Were the subject before us a matter of indifference or curiosity, such
as idle men are used to discourse of, I could allow your lordship
to pursue it in this way of Socratic raillery and declamation. But,
if ever there was a question, that deserved the examination of a
philosopher, properly so called, it is, surely, this of EDUCATION;
and, among the various parts of it, none is more strictly to be
inquired into, as none is, perhaps, so big with important consequences,
as that which comes recommended to us under the specious name of
FOREIGN TRAVEL.
I could not, therefore, but wonder to hear your lordship enlarge so
much, and so long, on I know not what varnish of manners and good
breeding; of the knowledge of men and the world; of arts, languages,
and other trappings and shewy appendages of education: just as if
an architect should entertain you with a discourse on Festoons and
Foliage, or the finishing of his Frize and Capitals, when you expected
him to instruct you in what way to erect a solid edifice on firm walls
and durable foundations.
What a reasonable man wants to know, is, the proper method of building
up _men_: whereas your lordship seems solicitous for little more than
tricking out a set of fine _gentlemen_. It seemed, indeed, as if
your lordship had calculated your defence of travelling for a knot
of Virtuosi, or a still more fashionable circle (where, doubtless,
it would pass with much ease and without contradiction); and had,
somehow, forgotten that your hearers are all plain men; one of them,
an old one; and he too, as your Lordship loves to qualify him, a
philosopher.
To speak my mind frankly, my Lord, your defence of foreign travel, as
lively and plausible as it seemed, has no solid basis to rest upon. You
tell us of many defects in the breeding of our _English_ youth, and you
would willingly redress them: but in what way this is best done, can
never be known from vague and general declamation.
To make this inquiry to purpose, some certain principles must be laid
down; some scheme of life and manners must be formed; some idea or
model of the character, you would imprint on young minds, must be
described; to which we may constantly refer, as we go along; and by
which, as a rule, we may estimate the fitness and propriety of that
sort of breeding, you would recommend to us.
Since your Lordship then will needs have me dictate to you on the
subject of Education, I must have leave to do it in another way, and
after a more solemn manner, than you perhaps expect from me in this
freedom of conversation.
I begin with this certain principle: That the business of education is
to form the UNDERSTANDING, and regulate the HEART. If man be a compound
of Reason and Passion, the only proper discipline of his nature is that
which accomplishes these two purposes.
So far we are, doubtless, agreed. But the subject requires a more
particular application of this principle.
You have laboured with much plausibility to persuade us, That the
only reasonable education is that which prepares and fits a man for
the commerce of the world: and I readily admit the notion, provided
we first agree about the meaning of this big word, the WORLD. Your
Lordship, it may be, in your sublime view of things, is projecting to
make of your Pupil, what is called, in the widest sense of the term, a
_Citizen of the World_. A great and awful character, my Lord! But let
us advance by just degrees.
First, if you please, let us provide that he be a worthy citizen of
_England_; and, by your favour, let me ennoble this small island of
ours with the pompous appellation of the world. It is that world,
at least, in which our adventurer is to play his part; and for the
commerce of which it concerns him most immediately to be prepared.
Now, as your Lordship’s chief care is directed, very properly, towards
its chief subjects; I mean, the men of rank and fortune, whose ample
property and noble birth give their country the greatest concern in
their education; let me ask in what manner they are likely to qualify
themselves best for the important parts, they are to act in it?