Графични страници
PDF файл
ePub

And

the Locks and Gripes of Wrestling, wherein Eng
lifhmen were wont to excel, as need may often be
in fight to tugg or grapple, and to close.
this perhaps will be enough, wherein to prove
and heat their fingle ftrength. The interim of
unfweating themselves regularly, and convenient
reft before meat, may both with profit and de-
light be taken up in recreating and compofing
their travail'd Spirits with the folemn and divine
harmonies of Mufick heard or learnt; either while
the skilful Organift plies his grave and fancied de-
fcant, in lofty fugues, or the whole Symphony
with artful and unimaginable touches adorn and
grace the well-ftudied chords of fome choice Com-
pofer; fometimes the Lute, or foft Organ-stop
waiting on elegant Voices either to religious, ma-
terial, or civil Ditties; which, if wife Men and
Prophets be not extremely out, have a great
Power over Difpofitions and Manners, to smooth
and make them gentle from ruftick Harfhness and
diftemper'd Paffions. The like alfo would not be
unexpedient after Meat to affift and cherish Na-
ture in her first Concoction, and fend their Minds
back to study in good tune and fatisfaction. Where
having follow'd it close under vigilant Eyes till
about two hours before Supper, they are by a
fudden Alarm or Watch-Word, to be call'd out
to their military motions, under Skie or Covert,
according to the Seafon, as was the Roman wont;
first on foot, then as their Age permits on Horfe-
back, to all the Art of Cavalry; that having in

sport

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small]

fport but with much exactness, and daily muster, ferv'd out the Rudiments of their Soldiership in all the fkill of Embattling, Marching, Encamping, Fortifying, Befieging and Battering, with all the helps of antient and modern Stratagems, Tafticks, and warlike Maxims, they may as it were out of a long War come forth renown'd and perfect Commanders in the Service of their Country. They would not then, if they were trusted with fair and hopeful Armies, suffer them for want of just and wife Difcipline to fhed away from about them like fick Feathers, tho' they be never fo oft supply'd: they would not fuffer their empty and unrecruitible Colonels of twenty Men in a Company, to quaff out, or convey into fecret Hoards, the Wages of a delufive Lift and a miferable Remnant: yet in the mean while to be over-master'd with a score or two of Drunkards, the only Soldiery left about them, or elfe to comply with all Rapines and Violences. No certainly, if they knew ought of that Knowledge that belongs to good Men or good Governours, they would not fuffer these things. But to return to our own Institute, befides thefe conftant Exercifes at home, there is another Opportunity of gaining Experience to be won from Pleasure itself abroad. In thofe vernal Seasons of the Year, when the Air is calm and pleasant, it were an Injury and fullenness against Nature not to go out, and fee her Riches, and partake in her rejoicing with Heaven and Earth. I should not therefore be a Perfuader to them of ftudying much then, after two or three $ Years

Years that they have well laid their Grounds, but to ride out in Companies with prudent and ftaid Guides, to all the Quarters of the Land; learning and obferving all Places of ftrength, all Commodities of building and of foil, for Towns and Tillage, Harbours and Ports for Trade: Sometimes taking Sea as far as to our Navy, to learn there also what they can in the practical Knowledge of failing and of Sea-fight. These ways would try all their pecu, liar Gifts of Nature; and if there were any fecret Excellence among them, would fetch it out, and give it fair opportunities.to advance itself by, which cou'd not but mightily redound to the good of this Nation, and bring into fashion again those old admired Virtues and Excellencies, with far more advantage now in this Purity of Chriftian Knowledge. Nor fhall we then need the Monfieurs of Paris to take our hopeful Youth into their flight and prodi gal Cuftodies, and fend them over back again transform'd into Mimicks, Apes, and Kickshaws. But if they defire to fee other Countries at three or four and twenty Years of Age, not to learn Principles, but to enlarge Experience and make wife Obfervation, they will by that time be such as shall deferve the regard and honour of all Men where they pass, and the Society and Friendship of those in all places who are best and most eminent; And perhaps then other Nations will be glad to visit us for their Breeding, or elfe to imitate us in their own Country.

Now laftly for their Diet there cannot be much to say, fave only that it would be beft in the fame

Houfe.

Houfe; for much Time elfe would be loft abroad, and many ill Habits got; and that it fhould be plain, healthful, and moderate, I fuppofe is out of controverfy. Thus, Mr. Hartlib, you have a general view in writing, as your defire was, of that which at several times I had discours'd with you concerning the best and noblest way of Education; not be ginning as fome have done from the Cradle, which yet might be worth many Confiderations, if brevityhad not been my scope : Many other circumftances. alfo I could have mention'd, but this, to fuch as. have the worth in them to make trial, for Light and Direction may be enough. Only I believe, that this is not a Bow for every Man to shoot in that counts himself a Teacher; out will require finews almoft equal to those which Homer gave Ulyffes; yet I am withal persuaded that it may prove much more easy in the Effay, than it now seems at diftance, and much more illustrious: howbeit not more difficult than I imagine, and that Imagination presents me with nothing but very happy and very, poffible according to best wishes; if God have fo decreed, and this Age have Spirit and Capacity, enough to apprehend..

[ocr errors]

2

« ПредишнаНапред »