallsooverfond，thattheycanneitherfindintheirheartstogivethemduecorrectionforthefaultstheymaycommit，norsufferthemtobeinuredtohardshipsandhazards，astheyoughttobe。Theywillnotenduretoseethemreturnalldustandsweatfromtheirexercise，todrinkcolddrinkwhentheyarehot，norseethemmountanunrulyhorse，nortakeafoilinhandagainstarudefencer，orsomuchastodischargeacarbine。
　　Andyetthereisnoremedy;whoeverwillbreedaboytobegoodforanythingwhenhecomestobeaman，mustbynomeanssparehimwhenyoung，andmustveryoftentransgresstherulesofphysic:
　　"Vitamquesubdio，ettrepidisagatInrebus。"
　　["Lethimliveinopenair，andeverinmovementaboutsomething。"
　　——Horace，Od。ii。，3，5。]
　　Itisnotenoughtofortifyhissoul;youarealsotomakehissinewsstrong;forthesoulwillbeoppressedifnotassistedbythemembers，andwouldhavetoohardatasktodischargetwoofficesalone。Iknowverywelltomycost，howmuchminegroansundertheburden，frombeingaccommodatedwithabodysotenderandindisposed，aseternallyleansandpressesuponher;andofteninmyreadingperceivethatourmasters，intheirwritings，makeexamplespassformagnanimityandfortitudeofmind，whichreallyarerathertoughnessofskinandhardnessofbones;forI
　　haveseenmen，women，andchildren，naturallybornofsohardandinsensibleaconstitutionofbody，thatasoundcudgellinghasbeenlesstothemthanaflirtwithafingerwouldhavebeentome，andthatwouldneithercryout，wince，norshrink，foragoodswingingbeating;andwhenwrestlerscounterfeitthephilosophersinpatience，’tisratherstrengthofnervesthanstoutnessofheart。Nowtobeinuredtoundergolabour，istobeaccustomedtoendurepain:
　　"Laborcallumobducitdolori。"
　　["Labourhardensusagainstpain。"——Cicero，Tusc。Quaes。，ii。15。]
　　Aboyistobebrokenintothetoilandroughnessofexercise，soastobetraineduptothepainandsufferingofdislocations，cholics，cauteries，andevenimprisonmentandtherackitself;forhemaycomebymisfortunetobereducedtotheworstofthese，which（asthisworldgoes）issometimesinflictedonthegoodaswellasthebad。Asforproof，inourpresentcivilwarwhoeverdrawshisswordagainstthelaws，threatensthehonestestmenwiththewhipandthehalter。
　　And，moreover，bylivingathome，theauthorityofthisgovernor，whichoughttobesovereignovertheboyhehasreceivedintohischarge，isoftencheckedandhinderedbythepresenceofparents;towhichmayalsobeadded，thattherespectthewholefamilypayhim，astheirmaster’sson，andtheknowledgehehasoftheestateandgreatnessheisheirto，are，inmyopinion，nosmallinconveniencesinthesetenderyears。
　　Andyet，eveninthisconversingwithmenIspokeofbutnow，Ihaveobservedthisvice，thatinsteadofgatheringobservationsfromothers，wemakeitourwholebusinesstolayourselvesopentothem，andaremoreconcernedhowtoexposeandsetoutourowncommodities，thanhowtoincreaseourstockbyacquiringnew。Silence，therefore，andmodestyareveryadvantageousqualitiesinconversation。Oneshould，therefore，trainupthisboytobesparingandanhusbandofhisknowledgewhenhehasacquiredit;andtoforbeartakingexceptionsatorreprovingeveryidlesayingorridiculousstorythatissaidortoldinhispresence;foritisaveryunbecomingrudenesstocarpateverythingthatisnotagreeabletoourownpalate。Lethimbesatisfiedwithcorrectinghimself，andnotseemtocondemneverythinginanotherhewouldnotdohimself，nordisputeitasagainstcommoncustoms。
　　"Licetsaperesinepompa，sineinvidia。"
　　["Letusbewisewithoutostentation，withoutenvy。"
　　——Seneca，Ep。，103。
　　Lethimavoidthesevainanduncivilimagesofauthority，thischildishambitionofcovetingtoappearbetterbredandmoreaccomplished，thanhereallywill，bysuchcarriage，discoverhimselftobe。And，asifopportunitiesofinterruptingandreprehendingwerenottobeomitted，todesirethencetoderivethereputationofsomethingmorethanordinary。
　　Forasitbecomesnonebutgreatpoetstomakeuseofthepoeticallicence，soitisintolerableforanybutmenofgreatandillustrioussoulstoassumeprivilegeabovetheauthorityofcustom:
　　"SiquidSocratesantAristippuscontramoremetconsuetudinemfecerunt，idemsibinearbitreturlicere:magnisenimillietdivinisbonishanclicentiamassequebantur。"
　　["IfSocratesandAristippushavecommittedanyactagainstmannersandcustom，lethimnotthinkthatheisallowedtodothesame;foritwasbygreatanddivinebenefitsthattheyobtainedthisprivilege。"——Cicero，De0ffic。，i。41。]
　　Lethimbeinstructednottoengageindiscourseordisputebutwithachampionworthyofhim，and，eventhere，nottomakeuseofallthelittlesubtletiesthatmayseempatforhispurpose，butonlysuchargumentsasmaybestservehim。Lethimbetaughttobecuriousintheelectionandchoiceofhisreasons，toabominateimpertinence，andconsequently，toaffectbrevity;but，aboveall，lethimbelessonedtoacquiesceandsubmittotruthsosoonaseverheshalldiscoverit，whetherinhisopponent’sargument，oruponbetterconsiderationofhisown;forheshallneverbepreferredtothechairforamereclatterofwordsandsyllogisms，andisnofurtherengagedtoanyargumentwhatever，thanasheshallinhisownjudgmentapproveit:noryetisarguingatrade，wherethelibertyofrecantationandgettingoffuponbetterthoughts，aretobesoldforreadymoney:
　　"Neque，utomnia，quxpraescriptaetimperatasint，defendat，necessitateullacogitur。"
　　["Neitheristheiranynecessityuponhim，thatheshoulddefendallthingsthatareprescribedandenjoinedhim。"
　　——Cicero，Acad。，ii。3。]
　　Ifhisgovernorbeofmyhumour，hewillformhiswilltobeaverygoodandloyalsubjecttohisprince，veryaffectionatetohisperson，andverystoutinhisquarrel;butwithalhewillcoolinhimthedesireofhavinganyothertietohisservicethanpublicduty。Besidesseveralotherinconveniencesthatareinconsistentwiththelibertyeveryhonestmanoughttohave，aman’sjudgment，beingbribedandprepossessedbytheseparticularobligations，iseitherblindedandlessfreetoexerciseitsfunction，orisblemishedwithingratitudeandindiscretion。Amanthatispurelyacourtier，canneitherhavepowernorwilltospeakorthinkotherwisethanfavourablyandwellofamaster，who，amongstsomanymillionsofothersubjects，haspickedouthimwithhisownhandtonourishandadvance;thisfavour，andtheprofitflowingfromit，mustneeds，andnotwithoutsomeshowofreason，corrupthisfreedomanddazzlehim;andwecommonlyseethesepeoplespeakinanotherkindofphrasethanisordinarilyspokenbyothersofthesamenation，thoughwhattheysayinthatcourtlylanguageisnotmuchtobebelieved。
　　Lethisconscienceandvirtuebeeminentlymanifestinhisspeaking，andhaveonlyreasonfortheirguide。Makehimunderstand，thattoacknowledgetheerrorheshalldiscoverinhisownargument，thoughonlyfoundoutbyhimself，isaneffectofjudgmentandsincerity，whicharetheprincipalthingsheistoseekafter;thatobstinacyandcontentionarecommonqualities，mostappearinginmeansouls;thattoreviseandcorrecthimself，toforsakeanunjustargumentintheheightandheatofdispute，arerare，great，andphilosophicalqualities。
　　Lethimbeadvised，beingincompany，tohavehiseyeandearineverycorner;forIfindthattheplacesofgreatesthonourarecommonlyseizeduponbymenthathaveleastinthem，andthatthegreatestfortunesareseldomaccompaniedwiththeablestparts。Ihavebeenpresentwhen，whilsttheyattheupperendofthechamberhavebeenonlycommentingthebeautyofthearras，ortheflavourofthewine，manythingsthathavebeenveryfinelysaidatthelowerendofthetablehavebeenlostandthrownaway。Lethimexamineeveryman’stalent;apeasant，abricklayer，apassenger:onemaylearnsomethingfromeveryoneoftheseintheirseveralcapacities，andsomethingwillbepickedoutoftheirdiscoursewhereofsomeusemaybemadeatonetimeoranother;nay，eventhefollyandimpertinenceofotherswillcontributetohisinstruction。
　　Byobservingthegracesandmannersofallhesees，hewillcreatetohimselfanemulationofthegood，andacontemptofthebad。
　　Letanhonestcuriositybesuggestedtohisfancyofbeinginquisitiveaftereverything;whateverthereissingularandrareneartheplacewhereheis，lethimgoandseeit;afinehouse，anoblefountain，aneminentman，theplacewhereabattlehasbeenancientlyfought，thepassagesofCaesarandCharlemagne:
　　"Quxtellussitlentagelu，quaeputrisabaestu，VentusinItaliamquisbenevelaferat。"
　　["Whatcountryisboundinfrost，whatlandisfriablewithheat，whatwindservesfairestforItaly。"——Propertius，iv。3，39。]
　　Lethiminquireintothemanners，revenues，andalliancesofprinces，thingsinthemselvesverypleasanttolearn，andveryusefultoknow。
　　Inthisconversingwithmen，Imeanalso，andprincipally，thosewhoonlyliveintherecordsofhistory;heshall，byreadingthosebooks，conversewiththegreatandheroicsoulsofthebestages。’Tisanidleandvainstudytothosewhomakeitsobydoingitafteranegligentmanner，buttothosewhodoitwithcareandobservation，’tisastudyofinestimablefruitandvalue;andtheonlystudy，asPlatoreports，thattheLacedaemoniansreservedtothemselves。Whatprofitshallhenotreapastothebusinessofmen，byreadingtheLivesofPlutarch？But，withal，letmygovernorremembertowhatendhisinstructionsareprincipallydirected，andthathedonotsomuchimprintinhispupil’smemorythedateoftheruinofCarthage，asthemannersofHannibalandScipio;norsomuchwhereMarcellusdied，aswhyitwasunworthyofhisdutythathediedthere。Lethimnotteachhimsomuchthenarrativepartsofhistoryastojudgethem;thereadingofthem，inmyopinion，isathingthatofallothersweapplyourselvesuntowiththemostdifferingmeasure。IhavereadahundredthingsinLivythatanotherhasnot，ornottakennoticeofatleast;andPlutarchhasreadahundredmoretherethaneverIcouldfind，orthan，peradventure，thatauthoreverwrote;tosomeitismerelyagrammarstudy，tootherstheveryanatomyofphilosophy，bywhichthemostabstrusepartsofourhumannaturepenetrate。ThereareinPlutarchmanylongdiscoursesveryworthytobecarefullyreadandobserved，forheis，inmyopinion，ofallothersthegreatestmasterinthatkindofwriting;butthereareathousandotherswhichhehasonlytouchedandglancedupon，whereheonlypointswithhisfingertodirectuswhichwaywemaygoifwewill，andcontentshimselfsometimeswithgivingonlyonebriskhitinthenicestarticleofthequestion，whencewearetogropeouttherest。As，forexample，wherehesays’——[IntheEssayonFalseShame。]——thattheinhabitantsofAsiacametobevassalstooneonly，fornothavingbeenabletopronounceonesyllable，whichisNo。WhichsayingofhisgaveperhapsmatterandoccasiontoLaBoetietowritehis"VoluntaryServitude。"Onlytoseehimpickoutalightactioninaman’slife，oramerewordthatdoesnotseemtoamounteventothat，isitselfawholediscourse。’Tistoourprejudicethatmenofunderstandingshouldsoimmoderatelyaffectbrevity;nodoubttheirreputationisthebetterbyit，butinthemeantimewearetheworse。Plutarchhadratherweshouldapplaudhisjudgmentthancommendhisknowledge，andhadratherleaveuswithanappetitetoreadmore，thangluttedwiththatwehavealreadyread。Heknewverywell，thatamanmaysaytoomuchevenuponthebestsubjects，andthatAlexandridasjustlyreproachedhimwhomadeverygood。