door. “I thought you had been asleep, Sir,” said he, “or I should have
been with you sooner. I am afraid this young man has disturbed you.” “O!
not at all,” returned the old gentleman, “his company is always a
cordial to me. I forget the infirmities of age when I see my children
and grand-children round me; and I am sorry we must so soon part from
_William_ as you mentioned this morning.” “He must go to school this
week,” said his father. “We shall all grieve to lose him; but his
learning cannot be neglected. He will not wish, I hope, to waste this
most important part of his life without its due improvement; and now is
the time to lay the foundation for every future excellence.” “But is not
the culture of the _heart_ then,” replied the melancholy _Sedley_, “is
not that the most essential point? and I am sure if I improve in the
knowledge of the classics, I do not in the science of Virtue: and pray
of what use is it to learn the metamorphoses of _Ovid_? that _Arachne_
was converted into a spider,—_Narcissus_ transformed to a flower,—that
_Pyramus_ and _Thisbe_ were turned into mulberry-trees,—and the rest of
the fabulous stories of the poets? What is it to me that _Æneas_ went to
_Carthage_,—that _Dido_ stabbed herself when he departed thence; or that
he afterward, conquered in the engagement with _Turnus_; and the rest of
the history with which we are plagued in _Virgil_? And as to the care of
my _morals_ I am under much greater temptations, from the bad examples
of my school-fellows, and from wanting the kind advice of my friends,
than I could be at home. And as I am not designed either for a clergyman
or counsellor, I do not see any great necessity for my learning so
_very_ much.” “I am sorry to see you thus averse to study,” said his
father, “as it is of the utmost consequence to your appearance in life.
Do you consider, that without a cultivated understanding, a thorough
knowledge of history, and an acquaintance with _Homer_, _Virgil_,
_Terence_, _Ovid_, and those authors who you seem so much to despise;
you can never make an agreeable companion to men of sense. By the
perusal of history you will learn to distinguish truth from fable, and
to know what part is founded on fact, and what on the imagination of the
poet. These authors will store your mind with images the most sublime
and beautiful, assist your judgment, and form your taste; since their
works have been esteemed the model for composition in all succeeding
times. Without a constant attention, therefore, to improve in reading
and understanding them, you will be ignorant of those subjects which
every author refers to; which are frequently the foundation of
conversation, and which afford hints to the sculptor and the painter for
their finest pieces. You will stare with stupid wonder at every object
of this kind that you meet with, unknowing to what they refer, or what
they mean to represent. Besides, as the Heathen Mythology, or account of
their Gods, is connected with this study, it is absolutely necessary you
should be acquainted with it. Many things that now appear absurd in the
account of their worship, had in their original a deeper moral: this
though idle boys may not understand or search for, it would much improve
you to be taught. When you read that _Minerva_ the Goddess of wisdom was
produced out of _Jupiter_’s brain; the poets intended to represent by
it, that the wit and ingenuity of man did not invent the useful
sciences, which were for universal advantage derived from the brain of
_Jupiter_; that is, from the inexhausted fountain of the _Divine
Wisdom_, from whence not only the arts and sciences, but the blessings
of knowledge and virtue also proceed. The helm, the shield, and all the
different symbols which belong to her character have each their
particular meaning: to instance to you only in one of them. The owl, a
bird supposed to see in the dark, was sacred to _Minerva_, and painted
upon her images, as the representation of a wise man, who scattering and
dispelling the clouds of ignorance and error, is clear sighted when
others are stark blind. So you, who take all the fictions of the poets
for nonsense and folly, would, if you had learning to comprehend their
meaning, not only be entertained with their beauties, but improved by
the moral they contain. The more you know, and the greater proficiency
you make in study, the higher pleasure will it afford you; but while you
consider your lessons as _tasks_ which you are to get by heart, and what
will be of no use to you in future, you defeat the purpose of your
education, are unhappy now, and will be despised and contemned
hereafter. A _gentleman_ should be still more superior by his _merit_
than his _fortune_: his knowledge should be more general and diffusive
than is required for any profession whatever. He ought to be acquainted
with the great authors of ancient and modern times, understand the
constitution and laws of his own country; and by the contemplation of
every noble character, learn to form his own to perfection. Do not,
therefore, entertain so mean an opinion of yourself, or your future
consequence, as to rely on your _estate_ alone for respect. Let religion
be your guide and chief study; but let history, poetry, with every
branch of polite and useful learning, be considered as _essential_ to
your education.”—
Here ceased Mr. _Sedley_, and his son looked down in timid silence,
fearful he had offended his friends by the indifference he had expressed
for his exercise. Mr. _Graves_, however, encouraged him, by kindly
adding, “When you have mastered the first steps, you will mount upward
with alacrity. The beginning of every attempt is difficult; but be of
good courage; persevere, and you will find it afterwards pleasant, easy,
and agreeable.”
During the foregoing conversation, _Jeffery Squander_ had called to
invite _William_ to dine with him, and afterwards to return to school in
his father’s coach; and Mrs. _Sedley_ now introduced the young gentleman
up stairs. The offer was so convenient (as it was before intended he
should go back the next morning) that it was accepted with satisfaction
by all but the person whom it most concerned. Yet poor _Sedley_ was
ashamed to express his reluctance while in company with his
school-fellow; and made no opposition to the proposal. The tears,
however, which he endeavoured to suppress, would officiously start into
his eyes.—His father patted him on the back, and said, “it would make
but a few hours difference.”—His grandfather stroaked his cheek as he
turned round towards the window to hide his emotion. This affected him
still more, and his mother letting fall her scissars, he picked them up;
but as she was stooping for them at the same time, he saw that her eyes
shewed equal concern; which, unwilling to have observed, she had not
immediately wiped away, and he received a tear upon his hand.—It was
necessary he should immediately retire to prepare for his departure. He
was spared the pain of taking leave of his brother and sister, they
happening to be from home; a circumstance which he much regretted, as
they would not return till the evening.
When he had given a little indulgence to his grief in private, he
returned to his friends, and endeavoured to assume a more cheerful
countenance than suited the affliction of his mind. But he remembered
the _chimney-sweeper_, and tried to be satisfied. At length his
companion being impatient, he was obliged to take a hasty leave of his
beloved relations, and followed by their affectionate wishes for his
welfare, accompanied _Jeffery Squander_ with a melancholy heart to
dinner, and to SCHOOL.
THE END.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES
Page Changed from Changed to
128 putting it his pocket: “if you putting it in his pocket: “if
you
200 into a spider,—_Narcissus_ into a spider,—_Narcissus_
transform- to a flower transformed to a flower
● Typos fixed; non-standard spelling and dialect retained.
● Enclosed italics font in _underscores_.
● The caret (^) serves as a superscript indicator, applicable to
individual characters (like 2^d) and even entire phrases (like
1^{st}).