Plan of this book 292
Author’s intention 293
Reason of his prolixity 294
His choice of subject 295
Advantage of ideal 296
Why girls’ training is treated of 297
Wishes 298
[Illustration: Decoration]
[Illustration: Decorative border]
POSITIONS CONCERNING
THE
TRAINING VP OF CHILDREN.
FIRST CHAPTER.
THE ENTRIE TO THE POSITIONS,
CONTEINING THE OCCASION OF THIS PRESENT DISCOURSE, AND THE CAUSES WHY
IT WAS PENNED IN ENGLISH.
Whosoever shall consider with any iudgement the maner of training vp
children, which we vse generally within this Realme cannot but wish,
that the thing were bettered, as I my selfe do: though I do not thinke
it good here to displaie the particular defectes, bycause I am in
hope to see them healed, without any so sharp a rehersall, (“for the
error being once graunted and well knowen straight way craueth helpe
without aggrauation, and that way in helping must needes be most
gracious, which the partie helped confesseth least greiuouse.”) If I
should discouer all those inconueniences, wherby parentes and maisters,
teachers and learners, do but enterchaunge displeasures, if I should
rip vp those difficulties, wherby the traine it selfe, and bringing vp
of children is maruellously empeached, I might reuiue great gaules,
and euen therby worse remedie the greifes. And though I remedied them
yet the partie pacient might beare in minde, how churlishly he was
cured, and though he payed well for the healing, yet be ill apayd
for the handling. Wherefore in helping thinges, that be amisse I do
take that to be the aduisedest way, which saueth the man, and sowreth
not the meane. If without quoting the quarrelles, I set down that
right, whervnto I am led, vpon reasonable grounds, that it is both the
best, and most within compasse, the wrong by comparison is furthwith
bewraied, and the chek giuen without anie chiding.
[Sidenote: The occasion of this discourse.]
I haue taught in publike without interrupting my course, now two and
twentie yeares, and haue alwaie had a very great charge vnder my hand,
which how I haue discharged, they can best iudge of me, which will
iudge without me. During which time both by that, which I haue seene
in teaching so long, and by that which I haue tryed, in training vp
so many, I do well perceiue, vpon such lettes, as both my selfe am
subiect vnto, and other teachers no lesse then I, that neither I haue
don so much as I might, neither any of them so much as they could.
Which lettes me thinke I haue both learned, what they be, and withall
conceiued the meane, how to get them remoued. Wherby both I and all
other maie do much more good, then either I or anie other heretofore
haue don. Wherin as I meane to deale for the common good, so must I
appeal to the common curtesie, that my good will maie be well thought
of, though my good hope do not hit right. For I do but that, which is
set free to all, to vtter in publike a priuate conceit, and to claime
kindnes of all, for good will ment vnto all: as I my selfe am ready
both freindly and fauorably, to esteme of others, who shall enterprise
the like, requiring euery one, which shall vse my trauell, either as a
reader, to peruse, or as a reaper to profit, that he will think well
of me, which may cause him allow: or if he do not, that yet he will be
sorie for me, that so good a meaning had so meane an issue.
[Sidenote: Why it is penned in English.]
I do write in my naturall English toungue, bycause though I make the
learned my iudges, which vnderstand Latin, yet I meane good to the
vnlearned, which vnderstand but English. And better it is for the
learned to forbeare Latin, which they neede not then for the vnlearned
to haue it, which they know not. By the English both shall see, what I
say, by Latin but the one, which were some wrong, where both haue great
interest, and the vnlearned the greater, bycause the vnlearned haue
not any but only such English helpes, the learned can fetch theirs from
the same fountaines, whence I fetch mine. My meaning is principally
to helpe mine owne countrie, whose language will helpe me, to be
vnderstood of them, whom I would perswade: to get some thankes of them,
for my good will to do well: to purchace pardon of them, if my good
will do not well. The parentes and freindes with whom I haue to deale,
be mostwhat no latinistes: and if they were, yet we vnderstand that
tongue best, whervnto we are first borne, as our first impression is
alwaie in English, before we do deliuer it in Latin. And in perswading
a knowen good by an vnknowen waie, are we not to cal vnto vs, all the
helpes that we can, to be thoroughly vnderstood? He that vnderstands no
Latin can vnderstand English, and he that vnderstands Latin very well,
can vnderstand English farre better, if he will confesse the trueth,
though he thinke he haue the habite and can Latin it exceading well.
When mine argument shall require Latin, as it will eare long, I will
not then spare it, in the degree, that I haue it, but till it do, I
will serue my countrie that waie, which I do surely thinke will proue
most intelligible vnto her. For though the argument, which is dedicate
to learning, and must therfore of force vse the termes of learning:
which be mysteries to the multitude, maie seeme to offer some darkness
and difficultie in that point: yet it is to be construed, that the
thing it selfe must be presented in her owne colours, which the learned
can discry, at the first blush, as of their acquaintance, who must be
spoken to in their owne kinde: as the vnlearned must be content to
enquire, bycause we straine our termes to haue them intitled. And yet,
in all my drift, for all my faire promise, I dare warrant my countrie
no more, then probabilitie doth me, which if it deceiue me, yet I
haue it to leane vnto, and perhaps of such pith, as might easely haue
beguiled a wiser man then me. But till I proue beguiled, I will dwell
in hope, that I am not, to deliuer my minde with the better courage,
and therby to shew that I thinke my selfe right. For the greatest
enemy, that can be to any wel meaning conceit is, to mistrust his own
power, and to dispaire of his good speede where happy fortune makes
euident shew.
CHAPTER 2.
WHERFORE THESE POSITIONS SERVE, WHAT THEY BE, AND HOW NECESSARIE IT WAS
TO BEGIN AT THEM.
My purpose is to helpe the hole trade of teaching, euen from the very
first foundation: that is, not only the Grammarian, and what shall
follow afterward, but also the Elementarie, which is the verie infantes
train, from his first entrie, vntill he be thought fit to passe thence
to the Grammar schoole. My labour then beginning so low, am I not to
follow the president of such writers, as in the like argumentes, haue
vsed the like methode? The maner of proceding which the best learned
authors do vse, in those argumentes, which both for the matter be of
most credit, and for the maner of best accompt, kepeth alwaie such a
currant, as they at the first laie downe certaine groundes, wherin
both they and their readers, whether scholers onely, or iudges alone,
do resolutely agree. Which consent enureth to this effect, that they
maie therby either directly passe thorough to their ende without
empeachment: or else if any difficulty do arise in the way, they
may easely compound it, by retiring themselues to those primitiue
groundes. The Mathematicall, which is counted the best maister of sound
methode, of whome all other sciences do borrow their order, and way
in teaching well, eare he passe to any either probleme or theoreme,
setts downe certaine definitions, certaine demaundes, certaine
naturall and necessarie confessions, which being agreed on, betwen
him and his learner, he proceedeth on to the greatest conclusions in
his hole profession, as those which be acquainted with _Euclide_ and
his friendes, do verie wel know. Wil the naturall philosopher medle
with his maine subject, before he haue handled his first principles,
matter, forme, priuation, motion, time, place, infinitie, vacuitie, and
such other, whervnto _Aristotle_ hath dedicated eight whole bookes?
What shall I neede to take more paines in rehersall of any other
writer, whether Lawyer, Physician, or any else, which entreateth of
his peculiar argument learnedly, to prooue that I am first to plant
by positions, seeing the verie diuine himselfe, marcheth on of this
foote and groundeth his religion vpon principles of beleefe? I professe
my selfe to be a scholer, wherby I do know this methode, which the
learned do kepe, and I deale with an argument, which must needes at the
first be verie nicely entertained, till proofe giue it credit, what
countenaunce soeuer hope maie seeme to lend it, in the meane while. I
maie therefore seeme to deale against mine owne knowledge, if I do not
fortifie myselfe with such helpes, as vpon probable reason, maie first
purchace their owne standing, and being themselues staid in place of
liking maie helpe vp all the reste.
I am specially to further two degrees in learning, first the
Elementarie which stretcheth from the time that the child is to be
set to do any thing, till he be remoued to his Grammar: then the
Grammarian, while the child doth continew, in the schoole of language,
and learned tounges, till he be remoued for his ripenes, to some
Vniuersitie: which two pointes be both of great moment.
For the Elementarie: Bycause sufficiency in the child, before he passe
thence, helpes the hole course of the after studie, and insufficiencie
skipping from thence to soone, makes a very weake sequele. For as
sufficient time there, without to much hast, to post from thence to
timely, draweth on the residew of the schoole degrees, in their best
beseeming time, and in the ende sendeth abroade sufficient men for
the seruice of their countrie: so to hedlong hast scouring thence to
swiftly at the first, (for all that it seemeth so petie a thing,) in
perpetuall infirmity of matter, procureth also to much childishnes in
yeares to be then in place, when iudgement with skill, and ripenes
with gray-haires should carie the contenaunce. And is not this pointe
then to be well proyned, where hast is such a foe, and ripenes such a
freind? Where pushing forward at the first before maturitie bid on,
will still force that, which followeth till at the last it marre all?
For the Grammarian: As it is a thing not vnseemely for me to deale in,
being my selfe a teacher, so is it verie profitable for my countrie to
heare of, which in great varietie of teaching doth seeme to call for
some vniforme waie. And to haue her youth well directed in the tounges,
which are the waies to wisdome, the lodges of learning, the harbours of
humanitie, the deliuerers of diuinitie, the treasuries of all store,
to furnish out all knowledge in the cunning, and all iudgement in the
wise, can it be but well taken, if it be well perfourmed? or can it but
deserue some freindly excuse, yea though good will want good successe?
If occasion fitly offered by the waie, cause me attempt any further
thing then either of these two, though I may seeme to be beside my
schoole, yet my trust is that I shal not seeme to be beside my selfe.
Now then dealing with these matters which appertaine to men, and must
be allowed of men, if they deserue allowance, or wil be reiected by
them if they seeme not to be sound, whether haue I neede to procede
with consent or no? For what if some shall thinke their penny good
siluer, and will not admit mine offer? neither receiue teaching at the
hand of so meane a controwler? what if some other graunt, that there
is some thing amisse in deede, but that my deuise is no meane to amend
it? what if disdaine do worke me discredit, and why should he take vpon
him? A petie companion, I confesse, but till some better do deale, why
may not my petinesse fullwell take place? And if the ware which I do
bring, proue marchandable, why may I not make shew, and offer it to
sale? Such instances and obiections wilbe offered, with whom seeing I
am like to encounter, why ought I not at the first to resolue those,
which will relent at the voice of reason? and so entreat the other,
which make more deintie, to be drawen on, as my deutie being discharged
towardes the thing, by argumentes, towardes them, by curtesie, if there
be any strayning afterwardes themselues may be in fault?
But bycause I must applie my positions to some one ground, I haue
chosen the Elementarie, and him rather then the Grammarian: for that
the Elementarie is the verie lowest and first to be dealt with, and the
circunstances being well applyed vnto him, may with very small ado, be
transported afterward to the Grammarian or anie other else. And vnder
the title of the particular circunstance, (though it seeme peculiarly
to appertaine to the Elementarie, by waie of mine example, which I
do applie vnto him primitiuely) yet I do trauell commonly with the
generall considerations in all persons which use the same circunstance,
in anie degree of learning, as the places themselues hereafter will
declare. Which I do both to ende these positiue arguments at once, and
to make the precept also somewhat more pleasant to the reader, hauing
the entertainement of some forreine, but no vnfit discourse.
The positions therefore which I do meane, be these and such other. At
what time the child is to be set to schoole. What he is to learne when
he is at schoole. Whether all be to be set to schoole. Whether exercise
be to be vsed as a principle in trayning. Whether young maidens be to
be set to learne. How to traine vp young gentlemen. How to procure
some vniformitie in teaching. Of curtesie and correction. Of priuate
and publike education. Of choise of wittes, of places, of times, of
teachers, of schoole orders. Of restrayning to many bookish people,
and many other like argumentes, which the nature of such discourses
useth to hale in by the waie. Wherin I require my countreymens consent,
to thinke as I do, and will do mine endeauour to procure it, as I
can, before I deale with the particular præceptes, and schooling of
children. Which while I do, as I follow the præsident of the best
writers, for the methode, which I chuse, so for the matter it selfe I
will vse no other argument, then both nature and reason, custome and
experience, and plaine shew of euident profit shall recommend to my
countrie without either manifest appearaunce, or secrete suspicion of
a fantasticall deuise: considering it were an argument of verie small
witte knowing fantasticallnes to disgrace the man, and impossibilitie
to displace the meane: in so necessarie a thing as I pretend this to
be, to entermingle either fantasticall matter, for all men to laugh
at, or impossible meane, for as many to muse at. If earnest desier to
haue some thing bettered, do cause me wishe the amendement, I hope that
will not be accounted fantasticall, vnless it be to such, as do thinke
themselues in health when they are deadly sicke, and feeling no paine,
bycause of extreme weaknes, do hold their freindes halfe foolish, which
wishe them to thinke vpon alteration of life.
CHAPTER 3.
OF WHAT FORCE CIRCUNSTANCE IS IN MATTERS OF ACTION, AND HOW WARILY
AUTHORITIES BE TO BE VSED, WHERE THE CONTEMPLATIUE REASON RECEIUES THE
CHECK OF THE ACTIUE CIRCUNSTANCE, IF THEY BE NOT WELL APPLYED. OF THE
ALLEADGING OF AUTHORS.
Some well meaning man, when he will perswade his countrie to this or
that thing, either by penne or speache, if he find any good writers
authoritie, which fauoureth his opinion, he presumeth streight waie
therby both his owne perswasion to be sufficiently armed, and his
countries execution to be strongly warranted. Which his assuraunce
is sometime chekt by wisdome, sometime by experience: By wisdome,
which forseeth, that the circunstance of the countrie will not admit
that, which he would perswade: by experience, which giuing way at
the first to some probability, is in the end borne back by vnfitting
circunstance. So that in those cases, where authorities perswade, and
circunstances controwle, such as vse writers for their credit, must
feare circunstance for her chek. Bycause the misse in circunstance
makes the authour no authour, where his reason is altered, and the
alledger no alledger, where discretion wanteth. Seeing therefore my
selfe deale with these two pointes of authoritie and circunstance, both
to confirme mine owne opinion the surer, and to confute the contrarie
sounder, where difference in opinion shall offer to assaile me, I
thought it good in the verie entrie to say somwhat of both, considering
their agreement doth promise successe, and their disagreement doth
threaten defeat.
I do see many very toward wittes, of reasonable good reading, and of
excellent good vtterance, both forreine abroad, and freindes at home
marueilously ouershoot themselues by ouerruling the circunstance, and
ouerstraining authoritie. For vpon some affiaunce in their owne wittes,
that they see all circunstances, and some small assurance, that the
authours which they reade, do soothe all that they say: they will push
out in publike certaine resolute opinions, before either their wittes
be settled, or their reading ripe: which is then to be thought wisely
ripe, when after the benefit of many yeares, after much reading of the
most and best writers, after sound digesting of that which they haue
red, and applying it all to some certaine ende: time hath fined their
iudgement, and by precise obseruing and comparing, both what others
haue said, and what themselues haue seene, hath made them maister the
circunstance. Which mastering of the circunstance, is the only rule,
that wisemen liue by, the only meane, that wisedome is come by, the
only ods between folie and witte. The marking wherof is of so great
a force, as by it eche countrie discouereth the travellour, when he
seeketh to enforce his forreine conclusions, and clingeth to that
countryman, which hath bettered her still, by biding still at home. It
discrieth the young student, which is rauished with the obiect, eare
he can discern it, and honoreth the wise learned, whose vnderstanding
is so staied, as he may be a leader. The consideration of circunstance
is so strong in all attemptes, where man is the subiect, as it maketh
of all nothing, and of nothing all. The skill to iudge of it is so
lingring, and so late, bycause man is the gatherer, and so long eare he
learne it, as it seemes to be reserued, till he be almost spent. It is
not enough to rule the world, to alleadge authorities, but to raunge
authorities, which be not aboue the world, by the rule of the world, is
the wisemans line.
I am to deale with training, must I entreat my countrey to be content
with this, bycause such a one commendes it? or to force her to
that, bycause such a state likes it? The shew of right deceiues us,
and the likenes of vnlike things doth lead vs, where it listeth.
Differences and ods discouer errors, similitude and likenes lead
euen wise men awrie. The great philosopher _Aristotle_[1] in fining
of reason, maketh the abilities to discerne these two pointes, where
thinges like be vnlike, and where the vnlike be like, two of his
principall instrumentes to trie out the trueth. Which skill to discern
so narrowly, as it is not in all, so where it is, there is great
discretion, there will nothing be brought from authoritie to practise,
but that circunstance will praise, and yet hardly winne. For though
circunstance in our countrie and others do seeme verie like, nay rather
almost one, yet if our countrie do admit, where any ods appeareth,
though it offer the relenting, when it comes to proufe, she auentureth
her selfe, and we which perswade. haue great cause to thanke her, that
she will harken vnto vs, as she also will thanke vs, if she praise at
the parting. Wherfore seeing the ground is so slipperie to deale by
authoritie, and therfore to approue it, bycause such a one sayth it
till iudgement haue subsigned, and circunstance sealed, I thought it
good, as I said before, to speake somwhat therof, that I may therby
stay my selfe the better, marching by them, and thorough them: and also
remoue some scrupulouse opinion, that I vse them not strangely, when I
vse them so, as they wishe themselues to be vsed.
But for the better vnderstanding, with what warynes authoritie is to
be vsed, may it please you to consider, that there be two sortes of
authours wherwith we deale in our studie: wherof the one regardeth
the matter only, and by ineuitable argument enforceth the conclusion.
In this kinde be the Mathematicall sciences, and all such naturall
philosophie, as proceedeth by necessitie of a demonstrable subiect. The
other ioyneth the circunstance with the matter, as Morall, and politike
Philosophie, as the Professions, as Poetes, as histories do, when they
enforce not the necessitie of their conclusion, by necessitie of the
matter, though by the fourme of their argument, which concludeth of
force, in matters of least force. The argumentes of those Artes and
Professions, which be in this second kinde, do depende vpon apparence
in probable coniecture, and be creatures to circunstance, wherin as man
is the mainest subiecte, so the respectes had to man haue the raine in
their hand.
Hence commeth it that lawes in seuerall landes do differ so much, that
Phisicke in seuerall subiectes is so seuerall in cure, that Diuinitie
in ceremonies admitteth change, where the circunstance is obserued, and
yet the truth not tainted.
Hence it cometh that in diuersitie of states, there be diuersities of
staie, whereby men gouerne, bycause circunstance commaundeth. Whervnto,
he that affirmes, must still haue an eye, bycause it sheweth, what is
seemely and conuenient, not in great states alone, but also in the
meanest thinges of all: bycause it moderateth both what soeuer men do:
and in what soeuer respect they do. In the first kinde of authours and
authorities, the truth of the matter maintaines it selfe, without he
said or he did: bycause it is true by nature, which staied it, not by
authour which said it. And being so setled, it ministreth of it selfe
no matter to debate, or at the least verie little. For in pointes of
necessitie, naturally inferred, the difference of opinion is no proufe
at all, that the matter is debatable, but it is a sufficient argument
of an insufficient writer, if he penne his opinion, or of an vngrounded
learner, if his error be in speeche, which harpeth still about some
outward accident, and neuer perceth the inward substance. So that in
such conclusions there is but one currant, what forceth the matter,
and not what sayeth the man: what commandes the immutable truth, and
not what commendes the changeable circunstance. All the controuersie
is in the second kinde, where circunstance is prescription, wherin the
writers credite oftimes authoriseth the thing, and the truth of the
thing doth make the man an authour: wherin vnles he take verie good
heede, which is the alleadger, he may do his writer exceeding great
iniurie, by bringing him to the barre, and forcing that vpon him, which
he neuer dreamed on, and harme himselfe to, who mistaking his ground,
misplaceth his building, and hazardeth his credit.
Hence commeth it, that so many fantasticall deuises do trouble the
world, while euerie man being desirous to breede somwhat worthy of
commendacion either for shew of learning, or for shield of opinion,
bringeth in the poore writers, and enioyneth them speach, where in deed
they be mute: and if they could speake, they would aske the alledger
why he did so abuse them. A generall and a verie hard case in these
our dayes, when the most erronious opinions be fathered vpon the most
honest writers, which meant nothing lesse, then that which is threpte
vpon them. In matter of Pollicy this man wrote thus, and was verie well
thought of, an other in some schoole pointes gaue his censure in this
sorte, and became of account. Transport the circunstance the allowance
is misliked, the alleadger laughed at: and yet the worthinesse of the
writer not empayred at all, when he is rightly weyed, bycause he was
forced: In this kinde of argument wherin I presently deale, it is no
proufe, bycause _Plato_ praiseth it, bycause _Aristotle_ alloweth it,
bycause _Cicero_ commendes it, bycause _Quintilian_ is acquainted with
it, or any other else, in any argument else, that therfore it is for vs
to vse. What if our countrey honour it in them, and yet for all that
may not vse it her selfe, bycause circunstance is her check?
Nay what if the writers authoritie be alledged without consideration of
their owne circunstance? who then offereth his countrey the greatest
wrong? is it not he which wringeth the writer, and wreasteth his
meaning? And yet such alledgers there be, which passe it ouer smoothly,
till they be espyed, where then their owne weaknes appeareth, the
writers worthinesse is euident, and his wrong reuenged, by discouering
the wreaster. Wherfore he that will deale with writers so, as to deriue
their conclusions to the vse of his countrey, must be verie well
aduised, and diligently marke, that their meaning, and his applying be
both of one ground, and also how much of their opinion his countrey
will admit, which, as she will not be forced by idle supposalles, so
pronounceth she him to be but a fleeter, who so euer shall offer to
force her that waye. If the matter be well pikt, and properly applyed,
she embraceth it forthwith, and giues it the growing. Whether I shall
perfourme so much my selfe, as I require in others, I dare not warrant,
but I will do my best, to vse my authour well, and to obserue the
circunstance, and not once to profer any thing to my countrey, which
shall not haue all those foundations, that I promised before, so much
as I can, _Nature_ to lead it, _reason_ to back it, _custome_ to
commend it, _experience_ to allow it, and _profit_ to preferre it.
[Sidenote: For alledging of Authours.]
But here by the waye, I must aduertise my reader thus much, that I
thinke a student ought rather to inuest himselfe in the habite of his
writer, then to stand much vpon his title, and authoritie, in proofe or
disproofe, seeing who knoweth not, that all our studies be generally
detters to the first deuise, and fairest deliuerie? Therfore to auoide
length therby, I will neither vse authoritie, nor example, seeing
matter is the maine, and not the mans name, sauing onely where one mans
deposition vpholdes or ouerthrowes: and the ground of the example is
so excellent in that kinde, as it were to much vnkindenesse, not to
let the person be knowen, where the fact is so famous. I will reste
vpon reason the best, where I finde it, the next where that failes, and
coniecture is probable, to proue such thinges, as reason must paterne.
If the triall be in proofe, and experience must guide it, I will binde
vpon proofe, and let triall be the tuche.
For with the alledging of authours, either to shew, what I haue read
or to tuche common concordes, where any thing is to much, and nothing
is enough, I meane not at all to buisie my selfe. Bycause we heape but
vp witnesses, which be nothing needeful, in such cases, as be nothing
doubtfull, when we vse many gaie names all agreeing in one, and none
saying but so: wheras the naturall vse of testimonies is, to proue
where doubt is, not to cloye, where all is cleare. In such cases for
want of sound iudgement, a catalogue of names, and a multitude of
sentences, which say but that is soothed, and no man denyes, are forced
to the stage, to seeme to arme the alleadger, which fighteth without
foe, and flyeth without feare.
In pointes of learning, which be wonne from quarrell, or resolute
groundes, which be without quarrell, and neede no assurer, I referre my
dealing to the iudgement of those, which can trace me, where I tread
and shall finde my truth, without the authours name, whom they will
confesse to be well alleadged, when I saye, as he sayeth, and proue
as he proueth, either by habite got by reading, or by likenesse in
iudgement, though I neuer red.
If controuersie arise, and be worth the recounting the matter shall not
sleepe: if it hange of the man, and without him be lame, the man shall
not slyp: but otherwise, no. Those that be learned know that witnesses,
and wise mens names be verie good ware, where the question is, whether
such a thing be done, and they be said to know it, and that _Rhetorick_
takes testimonies for a principall proofe, and very neare the harte, as
_Logick_ placeth them in the utmost of her argumentes, being themselues
of small pith, though their stuffe be worth praise, and both bind and
loose, where reason beares the swaie, and probabilitie is to purpose.
I do honour good writers but without superstition, nothing addicte to
titles. But for so much as _Reason_ doth honour them, they must be
content to staie without them selues, and vse all meanes to preferre
her to presence, as their ladie and mistresse, whose authoritie and
credit procures them admission, when they come from her. It is not so,
bycause a writer said so, but bycause the truth is so, and he said the
truth, the truth giues him title, and that is it, which must passe,
strong enough of it selfe, and oftimes weakened in the hearers opinion,
though not in it selfe, by naming the writer: which commonly proues
so when the hearer is wedded vnto names, and sworn to authoritie, not
so much eying the thing which is vttered, as the persons title by
whom it is vttered. If truth did depend vpon the person, she would
oftimes be brought into a miserable plighte, and looke rufully vpon it,
being constrained to serue fancie, and to alter vpon will, wheras she
is still one, and should be bent vnto, neither will her selfe bend,
howsoeuer opinatiue people do perswade them selues.
This the learned and wise know, whose curtesie I craue as I wish them
well: for whose helpe and health, I vndertooke this paine, whose
wisedom I appeal to, if either, diffidence do wrangle, or ignoraunce
do quarrel. As for the vnlearned, I must needes ouertreat them, not to
stand with me in pointes, where they cannot iudge themselues, if not
for mine owne, yet for their sakes, which beleue me themselues, and
will giue their word for me. In such pointes, as be intelligible to
both, I must praie them both to waie me well, and euer to haue before
them, that my will wisheth well, howsoeuer I perfourme, wherin will
deserues well, and weaknes prayeth excuse.
FOOTNOTES:
[1] 1. Topic. de 4. instrumentis Dial.
CHAPTER 4.
WHAT TIME WEERE BEST FOR THE CHILD TO BEGIN TO LEARNE. WHAT MATTERS
SOME OF THE BEST WRITERS HANDLE, EARE THEY DETERMINE THIS QUESTION.
OF LETTES AND LIBERTIE WHERVNTO THE PARENTES ARE SUBIECT IN SETTING
THEIR CHILDREN TO SCHOOLE. OF THE DIFFERENCE OF WITTES AND BODIES
IN CHILDREN. THAT EXERCISE MUST BE IOYNED WITH THE BOOKE, AS THE
SCHOOLING OF THE BODIE.
The first question that of any necessitie commeth in place, seemeth to
be at what yeares children be to be put to schoole: for neither would
they be differed to long for leasing of their time, nor hastened on to
soone, for hindering of their health. The rule therfore must be giuen
according to the strength of their bodies, and the quicknes of their
wittes ioyntly.
[Sidenote: The auncient antecedents.]
Such of the auncient writers, both Greek and Latin, as either picture
vs out the platfourmes of the best framed common weales: or do lend
vs the looking on of some such a paragon as in some particular kinde,
they deuise to be peerelesse, before they call it in question, when
their youth shall begin to learne, they do fetch the ground of their
traine exceeding farre of. As, what regard is to be had to the infante,
while he is yet vnder his nurse. Where they moile themselues sore, with
the maners and conditions of the nurse, with the fines or rudenes of
her speeche: with the comelynes of her person and fauour of her face.
And in controuersie about milkes, sometime they preferre the mother,
if her health, her complexion, her kinde of life, will best fit for
her owne: sometime they yeeld: but with great choice to the forreine
nurse: if any iust circunstance do discharge the mother, whom nature
vnletted seemes to charge most. Againe they examine what companie
is to be choosen for him, when he doth begin first to crepe abroad,
wherby that good may begin betimes, which must continew longe, and is
greatly furthered by choice of companie, that pikked and choice play
fellowes may succede after a fine and well fitted nursery. Againe, they
debate in good sadnes, what an exquisite traine is to be deuised for
him, when he is to go to schoole, either priuate, or publike, though
they still preferre the publike as most beseeming him, which must liue
among many and neuer be recluse. And such other considerations they
fall into, which do well beseeme the bringing vp of such a one, as
they did but wishe for: and we may not hope for: but by no meanes can
be applyed to our youth, and our education, wherin we wishe for no
more, then we hope for to haue. Nay they go further, as whether may
not wishers? and appoint the parentes of this so perfect a child, to
be so wise and so well learned, as is in verie deede most consonant
with their platte, but to farre surmonting the modele of my positions.
Wherfore leauing those meanes, which they do but deuise, to bring vp
those people, which they do but patterne, I meane to proceede from such
principles, as our parentes do build on, and as our children do rise
by, to that mediocritie, which furnisheth out this world, and not to
that excellencie, which is fashioned for an other. And yet the pretence
of these so fine pictures, by pointing out so absolute a president,
is, to let vs behold thereby, both wherin the best consisteth: what
colours it is best knowen by: what a state it keepeth: and also by
what ready meane, we may best approache neare it, bycause dispaire
to obtaine the verie best it selfe, discourageth all hope. For that
missinge any one of these so fined circunstances, as our frailtie
will faile either in all, or in most, then we marre the whole moulde.
Howbeit we are much bounde to the excellent wittes of those diuine
writers, who by their singular knowledge, approaching neare to the
truest, and best, could most truly, and best discern, what constitution
they were of: and being of a good ciuill inclination, thought it their
parte, to communicate that with their posteritie, which they from so
nighe, had so narrowly decifred, as auailable to others, for this onely
cause, if there ensewed no more of it, that in despaire of hitting
the highest, yet by seeing where it lodged, with verie great praise,
they might draw neare vnto it. For as it is but for paragons to mount
quite aboue all, so is it worthy praise to rest in some degree, which
declareth a pearcher, though abilitie restraine will, that it cannot
aspire whervnto it would.
But to returne from this so exquisite, to our ordinarie traine, I
perswade my selfe, that all my countreymen wishe themselues as wise,
and as well learned, as those absolute parentes are surmised to be,
though they be content with so much of both, or rather with so litle,
as God doth allot them: and that they will haue their children nursed
as well as they can, without question where, or quarrelling by whom: so
as they may haue that well brought vp by nurture, which they loue so
well, bequeathed them by nature. And that till the infant can gouerne
himselfe, they will seeke to saue it from all such perilles, as may
seeme to harme it any kinde of way, or by companie or by occasion:
and that with such warinesse, as ordinarie circunspection may, or can
worke, in considerate and careful parentes. And finally that for his
well schooling, they that cannot, will wish it, they that can, will
haue it, with small charge if they may, if they may not with some
coste, and very carefully commend the silly poore boy at his first
entry, to his maisters charge, not omitting euen how much his mother
makes of him, if she come not her selfe and do her owne commendacions.
So that for these antecedents, as they in precisenes do passe vs, so we
in possibility go farre beyond them.
For our hope is at ankar, and rides in assuraunce, their wishe
wandereth still, not like to win the rode. These and such like
circunstances they handle formally as in an absolute picture, I tuche
but by the waye, as being quite of an other perswasion, nothing giuen
to the vnpossible, where possibilitie must take place, though the
vnpossible _Idea_, offer great force to fancie. Wherfore I will now
take my leaue of them, and retourne to my question, when children be to
be set to learning. A thing in reason very worthy to be wayed, and in
perfourmaunce, very like to proue good, both for health of the bodie,
and helpe of the minde, and so much the rather to be well entreated,
by cause it is the very first principle, which enterteneth our traine.
My countrey parentes then, being so naturall to their children, both
for care before schoole, and for choice in schooling, I will commend
to their charge, all that which is to be considered in their first
infancie, and tendrest spring, before they be thought fit, to be set to
learning, which they will diligently looke to, I am very well assured.
Bycause euery thing drawes liking, while it is pretie and young, and
specially our owne which hath nature to sollicite, and needeth no
exhorting, to haue it well cherished, where there is no daunger, but in
to much dalying, neither yet any feare, but in to fond cokkering.
[Sidenote: Lettes.]
But in very good earnest, when shall our boye be set to schoole? In all
considerations, wherin vpon the resolution, something must be executed,
and done, this thing is necessarily to be first enquired, whether all,
or most, or any of all the circunstances, which be incident to the
execution, be in, or without the parties power, which is to execute, so
as he may either proceede at his owne libertie, if nothing withstand
him, or may not proceede, if he be thwarted by circunstance. For
otherwise the liberty to passe on, or the restraint, to staie, being
not agreed vpon, he that directs by rule may be chekt by arrest. And
where he biddes on thus, circunstance maye replie, Ifayth sir no.
Wherfore I leaue those parentes to their owne discretion, in whom will
seekes libertie, to do as she would, and circunstance commandes her,
to do as she may. The parent would haue his child begin to learne at
such a time: circunstance sayes, no. He would haue him learne with
such a man: some cause contrarieth. In such a place, in such a sorte:
his power is to poore, to compasse that he coueteth. Be not all these
lettes, and what so euer is so laid, to stop will of his will, where
neither counsell can giue precept, nor the parent can execute, being
so strongly ouercharged? It is euen like, as if one should saye,
the freeman and the bond, be not both in one case. Preceptes be for
freemen, which maie do as ye bid them, but circunstance bindes, and
wilbe obeyed. Wherfore I must once for all, warne those parentes, which
may not do as they would, vpon these same lettes which I haue recited,
or any other like, that they take their oportunitie, when so euer it
is offered, bycause occasion is verie bald behinde, and seldome comes
the better. And seeing circunstance is their bridle, when they feele
the raine loose, course it on a maine, and take the benefit of time,
the oportunitie of place, the commoditie of the teacher, the equitie
of the maner, and what so euer condition else, wherin the freedom of
circunstance doth seeme to befreind them. For sauing with such a note
as this is, I cannot direct them, which can giue no counsell, but where
_necessitie_ is in ward and _libertie_ keepes the keyes.
[Sidenote: Libertie.]
But if the parent want nothing necessary, for his childes bringing
vp, neither a place, both conuenient for receit, and commodious for
distaunce, wherin to haue him taught: nor a teacher, sufficient for
cunning, and considerate, for either curtesie, or correction, who can
traine him vp well: nor fit companions, as so fit a place, and so good
a maister may picke out of choice, which will throng vnto him: And if
the child also himselfe, haue a witte apte to conceiue, what shalbe put
vnto him: and a body able to beare the trauell, which belonges vnto
learning: me thinke it were then best, that he began to be doing, when
he maie well perceiue, without trauelling his braine, thorough the
hardnes of the thing, and neede not be toiled to the wearines of his
bodie, thorough the wise handling of his aduised maister. For being in
the schoole, he may do somwhat very well, though not very much, wheras
roming about, he might hap to do ill, and that very much.
[Sidenote: Variety of wittes.]
At what yeares I cannot say, bycause ripenes in children, is not tyed
to one time, no more then all corne is ripe for one reaping, though
mostwhat about one. Some be hastinges and will on, some be hardinges,
and drawe backe: some be willing when their parentes will: some but
willing, when they will them selues, as either will to do well, vpon
cherishing wisely, or pleasure to play still, vpon cokkering fondly,
hath possessed their mindes.
But he that deserueth to be a parent, must dispose himselfe to be also
a iudge, in all these cases: and who is so ill freinded, as he hath
not one, with whom to conferre, to learne by aduise, the towardnes
and time of his young sonnes schooling, if he be not able to looke
into it himselfe? They that limitte the beginning to learne by some
certaine yeares, haue an eye to that knowledge, which it were pitie
were loste, say they, and may easely be gayned in those young yeares.
I agree with them, that it were great pitie, to lease anything, that
neede not be loste, without great negligence, and may be well gotten,
with very small diligence, not endammaging the child. But more pitie
it were, for so petie a gaine, to forgoe a greater, to winne an houre
in the morning, and lease the whole daie after: as those people most
commonly do, which starte out of their beds to early, before they be
well awaked: or knowe what it is a clocke: and be drousie when they are
vp, for want of their sleepe.
If the childe haue a weake bodie, though neuer so strong a witte, let
him grow on the longer, till the strength of his bodie, do aunswere
to his witte. For experience hath taught me, and calleth reason to
record, that a sharp young witte hastened on to wounder at, for the
quiknesse of his edge, hath therby most commonly bene hastened to his
graue, thorough the weaknesse of body: to the greife of the freindes,
whose delite is cut of, and some wite of their witte, for ouerhasting
their child: Nay, what if it hath pleased God to lend him longer life?
he neuer sinketh deepe, but fleeteth still aboue, with some quicknesse
of conceit, continuing that wonder, which he wanne in his childhood:
neuer burdened with much to ballase his head: but still aunswering at
reboundes, the fairest crop of so hasty an haruest. Sometime his witte
will grow worse, the wonder will vanishe, the bodie will proue feeble,
and soone after perishe.
But now if he liue, with all these infirmities, of decaying witte,
decreasing wonder, puling bodie, he liues with small comfort, in such
a world of weaknesse, which vsually commeth of to much moisture, the
corrupter of such carcasses, the most vile, and violent massacrer, of
the most, and best studentes, generally for want of trauell, sauing
onely to their braine, which the more it is occupyed, the sorer it
stilleth, and the sorer it stilleth, the sooner it killeth, the moe the
more pitie. Wherfore I could wishe the wittier child, the lesse vpon
the spurre, and either the longer kept from learning, for turning his
edge, as a to sharpe knife: or the sklenderer kept at it, for feare
of surfait, in one hungring to haue it. Yet must not this quickling
be suffered to do nothing at all, for feare he grow reasty, if that
nothing be dumpishe, and heauie: or passe beyond reclaime, if it be
dissolute, and wanton.
The meane conceiuer, in some strength of bodie, is the best continuer,
and as he serues all places best, in his height of learning, so in all
respectes, ye may venture on his schooling, when it shall please you,
with but ordinarie regard.
A dull witte in a strong body, if ye like to haue it learne, as by
learning ye finde it: so till some degree, it may well learne, for
necessarie seruice in the rest of his life: and may be hastened on
boldly. For the bodie can beare labour, it is so well boaned, and the
witte will not cloye, it so hardly receiueth. The sharpenesse of witte,
the maister will sound by memorie, and number: the strength of the
bodie, the mother will marke, by complaint, and cause.
A weake witte and as weake a bodie, is much to be moaned, for the
great infirmity, and can hardly be helpt, bycause nature is to weake:
and therefore it must be thought on, as in a case of despaire, againe
against hope: if any thing be goten, a greife to the freindes, which
cannot amend it: small ioye to him selfe, which cannot auoide it.
A strong witte, in as strong a bodie, is worthy the wishing, of the
parentes to bring foorth, of the teacher to bring vp. For as it is a
thing of it selfe not ordinarie, so where it lighteth, it giues vs the
gaze, and bides all beginninges, but that which is to soone, bycause
God hath prouided that strength in nature, wherby he entendes no
exception in nurture, for that which is in nature. Such spirites there
be, and such bodies they haue, if they will, and may so keepe them,
with orderly regard, which is extreme hard vnto them. For that oftimes
they will not do so, but distemper their bodies with disordinate
doinges, when pleasures haue possessed them, and rashenesse is their
ruler. Oftimes they maie not, thorough varietie and weight of important
affaires, which commaundeth them too farre in some kinde of calling.
But where so euer they light, or what so euer waye they take, they
shewe what they be, and alwaye proue either the verie best, or the most
beastly. For there can scantly be any meane in those constitutions,
which are so notably framed, and so rarely endued. And therefore those
parentes which haue such children must take great heede of them, as the
tippes of euill, if they chuse that waye, or the toppes of good, if
they minde that is best. For the middle and most moderate wittes, which
commonly supplie eche corner in eche countrey, and serue most assaies,
some ordinary meane will serue to order them: but where extraordinarie
pointes begin to appeare, there common order is not commonly enough.
This is my opinion concerning the time, when the child shall begin to
learne: which I do restraine to the strength of witte and hardnes of
body: the one for to receiue learning, the other not to refuse labour:
and therfore I conclude thus that the parent himselfe ought in reason
to be more then halfe a iudge of the entrie to schooling, as being best
acquainted with the particular circunstance of his owne child. Yet I do
not allow him to be an absolute iudge, without some counsell, vnlesse
he be a very rare father, and well able to be both a rule to himselfe,
and a paterne to others. Bycause mostwhere men be most blinded:
where they should see best, I meane in their owne: such a tyrant is
affection, when she hath wonne the field, vnder the conducte of nature,
and so imperious is nature, when she is disposed to make affection her
deputie.
[Sidenote: Exercises.]
But now for so much as in setting our child to schoole, we consider
the strength of his bodie, no lesse then we do the quicknesse of his
witte, it should seeme that our traine ought to be double, and to be
applyed to both the partes, that the body may as well be preserued in
his best, as the minde instructed in that, which is his best, that
the one may still be able to aunswere the other well, in all their
common executions. As for the training vp of the minde, the waye is
well beaten, bycause it is generally entreated on in euery booke, and
beareth the honour and title of learning.
But for the bettering of the body, is there not any meane to maintaine
it in health, and cheifly in the student, whose trade treads it
downe? Yes surely, A very naturall and a heathful course there is to
be kept in exercise, wherby all the naturall functions of the body
be excellently furthered, and the body made fit for all his best
functions. And therfore parentes and maisters ought to take such a
waie, euen from the beginning, as the childes diet, neither stuffe the
bodye, nor choke the conceit, which it lightly doeth, when it is to
much crammed. That his garmentes which oftimes burden the bodie with
weight, sometimes weaken it with warmth, neither faint it with heat,
nor freese it with cold. That the exercise of the body still accompanie
and assist the exercise of the minde, to make a dry, strong, hard,
and therfore a long lasting body: and by the fauour therof to haue an
actiue, sharp, wise and therwith all a well learned soule. If long
life be the childes blessing for honoring his parentes, why should
not the parentes then, which looke for that honour, all that in them
lyeth, forsee in youth that their children may haue some hope of that
benefit, to ensue in their age, which cannot take effect, vnlesse the
thing be begon in their youth? Which if it be not by times looked
vnto, they afterwardes become vncapable of long life, and so not to
enioye the reward of their honour, for any thing that their parentes
helpe to it, though God will be true, and perfourme that he promiseth,
how so euer men hault in doing of their duetie. And yet tempting is
pernicious, where the meane to hit right, is laid so manifest: and the
childes honour to his parentes beginnes at obedience in his infancie,
which they ought to reward, with good qualities for honour, and may
worke them like waxe, bycause they do obey. This negligence of the
parentes for not doing that, which in power they might, and in duetie
they ought, giues contempt in the children some colour of iustice, to
make their requitall with dishonour in their age, were it not that
the Christian religion doth forbid reuenge: which in presidentes of
prophanisme we finde allowed, where both curtesie to such parentes, as
failed in education of their children is countercharged by lawe: and
dissolute parentes by entreating ill, are well entertained of their
neglected children: the vnfortunate children much moaned for their
chaunce, that they came to so ill an ende: and the vndiscrete parentes
more rated for their charge, which they looked so ill to, wherby
themselues did seeme to haue forced such an ende.
The minde wilbe stirring, bycause it stirres the body, and some good
meane will make it to furnish very well, so the choice be well made,
wherin: the order well laid, wherby: and both well kept, wherwith: it
shalbe thought best trained. The body which lodgeth a restlesse minde
by his owne reste is betrayed to the common murtherers of a multitude
of scholers, which be vnholesome and superfluous humors, needelesse and
noysom excrementes, ill to feele within, good to send abroad.
Neither is it enough to saye, that children wilbe stirring alwaie of
themselues, and that therefore they neede not any so great a care, for
exercising their bodies. For if by causing them learne so and sitting
still in schooles, we did not force them from their ingenerate heat,
and naturall stirring, to an vnnaturall stilnesse, then their owne
stirring without restraint, might seeme to serue their tourne, without
more adoe. But stilnesse more then ordinarie, must haue stirring more
then ordinarie: and the still breding of ill humours, which stuffe
vp the body for want of stirring, must be so handled, as it want no
stilling to send them away. Wherfore as stilnesse hath her direction
by order in schooles, so must stirring be directed by well appointed
exercise. And as quiet sitting helpes ill humors to breede, and burden
the bodie: so must much stirring make a waie to discharge the one, and
to disburden the other. Both which helpes, as I most earnestly require
at the parent, and maisters hand: so I meane my selfe to handle them
both, to the helping of both.
In the meane while, for the entring time thus much. The witte must
be first wayed, how it can conceiue, and then the bodie considered,
how it can beare labour: and the consorte of their strength aduisedly
maintained. They haue both their peculiar functions, which by
mediocrities are cherished, by extremities perished, hast doing most
harme, euen to the most, and lingring not but some, sometimes to the
best. And yet haste is most harmefull, where so euer, it setts foote,
as we that teache alwaie finde, and they that learne, sometimes feele.
For the poore children when they perceiue their owne weaknesse, whereof
most commonly they maye thanke haste, they both faint, and feare, and
very hardly get forward: and we that teach do meet with to much toile,
when poore young babes be committed to our charge, before they be ripe.
Whom if we beat we do the children wrong in those tender yeares to
plant any hatred, when loue should take roote, and learning grow by
liking.
And yet oftimes seueritie is to fowre, while the maister beateth the
parentes folly, and the childes infirmitie, with his owne furie.
All which extremities some litle discretion would easely remoue, by
conference before, to forecast what would follow, and by following good
counsell, when it is giuen before. Which will then proue so, when the
parent will do nothing in placing or displacing of his childe, without
former aduise, and communicating with the maister: and the maister
likewise without respecting his owne gaine, will plainely and simply
shew the parent or freind, what vpon good consideration he thinketh to
be best. Wherein there wilbe no error if the parent be wise, and the
maister be honest.
CHAPTER 5.
WHAT THINGES THEY BE, WHERIN CHILDREN ARE TO BE TRAINED, EARE THEY
PASSE TO THE GRAMMAR. THAT PARENTES, AND MAISTERS OUGHT TO EXAMINE THE
NATURALL ABILITIES IN THEIR CHILDREN, WHERBY THEY BECOME EITHER FIT,
OR VNFIT, TO THIS, OR THAT KINDE OF LIFE. THE THREE NATURALL POWERS
IN CHILDREN, WITTE TO CONCEIUE BY, MEMORIE TO RETAINE BY, DISCRETION
TO DISCERNE BY. THAT THE TRAINING VP TO GOOD MANNERS, AND NURTURE,
DOTH NOT BELONG TO THE TEACHER ALONE, THOUGH MOST TO HIM, NEXT AFTER
THE PARENT, WHOSE CHARGE THAT IS MOST, BYCAUSE HIS COMMAUNDEMENT
IS GREATEST, OUER HIS OWNE CHILD, AND BEYOND APPEALE. OF READING,
WRITING, DRAWING, MUSICK BY VOICE, AND INSTRUMENT: AND THAT THEY BE
THE PRINCIPALL PRINCIPLES, TO TRAINE VP THE MINDE IN. A GENERALL
AUNSWERE TO ALL OBIECTIONS, WHICH ARISE AGAINST ANY, OR ALL OF THESE.
Now that I haue shewed mine opinion concerning the time, when it were
best to set the child to schoole, the next two questions seeme to
be, what he shall learne and howe he shalbe exercised, when he is at
schoole. For seeing he is compound of a soule and a bodie: the soule to
conceiue and comprehend, what is best for itselfe, and the bodie to:
The bodie to waite, and attend the commaundement and necessities of the
soule: he must be so trained, as neither for qualifying of the minde,
nor for enabling of the bodie, there be any such defecte, as iust blame
therfore may be laide vpon them, which in nature be most willing,
and in reason thought most skilfull, to preuente such defaultes. For
there be both in the body, and the soule of man certaine ingenerate
abilities, which the wisedom of parentes, and reason of teachers,
perceiuing in their infancie, and by good direction auancing them
further, during those young yeares, cause them proue in their ripenesse
very good and profitable, both to the parties which haue them, and to
their countries, which vse them. Which naturall abilities, if they be
not perceiued, by whom they should: do condemne all such, either of
ignorance, if they could not iudge, or of negligence, if they would
not seeke, what were in children, by nature emplanted, for nurture to
enlarge. And if they be perceiued, and either missorted in place, or
ill applyed in choice, as in difference of iudgementes, there be many
thinges practised, which were better vnproued, to the losse of good
time, and let of better stuffe, they do bewray that such teachers, and
trainers, be they parentes, be they maisters, either haue no sound
skill, if it come of infirmitie, or but raw heades, if it spring of
fansie. If they know the inclination, and do not further it rightely,
it is impietie to the youth, more then sacrilege to the state, which by
their fault be not suffered to enioy those excellent benefits, which
the most munificent God, by his no niggardishe nature, prouided for
them both. If they found them, and followed them, but not so fully, as
they were to receiue: if for want wherwith, it deserues pardon, if for
want of will, exceeding blame: and cryeth for correction of the state
by them hindred, and small thankes of the parties, no more furthered.
Wherfore as good parentes, and maisters ought to finde out, by those
naturall principles, whervnto the younglings may best be framed, so
ought they to follow it, vntil it be complete, and not to staie,
without cause beyond staie, before it come to ripenesse, which
ripenesse, while they be in learning, must be measured by their ablenes
to receiue that, which must follow their forebuilding: but when they
are thought sufficiently well learned, and to meddle with the state,
then their ripenesse is to be measured, by vse to themselues, and
seruice to their countrey, in peace, as best and most naturall, in
warre, as worse, and most vnnatural, and yet the ordinarie ende of a
disordered peace. For when the thinges, which be learned do cleaue
so fast in memorie, as neither discontinuaunce can deface them, nor
forgetfulnesse abolishe them: then is abilitie vpon ascent, and when
ascent is in the highest, and the countrey commaundes seruice, then
studie must be left, and the countrey must be serued.
Seeing therfore in appointing the matter, wherin this traine must be
employed, there is regard to be had first to the soule, as in nature
more absolute, and in value more precious: and then to the bodie, as
the instrument and meane, wherby the soule sheweth what is best to be
done in necessity of fine force, in choice of best shew: I will remitte
the bodie to his owne roome, which is peculiarly in exercises, sauing
where I cannot meane the soule, without mention of the bodie, and in
this place I wil entreat of the soule alone, how it must be qualified.
And yet meane I not to make any anatomie, or resolution of the soule
his partes and properties, a discourse, not belonging to this so low a
purpose, but onely to pick out some natural inclinations in the soule,
which as they seeme to craue helpe of education, and nurture, so by
education, and nurture, they do proue very profitable, both in priuate
and publicke. To the which effect, in the litle young soules, first we
finde, a capacity to perceiue that which is taught them, and to imitate
the foregoer. That witte to learne, as it is led, and to follow as it
is foregone, would be well applyed, by proprietie in matter, first
offered them to learne: by considerate ascent in order, encreasing by
degrees: by wary handling of them, to draw them onward with courage. We
finde also in them, as a quickenes to take, so a fastnesse to retaine:
therfore their memorie would streight waye be furnished, with the verie
best, seeing it is a treasurie: exercised with the most, seeing it is
of receite: neuer suffered to be idle, seeing it spoiles so soone. For
in defaulte of the better, the worse will take chaire, and bid it selfe
welcome: and if idlenesse enter, it will exclude all ernest, and call
in her kinsfolkes, toyes and triffles, easie for remembraunce, heauy
for repentaunce.
We finde in them further an ability to discern, what is good, and what
is ill, which ought foorthwith to be made acquainted with the best,
by obedience and order, and dissauded from the worse, by misliking
and frowne. These three thinges, witte to take, memorie to keepe,
discretion to discern, and moe if ye seeke, though but braunches to
these, which I chuse for my purpose, shall ye finde pearing out of the
litle young soules: when you may see what is in them, and not they
themselues. Whose abilitie to encrease in time, and infirmitie to
crawle at that time is commended to them, which first begot them, or
best can frame them. Now these naturall towardnesses being once espied,
in what degree they rise, bycause there is ods in children by nature,
as in parentes by purchase, they must be followed with diligence,
encreased by order, encouraged by comfort, till they come to their
proofe. Which proofe trauell in time will perfourme, hast knittes vp to
soone, and vnperfit, slownesse to late, and to weake.
[Sidenote: The rule of discretion.]
But for the best waie of their good speede, that witte maie conceiue
and learne well, memorie retaine and hold fast, discretion chuse and
discerne best, the cheife and chariest point is, so to plie them all,
as they may proceede voluntarily, and not with violence, that will may
be a good boye, ready to do well, and lothe to do ill, neuer fearing
the rod, which he will not deserue. For wheresoeuer will in effecting,
doth ioyne with abilitie to conceiue, and memorie to retaine, there
industrie will finde frute, yea in the frowne of fortune. By discretion
to cause them take to that, which is best, and to forsake that, which
is worst, in common dealinges is common to all men, that haue interest
in children, parentes by nature, maisters by charge, neighbours of
curtesie, all men of all humanitie: whom either priuate care by
custome, or publike cure by commaundement of magistrate and lawe, doth
compell in conscience to helpe their well doing, and to fray them from
ill, wheresoeuer they meete them, or when so euer they see them do
that, which is naught. And therfore that duetie to helpe them in this
kinde for their manners, is incident to maisters but among others,
though somwhat more then some others, as to whom it is most seemely,
bycause of their authoritie, and most proper, bycause of their charge,
whom knowledge best enfourmeth to embrew them with the best: and power
best assisteth, to cause them embrace the best: euen perforce at the
first, till acquaintaunce in time breede liking of it selfe.
But this mannering of them is not for teachers alone, because they
communicate therin, as I haue said already, both with naturall
parentes, to whom that point appertaineth nearest, as of most
authoritie with them, and with all honest persons, which seing a child
doing euill, are bid in conscience, to terrifie and check him as the
quality of the childes offence, and the circunstance of their owne
person doth seeme best to require.
Wherfore reseruing for the teacher so much as is for his office, to
enstruct the child what is best for him in matter of manners, and
to see to it, so much as in him lyeth: to set good orders in his
gouvernment, to see them alwaye well, and one waye still executed and
perfourmed, I referre the rest to those, whom either any vertuous
consideration of them selues, or any particular duetie, enioyned by
lawe, doth charge with the rest, either by priuate discipline at home,
or by publike ordinaunce abroade, to see youth well brought vp that
waye: to learne to discern that which is well from ill, good from
bad, religious from prophane, honest from dishonest, commendable from
blame worthy, seemely from vnseemely, that they may honour God, serue
their countrey, comfort their freindes, and aide one an other, as
good countreymen are bound to do. But how to handle their conceit in
taking, and their memorie, in holding, bycause that appertaineth to
teachers wholly: (for all that the parentes and freindes, wilbe medlers
somtime, to further their young impes:) I will deale in that, and
shew wherin children ought to be trained, till they be found fit for
Grammer: wherin neuerthelesse, both the matters, which they learne: and
the manners, which they are made to, serue for ground to vertue, and
encrease of discretion.
As I might verie well be esteemed inconsiderate, if I should force any
farre fet diuises into these my principles, which neither my countrey
knew, nor her custome cared for, so dealing but with those, and resting
content with those, which my countrey hath seuered to her priuate vse,
and her custome is acquainted with of long continuaunce, I maye hope
for consent, where my countrey commendeth, and looke for successe,
where custome leades my hand, and feare no note of noueltie, where
nothing is but auncient.
[Sidenote: Reading.]
Amongst these my countreys most familiar principles, _reading_ offereth
herselfe first in the entrie, chosen vpon good ground continued vpon
great proofe, enrowled among the best, and the verie formost of the
best, by her owne effectes, as verie many so verie profitable. For
whether you marke the nature of the thing, while it is in getting, or
the goodnesse therof when it is gotten, it must needs be the first,
and the most frutefull principle, in training of the minde. For the
letter is the first and simplest impression in the trade of teaching,
and nothing before it. The knitting and iointing wherof groweth on
verie infinitely, as it appeareth most plainely by daily spelling,
and continuall reading, till partely by vse, and partely by argument,
the child get the habit, and cunning to read well, which being once
gotten, what a cluster of commodities doth it bring with all? what so
euer any other, for either profit or pleasure, of force or freewill,
hath published to the world, by penne or printe, for any ende, or to
any vse, it is by reading all made to serue vs: in religion to loue
and feare God, in law to obey and please men: in skill to entertaine
knowledge, in will to expell ignorance, to do all in all, as hauing by
it all helpes to do all thinges well. Wherfore I make _reading_, my
first and fairest principle of all other, as being simply the first in
substaunce, and leaning to none, but leading all other, and growing
after so great, as it raungeth ouer all, being somwhat without other,
other nothing without it: and a thing of such moment, as it is vainely
begon, if it be not soundly goten, and being once sound it selfe:
it deliuereth the next maister from manifest toile, and the childe
himselfe from maruellous trouble, from feare where he failes not, from
staggering, where he stops not, with comfort where he knowes, with
courage, where he dare, a securitie to the parent, a safty to eche
partie. I wishe the childe to haue his reading thus perfect, and ready,
in both the English and the Latin tongue verie long before he dreame of
his Grammar.
[Sidenote: The reading of English first.]
Of the which two, at whether it were better to begin, by some accident
of late it did seeme somwhat doubtful: but by nature of the tongues,
the verdit is giuen vp. For while our religion was restrained to the
Latin, it was either the onely, or the onelyest principle in learning,
to learne to read Latin: as most appropriate to that effect, which the
Church then esteemed on most.
But now that we are returned home to our English abce, as most naturall
to our soile, and most propter to our faith, the restraint being
repealed, and we restored to libertie, we are to be directed by nature,
and propertie, to read that first, which we speake first, and to care
for that most, which we euer vse most: bycause we neede it most: and to
begin our first learning there, where we haue most helpes, to learne it
best, by familiaritie of our ordinarie language, by vnderstanding all
usuall argumentes, by continuall company of our owne countreymen, all
about vs speaking English and none vttering any wordes but those, which
we our selues are well acquainted with, both in our learning and living.
There be two speciall, whether ye will call them rules, or notes,
to be obserued in teaching, wherof the first is: That thinges be so
taught, as that which goeth before, may induce that, which followeth
by naturall consequence of the thing it selfe, not by erronious
missorting of the deceiued chuser, who like vnto an vnskilfull hoste
oftimes misplaceth euen the best of his guestes, by not knowing their
degrees.
The second is, that those thinges be put vnto children, which being
confessed to be most necessarie, and most proper to be learned in those
yeares, haue lest sense, to their feeling, and most labour, without
fainting. For can any growne man so moile him selfe, without to much
cumber, with either the principles of Grammer, or cunning without
booke, as a child will, the ones memorie being empty, the other being
distracte with diuersitie of thoughtes? _Reason_ directes yeares, and
_roate_ rules in youth, _reason_ calls in sense and feeling of paine,
_roate_ runnes on apase and mindeth nothing else but either play in the
ende, or a litle praise for a great deale of paines. Now praise neuer
wearies, nor paine euer but wearies, and play pleaseth children with
any, yea the greatest iniquitie of circunstance, whether the weather
lowre, or the maister frowne, so he will giue them leaue to go. Though
the Latin tongue be already discharged of all superfluities, exempt
from custome, to chaunge it, and laid vp for knowledge, to cherish it:
and of long time hath bene smoothed both to the eye, and to the eare:
yet in course of teaching it doth not naturally draw on the English,
which yet remaineth in her lees vnrackt and not fined, though it grow
on verie faire. Our spelling is harder, our pronouncing harsher, our
syllabe hath commonly as many letters, as the whole Latin word hath. So
that both consequence, and hardnesse preferre the English. Euen here
must memorie begin her first traine, and store her selfe with such
stuffe, as shall laie the best foundation to religion and obedience,
which beginning in these yeares, will crepe on very strongly and no
lesse soundly: so that the child cannot but proue very good in age,
which was so consideratly entred in his youth. What the thinges shall
be, wherin both reading must trauell, and memorie must make choice, I
will shew in mine Elementarie wherin the whole education before Grammer
shalbe comprised.
[Sidenote: Writing.]
Next to reading followeth _writing_, in some reasonable distance after,
bycause it requireth some strength of the hand, which is not so soone
staied nor so stiffe to write, as the tongue is stirring and redy to
read. And though writing in order of traine do succede reading, yet
in nature and time it must needes be elder. For the penne or some
other penlike instrument did carue and counterfeat the letter or some
letterlike deuise first rawly and rudely, neither all at once: then
finely and fully, when all was at once: and therby did let the eye
beholde that in charact, which the voice deliuered to the eare in
sounde, which being so set downe to vtter the power and knitting of the
articulate voice, and afterward obserued to expresse them in deede,
caused writing be much vsed as interpreter to the minde, and reading be
embrased as expounder to the penne, and expressing that in force, which
the penne set downe in fourme. Wherby it must needes follow, that raw
and rude charactes, were the primitiue writing, which being expressed
what they did signifie brought forth reading: and that experience vpon
triall of their vertues made so much of them both, as she recommended
them to profit, to haue them appointed for principles in the training
vp of youth. So that reading being but the expresser of the written
charactes must needes acknowledge and confesse her puniship to writing,
of whom she tooke both her being and her beginning.
To limite any one cause how writing began, or to runne ouer the
inuentours of thinges to finde out who deuised it first, were to gesse
at some vncertaine, though probable coniecture, without any assuraunce,
to build on, as the thing it selfe is of small importaunce, for any
to tarie on. It is more then likely, wherof so euer the first charact
came, that necessitie caught hold of it, to serue her owne tourne, and
so enlarged it still, till it came to that perfection which we see it
now in. I will neither paint out reading with such ornamentes, as it
needes not, neither praise writing with such argumentes, as it craues
not. For it is praise enough to a good thing to be confessed good,
and what so euer is said more, is doubtfully to ground that, which
is determinatly graunted, and to seeke for defence when the forte is
surrendred. After that reading was reduced into forme, and brought to
her best, she fined her foundresse, and is therfore aboue all praise,
bycause she makes the eye, the paragon sense, by benefit of that
obiect. And writing it selfe hath profited so much, since it hath bene
perfited, as it now proues the proppe to remembraunce, the executour of
most affaires, the deliuerer of secretes, the messager of meaninges,
the enheritance of posteritie, whereby they receiue whatsoeuer is left
them, in lawe to liue by, in letters to learne, in euidence to enioye.
To come by this thing so much commended, so, as it may bring foorth all
her effectes redily, and roundly, these notes must be kept.
That the maister learne himselfe and teach his scholer a faire
letter and a fast, for plainesse and speede: That the matter of his
example be pithie, and proper, to enrich the memorie with profitable
prouision: and that the learning to write be not left of, vntil it be
verie perfit: bycause writing being ones perfectly goten doth make a
wonderful riddance in the rest of our learning. For the master may be
bould to charge his child with writing of his geare, when he findes
him able, to dispatch that with ease, what so euer is enioyned him.
Neither shall that child euer complaine of difficultie after, which
can read and write perfectly before. For first he hath purchased those
two excellent faire winges, which will cause him towre vp to the top
of all learning, as _Plato_ in the like case of knowledge, termeth
_Arithmetick_ and _Geometrie_[2] his two wings wherwith to flie vp to
heauen, from whence he doth fetch the true direction of his imprisoned
ignorant. Secondly he hath declared eare he came to that cunning, that
his wit would serue him, to proceede on further, as his winges will
helpe him, to flie on faster. For in deede during the time, of writing
and reading, his witte will bewraie it selfe, whether it may venture
further vpon greater learning, or were best to stay at some smaller
skil, vpon defect in nature. But if the child can not do that redily,
which he hath rather looked on, then learned, before he remoue from
his Elementarie, while his maister conceiues quickly, and he perceiues
slowly, there is verie much matter offered vnto passion, wheron to
worke. Which commonly brusteth out into much beating, to the dulling
of the childe, and discouraging of the maister: and bycause of the to
timely onset, to litle is done in to long a time, and the schoole is
made a torture, which as it bringes forth delite in the ende, when
learning is helde fast, so should it passe on verie pleasantly by
the waye, while it is in learning: And generally this I do thinke of
perfiting, and making vp, as children go on: (seing the argument it
selfe doth draw my penne so forcibly forward,) that it must needes be
most perfectly good. For what if oportunitie either to go any further
at all, or at least to go so on, as their freindes did set them in, be
suddenly cut of, either by losse of freindes, or lacke in freindes,
or some other misfortune? were it not good that they had so much
perfectly, as they are practised in? which being vnperfectly had, will
either stand them in very small steede, or in none at all. To write and
read wel which may be iointly gotten is a prety stocke for a poore boye
to begin the world with all.
[Sidenote: Writing the English hand first.]
The same reasons which moued me to haue the child read English before
Latin, do moue me also, to wishe him to write English before Latin, as
a thing of more hardnesse, and redier in vse to aunswere all occasions.
Thus farre I do thinke that all my countreymen will ioyne with me, and
allow their children the vse, of their letter and penne. For those that
can write and read may not gainsaie, least I aske of them why they
learned themselues? If they that cannot, do mislike that they haue not,
I will aske of them, why they wishe so oft for them?
[Sidenote: Drawing.]
Some controuersie before the thing be consideratly thought on, but
none after, may arise about this next, which is to draw with penne
or pencill, a cosen germain to faire writing, and of the selfe same
charge. For penne and penknife, incke and paper, compasse and ruler, a
deske and a dustboxe will set them both vp, and in these young yeares,
while the finger is flexible, and the hand fit for frame, it will be
fashioned easely. And commonly they that haue any naturall towardnesse
to write well, haue aknacke of drawing to, and declare some euident
conceit in nature bending that waye. And as iudgement by vnderstanding
is a rule to the minde to discern what is honest, seemly, and sutable
in matters of the minde, and such argumentes as fall within compasse
of generall reason exempt from sense: so this qualitie by drawing with
penne or pencill, is an assured rule for the sense to iudge by, of the
proportion and seemelines of all aspectable thinges.
As he that knoweth best, how to kepe that himselfe, which is comely in
fashion, can also best iudge, when comelinesse of fashion is kept by
any other. And why is it not good to haue euery parte of the body: and
euery power of the soule to be fined to his best? And seing that must
be looked vnto long afore, which must serue vs best alwaye after, why
ought we not to ground that thoroughly in youth, which must requite
vs againe with grace in our age? If I or any else should seeme to
contemne that principle, which brought forth _Apelles_, and that so
knowen a crew of excellent painters, so many in number, so marueilous
in cunning, so many statuaries, so many architectes: nay whose vse all
modelling, all mathematikes, all manuaries do finde and confesse to be
to so notorious and so needefull: both I and that any else might well
be supposed to see very litle, not seing the use of that, which is
laboured for sight, and most delitefull to see. Neither is the deuise
mine, as if it were, repentance hath repulse. For what so euer I do
allow in others, which for the deuise do deserue wel, I deserued not
ill, in mine opinion, if I were my selfe the first deuiser therof. That
great philosopher _Aristotle_ in the eight booke and third chapter of
his Politikes, and not there onely, as not he alone, ioyneth writing
and reading, which he compriseth vnder this worde, γραμματικὴ, with
drawing by penne or pencill, which I translate his γραφικὴ, both the
two of one parentage and petigree, as thinges peculiarly chosen to
bring vp youth, both for quantitie in profit, and for qualitie in vse.
There he sayeth, that as writing and reading do minister much helpe to
trafficque, to householdrie, to learning, and all publicke dealinges:
so drawing by penne or pencill, is verie requisite to make a man able
to iudge, what that is which he byeth of artificers and craftes men,
for substaunce, forme, and fashion, durable and handsome or no: and
such other necessarie seruices, besides the delitefull and pleasant.
For the setting of colours I do not much stand in, howbeit if any
dexterity that waye do draw the child on, it is an honest mans liuing
and I dare not condemne that famous fellowship: which is so renowned
for handling the pencill. A large field is here offered to praise the
praiseworthy, and to paint them out well, which painted all thinges
so well, as the world still wondereth at the hearing of their workes.
But the praise of painting is no part of my purpose at this time,
but the appointing of it among the training principles, being so
aunciently allowed, so necessarie in so many thinges, so great a ground
to so gallant a misterie, as that profession is, wherof _Apelles_
was: and last of all, so neare a cosen to the fairest writing, whose
cradlefellow it is.
_Musicke_ maketh vp the summe, and is deuided into two partes, the
voice and the instrument, wherof the voice resembleth reading: as
yealding that to the eare, which it seeth with the eye: and the
instrument writing, by counterfeting the voice, both the two in this
age best to be begon, while both the voice and the iointe be pliable
to the traine. The voice craueth lesse cost to execute her part,
being content with so much onely, as writing, and drawing did prouide
for their furniture, when they began their houshold. The instrumente
seemeth to be more costly, and claimes both more care in keping, and
more charge in compassing. For the pleasauntnesse of _Musick_ there
is no man that doth doubt, bycause it seemeth in some degree to be a
medicine from heauen, against our sorowes vpon earth. Some men thinke
it to be too too sweete, and that it may be either quite forborne, or
not so much followed. For mine owne parte I dare not dispraise it,
which hath so great defendours, and deserueth so well, and I must
needes allow it, which place it among those, that I do esteeme the
cheife principles, for training vp of youth, not of mine owne head
alone, but by the aduise of all antiquitie, all learned philosophie,
all skilfull training, which make _Musick_ still one of the principles,
when they handle the question, what thinges be best, to bring youth
first vp in. If I had sought occasion of raunging discours which I
still auoide, but where the opening of some point, doth lighten the
thing, and may delite the reader, whom flatte and stearne setting
downe, by waye of _aphorisme_, would soone weary, (though many not of
the meanest would allow of that kinde exceeding well:) I might haue
found out many digressions long agoe, or if I had taken holde of that
which hath bene offered, I haue mette with many such, since I began
first to write: but of all, in all sortes I do finde any, wherin
speeche might so spreede all the sailes, which she hath, and the penne
might vse, all the pencilling, which she can: as in painting out the
praise and ornamentes of _Musick_.
The matter is so ample, the ground so large, the reasons so many, which
sound to her renowne: the thing it selfe so auncient, and so honorable,
so generall, and so priuate, so in Churches, and so without, so in all
ages, and in all places, both highely preferred, and richely rewarded:
the princesse of delites, and the delite of princes: such a pacifier
in passion, such a maistres to the minde, so excellent in so many, so
esteemed by so many, as euen multitude makes me wonder, and with all to
staie my hand, for feare that I shall not easely get thence, if I enter
once in. I will not therfore digresse: bycause there is better stuffe
in place, and more fit for my purpose, then the praise of _Musick_ is.
The Philosophers, and Physicians, do allow the straining, and recoyling
of the voice in children, yea though they crie, and baule, beside their
singing, and showting: by the waie of exercise to stretche, and kepe
open the hollow passages, and inward pipes of the tender bulke, whereby
_Musick_ will proue a double principle both for the soule, by the name
of learning, and for the body, by the waye of exercise, as hereafter
shall appeare.
But for the whole matter of _Musick_, this shalbe enough for me to
say at this time, that our countrey doth allow it: that it is verie
comfortable to the wearyed minde: a preparatiue to perswasion: that
he must needes haue a head out of proportion, which cannot perceiue:
or doth not delite in the proportions of number, which speake him so
faire: that it is best learned in childehood, when it can do least
harme, and may best be had: that if the constitution of man both for
bodie and soule, had not some naturall, and nighe affinitie with the
concordances of _Musick_, the force of the one, would not so soone
stirre vp, the cosen motion in the other. It is wonderfull that is
writen, and strange that we see, what is wrought therby in nature of
_Physick_, for the remedying of some desperate diseases.
[Sidenote: Miscontentment.]
And yet there groweth some miscontentment with it, though it be neuer
so good, and that not only in personages of whom I make small account,
but in some verie good, honest, and well disposed natures, though to
stearnly bent, which neuerthelesse, for al their stearnnes, wil resigne
ouer their sentence, and alter their opinion, sometimes of themselues
vpon deeper meditation, what the thing in it selfe is, sometime by
inducement, when they fal in with other which are better resolued:
but most cheifly then, when _Musick_ it selfe consideratly applyed,
hath for a while obtained the fauorable vse of their listning eares.
The science it selfe hath naturally a verie forcible strength to trie
and to tuche the inclination of the minde, to this or that affection,
thorough the propertie of number, wheron it consisteth, which made the
_Pythagorian_, and not him alone to plat the soule out so much vpon
number.
[Sidenote: Aunswere.]
It is also very pleasant for the harmonie and concent, wherby the
hearer discouers his disposition, and lettes pleasure playe vpon the
bitte, and dalye with the bridle, as delite will not be drowned, nor
driuen to hidebare. For which cause _Musick_ moueth great misliking
to some men that waye, as to great a prouoker to vaine delites,
still laying baite, to draw on pleasure: still opening the minde, to
the entrie of lightnesse. And in matters of religion also, to some
it seemes offensiue, bycause it carieth awaye the eare, with the
sweetnesse of the melodie, and bewitcheth the minde with a _Syrenes_
sounde, pulling it from that delite, wherin of duetie it ought to
dwell, vnto harmonicall fantasies, and withdrawing it, from the best
meditations, and most vertuous thoughtes to forreine conceites, and
wandring deuises. For one aunswere to all, if abuse of a thing,
which may be well vsed, and had her first being to be well vsed, be
a sufficient condemnation to the thing that is abused, let glotonie
forbid meat, distempering drinke, pride apparell, heresie religion,
adulterie mariage, and why not, what not? Nay which of all our
principles shall stand, if the persons blame, shal blemish the thing?
We read foolish bookes, wherat to laugh, nay wherin we learne that,
which we might and ought forbeare: we write strange thinges, to serue
our owne fansie, if we sway but a litle to any lewde folly: we paint
and draw pictures, not to be set in Churches, but such as priuate
houses hide with curtaines, not to saue the colours, but to couer their
owners, whose lightnesse is discouered, by such lasciuious obiectes.
Shall reading therfore be reft from religion? shall priuate, and
publike affaires, lease the benefit of writing? shall sense forgoe his
forsight, and the beautifier of his obiect? Change thou thy direction,
the thinges will follow thee more swifte to the good, then the other to
the bad, being capable of both, as thinges of vse be, and yet bending
to the better. Mans faulte makes the thing seeme filthie. Applie thou
it to the best, the choice is before thee. It is the ill in thee,
which seemeth to corrupte the good in the thing, which good, though it
be defaced by thy ill, yet shineth it so cleare, as it bewraieth the
naturall beautie, euen thorough the cloude of thy greatest disgracing.
_Musick_ will not harme thee, if thy behauiour be good, and thy conceit
honest, it will not miscary thee, if thy eares can carie it, and sorte
it as it should be.
Appoint thou it well, it will serue thee to good purpose: if either
thy manners be naught, or thy iudgement corrupt, it is not _Musick_
alone which thou doest abuse, neither cannest thou auoide that blame,
which is in thy person, by casting it on _Musick_, which thou hast
abused and not she thee. And why should those people, which can vse
it rightly, forgoe their owne good, or haue it with embasing to
pleasure some peuishe, which will not yet be pleased? or seeke to
heale sores, which will festure still, and neuer skinne, though ye
plaster them daily, to your owne displeasure. But am I not to tedious?
This therfore shall suffise now, that children are to be trained vp
in the Elementarie schoole, for the helping forward of the abilities
of the minde, in these fower things, as commaunded vs by choice and
commended by custome. _Reading_, to receiue that which is bequeathed
vs by other, and to serue our memorie with that which is best for vs.
_Writing_ to do the like thereby for others, which other haue done for
vs, by writing those thinges which we daily vse: but most of al to do
most for our selues: _Drawing_ to be a directour to sense, a delite to
sight, and an ornament to his obiectes. _Musick_ by the instrument,
besides the skill which must still encrease, in forme of exercise to
get the vse of our small ioyntes, before they be knitte, to haue them
the nimbler, and to put Musicianes in minde, that they be no brawlers,
least by some swash of a sword, they chaunce to lease a iointe, an
irrecouerable iewell vnaduisedly cast away. _Musick_ by the voice,
besides her cunning also, by the waye of _Phisick_, to sprede the voice
instrumentes within the bodie, while they be yet but young. As both
the kindes of _Musick_ for much profit, and more pleasure, which is
not voide of profit in her continuing kinde. All foure for such vses
as be infinite in number, as they know best, which haue most knowledge
and the parentes must learne, to lead their children to them: and the
children must beleue, to winne their parentes choice, which may be
in all, if they themselues liste, if they liste not, in no more then
they like, their restraining conceite neither bridling, nor abbridging
any other mans entent, which seeketh after more. And though all young
ones be not thus farre trained, yet we may perceiue, that all these be
vsed, in particular proofes, and not to be refused in generall trade,
where all turnes be serued, by setting foor[t]h of all thinges that
be generally in vse, though not generally used. Thus much of these
thinges at this time, which I do meane by Gods grace to handle in their
owne Elementarie, as precisely and yet, as properly, as euer I can.
FOOTNOTES:
[2] 7. De Rep.
CHAPTER 6.
OF EXERCISES AND TRAINING THE BODY. HOW NECESSARIE A THING EXERCISE
IS. WHAT HEALTH IS, AND HOW IT IS MAINTAINED: WHAT SICKNESSE IS, HOW
IT COMMETH, AND HOW IT IS PREUENTED. WHAT A PARTE EXERCISE PLAYETH IN
THE MAINTENAUNCE OF HEALTH. OF THE STUDENT AND HIS HEALTH. THAT ALL
EXERCISES THOUGH THEY STIRRE SOME ONE PART MOST, YET HELPE THE WHOLE
BODIE.
The soule and bodie being coparteners in good and ill, in sweete and
sowre, in mirth and mourning, and hauing generally a common sympathie,
and a mutuall feeling in all passions: how can they be, or rather
why should they be seuered in traine? the one made stronge, and well
qualified, the other left feeble, and a praye to infirmitie? will ye
haue the minde to obtaine those thinges, which be most proper vnto her,
and most profitable vnto you, when they be obtained? Then must ye also
haue a speciall care, that the bodie be well appointed, for feare it
shrink, while ye be either in course to get them, or in case to vse
them. For as the powers of the soule come to no proofe, or to verie
small, if they be not fostered by their naturall traine, but wither
and dye, like corne not reaped, but suffered to rotte by negligence of
the owner, or by contention in chalenge: euen so, nay much more, the
bodie being of it selfe lumpishe and earthy, must needes either dye in
drowsinesse, or liue in loosenesse, if it be not stirred and trained
diligently to the best. And though the soule, as the fountaine of life,
and the quickner of the body, may and will beare it out for some while,
thorough valiauntnesse of courage: yet weaknesse will not be alwayes
dissembled, but in the ende will and must bewraie her owne want, euen
then perauenture, when it were most pittie. Many notable personages
for stomacke and courage, many excellent men for learning and skill,
in most and best professions haue then left their liues, thorough
the plaine weaknesse, of their contemned bodies, when they put their
countries in most apparent and gladsome hope of rare and excellent
effectes, the one of valiantnesse and manhood, the other of knowledge
and skill. Seing therfore there is a good in them both, which by
diligent endeuour may be auaunced to that, for which it was ordained,
and by negligent ouersight, doeth either decaye quite, or proues not
so well, as otherwayes it might, I maye not slightly passe ouer the
bodies good, being both so neare, and so necessarie a neighbour unto
the soule: considering I haue bestowed so much paines already, and must
bestow much more, in the seruice of the soule: nay rather considering
I deale with the bodie but once, and that onely here, wheras I entreat
of the soule, and the furniture therof in what so euer I shall medle
with, in my whole course hereafter. If common sense did not teach vs
the necessitie of this point, and extreme feeblenes did not force men
to confesse, how great feates they could do, and how actiue they would
proue, if their weake limmes and failing ioyntes, would aunswere the
lusty courage, and braue swinge of their fierie and fresh spirites: I
would take paines to perswade them by argumentes, both of proofe in
experience, and of reason in nature, that as it is easie, so it were
needefull to helpe the body by some traine, not left at random to
libertie, but brought in to forme of ordinarie discipline, generally
in all men, bycause all men neede helpe, for necessarie health, and
ready execution of their naturall actions: but particularly for those
men, whose life is in leasure, whose braynes be most busied, and their
wittes most wearied, in which kinde studentes be no one small part,
but the greatest of all, which so vse their mindes as if they cared
not for their bodies, and yet so neede their bodies, as without the
strength and soundnesse wherof, they be good for nothing, but to moane
themselues, and to make other maruell, why they take no more heede,
how to do that long, which they do so well, being a thing within
compasse of their owne care, and knowledge. For who is so grosse, as he
will denie that exercise doth good, and that so great, as is without
comparison, seing olde _Asclepiades_ is by _Galene_ confuted, and
stawled for an asse: as _Erasitratus_ also his dissembling friend? or
who is so sore tied either to studie, or to stocks, as he cannot stirre
himselfe if he will, or ought not if he may? But the matter being
confessed, euen by the most idle, and vnweildy to be healthfull and
good, I shall neede no more reason, to procure assent, and allowaunce
for exercise. My whole trauell therfore must be to finde out, and set
foorth, what shalbe requisite to the perfourmaunce of this point,
concerning the traine and exercising of the body, that it may proue
healthy, and liue long: and be ready to assist, all the actions of the
minde.
Wherin therfore consisteth the health of the bodie, and how is it to
be maintained vntill such time, as nature shall dismantle, and pull it
downe her selfe? To aunswere this question, and withall to declare,
how great an officer to health exercise is: I will first shew, wherin
health doth consiste, and how diseases do come: then how health is
maintained, and disease auoided: Last of all how great a parte is
appointed for exercise to plaie in the perfourmaunce therof, bycause I
saye, and not I alone, but _Galen_ also that great Physician, neither
_Galen_[3] onely, though sufficient alone, but all that euer liued,
and were cheife of that liuerie, that who so can applie the minde well
with learning, and the bodie with exercise, shall make both a wise
minde, and a healthfull bodie in their best kinde. Wherfore seing I
haue set downe wherin the traine of the minde doth consist, so much as
the Elementarie course doth admit, and must perfourme, and so farre
as these my Positions require at this time, whose profession is not
to tary, though it tuche them: I wil now handle that other part of
exercise, wherwith the bodie is either to be kept in health, or to be
helpt to health: and that not onely in the Elementarie, to whom this
treatise should seeme to aunswere, but also in the generall student
during his whole life: which must alwaye rule himselfe by those
circunstances, which direct the application of exercise, according to
time, age, &c. and shalbe handled herafter.
[Sidenote: What is health and sicknesse.]
There be in the bodie of man, the force of foure elementes, fire and
aire, water and earth, and the pith of their primitiue, and principall
qualities, heat and couldnesse, moysture and drynesse, which the
Physicians call the similarie partes, of the similitude and likenesse
that they haue, not the one to the other, but the partes of eche to
their owne whole, bycause euerie least part, or degree of these great
ones, beare the name of the whole, as euerie part or parcell of fier,
is called fier, no lesse then the whole fier, of water, water, of aier,
aier, of earth, earth, and euerie degree of heat, is heat, of cold,
is cold, of moysture, is moysture, of drynesse, is drynesse, though
greater and smaller, lesse and more, be epithetes vnto them, as either
their quantitie, or qualitie doth sprede or close.
There be also in the same bodie certaine instrumentall partes,
compounded and consisting in substance of the similarie, which the
bodie doth vse in the executing of the naturall functions, and
workinges therof. Now when these similarie partes be so tempered, and
disposed, as no one doth excede any other in proportion to ouerrule,
but all be as one in consent to preserue: and the instrumentall
partes also be so correspondent one to an other, in composition and
greatnesse, in number and measure, as nature thorough the temperature
of the first, may absolutely vse the perfectnesse of the last, to
execute and perfourme without let or stoppe, what appertaineth to the
maintenaunce of her selfe: it is called health, and the contrarie,
disease, both in the whole bodie, and in euery part therof. In
the whole bodie by distemperature of the whole, in some part, by
composition, out of place, and disioynted, by greatnes, being to bigge
or to small: by measure, being misshapen and fashionles: by number,
being to many and needlesse: or to few, and failing. This health
whether it be in the middle degre, wherin all executions be complete
without any sensible let: and no infirmitie appeareth, that the bodie
feeles with any plaine offence: Or if it be in the perfectest degree,
which is so seldom, as neuer any saw, bycause of great frailty, and
brittlenesse in our nature: it neuer continueth in one estate, but
altereth still, and runnes to ruyne, without both speedy and daily, nay
without hourely reparation.
The causes which alter, and chaunge it so, be somtime from within the
bodie, and were borne with it: sometime from without, and yet not
without daunger. From within, the verie propertie and pithe of our
originall substance, and matter whence we grew, altereth vs first,
which as it beginneth, and groweth in moysture, so it endeth, and
stayeth in drynesse, and in the ende decayeth the bodie with to much
drynesse, which extreame though naturall withering, we call olde age,
which though it come by course, and commaundement of nature, yet
beareth it the name, and title of disease, bycause it decayeth the
bodie, and deliuereth it to death. From within also, the continuall
rebating, and falling awaye of somwhat from the bodie, occasioneth
much chaunge, nay that is most cause of greatest chaunge, and killeth
incontinent by meere defect, if it be not supplyed.
To these two causes of inward alteration, there aunswere two other
forreine causes, both vnholesome, and perillous, the aire, which
enuironneth vs, and violence, which is offered vs. The former of
the two, decaing our health with to much heat, cold, drynesse, and
moysture of it selfe: or by noysomnesse of the soile, and corruption
in circunstance. The second, by strong hand brusing, or breaking,
wounding or wiping awaie, of some one part of the bodie, or els killing
the whole consort of the bodie with the soule, and taking away life
from it. These foure ouerthrowes of our bodies and health, olde age,
waste, aire, and violence, finde by helpe of nature, and arte, certaine
oppositions, which either diuert them quite, if they maye be auoided,
or kepe them of longer, if they maye be differred, or mittigate their
malice, when it is perceiued. For forreine violence, foresight will
looke to, where casualtie commaundes not, and cannot be foreseene. For
infection by the aire, that it do not corrupte and marre so much as it
would, wisedome will prouide, and defende the bodie from the iniuries,
and wronges therof. That olde age grow not on to fast, circunspectnes
in diet, consideration in clothes, diligence in well doing, wil easely
prouide, both for the minde not to enfect, first it selfe and then the
bodie: and for the bodie not to enforce the minde, by too impotent
desires. That waste weare not, meat takes in chardge, to supplie that
is drye, and decayeth: drinke promiseth to restore moysture, when it
doth diminishe: the breath it selfe, and arteriall pulse, looke to
heating and cooling. And _Physick_ in generall professing foresight to
preuent euills, and offering redresse, when they haue done harme, so
not incurable, doth direct both those and all other meanes. Now in all
these helpes, and most beneficiall aides of our afflicted nature, which
deuiseth all meanes to saue her selfe harmelesse, and deliteth therin,
when she is discharged of infirmities, to much stuffes and stiffles, to
litle straites and pines, both vndoe the naturall. To much meat cloyes,
to litle faintes, both perishe the principall. To much liquour drownes,
to litle dryes, both corrupt the carcasse. Heat burnes, cold chilles,
in excesse both to much, in defect both to litle, and both causes to
decaie. Mediocritie preserueth not onely in these but in whatsoeuer els.
[Sidenote: Exercise.]
But now what place hath exercise here? to helpe nature by motion in all
these her workinges, and wayes for health: to encrease and encourage
the naturall heat, that it maye digest quickly and expell strongly: to
fashion and frame all the partes of the bodie to their naturall and
best hauiour: to helpe to rid needelesse, and superfluous humours:
reffuse and reiected excrementes, which nature leaues for naught, when
she hath sufficiently fed, and wisheth rather they were seene abrode,
then felt within. And be not these great benefites? to defend the body
by defeating diseases? to stay the minde, by strengthening of her
meane? to assist nature being both daily, and daungerously, assailed
both within and without? to helpe life to continue long? to force
death, to kepe farre a loufe?
Now as all constitutions be not of one and the same mould, and as
all partes be not moued alike, with any one thing: so the exercises
must alter, and be appropriate to each: that both the constitution
may be continued in her best kinde, and all the partes preserued to
their best vse, which exercises being compared among themselues one
to an other, be more or lesse, but being applyed to the partie kepe
alwayes in a meane, when they meane to do good. Concerning students,
for whose health my care is greatest, the lesse they eate, the lesse
they neede to voide: and therfore small diet in them, best preuenteth
all superfluities, which they cannot auoide, if their diet be great
and their exercise small. Their exercise must also be very moderate,
and not alter to much, for feare of to great distemperature in that,
which must continue moderate: and with all it should be ordinarie,
that the habit may be holesome, and sudden chaunge giue no cause of
greater inconuenience. Wherfore to auoide distemperature the enemie to
health, and so consequently to life, and to maintaine the naturall
constitution so, as it may serue to the best, wherin her duetie lyeth,
and liue to the longest, that in nature it can, besides the diet,
which must be small, as nature is a pickler, and requires but small
pittaunce: besides clothing which should be thin euen from the first
swadling to harden, and thick the flesh: I do take this traine by
exercise, which I wishe to be ioyned with learning, to be a marueilous
furtherer.